mtravel travel and tourism

A Tour of Chernobyl as it exists today

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:50:02 -0400

So heres my trip to Chernobyl in pictures.
The trip was booked with www.tourchernobyl.com. I just emailed info@tourkiev.com, and got in touch with the guy who runs the whole place, Sergei. Really, really helpful guy who talked me through the whole process and answered numerous dumbass emails i sent him. You can book everything through them, from the flights (cost me about 500 euro) to hotel (160 euro for 2 nights), to a pickup at the airport and dropoff when leaving ($40 each).

First off we need to give props to our guide, Yuri. Yuri has worked in the zone for about 8 years now, i doubt theres many people who know the zone as well as he does.

The tour kicks off with him telling us about the zone, how polluted it still is (or isnt, in some areas)

Just outside Yuris headquarters is the monument to the firemen who died after the explosion. The monument was erected by the firemen themselves. After the explosion, firemen raced to the plant withihn 2 minutes of hearing the alarm, unknowingly exposing themselves to lethal doses of radiation.

We stop not far from the firemans memorial, at the remains of a tiny village. The village was destroyed, and then buried under orders from the soviets for being too radiactive. The geiger counter here doesnt show much radiation, Yuri believes it was buried out of the soviets desire to cover up the accident more than anything else. Ironically, the name of the village translated to english is called ‘diggers’, kinda prophetic really.

The sign for the ‘diggers’ village

Just across the road from the ex-village, Yuri points out a radar station just past the treeline. Its an abandoned military base that was used to detect incoming missiles, and for general spying on America. Aparrently, it shows up on old maps as ‘pioneers camp’. We move on, closer to the plant now.

A mile or two down the road, and we get our first glimpse of the plant. Reactor 4 (left) is the one that blew up, the reactor on the right was under construction at the time, and was never finished. The geiger counter is beeping stronger here.

Its reading 0.139 Roentgens, and by the time we picked it up out of the grass, it had gone up to .2, and was climbing. Its still nowhere near being lethal, but put it this way, you wouldnt want to stretch out on the grass for the afternoon. The grass is deadly around here, the asphalt was fine however! It doesnt absorb radiation like the soil did.

Further down the road, and we get our first proper view of the reactor. Its a pretty awe (or fear) inspiring sight, and the people on the tour are getting alot quieter, and maybe a bit more nervous now. The only sound you can hear is the geiger counter beeping faster & faster. WE scramble back into the van and head off, directly to the plant.

This is just outside the plant. Everyone was wondering what in gods name this is supposed to be til Yuri told us…go on, guess what it is is. Got it yet?

Its a…

Its a……

Its a dove with an atom in its mouth! Yeah, we couldnt guess either.

This is a memorial to the first people to die from the explosion. Most of them died shortly afterwards, but 3rd right from the center (i think) was the first guy to die, whos body is still in the plant, under the sarcopagus somewhere.

Were directly in front of the sarcophagus now. The geiger counter is going mental. Its getting unnerving at this stage. Stand here for too long, and youll be going home with a healthy green glow. Some dumbass takes off his hat and puts it on the ground while he poses for a picture, Yuri almost kills him. ‘DONT PUT STUFF ON THE GROUND!!!’. Dumbass.

We move on, now were at the Red Forest. So called because on the night of the accident, the whole forest glowed red. The forest was cut down, and buried under 6 meteres (or feet, im not sure) of earth. The only problem being, the trees they planted on top of them, are now dragging the radiation up through their roots, meaning radiation here is going UP instead of down. This is one of the most toxic places on earth.

And behind us is a roadsign that fills me with both excitement, and dread:

Pripyat.

Rush hour traffic on the road to Pripyat.

Were standing on the ‘bridge of death’ here. So called because on the day of the explosion, people gathered on this bridge to see the beautiful rainbow coloured flames of the burning graphite nuclear core, whose flames were higher than the smoke stack itself. They were all exposed to levels of over 500 roentgens, a fatal dose.

We drive on, and enter Pripyat town.

And here it is! The finest hotel in all of Pripyat. At least it was, back in 1986.

Were going right to the top of it, Yuri tells us. **** YES!!

Graffiti in pripyat is probably the most bone chilling graffiti ive ever seen.

Check in desk. business is a little slow, noones checked in in almost 23 years.

Someone forgot their newspaper.

I ducked away from the tour for a minute to check out some of the hotel rooms. One room still had its bed, and wardrobe, and someone left their slippers behind.

Almostat the top..

The view from the top of the hotel. Theres broken glass everywhere in Pripyat, not just cause of vandalism, but also down to the fact that all the windows had to be left open in the town, to stop pockets of radiation collecting indoors.

Another view from the hotel roof. The building on the left is the palace of culture. Were heading there shortly.

On our way to the palace of culture now. Its not advisable to sit on these chairs for too long, if you value having working balls.

Inside the palace of culture…where some mong stuck his head in my photo.

The sun shining through a hole in the roof makes an excellent spotlight, on a stage that hasnt seen a performance in almost 23 years.

We quite literally exit stage right, and head around the back of the palace of culture. Apartment blocks in Pripyat still bear all the signs of being a former soviet state, the hammer and sickle is everywhere.

All this stuff in behind the stage in the palace of culture. I think it was due to be used in the labour day parade that year, but it never came.

Yuri tells us were moving on to the amusement park, i can literally feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Yuri puts the geiger counter down on a patch of moss in front of the amusement park, and it goes absolutely ballistic. I think it went up to a full 2 roentgens. 500 roentgens is fatal, 200 would put you int he hospital for a long time, 2 isnt going to kill you, but you sure as hell dont want to go walking on this patch of moss, put it that way. Youd beep so much going through decontamination theyd probably take you for a chemical shower.

The amusement park was setup for the kids for the may day parade (i think it was may day, i could be wrong tho). But for Pripyat, time stopped on April 26th, and may day never came.

And then here it is, the infamous star of the show, the Pripyat eye. In Ukranian, its known as the ‘devils wheel’.

From here, were moving on to the swimming pool.

Lenin puts in another appearance

Inside the sports centre.

Pripyat was a real jewel in the crown for the soviets. And seeing the swimming pool here its easy to see why, its not hard to imagine olympic athletes training here, for the 70’s/80’s, this place must’ve been the best around. The pool is HUGE.

Were moving on to the final part of the tour, and probably the part that brings home just what a tragedy this really was. Suddenly im feeling like i really shouldnt be enjoying this. I feel like one of those rubberneckers who slows down at the scene of an accident to get a good gawp in. We’re going back to school.

Walking under the archway into the schoolyard.

The kids playground is barely visible through the trees that’ve grown up around it. I dont think the rest of the pictures need captions.

Thanks for reading!

via - grcade.com

10 Lost cities of the world That You Can Still Visit

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:37:00 -0400

travel and tourism

Ancient history books are littered with examples of cities that were destroyed, abandoned or swallowed up by the sea. The existence of some have never been proved. The remnants of others can still be visited.

Troy

Remains of the fabled city from the pages of Homer were discovered in the 19th century in Anatolia in Turkey. Legend has it that, following a siege, the Greeks plundered and then burnt the settlement to the ground. At an ancient mound at Hisarlik, archeologists have found 20ft walls and evidence of nine cities at the site, one of which could be the sacked city.

Find out more: www.andantetravels.co.uk

Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, once one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, to dazzle the gods and as a testament to his own greatness. Herodotus chronicled its magnificence, despite probably never having seen it, but now, not so much as a hanging basket can be found. The mud-brick walls of the city were discovered in the 19th century, however, along with ruins of the northern palace. The site was controversially re-built under Saddam Hussein. Large chunks of the city’s Ishtar Gate can be seen at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

Find out more: The Pergamon Museum

Akrotiri

This Bronze Age city was inhabited by the Minoan civilization until it was engulfed by a volcano eruption around 1500 BC. Found on the Greek island of Santorini, houses, staircases and some excellent wall-paintings and ceramics have been uncovered, well preserved under the ashes. The eruption could have been large enough for part of the island to sink under the lava into the sea, and may have inspired the legend of Atlantis.

Find out more: www.windmillstravel.com

Machu Picchu

The lost city of the Incas was initially thought to have been brought to the attention of the modern world by an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, in 1911, after laying undiscovered since the fall of the Incan Empire in the 1530s. However, a research team recently suggested it was looted more than 40 years previously by a German adventurer with the help of the Peruvian government. The spectacular terraces at the site are now a hugely popular tourist attraction but it remains unclear exactly why the city was built in such a location. The most popular of the current theories concern sacrificial virgins and astronomical alignment.

Find out more:www.timbesttravel.com

Petra

Tourists can discover just how hidden this rose-hued city once was for themselves, by approaching the magnificent treasury via the narrow Siq - a near mile-long hidden gorge in the sandstone mountains. There are around 1,000 more tombs, a sacrificial alter and a monastery to explore. Previously known only to Bedouin, it was rediscovered by Swiss traveller Johann Burckhardt in 1812. Hearing talk of a lost city, he disguised himself as an Arab and persuaded guides to take him there on the pretext of making a sacrifice at the tomb of Moses’ brother Aaron. The presence of several springs initially persuaded the nomadic Nabataeans to settle at Petra.

Find out more: www.abercrombiekent.co.uk

Oradour-sur-glane

While this French town was never ‘lost’ itself, it was the scene of a terrible massacre during the Second World War which saw its population - 624 men, women and children - killed on June 10 1944 by SS troops. There was no clear reason for their deaths. The town was razed and has been left in a ruined state. Memorials are sometimes held at the site.

Find out more: www.francethisway.com

Carthage

While the region still exists, not much is left of the ancient seaport which was destroyed not once but twice, first by the Romans during the Punic war in 146BC.

But the city rose again to be a Mediterranean trading port before being sacked by the Arabs in 698 AD. The ruins, scattered across Byrsa Hill in Tunisia, can be visited however and part of an aqueduct is visible.

Find out more: www.andantetravels.co.uk

Tikal

Once the capital of the Mayan civilisation and the seat of rulers such as Stormy Sky and Great Jaguar Paw, Tikal was mysteriously abandoned in about AD 900 and for more than a thousand years was swallowed up by dense vegetation.

Guatemalan locals knew about the city, once containing 4,000 buildings and 90,000 inhabitants, but European explorers only discovered it in the 19th century.

Find out more: www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk

Kuelap

Hidden amid the cloud forests of northern Peru, this fortress has only recently been opened up and teams of archeologists are still unearthing human bones while tourists explore the site today. The walled city pre-dates the Incas and the Peruvian tourist board is hoping it will become something of a Machu Picchu for the north. The Chachapoyas people held this forest stronghold which features homes, temples and tombs surrounded by a 70ft stone wall.

Find out more: www.southamericanexperience.co.uk

Angkor

Crumbling and weighed-down by the Cambodian jungle, the enormous complex at Angkor, the one-time capital of the Khmer empire, was stumbled upon by French explorer Henri Mouhot over 140 years ago. It contains scores of temples built between the 9th and 14th centuries and is a delight to explore. One theory regarding the demise of the city’s inhabitants is that expansion of the complex, thought to have covered 1,150 sq miles, could have disrupted the local environment in the surrounding forests.

Find out more: www.responsibletravel.com

via - telegraph.co.uk

10 Things You Should Not Do In Las Vegas

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:28:00 -0400

You often hear of travel guides telling you about things that you must do or see when you are in Vegas but we’re taking a different track here. Riffing off a list from Concierge.com made about NY, we’ve put together a list of Ten Things You Should NOT DO in Vegas.

Yes, Vegas is the one last place in the free world where you can be drunk, provocative, loud, careless, lewd and possibly adulterous and yet your secrets are kept safe by the widely-shared promise that “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas.” But mistakes that either cost you a lot of money or a lot of your dignity are never fun.

Hopefully, our tips—garnered from personal experience—will help you on your next trip to Sin City. No need to thank us, we just want you to party with respect.

1. Use The Casino ATMs: Most casino ATMs charge anywhere from $2 - $6 (plus what ever your bank tacks on) for the pleasure of spitting out more money for you to lose.
Instead: Do yourself a favor and either bring plenty of cash, or hit the BofA and WaMu-Chase machines off the Strip.

2. Dress Slutty: Do not take your vacation in Vegas to wear the sluttiest outfit you owned 10 years ago or as an incentive to buy a new hoochie outfit from Forever 21 that doesn’t quite cover all your bits and pieces. You will feel and look uncomfortable and thus end up drinking more to stifle the insecurity. And God knows what that could lead to.
Instead: Dress sexy (there’s a difference) in something special. Maybe even get your hair did but don’t wear anything that could get you mistaken for an escort. Also, if you plan on wearing something short just remember that when you’re dancing atop the go-go boxes, people will take pictures.

3. Wear Painful Shoes: Do not wear your six-inch stilettos or brand new Italian leather loafers for a night out on the town. Vegas casinos are bigger than they appear and just walking from the Venetian to The Wynn can give you painful blisters.
Instead: Try to stick with 3-inches or shoes that you’ve worn before. Also, we live in an age where flat sandals are cute again. The only exception might be if you wear those dangerous shoes directly from your room to the nightclub inside your hotel.

4. Get Married at The Chapel of Love: The divorce rate in America is hovering at 50 percent and if you treat your wedding day like an order of burger and fries at drive-thru, then the odds of failure have to go through the roof.
Instead: While Vegas quickies are cheap (starting at $49) we say hit the craps table, make yourself 500 bucks and elope in Vegas with dignity at one of the many new or classic wedding spots like the Mandalay Bay or the famous Little White Wedding Chapel.

5. Choose the Cheapest Buffet in Town: Full Las Vegas buffet for $11 with over 50 items sounds almost too good to be true right? Well it is. How is the food? Here is the opinion of one web reviewer:

The “scrambled eggs” seemed to be made of water and reconstituted egg yoke which had separated after sitting in the bin.

And that’s not all. This buffet serves thousands of people a day, which means not only can it get crowded, but it also can be teaming with kids. Kids are awesome and all, but a room full of hungry kids on vacation and a bit of a hangover don’t always mix.
Instead: The Wynn Buffet is incredible. Or if you want classic yet cheap try the Flamingo. Another option? Denny’s is right across the street.

6. Log-On In-room: Do not pay in-room internet charges. They are often too expensive (starting at $12.95) and the connection is never very good. Also, wireless is rare in-rooms meaning you have to use an ethernet cable.
Instead: Try to hit up these free WiFi spots.

7. Drink Before Your Massage: Sure, it sounds fun to spend the day by the pool drinking frozen daiquiris before heading off to an afternoon of relaxation at the spa but massages are not good for drunk people. The rub-downs release toxins from your body and take it from us, you WILL throw up.
Instead: Book a massage for mid-morning (provided you aren’t too hungover from last night) which will loosen you up for the long day of drinking ahead.

8. See Criss Angel’s Believe: You will want your money back and there’s no way you can get it. Also, evil bunnies are scary.
Instead: If you want a Cirque experience, you can’t go wrong with LOVE which is set to The Beatles music. For a more classic Broadway show experience with a little bit of goth, try The Phantom of The Opera.

9. Arrive at the Airport 30 Minutes Before Your Flight: Ok, maybe if you are a veteran you can pull this off. However, security lines in Vegas a legendarily long. Furthermore, once you check your bags and clear security there is a good chance you are going to have to hop on the monorail to get to your gate.
Instead: While the Strip is only about five minutes from the airport, allot yourself 1.5 hours to be assured you make your flight. Don’t worry there are plenty of Wheel of Fortune slots in the terminal if you happen to breeze through the security and monorail hurdles.

10. Stay Up All Night Then Catch Your Flight: Don’t party all night with the excuse that your flight is at 8am so you might as well stay up through the night. There is nothing worse than a crowded McCarran airport experience on a Sunday with a severe hangover. Not even the Oxygen bar in the Southwest terminal can revive you.
Instead: Book a night flight. That way you can continue the party on the plane.

via - bsamaglv.com

10 Volunteer Opportunities For Free Travel

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:18:00 -0400

Feature photo by technicolorcavalry Photo by AsianInsights

The chance to give something back, an opportunity to share your skills and knowledge, to meet other travellers or simply to meet the locals…

There are many reasons to volunteer while you’re travelling and there are literally thousands of charities and organisations that look for help from passing travellers.

Many ask for donations or fees to cover costs, others operate as profitable businesses but the list below is just a few that cost little or nothing to become involved and help out:

WWOOF (Willing Workers on Organic Farms), Worldwide

Board and lodging is offered in exchange for a days’ work on the farm. Stays available from one week to many years, and with thousands of hosts available in 53 countries there is an opportunity suitable for everyone. Contact: WWOOF.

For more information, check out A First-Timer’s Guide to WWOOF-ing.

Turtle Teams, Worldwide

A generic name for the thousands of small groups that help threatened sea turtles. Most groups are based on one or two nesting beaches–which are typically at risk from over exploitation-and appreciate help for even just one night.

Search for groups at the local tourist office close to any tropical beach and help a species come off the endangered list. More information can be found at these larger organisations:www.seaturtles.org and www.cccturtle.org.

Conservation Volunteers, Australia and New Zealand

– www.conservationvolunteers.com.au – Short-term project in Australia, New Zealand and a few international locations. Working in teams to protect habitats and promote eco tourism.

A small fee (usually around AUS$100 for a week) is usually required to participate, but covers all food and lodging. British based BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) also has similar opportunities. www.btcv.org.uk

Sudan Volunteer Programme, Sudan

– www.svp-uk.com – Teach English in one of the world’s most impoverished countries. Placements are at schools or universities but many volunteers help with community projects in additional to their teaching.

Volunteers must pay for their airfare but all other costs are covered, including a small monthly stipend.

Appalachian Trail Conference, USA

– www.appalachiantrail.org – At over 2,000 miles long the Appalachian Trail is the classic long trail in the Eastern US an home to almost 2,000 endangered or threatened species.

Volunteers help with trail building and maintenance in return for food and (usually very basic) accommodation

Photo by law_keven

Trip Leader for HF Holidays, Europe

– www.hfholidays.co.uk – One of Europe’s most popular walking holiday operators is searching for volunteers to lead their hiking and coach holidays. Leaders are provided with accommodation, meals and the chance to explore Europe in return for sharing their passion and knowledge with groups they accompany.

Help Exchange, Worldwide

– www.helpx.net – A website that lists worldwide hosts that are looking for an extra pair of hands; whether it be in their farm or garden, working in schools or on religious projects, building houses or community centres to simply helping a family take the kids to school.

A small memberships fee is required to access the details of hosts but board and lodging is provided in exchange for your work.

Peace Corps, Worldwide

– www.peacecorps.gov – A unique chance to live and work in another country; working on a variety of projects from healthcare and the environment to business development.

A real commitment to 27 months on placement is required, but for those that are willing, this is a life-changing position. Open only to US residents but similar projects are available for other nationals with VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) www.vso.org.uk

United Nations Volunteers, Worldwide

– www.unv.org – From health care and economic development to assisting after natural disasters, the UN offers positions for those that are dedicated to making a difference abroad.

While many positions are open only to experienced professions, the UN has links to hundreds of international NGOs and QANGOS that are looking for help in similar fields on a less formal basis.

Photo by aripeskoe

via - 7xn

8 Tools to Help You Travel Forever and Live Rent Free

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:54:00 -0400

8 Tools to Help You Travel Forever and Live Rent Free

So you’ve decided to do it. You have a friend or family member who can store your belongings for an undetermined period of time, you’ve tied up loose ends, and your bags are packed. It’s time to start traveling long term!

But now what? You have a few family members and distant friends who have offered up a couch if you’re in their neck of the woods, but surely they won’t appreciate your arrival on their doorstep with no planned departure date in sight.

How then, do you travel long term and not run out of money? Hotels (and even hostels) are expensive over time, and finding rental accommodation in every city you visit is impractical. Heck – you don’t even want to pay rent at all!

Here are eight handy resources to help you get started on your long term travel adventure:

Caretaker’s Gazette

(http://www.caretaker.org)

By joining this service (annual membership is approximately US$30), you will gain access to a classified system of people looking for caretakers in exchange for rent-free living. The opportunities vary widely in scope from ranch hands, to organic farm workers, campground hosting, motel management, nursing for the elderly, to just plain house sitting. Locales for your next potential gig could be anywhere in the world, from numerous U.S. locations, to Australia, to Europe and even Micronesia.

Some are paying opportunities, while others are simply work-trade arrangements for accommodation. Others yet will supply an additional stipend depending on your experience and the work entailed.

This is what TIME Magazine had to say about the Caretaker’s Gazette.

Woofing

(http://wwoof.org)

WWOOF is an acronym for a number of different phrases, the most apt of which in my mind is “World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms”. It is an international organization (located in over 70 countries) of organic farms, gardens, businesses, ranches, (you name it) where you can exchange your services for accommodations, food, and training.

Required services include basic garden and farm maintenance, as well as cooking, teaching, caring for children, and handy work. There is usually some work suitable for anybody willing to adopt this lifestyle.

Whilst surfing Wwoofing opportunities, you will likely also find links to volunteer organizations, and other similar work exchange opportunities. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience, friendships, and to cover your living expenses in a constructive manner.

Most countries require a subscription to gain access to their full listings and contact information of the hosts, and the subscription prices vary from area to area but are not over-priced for the value received.

House Carers

(http://www.housecarers.com/)

If you are happy to spend your vacation house-sitting for somebody else, you may find the right opportunity here. You will find lists upon lists of people requesting house sitters for periods of time from a few days to a few months, anywhere in the world. In many cases there are a few hoops to jump through in order to gain the opportunity with liability and bonding issues, and already living or traveling in the same country carries an added advantage.

You can choose from the limited free membership options or the full US$45 one year membership, depending on your needs.

Organic Volunteers

(http://www.organicvolunteers.com)

Much like Caretaker’s Gazette and woofing, you will find many worldwide opportunities to proverbially “pick blueberries for a living”. The prospects aren’t limited to organic farms though; you will find hostel management jobs, artist retreat internships, in addition to various agricultural and permaculture settings.

For US$20/year, membership will help you gain access to many great listings and a user-friendly system of contacting hosts and searching for opportunities.

Couch Surfing

(http://www.couchsurfing.com)

Couch Surfers are a network of people who are willing to open up their homes and hearts to frugal travelers, as well as be those travelers when they are not hosting guests. The site prides itself on referrals and having only high quality members, and has a comprehensive program in place to ensure the safety of both traveler and host. But as with any chance to stay at a stranger’s place for free, a prudent amount of caution should be exercised.

Global Freeloaders

(http://www.globalfreeloaders.com)

Similar to Couch Surfing, Global Freeloaders is a cultural exchange program for hosts and travelers. Registration is free, but members are required to be able to host as well as travel, so unless you expect to be able to offer up your digs as a host within six months of signing up, you are politely requested to wait.

Servas

(http://joomla.servas.org/)

This is the original Couch Surfers and Global Freeloaders. Servas (meaning “serve” in Esperanto), is a non-profit non-denominational non-ethnic organization of good-will and cultural exchanges. It’s been around for at least 50 years, and is recognized by the United Nations. In addition to being a network to connect people and places, volunteers around the world work in relief camps and advocate for peace through various projects.

Hosts offer their homes and dinner tables for two nights (or more, at the discretion of the host) to travelers who contact them and who meet with their approval. Travelers must go through an exhaustive process which includes an in-person interview before being accepted to the program, as a way of screening for quality candidates.

Once travelers are interviewed and accepted into the program, they are given printed lists or booklets of the hosts in their destination country (Servas is moving towards an online platform, but is not there yet). There are also membership fees which vary from country to country.

Hospitality Club

(http://www.hospitalityclub.org/)

Free to join and internet-based, it appears to be the Servas of the online world. It is kept “safe” through a series of passport checks and online feedback systems with checks and balances.

These are just a few opportunities in the world of long-term travel, as you will discover with a little research. I don’t vouch for any of the services or programs, and a healthy amount of caution should always be exercised when accepting hospitality from strangers. However I think Servas says it best when they say: We are all friends. We just haven’t met yet!

theprofessionalhobo.com

18 Travel Tips For Planning A Road Trip

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:43:00 -0400

18 Travel Tips For Planning A Road Trip

Road trips are like childbirth. Done right, they can be the adventure of a lifetime. Done wrong, and you’re screaming for someone’s head on a platter and demanding to know WHOSE BRILLIANT IDEA WAS THIS?!?!

I am a cheap traveler with a quest to see the world while hanging on to as much of my cash as possible. Needless to say, I’ve taken my share of vacations by car in an attempt to save money. Here’s a few road trip planning tips I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Get the oil changed and your fluids checked before you leave.

I’ve owned a few beater cars in my life. I’ve taken more than one road trip in a lemon. And I’ve been stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere more times than I care to admit. Be ye not so stupid.

Make sure your vehicle is road trip ready before you leave. Have the oil changed, fill up on windshield wiper fluid and make sure you have your license, registration and insurance up to date - and actually in the car with you.

(Because apparently “Officer, I SWEAR I have an insurance card that is not expired sitting on my kitchen counter right now” is not a viable defense in some states.)

2. Go with someone you love. Or like. A lot.

Good companionship can make all the difference on a road trip. The longer the trip, the more compatible you better be with the person you plan to be confined in a car with for hours on end.

Of course, a long road trip in the car can be a great opportunity to get to know someone better. But if you’re thinking of tagging along with people who normally irritate the crap out of you just to save a little dough - think about flying instead.

3. Take turns driving.

As a woman, I’ve never understood those couples where the man is the only who does the driving. This is especially true when driving long distances. If you can manage to get yourself around town by yourself, you can handle a turn at the wheel for a road trip.

It’s nice to get a break from the driving. It’s also nice to get a break from just sitting and watching out the window and trying really, really hard not to say anything when the other driver gets really, really close to the car in front of him. I mean, you know, for example. Don’t be afraid to do some of the driving.

4. Bring your own music.

Do you remember in the 80s when you had mixed tapes for everything? First Date Mix. Prom Night Mix. Ode To My Love For You Mix. A road trip is the perfect excuse to revive the mix (although it will probably take the form of a burned CD or a playlist on your iPod).

Prepare yourself for inevitable stereo static with ample back up music. Bring twice as much as you think you’ll listen to. My playlists (because I am an iSnob) are crammed with cheesy songs I know the words to, musical soundtracks and nostalgic favorites.

Don’t be afraid to turn it up and sing along at the top of your lungs. The chances of you ever seeing that driver who’s giving you funny looks from the car beside you again are slim to none. Unless you happen to stop at the same rest stop.

5. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen.

Maybe I’m the only person to ever get sunburned through a car window - but I doubt it. And I know for a fact that I’m not the only person in my marriage who has had to stop at a convenient store to buy sunglasses because they didn’t think about having to stare into the sun for hours on end.

Sunglasses will prevent squinting and eye strain. Sunscreen will prevent an embarrassing sunburn on one half of your body. And cancer.

6. Avoid stupid traffic tickets.

You know what’s not fun when you’re on vacation? Getting arrested. You know what’s also not fun and probably a more likely scenario? Having to spend hundreds of dollars from your travel budget on a speeding or seat belt ticket.

Wear your seat belt. Use your turn signal. Don’t speed (or if you do, at least go with the flow of traffic). You’re going to get stuck in the exact same traffic jam due to construction as everyone else a few miles down the road anyway. (And the fines are double there.)

7. Bring your own food and drinks.

I don’t get why some people don’t pack a cooler and snacks when they take a road trip. Are you surprised to learn that your body requires food and water? Or are you just hoping to find something deliciously nutritious at a gas station?

Yeah. I don’t think so. Convenient store food is fine up to a point, but if you’re going to be spending hours (or days) in a vehicle, plan ahead and bring food that doesn’t suck. I load up on water bottles, cans of pop, juice boxes, crackers, pre-made sandwiches, fruit and other travel friendly snacks.

When I’m traveling with kids, I try to bring as many individually packed snacks as possible to avoid the need for sharing. I’ll teach them manners when I’m not stuck in a car with them.

8. Bring garbage bags.

If you’re going to be in the car for hours, chances are you’re going to be eating in the car. And drinking in the car. And chewing gum that comes in itty bitty gum wrappers in the car.

Stay on top of the mess as you make it with a small garbage bag. This might sound like a silly detail, but riding in your own filth is.. well.. gross. And an ever rising mound of wrappers and empty bottles rising on your floorboards will make your car feel infinitely smaller than it actually is. A well organized, decluttered road trip is a happy road trip.

9. Get gas before you’re on E.

My husband and I drove 1400 miles once in 24 hours. We had this brilliant idea to keep driving until we were just about out of gas in order to save time and get more driving done between pit stops. We came >this< close to being stranded on the side of a back road in Illinois in the middle of the night, miles from a gas station or signs of civilization.

Learn from our foolishness.

If you get out your pencil and paper and do the math, you’ll see that you aren’t saving any gas, money or time by driving until you’re on fumes. When you’re driving in unfamiliar territory, you never know when the next gas station will come up - or whether or not it will be open. Start looking for your next pit stop when you hit the 3/4 tank mark to avoid any long walks by the side of the road with the little red gas can.

10. Use the bathroom every time you stop.

I would think this would be a no brainer. But I’ve traveled with children, so I know not everyone understands the wisdom of “just try, you don’t know when you’ll be able to go again”.

Whether you’re stopping for food (I told you so!) or to fill up with gas, spend the extra few minutes to hit the restroom. If you don’t, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find yourself having to pee about 15 minutes after you’re back on the road. At least, you will if you’re me.

Seriously. Just try! You don’t know when you’ll be able to go again!

11. For Pete’s sake, just pull over and let the woman pee.

Now, if someone happens to announce that they have to use the restroom not long after you’ve made your most recent pit stop, for the love of all things holy just stop and let her - er, them - go.

A good road trip isn’t a race. Tacking on 10 minutes at the next exit is not going to ruin your vacation or cause you to lose some Awesome Travel Time Trophy. And it will make your traveling companion much more pleasant to ride with. Believe me.

12. Plan time for unexpected stops.

Speaking of extra time… there really is no trophy that I have ever heard of for making good time. The best road trips are just as much about the journey as the destination.

Allow yourself extra time for unexpected detours when you’re planning your trip. Pull over and check out that massive ball of twine. Stop and take pictures in front of those really cool bluffs. Some of the coolest places I’ve been have been on the way to where I was going. So says Confucius.

13. Sleep.

When it’s not your turn to drive, don’t be afraid to get some sleep. This is especially important if you’re driving through the night or plan to spend more than 8 hours on the road.

Of course, sleeping in the car isn’t exactly comfortable. I highly recommend bringing pillows (and a blanket, if there’s room!) or a good travel pillow. It’s not a night at The Ritz, but it will help. A well rested driver is a safer driver. And a well rested passenger is a less irritable and more enjoyable passenger.

14. Avoid rush hour traffic.

It’s one thing to tack on time on your road trip for an interesting roadside attraction. It’s another thing entirely to loose hours sitting in rush hour traffic because you ended up in Chicago at 5pm.

If at all possible, plan your route so that you hit major cities outside of peak driving times. If that’s not possible, look for bypasses and alternate routes. The miles you loose driving around the city will be worth the time and gas you save by not idling in bumper to bumper commuter traffic. Remember that you might be on vacation, but the rest of the world still has to work during the week - and they have to drive to get there.

15. Bring a map. A real, actual, paper map that does not talk to you.

I love GPS. In fact, love is probably not a strong enough word for the affection I have for a dashboard device that tells me where to go and when to turn. But even the best navigation system in the world makes mistakes.

Bring a map and double check your computer generated route. It’s also nice to have a map on hand if you find yourself having to detour around a city, or looking for the best route to that big ball of twine you’re stopping to see.

16. Pack games for the kids.

One of the main reasons I end up vacationing road trip style is because I have kids. Airplane tickets for a family of four are surprisingly more expensive than an airplane ticket for one. Go figure.

A backseat full of bored kids can ruin the shortest card ride. It can make a long road trip unbearable for everyone. Plan ahead. Bring a variety of road trip friendly activities to keep the young travelers occupied. Some of our family favorites include coloring books, crossword puzzles, puzzle books, and travel versions of board games. And of course, you can always fall back on a rousing game of I Spy.

17. Wear flip flops.

I loathe flip flops as a fashion option. I’m kind of a snob like that. But for road trips, a slip on/slip off footwear choice is a must.

Every single person in my family takes off their shoes if they’re in the car for too long. That means every single person in my family has to put their shoes back on every single time we stop. For food. For bathroom breaks. For staring at that dang ball of twine. It can take 15 minutes to find shoes, find socks, put back on socks and shoes, lace up shoes and finally get out of the dang car. If you’re taking a road trip as a family, flip flops are your friend.

18. Have fun!

No, really. Ultimately, the success of your road trip is dependent on your state of mind. You can do everything on the list and still have a horrible experience if you’re focused on how long you’re driving and when you’ll get there and how much you hate being stuck in the car.

Or, you can forget every single tip I’ve given you and find yourself laughing uproariously in the middle of rush hour traffic, having the time of your life.

Planning ahead can make things easier and help avoid some common pitfalls, but ultimately something will go awry and it will be up to you to keep a positive attitude and make the most of your road trip experience. Relax. Smile. And enjoy the ride.

via - 511enews.com

6 Secret Ways to Save on Your Next Vacation

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:07:00 -0400

6 Secret Ways to Save on Your Next Vacation

The weather is starting to get nice again. And the travel bug is biting. But the bucks aren’t stacking up the way they used to. Still you want to get away? In this economy there are some secrets the travel industry may not want you to know. So I checked in with my good buddy and travel guru Peter Greenberg of Petergreenberg.com for the scoop:

1. The best time to book an airline ticket is Wednesday morning at 12:01am (that’s really one minute after midnight on Tuesday). Why? Because most people book their reservations on the weekends and have 24-hours in which to pay but don’t always complete the reservation…those budge fares flood the market at midnight and become available to you! But here’s what you need to figure out: you must consider that it is 12:01am in the time zone where the airline is located…not where you live.

2. The best time to book a hotel is anytime Sunday afternoon. The revenue manager (the guy who sets the prices) is off. It’s up to the front desk person to set the rate. That person knows it’s better to sell the room cheap than to have it left empty with no money coming in. So call when the money man is gone and make a great deal.

3. This is an unprecedented “buyers market.” That means your negotiating power is at its best. Let’s say a hotel is advertising $99 a night, stay 2 and get the 3rd for free. That’s just a jumping off point. Ask for a 4th night free. See if the kids can eat for free. Ask for free parking. (Parking at a San Francisco hotel can run you $62 a day)

4. “Driveaway Deals.” When it comes to renting a car…you need to ask about this unadvertised special. Many car companies have too many cars let’s say in Florida in the summer and need them up north…so you would be doing them a favor if you drove their cars for them. You can get a rate of $6 a day and sometimes a gas voucher just to drive the car to a city where the company needs the car.

5. Rent an RV. Even with hefty gas prices, renting an RV is a much cheaper way to vacation. There is no need for hotels, car rentals and even dining when you drive an RV. RV sales are way down and they are happy to rent them to you. One word of caution…take a one-hour driving course before hitting the road with your mega roadster.

6. Take the choo choo train: Amtrak has done a terrible job of advertising an amazing deal. For $500 you can buy a 15 day pass in which they allow a number of free on and offs to each customer. Now that’s a cheap way to travel.

Via - shine.yahoo.com

Most amazing place on earth - Socotra Island

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:13:00 -0400

Most amazing place on earth - Socotra Island

(images credit: Jan Vandorpe, socotra)

Imagine waking up on the Socotra Island and taking a good look around you (let’s say your buddies pulled a prank on you and delivered you there, and lets also assume that you don’t have any hangover from abuse of any substances). After a yelp of disbelief, you’d be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth’s history.

The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands, has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are endemic, i.e. found nowhere else on Earth.

(images credit: dianadrz, Irina Travina)

(image credit: socotra)

The climate is harsh, hot and dry, and yet - the most amazing plant life thrives there. Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves (some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high.

(image credit: Marco Pavan)

The name Socotra is derived from a Sanscrit name, meaning “The Island of Bliss”… Is it the beaches? The isolation and quiet? or the strange and crazy botanical allure?

Alien-looking plants: H. P. Lovecraft’s secret inspiration?

Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their hauntingly weird flora (think of plant mutations from his “The Color out of Space”) ? We almost tempted to call Socotra the other “Mountains of Madness” - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru the long geological isolation, some varieties being 20 million years old…

We begin with the dracena cinnibaris or Dragon’s Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and “cure-all” medicine; also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy -

(image credit: Christian Besnier)

The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape like so many flying saucers… and from above they have a distinct mushroom look:

(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)

(image credit: dianadrz)

There is also the Desert Rose (adenium obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg:

(images credit: Jan Vandorpe)

(image credit: Denis Romanov)

Dorstenia gigas - apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock:

(images credit: Jan Vandorpe)

It also has a distinct personality and likes to smile for the camera:

(image credit: Tomas van Houtryve)

Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia gigas, is this “bucha” vegetable, found as far north as Croatia. I hope it’s not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. John Wyndham (with his “The Day of the Triffids”) would’ve loved it:

(image credit: Damir)

Also found in Socotra’s landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree (dendrosicyos socotranum) - and yes, it’s related to what’s sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge:

(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)

Getting around can be a challenge, as there are almost no roads

Despite the fact that this island has around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni govenment put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. I would prefer a camel ride to what is bound to be a bumpy and slow 4x4 ride… It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life.

(images credit: Adele Obice, Marco Pavan, Denis Romanov)

This island is a birder’s paradise as well, with 140 different species of birds; 10 of which are not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra warbler, sunbird, starling, bunting, sparrow and cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants:

(images credit: Magellan Tours, Rafeek Manchayil)

Want to see some fairy-tale (and possibly haunted) shipwrecks? There are diving tours available… Hopefully some IMAX crew would film it in all its glory one day.

(image credit: socotra)

To give you a glimpse of Socotra’s and Yemen’s in general totally unique architecture, check out this place located on the mainland:

Al Hajarah, Yemen - Walled city in the mist

Computer game designers take note - this mysterious city in the foggy Yemen’s Haraz Mountains can surely fire up imagination of anybody who decides to explore it:

(image credit: Jan Vandorpe)

(image credit: Bellosta)

(image credit: Michaela Diener)

Dune? Clark Ashton Smith’s Zothique? Pack your bags, for this is on our good old planet Earth, no interstellar visa required.

(image credit: socotra)

via - liveinternet.ru/users/931059/

40 Useful Travel Websites That Can Save You a Fortune

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:13:00 -0400

40 Useful Travel Websites That Can Save You a Fortune

By Lynn Truong Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank (in fact, you can travel for free), and there are plenty of places that’ll help you find the best vacation for your budget. Get discounts and the insider scoop with these great resources. Don’t forget to ask for free travel upgrades.

Cheap Flights and Accomodations

Find the best rates for airlines and places to stay, no matter what type of traveler you are. Choose from hotels, hostels, hometels, or even just a couch. Interested in offering your place to a weary traveler? Get some tips on how to host a traveler in your home.

CouchSurfing - Bum a night’s sleep on somebody’s couch and save hundreds of dollars on hotel costs! CouchSurfing is a worldwide community of amazing hosts and adventurous travellers seeing the world on the cheap.

Farecast - Farecast gathers data from all over the web so you can find out if airfare for a trip is rising or dropping over the next 7 days, if a hotel rate is the best deal based on past rates, and if there’s a better travel offer on another site. Use their smart travel search to buy with confidence.

Home Exchange - The most comprehensive listing of home listings. You list your house on the site, find another house where you’d like to stay, and contact the member to see if they want to trade homes for a bit. This exchange system lets you live like a local in a comfortable house or apartment instead of a tiny and expensive hotel room.

Hostel Bookers - Easiest way to book hostels all over the world. You can find prices, amenities (including pictures), and customer reviews of each location so you know what you’re getting before you land. You can also book directly from the site.

Hotwire - Hotwire is a robust site that not only offers some of the best travel deals available, but includes planning tools and tips for a smooth trip. Hotwire’s partners offer unsold inventory at big savings and rest assured that Hotwire only works with partners you know and trust.

iStopOver - Connects people who want to rent out extra rooms in their homes to travelers who want to save on costly hotel bills. It has the added benefit of offering travelers a taste of “home” on the road; a cozy place to stay that is far from the sterile cubicle environment of a hotel or motel. iStopOver currently has listings in the United States, Canada, London, France, South Africa, and Brazil. But they are expanding as hosts from more countries are adding their listings each day.

Kayak - The only place you need to search for discounted airfare. Kayak searches over 140+ airlines and travel agencies (including Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com, and other big airfare search engines) to aggregate the best flight deals all in one place.

Last Minute - All last minute airfare, hotel, attractions, and packages in one database. If you want to book a vacation for this weekend or grab a flight for tomorrow, start your search here for the best prices on last minute deals.

Orbitz - With Orbitz Price Assurance, your guaranteed the lowest rate offered by Orbitz. If another customer books the same flight on Orbitz at a lower price, you’ll automatically be issued a refund for the difference. They also offer real time traveler updates to keep you apprised of your flight status.

Priceline - Priceline puts the power of pricing back in your hands by allowing you to name your own price for hotels and pay no booking fees for flights, cars, or vacation packages. The site also offers reviews by travelers to help you make the best travel decision.

Roomorama - Roomorama is a peer-to-peer short term rental marketplace. As a host, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your guest has paid in advance of the stay. As a guest, rest assured that Roomorama is keeping your money secure until you check-in and hand over the payment code.

SeatGuru - Database of airplane seat configurations by airline. You can get diagrams with notes on where the good (and bad) seats are on the plane. You can see a layout of where the galley is (get your food faster) and where the bathrooms are (stay far away). If you know what type of plane you’ll be flying on (ask the airline ticketing agent), and you get to pick your seat, make sure to check out SeatGuru first so you don’t pick the bad seat next to the toilets.

Travelocity - One look at the Travelocity Customer Bill of Rights is enough to know that this company cares about your travel needs. The Travelocity Guarantee is the most proactive and comprehensive in the industry. Have peace of mind when booking with Travelocity.

TripAdvisor - The biggest online community of travellers. This is the first (and often, last) stop for vacation planners. Not only can you book flights, hotels, car rentals, and get tickets for attractions here, but you also get a amazing breadth of reviews and tips from real travellers. The destination guides on TripAdvisor are often much better (more up-to-date and more detailed) than the expensive guide books in your bookstore.

Virtual Tourist - As the single largest source of user-generated travel content in the world, VirtualTourist is a great resource for travelers seeking an insider’s perspective. Get real travel tips, reviews and photos from real people who have actually been there and done that.

Wegolo - Wegolo shows you the “all-in” fares, which includes the total cost for all passengers together as charged by the airlines, so you get no surprise taxes and fees tacked on at the last minute. Their search tool allows you to combine your out- and inbound flights with 2 different airlines and select the optimum departure/arriving schedules or airports.

Yapta - Yapta stands for Your Amazing Personal Travel Assistant. Yapta notifies you when prices for flights drop. It can do it even after you purchase your tickets, giving you a chance to get a refund of the difference from the airline. If you prefer, Yapta will haggle with the airline on your behalf for a $15 fee. Their new killer feature is emailing you notifications when a seat that is reedemable for reward miles comes available.
Destination Guides and Travel Communities

Get the lowdown on your locale with destination guides and reviews for what to see and do, how to get around, where to eat and sleep, and information about local customs and processes. Listen to the people who have actually been there and done that. Don’t forget to check out onsite resources for travellers.
The Backpacker - The community reviews local bars, restaurants, accomodations, attractions, and tours. All reviews are user-submitted, and many places have multiple reviews. They also have a travel wiki (destination guides) and you can post your vacation stories.

BootsnAll Travel - BootsnAll seeks to cultivate an organic community that encourages independent travel. It does this through thousands of travel stories & travel blogs written by travellers, travel guides to destinations all over the world, a membership of passionate travellers, and the ability to book all of your travel needs - air tickets, hostels, RTW tickets, adventure trips, and more - from one website. In this way, BootsnAll aims to be the ultimate resource for the independent traveler.

Frommer’s - Whether you’re venturing close to home or across the globe, whether your budget is limited or limitless, Frommer’s strive to live up to your discerning approach to travel by delivering the most candid and reliable information. Explore your travel destinations the way locals do.

IgoUgo - IgoUgo travel reviews and photos will spark your wanderlust and help you plan your next adventure. With more than 500,000 travelers on IgoUgo sharing trip stories and pictures, they’ve built a library of honest opinions, tips, and experiences that you won’t find in any guidebook. To date, their travel community has contributed hundreds of thousands of reviews and photos of everything from cheap eats to luxury hotels in 8,000 destinations worldwide.

Lonely Planet - Lonely Planet is renowned for its first-hand approach, up-to-date maps and commitment to providing the best information for travelers. Their authors are professional writers and journalists who nail down all the practical info about a destination then build on that with insider knowledge, thorough reviews, little-known facts and authoritative recommendations. Their aim is to get you accurate, practical information, impartial recommendations and best-value tips.

Timeout City Guides - Time Out is an international multimedia publisher of cultural experiences for urban adventurers. They provide up-to-date and accurate information to help readers remain at the cutting edge of culture. Around the world, their local teams of critics are connected to the very best that their city has to offer. Listings are generated in-house and reviews are completely independent.

UpTake - Aggregates information and travelers’ opinions from 5,000 Web sites — some 20 million opinions — and boils them down to a single rating along with the most telling traveler comments. It’s like visiting TripAdvisor and every other travel review site in one fell swoop.

Viator - Once you land, you need to have things to do. Viator is the easiest way to plan your days in-country. You can book tours, plan daytrips, buy tickets, and discover other things to do and attractions to see.

WikiTravel - Like Wikipedia.org for locales. Free, complete, and reliable worldwide travel guide written by actual travellers. Great resource for learning about your destination cities before you start planning a trip.

Budget Traveler Magazines and Blogs

These are just some of the best reads on travel. Get travel tips, recommendations and ideas. Go to these when you’re looking for some inspiration or just want to live vicariously through a fellow adventurer. Bookmark the stories for your to-travel list and follow these travel junkies around the world. If you’re a fan of Globe Trekker, you’ll love these sites.

About.com Budget Travel - Mark Kahler, About.com Guide to Budget Travel, posts weekly deals, has tips on finding the cheapest vacation packages and airfare, and has a fantastic series of step-by-step articles on maximizing your travel budget.

The Art of Nonconformity - In the battle against conventional beliefs, Chris Guillebeau’s blog focuses on three areas: Life, Work, and Travel. He writes about travel hacking in general and his journeys to more than 25 countries every year. So far he has visited more than 100 countries, and over the next four years intends to visit every country in the world. He’s also an esteemed fellow member of LifeRemix.

Budget Travel - Web magazine by Frommers (the guide book publisher) focused on budget travel. Writers post stories on destinations, budget itineraries, tips for finding cheap flights or accomodations, and more. You can even post your own travel journal, photos or videos, and read others’ travel journals. There’s a paper magazine version that you can subscribe to ($20 for 20 issues), if you prefer to read your cheap vacation news in print.

Cool Travel Guide - Perpetual globetrotter and travel writer Lara Dunston has traveled to over 60 countries, authored and updated over 40 guidebooks, and has had scores of articles published by top travel mags and sites. This blog is about the things that are cool about travel, the things that inspire us to travel, and what’s inspiring about travel.

Frugal Traveler - Matt Gross seeks out high style on a low budget. Follow his journey as he uncovers affordable hotels, cheap eats and other budget tips.

Hobo Traveler - Andy is a homeless perpetual traveler who has visited over 79 countries over 10 years. He has no intention of returning home.

Perceptive Travel - Perceptive Travel is an online travel magazine filled with unique perspectives from around the globe, written by some of the best travel writers on the planet. Come here for authentic travel tales about interesting places, not for top-10 lists and tourism bureau advertorials.

The Professional Hobo - Nora Dunn sold her lucrative financial planning business, sold all her stuff, and embarked on a round-the-world vagabonding life. She shares her adventures on this fun site. (Nora is also a Senior Writer for Wise Bread and contributed lots of financial planning and budget travel articles to our money saving book.)

Song of the Open Road - Currently on year 9 of his global journey, Wade has ventured through over 30 countries on 5 continents, sometimes moving slow, sometimes moving fast. It’s obvious that travel is his passion.

Travelvice - In December 2005, Craig Heimburger sold most of his possessions and took off for an extended travel adventure around the world. Join the journey by reading his travelogue, exploring the topics inside the Compendium, or perusing the Snapshots gallery.

Trek Hound - a web site for independent travelers. Here you will find information on travel literature, movies, travel tips, budget saving ideas, chronicles of past trips, food and lodging reviews, information on pet travel and much more.

Viator Travel Blog - The staff at Viator are passionate travelers. When they’re not busy talking about their last trip, they’re busy planning their next adventure. On Viator, they share their passion and inspire all of us to make that next trip.

Wanderlust and Lipstick - Wanderlust and Lipstick provides both the nervous newbie and the well-seasoned Wanderluster with all the tools needed to set out on a dream journey, whether to Paris, Peoria or Prague! Find travel stories to whet your appetite for adventures around the globe, read travel tips from experienced globetrotters, learn about Wanderlust and Lipstick-recommended travel gear; and salivate over the glorious photos in the WanderGallery submitted by travelers the world over.

Working Your Way Around the World - Between telecommuting, work visas and networking, it’s perfectly possible to pick up and move to different parts of the world on a regular basis — and work along the way. We focus on jobs that you can be proud to put on your resume: from finding a job abroad to building a business of your own, we’ve got the resources you need.

Write Away! - Lauren Carter is an award-winning writer whose articles about trekking in Ecuador, searching out authentic tango in Buenos Aires, hiking the Matra Hills in Hungary, paddling Ontario’s French River and discovering Toronto’s West Queen West have appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, the Toronto Star, and many more.

via - djandcheri

44 Travel Rules No One Tells You

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:43:00 -0400

44 Travel Rules No One Tells You

I’ve gone a few miles over the years. And here are 44 little things about travel I picked up on the way.

1. Wash your hands before you sleep, unless you don’t mind it if cute rats lick your fingers clean.
2. When kindness comes from strangers, accept it. If you don’t know if they expect a tip, you can offer one — but don’t insist when/if they refuse.

3. Animals will probably attack you if you try to give a Snickers to them.
4. It’s wise to remember your passport. And don’t pack it in a checked-in suitcase like Louisianan Trey Williams did going to that study-abroad program to St Petersburg during that ‘first summer of Russia’ (1992).
5. Try to accept all invitations — you really should have time for that cup of tea the silver-haired couple offer you from the balcony in their summer home in Zakopane, or go camping with that Hungarian film crew at a Russian gulag.
6. Car passengers see less than bikers, bikers see less than walkers, walkers see less than stoppers — ie those who stop and watch.
7. It’s OK to have a Coke without ice.
8. It’s OK to have beer with ice.
9. It’s OK to use your hands to eat.
10. You don’t HAVE to eat the larvae or crickets though.
11. Don’t use middle finger to beckon locals, or indicate they’re tops.
12. Ownership of stuff varies where you go. So when the Indian guy on the overnight bus from Udaipur to Delhi borrows your iPod without really asking, don’t get mad, because when you’re shivering later on he’ll instinctively lend you half his blanket.
13. People without much education abroad often seem to be better educated than a lot of people back home.
14. Always shop for locally made stationary, and buy it when you see it — it’s rarer to find these days.
15. Pack quick-drying, if ugly, clothes but at least one sorda nice shirt so you can see the Budapest opera like I didn’t.
16. It’s OK to just want a damn hamburger or watch Pretty Woman on channel 31.
17. It’s OK to get frustrated or mad sometimes, just try to keep it to yourself as much as you can.
18. No, you don’t have to take a group tour, or have advance reservations. But it doesn’t automatically make you a bad traveler if you do.
19. Too much hassle where you are? Look around. If you are in the majority — as foreign traveler — walk two blocks to another part of town, and get out of that tourist ghetto you’re probably in.
20. It’s OK to have an opinion of a place, but don’t think you ‘know’ a place after spending two/15/306 days there.
21. Try a couple days without the camera or email.
22. Museums can be great, but are overrated as day-filler attractions.
23. Seeing movies and sports in foreign countries are underrated day-filler attractions. Like the time topless Guatemalan guys hugged me at a Mother’s Day b-league soccer game in Xela as they tossed fireworks through the chain fence to police decked up like Storm Troopers.
24. It’s OK to be uncomfortable, just be honest if something isn’t right for you.
25. Italy is the Citizen Kane of the travel world. It gets all the accolades, and deserves them.
26. You can get as much out of a trip to Western Kansas as Laos. If you try.
27. Always go to visitors centers. Sometimes they give free cookies or popcorn, and the flirty staff sometimes invite you to go out and get drunk (nothing more), as they do in Bogotá.
28. Socks-with-sandals is underrated.
29. Buy a hat. Always buy a locally made hat.
30. Don’t put all your expenses in one place — hotel, hotel restaurant, hotel tours, hotel souvenirs etc — try to spread out your money for maximum positive effect.
31. Agree on a price before you close the door with any taxi — that is, if they have a door.
32. Russians look mean, but down deep they’re softies that will shame you with their warmth, feed your with their home-grown tomatoes, then intoxicate you with their suddenly produced frosted bottle of vodka.
33. Language-learning vacations — with homestays and eating beans for supper, particularly in secondary towns off the tourist radar — is one of the best things you can do abroad.

34. Write a post card. Or am I the only one who feels sorry for post card lobbyists in these digital days? [See the best post card of all time, above.]
35. At small, out-of-the-way museums, ask if the curator will show you around. Sometimes they are and are thrilled to show off the dinosaur bones they personally dug up.
36. Seek out the passionate. Those who love what they do — making belts, writing poems, pumping gas — can make you appreciate things you didn’t think you were interested in.
37. Take public transit — a tram (I LOVE trams), subway, ox cart — at least once, even if you don’t need to get where it’s going. So few Americans EVER take one, it’s sad.
38. Try to take pictures of things that might change: street signs, people’s shoes, homemade sandwich ads, key-maker tools, overly bright fashion, heavy metal haircuts, grandmothers selling a single toothbrush outside a Moscow subway station after the USSR fell. Old churches and statues rarely change much, some of that other stuff maybe gone tomorrow.
39. Tip appropriate to local custom.
40. Returns trips to a place are OK, but try not to limit yourself to your next three trips to Las Vegas 12, 13 and 14.
41. Squat toilets are better than sit-down toilets. But it really is still best keeping toilets and showers segregated.
42. Always give one day to a trip to an ‘up for grabs’ experience — a rented car to get from A to B, with random stops at unplanned places. You will likely remember it longer than the Met.
43. The tacos might be better back home but please don’t say it for all to hear in Cancún.
44. Travelling alone is something everyone should do at least once.

Via - reidontravel

28 Things to Know Before Traveling

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:42:00 -0400

Health Care

1. You can legally buy safe medicine, including prescription drugs, for very little money overseas. When in Africa or Asia, I stock up on anti-malarials that cost $5 a day in Seattle. On location, it’s more like $1 for a 10-day supply.

2. The best health care is not in the U.S., Canada, or the U.K. The best healthcare is in places like Thailand and Costa Rica; that’s why the practice of medical tourism will continue to surge as both travel and overseas healthcare become more accessible.

Money

3. Take a lot of cash with you, and make sure the bills are new and have no writing on them. If you go to a place that accepts credit cards, then you can just redeposit the cash when you get home. It is far worse to end up short of cash with no credit card option.

4. If you do use your credit card, check the online statement at least once a week while traveling to make sure there are no fraudulent charges. Keep all your receipts, especially for large purchases such as hotel stays, and compare the amounts charged when you get back.

5. When you exchange money, hang on to the receipt you get until you’ve left the country. Once in a great while, someone at the airport will want to see proof of all your foreign exchanges.

6. The U.S. dollar is no longer the world’s currency. (In fact, some currency exchange shops will no longer accept dollars!) Travel with a stock of Euros to complement your dollars. The exceptions to this rule include some countries in Africa and Latin America that still use the dollar as their primary currency, and any country that has had a recent war.

Taxis

7. Hire a taxi outside the airport, not from the guys who approach you inside as you’re walking out. Even better, walk further outside the airport to where the taxis pull in, and you’ll get a better deal because the driver won’t have to pay the entrance fee.

8. Never assume that your taxi driver knows where your destination is. Double-check and get him to ask someone before you go if there’s any doubt.

9. The universal rule of taxi haggling, for both driver and passenger, is that once both sides agree on a fare before setting off, neither side can reopen negotiations once you’re en route. You should not try to get a better deal nor should you accept any increase in the fare from the driver after the journey has started.

10. If you have a dispute with a taxi driver and you think you are being taken advantage of, offer to call the police and have them settle it. Many taxi drivers are scared of the police, and often for good reason (see below). If they are being dishonest and you mention the police, they will quickly back down. On the other hand, if they continue to press their claims, they may be right and you’ll need to pay more.

Safety

11. The police are not always your friends. Sad but true—in a lot of places in the world, the services of the police are sold to the highest bidder. Therefore, if you can pay them, they may turn out to be your friends… but in other cases, they may actually be the least trustworthy people in the country. Don’t be afraid, just be aware.

12. When you feel pressured beyond your comfort level by someone who tries to follow you, be polite but increasingly firm. Don’t string anyone along out of guilt—tell them you don’t want their help, and move on. If they keep following you, tell them to stop.

13. When it comes to visas (and all immigration issues), your experience will vary from place to place. The rules are flexible in most places, and sometimes they will work in your favor and sometimes they will work against you.

Planes, Trains, and Buses

14. All plane tickets are changeable no matter what is written on them, and any fees for changing can be waived with the right airline agent. You have a few options for making this happen: a) Hang up and call back to try with someone else, b) Call the Premium Traveler line or ask at an airline lounge, or c) Offer a “tip” at the airline counter (do this at your own risk).

15. Round-the-World tickets are the best bargains for extensive international travel. I use and recommend both the Star Alliance and the OneWorld products. Each have their advantages. SkyTeam also has a Round-the-World product, but it’s not nearly as good as the other two.

16. Most people flying Business Class are not paying full-fare. A high percentage of them on most flights are using awards tickets, special tickets, or have upgraded from Economy. Flying in premium cabins can help you in more ways than just being comfortable on long flights, because the tickets can almost always be changed or refunded without penalty. You’ll also get to hang out in airline lounges and get priority treatment, which may become very useful when you need to get in or out of somewhere fast. First Class is nice too, but the difference between First and Business is rarely as great as the difference between Business and Economy.

17. In some places, buses are better than trains for overland travel… in other places, trains are better than buses. Check out the options before you go to make the best decision for each place.

Culture

18. The concept of personal space means very different things in different countries. You kind of have to get used to that.

19. Like it or not, you have to be somewhat tolerant of smoking. There are lots of places in the world that haven’t picked up on the Western anti-smoking crusade. If this is hard for you to accept, you’ll likely be frustrated.

20. Unless you can be very discreet, never take photos of people without asking. Don’t be surprised if they say no, because many cultures are not comfortable with strangers taking photos of them all the time. If they do say yes, you may find yourselves indebted to them for a gift or other favor.

21. Never touch members of the opposite sex. This includes sitting next to them on buses and trains—you’ll often be shuffled around to ensure that you only sit next to people of the same sex, although you’ll also usually be given the best seat.

22. Don’t point your feet at people or touch anyone on the head. In several cultures, this is disrespectful or otherwise inappropriate.

23. Be careful with all hand gestures, including the “thumbs-up” sign and the “a-OK” sign. Both of these are highly provocative in some places.

24. Never make promises you don’t intend to keep. Don’t tell vendors you’ll buy from them tomorrow, don’t offer to help anyone visit your country, don’t say you’ll write to someone later if you won’t really do it, and so on.

25. Most important: don’t be a colonialist. Be careful about calling people “locals.” Don’t assume that your culture is superior. People are not stupid just because they don’t speak English or think like you do.

Politics

26. Be prepared to represent your country, whether you care about politics or not. For better or worse, many people will expect you to know a lot about politics in your home country and how governmental decisions in one country affect the lives of people thousands of miles away. Don’t say you’re from Canada unless you really are.

27. Always point out that a government’s actions and the beliefs of an individual (e.g., yourself) are not always the same. Most people understand this and some will even say the same thing without prompting, but it’s usually a good reminder to put forward.

28. No matter whom you are talking to, never say anything negative about the government of the country you are in. Many rogue states, from Zimbabwe to Iran to North Korea, employ English-speaking spies who will deliberately try to incite foreign visitors into saying something incriminating. (I’m not making this up. In Guinea I was followed by the Secret Service everywhere I went. A friend of mine went to North Korea and found an extensive tape recording system in his hotel room.)

Via - shensations

Castle "Swallow's nest" (Crimea)

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:47:00 -0400

For Travellers: Castle “Swallow’s nest”

These Marble caves are in the Coyhaique province, Chile.

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:27:00 -0400

For Travellers: These Marble caves are in the Coyhaique province, Chile.

The Marble Caves are the most beautiful places of Patagonia.