Sure, the sea is amazing but I always feel that lakes have a phenomenal stillness that makes you feel, well, calm.

Check out these magnificent lakes across the world, and should you feel compelled to go and experience their beauty first-hand then all the better!

1.    Masyuko lake, Hokkaido, Japan

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2.     Lake Umayo,  Sullistani, Peru

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3. Lake Pukuaki, South Island, New Zealand

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4.    Tso Moriri Lake, Kashmir, India

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5.    Laguna Verde, Sud Lípez,  Bolivia

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6.    Peyto Lake, Alberta, Canada

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7. Lake Matheson, South Island, New Zealand

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8.    Pakhal lake,  Pogallapalle, India

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9.    Lake Como, Bellagio, Italy

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10. Long Lake, Minnesota

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11. Lake Diablo, North Cascades, Washington

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12.  Lone Pine Lake, Whitney Portal, California

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Visited any of these magnificent lakes? Got more recommendations for fantastic lake destinations? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming up…. the most incredible caves in the world. Don’t miss out, sign up for free updates below!

10 Must-Try Exotic Fruits @Hotel Club

Ten Great Film Festivals and One Stinkarooni @Brave New Traveler

The Ultimate Guide to Packing Light @Go Green Travel

Jet Lag Survival Guide @Delicious Baby

11 Budget Travel Tips for Disabled Travelers @Go Frugal Blog

Coming up… the most beautiful lakes in the world, you won’t want to miss this!

Happy Travels!

I love a good road trip.

Sadly, the AAA is predicting a 2.6 percent decline in auto travel from last year, owing to the steep rise in fuel costs.

Wolfgangstaudt

But we can’t have this!

Wherever you are in the US, dust off your road map and check out these fantastic 4th of July road trips –  we guarantee you won’t use more than one tank of gas!*

All road trip destinations taken from Tripbase’s cool Road Trip Planner – give it a try for inspiring road trip ideas perfect for YOU!

New York City, New York

1. Nantucket, 4 hours
2. Vineyard Haven, 4 hours
3. Portsmouth, 5 hours

Los Angeles, California

4. La Jolla, 2 hours
5. Carlsbad, 2 hours
6. Rosarito, 3 hours

Chicago, Illinois

7. Madison, 2 hours
8. Sheboygan, 3 hours
9. Fond du Lac, 3 hours

Houston, Texas

10. New Braunfels, 3 hours
11. San Antonio, 4 hours
12. Fort Worth, 5 hours

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

13. Alexandria, 3 hours
14. Virginia Beach, 5 hours
15. Charlottesville, 5 hours

San Francisco, California

16. Monterey, 1 hour
17. Carmel, 2 hours
18. South Lake Tahoe, 3 hours

Boston, Massachusetts

19. Newport, 1 hour
20. Portland, 2 hours
21. Burlington, 4 hours

Jacksonville, Florida

22. Saint Augustine, 1 hour
23. Hilton Head Island, 3 hours
24. Clearwater, 4 hours

Got more great ideas for awesome US road-trips? Post up your comments below - we want to hear from you!

Coming up… the world’s most stunning lake vacations. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free blog updates via email or RSS below.

*Some of the destinations may not be accessible by car, and may require ferry or additional transportation.

I’m constantly dreaming of escaping to an exotic island paradise but my dreams are cruelly cut short when I consider the price tag.

From India to Peru; Malaysia to Russia – these exciting, recession-friendly vacations won’t break the bank.

You might even get away with spending as little as $12 a day!

Costs quoted are average daily costs for food and lodging only, based on a budget trip.*

1.    Jaipur, India $12

2.    Langkawi, Malaysia, $21

3.    Puno, Peru $25

4.    Krabi, Thailand $34

5.    Quito, Ecuador $34

6.    Dahab, Egypt $39

7.    Monastir, Tunisia $35

8.    Monte Gordo, Portugal $44

9.    Polis, Cyprus $57

10.  Budapest, Hungary $70

Been to any of these places? Got more recommendations for super-cheap vacations?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Got your traveling juices flowing? Try out our Destination Finder for loads more budget vacation ideas.

Coming up…. the world’s most over-priced cities! Don’t miss out, SIGN UP for free updates via RSS or email below.

Want to calculate daily travel costs in seconds? Check out our travel costs widget.

*Cost per day quote is an estimate based on the best information we have, actual costs may vary.

Photo: Langkawi, Malaysia by dmytrok.

Couchsurfing Around the World, Amazing!! @Fliptohead

Mouth Watering Food Photography @My Kugelhopf

Brand New Travel Blog from Apple Vacations @The Juice

Enjoy and Happy Travels!

When traveling abroad, I always marvel at the many creative interpretations of the English language.

Though the effort to translate local specialties for tourists is no doubt a smart marketing move, the results might sometimes have the opposite effect…

1. Chocoholics Beware!

Room Service Menu at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China.

2. A Modest Selection

Restaurant in Saigon, Vietnam.

3. Made with Love and Effort…

Chinese flea market in Atlanta, Georgia.

4. Teach Your Poultry a Lesson!

Chinese menu.

5. Cannibalism on the Side?

Chinese menu

6. Vanilla Lovers: a Sacred Desert

Chinese menu

7. What’s My Dad Been up to?!

Menu found in Zhejiang, China

8. A Meal for the Militantly Healthy

Menu found in Shenzhen, China.

9. The Post-Breakup Dish

10. On a Second Thought, I’ll Choose the Merlot..

Got more hilarious translation blunders? Post up your comments below, we want a laugh!

Coming soon… street signs to put a smile on your face. Don’t miss out! Sign up for FREE updates via RSS or email below.

Photos by Engrish.com

Top 10 Cities for Partying @Nomadic Matt

What to do if You Miss Your Flight @Elliott

The Complete Guide to Hitchhiking Scott Gilbertson @Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding

Eat, Pray, Love in Morocco Beebe Bahrami @Matator Trips

Family Road Trip Around Europe @Soul Travelers

Want to hit the road this summer??

Check out our road trip planner for loads of cool road trip ideas.

With a population of 1.3 billion people, one of the world’s fastest growing economies and landscapes ranging from subtropical forests to deserts and mountains, who wouldn’t want to visit China?

It’s right up there on my travel to do list, but I’ll be honest, the thought of stepping off the plane into one of the hugest countries in the world does scare me a little.

If in doubt speak to people in the know, right? So… check out these top tips from the people who travel for a living  and explore China like a pro!

1. Avoid “Tourist” Rates

“If you’re comfortable staying at hotels where few of the staff speak English, you can avoid paying high “foreigner’s prices” by booking your hotels through elong.net or Ctrip.com - sites targeted at domestic Chinese travelers.

Edward Hasbrouck, The Practical Nomad.

2. Escape the Crowds

“Very few people speak English so a good phrase book is essential. Use the point at phrases method or bring a picture book, but as long as the Chinese is there you’re all set.

Planning on visting Guilin? … Head to Yangshuo instead.  Much less touristy and much more beautiful. You’ll get all the Benefits of Guilin with more natural wonders and great hiking.

Take a local bus to a nearby town for a more authentic and less expensive experience. Most towns have a few hotels and it’s easy to find a beautiful place for less.

Take an overnight train – go for the soft sleeper if your budget allows. They’re comfortable and clean and will save you the cost of a hotel. Another bonus is that you get to see the countryside.”

Reuven Levitt, Tripbase CEO

3. Beware of What You Blog

“The Grand Hyatt Beijing is perfect, no doubt about it! Fresh flowers skillfully laid out in my room and a meal never to be forgotten. The pool is laid out like an island resort, just amazing.

Go for lunch in an average Chinese restaurant. A simple meal there can be as fresh and satisfying as a luxury dinner!

Beware of subversive blogging from Shanghai: censure is common practice!”

Kent St John, Go Nomad

4. Be Respectful if Arrested

“If you find yourself about to climb a holy mountain, and the ticket office offers extra insurance, you might want to take it.

If walking in the street and you hear “chwaaaak”, don’t change your pace, or you might get a big fat yellow lurgee on your shoe.

If you’re really hot, push your shirt up your chest, like everyone else.

Speak in honorable and deeply respectful prose, especially if you get arrested, or are toasting government officials.

Drink the rice wine.”

Robin Esrock, Modern Gonzo

The World’s Most Dangerous Hike – Amazing!

5. Expect the Unexpected

”Coming from the western world, I’ve always found visiting China like going to another planet. Expect the unexpected and don’t take things personally!

Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Nonconformity

6. Get the Magic Card

“Ask your hotel’s concierge for a card of common destinations in the city. Get the concierge to write the corresponding Chinese characters. Indispensable for directing taxis!”

Paul Cayanes, Pau Travels Blog

”Taxis are abundant and inexpensive in China’s major cities, but most cab drivers do not speak English. Most hotels have business cards with their address written in English and Chinese and a space on the back where the Chinese name of a destination can be filled in.”

Wendy, Escape from New York

7. Go Further than Fried Rice

“Be adventurous with the food. There are so many great regional variations across China that travelers can miss out on the best food if they just stick to the dishes they recognize from their local Chinese take-out!”

Tim Hughes, The Boot

Planning a trip to China? Got more useful China travel tips? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming soon… the cheapest vacation destinations in the world. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free updates via email or RSS below.

Photo credits: Yangshuo by B_cool, Summer Palace, Beijing by d’n'c, Lanterns by Mike

The recent tragedy of Airbus A330-200 is a stark reminder that, despite phenomenal technological advances, we’re never completely shielded from accidents.

Any operation involving the interface between men and machines will always have a measure of unpredictability.

Firstly, I will analyze the most significant modern accident trends. Secondly, I will discuss the advances in the modern cockpit and the hardware / software developed to address problems of aircraft safety.

1. Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT)

Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) is a fancy way of saying that the aircraft was mechanically sound but that something went wrong in the management of the flight, which resulted in an unintended ground impact.

Example Catastrophe

In the early morning hours of the 6th of August, 1997, Korean Air Flight #801, a Boeing 747, crashed into Nimitz Hill on approach into the international airport on the island of Guam.

228 of the 254 persons onboard died.  Whilst the aircraft was mechanically sound, the management and leadership practices of the captain and crew were not.  The major breakdowns in crew management and discipline therefore constituted the source of the problem.

Technological Solution

The growing concern for the improvement of CFIT led to the development of the Electronic Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). This amazing program constantly analyzes a number of flight parameters such as altitude, closure rate with the ground below/objects ahead, aircraft location in relation to known terrain, glide path, airspeed, etc.

Most importantly, EGPWS provides a significant and timely warning to pilots when closure with terrain is unsafe.  It has saved many a flight and has become a huge addition to the safety tool bag in every modern cockpit.

Plane Crash - Korean Air 801

2. Mid-air Collisions

One of the greatest fears among the traveling public is that of a mid-air collision.  Despite sophisticated radar control networks, this type of accident can doubtlessly occur.

Technological Solution

A system known as Threat Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) has been extremely instrumental in addressing this problem.

TCAS sends out electronic signals indicating position, altitude, and rate of climb or descent which are received and monitored by the TCAS units on other aircraft.

These preset parameters form a “safety bubble” around each aircraft so that if the projected flight path of another aircraft shows that it will penetrate this safety bubble, TCAS alerts the pilots of both aircraft.

As a result, if evasive maneuvers are required, both aircraft are given specific visual and verbal directions to “climb” or “descend”, thereby insuring a coordinated avoidance maneuver. TCAS is a life-saver, especially in congested airport traffic areas.

Mid-Air Collision DHL 757 and Tu-154

3. Runway Incursions

One of the most hazardous points in any flight occurs while taxiing to or from the active runway. In fact, runway incursions represent the first causal factor in commercial airline accidents. Often, darkness, obstructions to visibility such as fog or rain, and unfamiliarity contribute to pilot confusion.

Example Catastrophe

Consider just one of the more recent instances of a runway incursion that led to disaster.  Comair Flight #191 departed Lexington, Kentucky in the early morning hours of the 27th of August, 2006.

It was cleared to taxi to runway 22 but mistakenly taxied onto and took off from runway 26, which was much shorter.  The aircraft never reached flying speed, and crashed off the end of the runway killing all 47 passengers and two of the three crew-members.

Although this example involved only one aircraft, the typical runway incursion places both a taxiing aircraft and another either landing or taking off at grave risk of collision.

Technological Solution

In response to this risk, every modern passenger aircraft has a technology-rich, “glass” cockpit.  Many tasks formerly done by pilots can now be accomplished by on-board electronic aids such as the Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), an encyclopedia containing a number of manuals, charts, airport approaches formerly maintained in paper form.

One of the great tools incorporated into the EFB is a moving-map computer display, showing each aircraft’s exact position and movement on the surface of the airport.

Freed from the need to reference paper charts when taxiing, pilots are more aware of their exact location on the airport.  Tower and ground control clearance instructions are incorporated to allow the pilot to be constantly attentive to clearance instructions.

The Human Factor

Whilst technology always creates new issues, it offers unique and powerful solutions to some of our most persistent and pressing safety concerns.  It will be many long years, however, before any of us feel comfortable flying without a pilot!   Fly Safely!

Surprised by what causes airplane disasters? What do you make of the technology employed to keep us safe?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming soon…. 10 things you never knew about airplane food. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free updates below.

Photo: Rob Young

Capt Alan W. Price

Vietnam, China, Italy, Brazil… I’d love to set off on a long trip ticking off all these countries along the way but….. I never seem to have the cash!

Nora Dunn is a Professional Hobo, having sold off and packed up her life in Canada to travel the world full-time.

She’s adamant that you don’t need to be rich to travel the world!

Nora recently shared her traveling secrets with the online world. Check out her top budget travel tips below:

1) Get smart with flight bookings
Save up to 80% on airfare by looking where the standard search engines don’t – check out sites like  Which Budget.

2) Trade work for a room
WWOOFing (Willing Work on Organic Farms) is a popular way of trading work for accommodation, but there are lots more ways of trading a room for work.

3) Get free accommodation
Using hospitality exchanges, you can stay in somebody’s home for free, and arguably get much more out of your trip by staying with the locals.

4) Work whilst traveling
If you’re traveling long-term, you’ll need to consider various work options to keep the travel dollars flowing.

5) Get to grips with volunteering
Volunteer trips can end up costing more than you might have thought. Use reputable sources to get the most out of volunteering.

6) Become part of a community
Integrate yourself into new and foreign communities for all sorts of opportunities that are bound to save you cash.

7) Avoid THE biggest spending trap
Can you guess what the biggest waste of money is when traveling? Souvenirs! Don’t fall into the trap!

Be food wise
Where you eat, how you eat, when you eat… Food can be a big expense when traveling but following a few practical tips can make all the difference.

9) Roll with the punches
Travel will always present you with opportunities, provided your eyes are open to see them. Be flexible and you’ll surely benefit financially in the long run.

10) Rethink travel expenses
Budget for your trip before you leave. Check out Tripbase’s Travel Costs Calculator for estimates on daily traveling costs across the world.

11) Travel slowly
The less you move, the less you spend, and the more you’ll get out of each destination. It’s a win-win situation!

For more info, have a read of the full article: “Travel Full-time for Less than $14,000 a Year.”

And for even more money-saving tips, check out the new book: “10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget.”

Found these tips useful? Got more ideas for saving cash on the road?? Post up your comments, we want to hear from you!

Loads more expert traveling tips to come. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free updates via RSS or email below.

Photo: Nora volunteering.