We’ve all read those guides about plane travel that state the obvious.  Show up on time.  Have your passport handy.  Don’t clutch your backpack as if it’s an explosive you’ve been entrusted with.  Ever notice something about those guides though?  They’re not about how to survive “plane travel”, they’re about how to survive “airports”.  Now sure, once you’re in your seat most feel you can now relax, because the worst is behind you.  Nothing left except sitting in the same place for several hours.  Yeah… remember back in school when being forced to sit still was a means of punishment?  Sitting in a plane is no picnic.  Whether it’s the kid kicking the back of your seat, or just grinding away the time, there are ways for surviving, heck even enjoying, plane travel.

Ear Plugs – No extra cash?  No problem.  It’s simple.  Ear plugs.  Think I’m joking?  Try it.  Heck just try it at home.  You’d be surprised how mentally tiring the ambient noise of even a quiet airplane can be.  Ear plugs will turn riding coach into a veritable Zen garden.  Best of all, they only cost you a couple bucks and you’ll probably get a whole box of them.  Forget therapy, forget meditating, sometimes just cutting out the audible portion of the outside world is enough to put your mind at ease. shop for ear plugs at amazon.

Noise Cancellation Headphones – As common as these are now days, some people still don’t know they exist.  Granted, some noise cancellation headphones work better than others, but they do work.  Besides quieting the ambient noise around you, they also make it easier to hear whatever it is your trying to listen to.  And let’s face it, if you’re listening to something on a flight, it’s to forget that you’re stuck in a plane. Noise Cancellation headphones from Amazon.

Where You Sit – This can make a world of difference.  It’s always been strange that “window seats” receive all the glory, while sitting on the aisle is considered a pain.  Consider this.  It’s a trade off.  Sitting next to the window will give you one heck of a view, but you’re also crammed against the side of the cabin.  Sitting on the aisle lets you stretch out, but you’re more exposed to being bumped into, having your drink spilled, etc..  For some people though, being able to completely stretch out one leg is well worth the risks.  Also, remember that the row of seats beside an emergency exit will always have more leg-room. Get seating tips from SeatGuru.com

Laptop – You’ve seen them on the plane with their spreadsheets and word processors running.  You’re probably now thinking, “Yeah, great idea.  I’ll survive my plane ride by doing work, thanks.”  On the contrary, to heck with that, and no I’m not recommending you play games.  Anything more advanced than minesweeper will suck your battery dry faster than you can finish your salted peanuts.  What I suggest is watching movies.  Most laptops these days have DVD drives, so you can easily play movies on them.  The problem is that just like games, watching DVD’s can also drain your battery fast.  Here’s the trick…  Rip your DVD’s onto your computer before you leave.  Too technical?  Then just buy some movies on iTunes.  The point is, it’ll require a lot less power from your battery to watch movies stored on your computer than it would to watch them on DVD.  Want to go even further?  If your laptop has a detachable battery then one of the best investments you can make for traveling is to buy a second battery.  And don’t’ forget that iPods can play movies these days as well.

Power Splitter – Few think of this, but it can be a life saver.  While waiting during lay-over, clever people will find a power outlet to recharge their electronics a little bit before their next flight.  The problem is there aren’t that many available electrical outlets.  The solution is to carry along a power splitter, allowing multiple plugs to be used with one outlet.  If an outlet is taken, show the person who claimed it your splitter and they’ll probably share. Shop for Power Squid at Amazon.

Sleeping Pills – Do you just flat out not want to deal with it?  No problem!  That’s what sleeping pills are for (or any other kind of medication that helps you relax).  Talk to your doctor, decide what’s right for you, and you could spend your entire trip in dream land.

Not Kidding Yourself – Ever notice how lots of stories involving travel nightmares begin with, “I thought I could handle…”.  If that’s how their story starts then they have no one to blame but themselves.  When you travel, know your limitations and cater to them.  All too often people arrange what’s easy to plan, not what’s easy to do, “The first flight leaves at 5am?  Count me in!  How hard could it be?”  Take the time to arrange a trip that works the way you need it to.  Sure there will be times when you have no choice, but for all those other times, exercise your options, and ignore anyone who criticizes you for not doing what they would have done.  There is no one way to travel.

Attitude – Too many people suffer airplane travel, because they simply won’t speak up for themselves.  If you’ve got someone being obnoxious, say something.  If they’re of questionable character then don’t press the issue, but at least mention it.  If you suffer in silence then you’re essentially your own worst enemy.

Plane travel doesn’t have to be unpleasant.  If nothing else works, at least keep some perspective.  A couple of centuries ago, the same journey you’re on would have taken weeks or even months.  People would have been born and others died during the journey.  When considering that, sitting in a cushioned chair in a crowded vehicle for eight hours might not seem so bad.

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Tips for Surviving Plane Travel

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London is full of famous sightseeing spots, but being such a global city it’s also full of great art galleries, which many tourists are coming to see. Galleries in London tend to feature a great deal of older European art, a lot of it very famous and valuable, along with some modern works as well. Some of the highlights include:

• The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square: it was established as far back as 1824 with just 38 pictures; today it has thousands including well-known paintings from artists like van Gogh, Cezanne, Rembrandt and Monet.
• Tate Galleries across Britain now include the Tate Britain and the Tate Modern in London. The Tate Britain on Millbank houses a large collection of important British art dating from 1500, while the Tate Modern on Bankside includes international modern art.
• The National Portrait Gallery opened in 1856 and is located next to the National Gallery. It features over ten thousand portraits including those of William Shakespeare, various royalty, Margaret Thatcher and John Lennon.
• The Queen’s Gallery is located inside Buckingham Palace and shows the royal art collection – and since Queen Elizabeth II, the current patron of this gallery, dislikes all modern art, pretty much everything here is from before the twentieth century.

Photo credit: ** Maurice **

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Art Galleries in London

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Australia’s a country where many of the main tourist hot spots experience pleasant, sunny weather for much of the year, and that’s why considering alternatives to hotels is a great way to get to know the country better – as well as make your trip a whole lot cheaper.

• Luxury camping – especially if you’re touring the outback, there are heaps of providers who will set you up with luxury style tents, and even transport them and erect them each night. In outback desert spots where few hotels or resorts exist, not only is this often the best option, but it means you can get closer to nature in a safe and comfortable way.
• Driving your accommodation around – in Australia they call them campervans and caravans and while they’re generally not as big as the RVs you usually see in the US, they do the job quite well enough. Caravans tend to belong to retired Australians who are circumnavigating the country, so the best bet for tourists is to hire a so-called campervan. Rates are very reasonable (as are site rates in camping parks) and you can usually pick up in one city and drop off in another for a small extra charge.
• Self-contained accommodation and guest houses – away from the main cities, renting holiday homes by the night or the week is sometimes the only way to find a bed in a small country town. It also means you can self-cater and find some relaxing peace and quiet. Local tourist information offices usually have all the information you need and can also make bookings for you.

photo credit: spykee

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Hotel Alternatives in Australia

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Travelling across time zones can be an exciting part of a vacation. Any shock you might experience at the changing time is absorbed by the relaxed nature of your adventure and the extra time you have to sleep. But what about business travellers who travel often and need to hit the ground running when they land in a new timezone for a few days? Here are two methods to beat jet lag that have worked for me. Obviously, the value you derive will be restricted by your specific sleep needs and ability to get out of bed!

1. Plan ahead for jet lag. Like many things in life, planning for a major transition will not only allow you to approach it with more grace, but get through it with a better sense of purpose. Having your clock jump four, six, or even 12 hours is a massive transition for your body and anything you can do to prepare for the switch will help. I typically spend a day or two before my trip adjusting my sleep pattern. If you can naturally approach a schedule that’s within a few hours of your new sleep pattern, you’ll be able to jump into the new timezone with a flourish!
2. If you don’t have time to gradually shift into your new sleep pattern, you can force it by shocking your body with sleep deprivation. Simply keep yourself awake starting 30 hours before the time you need to wake up in the new time zone. Use the last 8 hours to catch up on sleep. The trick is to time those 8 hours so you wake up on-time for your destination’s clock. If you can, plan your flight so that you’ll arrive just as everybody is starting their day in the new country, you’ll have slept during your flight and will arrive ready to begin work.

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Hack: How To Beat Jet Lag

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When you pack for a trip, there is one item that could mean a ruined trip or even loss of life if your forget it:

Bring your common sense.

Going on an adventure should not cost you your life! As reported by MSNBC.com, a group of more than 130 people were recently rescued after the ice they were fishing on broke away from the shoreline ice and began to float away. One man was pronounced dead after falling into the frigid waters and being transported to a local hospital. Now, if you’d been on a trip to Ohio, USA and decided to try your hand at ice fishing on Lake Erie with some locals, how would you have avoided being one of the people left drifting on a piece of ice?

Click here to view the embedded video.

1. Once you have an itinerary for your trip, make a list of the activities you know you definitely want to try while you’re in specific areas.
2. Take your list of ideas and spend a few minutes online to find reputable sources for information on that activity. Personal travel blogs and sites that use free hosting services (aka professionalhangglidingtrips dot blogspot dot com) are good to read stories, but not for concrete information.
3. Once you know a bit about the activities you want to try, list each activity on a piece of paper. Under each listing, write down a few things you noticed about how professionals approach each activity.

For example:

• ICE FISHING
• Ice fishing on large bodies of water can be very dangerous following a spell of warm weather because the ice tends to crack and break up as it melts.

Just a bit of research by the Ohio fisherman would have saved his life. A sense of adventure will make your trips and activities a real joy. Just make sure you bring your common sense and equip yourself with enough information to make good choices along the way.

photo credit: Viscoptic

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Smart Travel: Know The “Best Practices” Of Adventure Activities

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With restrictions on the amount of liquids and gels that you can bring on a flight many people are purchasing small sample sizes for convenience on the road. By all means, purchase these smaller versions of your favorite products but then keep the bottles and refill them for future trips.

The small samples are actually very expensive when you compare their cost to the cost of a regular sized or even economy sized version of the product, ounce for ounce. Of course there is the added expense the company incurs by creating a little bottle so you’re paying for this convenience, but keep it convenient by reusing the same little bottle over and over. This will not only save you some money, but will help save the environment in a little way.

If you don’t want to purchase the original product in a travel size there are small bottles, flasks, and boxes etc that you can purchase to hold your supplies in when you travel, but these unlabeled generic containers are more likely to be questioned by security and they don’t always seal as well as original containers.

Whichever way you decide to go, save all of your travel sized containers for future use. You’ll appreciate the financial savings for yourself and the environmental saving for the world.

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Tip: Think Small but Recycle

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As a travel aid, the iPhone is a godsend.  All too often, we find ourselves on the road lamenting, “If only I was in front of my computer.  I could handle this in a second!”  But with the iPhone, we’re now in front of our computer wherever we are.

Wi-Fi Finder/Easy Wi-Fi – Using your iPhone’s Edge and 3G networks can cost a fortune when you’re out of the country.  In fact, if you’re abroad, it’s better to just turn them off completely by opening your “Settings”, looking under “Network”, and turning off “Data Roaming”.  Fortunately, you can still rely on Wi-Fi for all of your internet needs.  With an app like Wi-Fi Finder, finding those crucial hubs becomes that much easier.  And with Easy Wi-Fi, connecting to AT&T hot spots is a cinch too!

Cheap Gas!/My Gas Wars/Gasbag – A road trip is not a road trip without gas, or a car.  Knowing where the nearest gas stations are can mean all the difference between a great trip, and a really bad plot for a horror film.  These three apps will find you gasoline that’s the nearest, and the cheapest.

Screen Shot of Urban Spoon iPhone App

Urban Spoon/Local Eats – Two great “Where should we eat?!” apps.  For eating around your home town, Urban Spoon is the clear winner.  For traveling though, Local Eats may have the edge since it only lists the absolute best restaurants in a given area.  That may be tough on the wallet, but if you want the absolute best an area has to offer it’s the way to go.

Where/AroundMe – Two general purpose applications for telling you what’s around your current exact location, whether it be a pharmacy, pub, bank, etc..  Very useful, and both apps are free.

Stanza – Books are awesome.  They also tend to take up a chunk of your luggage space, and you’re not necessarily going to carry your book with you wherever you go.  With an eReader app like Stanza, both of those problems are solved.  Your books are stored on your iPhone, so they’re in your pocket or purse whenever you feel like reading.

Trapster – Road Trip?  Speeding across the USA?  Wish you knew where all of those police were hiding with their radar guns?  Now you can.  Trapster follows your position on Google Maps and gives an audible alert whenever you’re close to a reported speed trap, red light camera, etc..  Sure you could complain that this app facilitates breaking the law, but since radar guns and red light cameras are more about generating revenue than anything else, well… go figure that one out.

Flight – If you’re flying, it’ll be a question you  ask at least once if not several times during your trip, “What’s the status of my flight!?”  There are a number of apps out there that can answer this right on your iPhone.  The best one that’s free is simply called Flight.

iBART/Subway Guides – Carrying a subway guide in your pocket?  Why?  With a couple clicks you can have the guide on your iPhone, where it won’t get torn, lost, or take up extra space.  Unless of course you lose your iPhone.  In which case your Subway Guide is the least of your concerns.  If you’re going to the San Francisco Bay area, iBART is considered one of the best.

WikiMe iPhone App screenshot

Wikipanion – “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, one of the greatest books of all time.  And with Wikipedia, it’s now a reality (on Earth at least).  Find out anything about just about… well… anything wherever you are on the planet.  Wikipanion is one of the best Wikipedia apps out there. You can also try WikiMe which looks up wikipedia entries based on your GPS info.

Jetset Expenses – For some of us, we wouldn’t know an expense report if it hit us in the face.  For others, however, filling out expense reports can take up a considerable amount of time.  Fortunately, apps like Jetset Expenses allow us to handle those tasks on our iPhones at our own convenience…  Such as when you’re standing in line for a Las Vegas club (with a business client of course).

Truphone – Want to stick it to the man?  No?  Me neither, but cheaper phone calls are still cool.  If you’re abroad, utilizing an app like Truphone can save you a substantial amount of money by having your iPhone use its internet connection to make phone calls.  The audio might not be great, but hey, you get what you pay for.

Currency – Want to know the current exchange rate for where you’re going?  Easy.  With an app like Currency, all you have to do is just look at your phone.  Warning: Results can sometimes be depressing.

Taxi Magic/Rocket Taxi – Need a cab?  These app swill show you all of the nearby taxi services, and even call them for you.  Doesn’t get much better than that.

Movies – Sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and watch a movie.  Only problem is figuring out which local theaters are closest to you, what movies they’re playing, and what are the showtimes.  The iPhone’s Movies app can answer all of that.

Lonely Planet/Babelingo – Two great translation apps with two completely different approaches.  Lonely Planet translation apps tell you what to say and how to say it.  Babelingo, however, displays the translation in big words on your screen, so you just simply show your iPhone to whoever you’re trying to talk to.

TripIt Iphone ScreenShot

Zagat TO GO – If you’re going to pay good money for a city guide, then you might as well make it the staple. The Zagat guide is esteemed enough that even being rated by it usually warrants restaurants to frame a certificate by their entrance saying so.  Depending on the city, the Zagat TO GO app has ratings on Restaurants, Hotels, and even Nightlife and Shopping.

Tripit – Technically more of a mobile website than an iPhone app. Forward all of your airline, hotel, car rental and event reservations, Tripit will automatically organize them putting all of your reservation information like addresses, confirmation numbers, and times all in one spot.

Whether for business of pleasure, having an iPhone at your beck and call can take the stress out of any trip and allow you to enjoy the ride.

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Helpful iPhone Travel Apps

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If you’re taking a trip and worried about where to hide your cash there are a few tried and trusted tricks that you can use to keep your money safe. In fact, it’s best to try a few of these tricks and space your money out just so there’s always a stash at hand.

Money belts are an old favorite and have been around forever. Some money belts look exactly like regular belts and only the most seasoned travelers and criminals will know the difference. On the inside of the belt is a zippered pouch where carefully folded bills can be stored. Some money belts are more obvious as they’re just pouches held to the body with a belt but they can work just as well.

Secret money pockets sewn into pants or socks are also a popular way to protect your cash from criminals. Unless the criminal is fishing through your clothing its doubtful that they will find the loot hidden inside.

Hide some in your hotel room in a toiletry that a thief or cleaning lady with sticky fingers is not likely to look. Get creative and find places to tuck your cash.

There are a number of favorite places for hiding money when you’re on vacation but the safest best it to hide it in your bank. Leave your cash at home and carry a credit or debit card instead.

photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

How to Hide Money When Traveling

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If you are going on vacation to a major city and want to see some of the featured attractions check to see if the city offers a bundled package. Much like you can bundle your cable, internet and phone services together and get a discount, some communities are going to bundled discounts on major attractions to appeal to tourists.

These bundled attraction packages typically offer you a considerable discount over what the standard prices of these attractions would be if purchased separately and some of them even qualify you for a discount in the gift shops which is perfect if you’ve got some souvenir shopping to do.

But don’t get suckered into paying for more attractions than you’re going to visit. Unused passes can add up quickly and suddenly your deal isn’t such a deal anymore. Get the details on the bundled attractions that are included in your deal and evaluate whether they’re actually places you want to go and if you’ll have the time and/or energy to see all of them. If not then it’s time to do a little math and figure out what the standard prices would be for the attractions you absolutely can’t miss and then compare that to the bundled pass. The bundle is a great deal, but only if you’re going to take advantage of all of the specials offered. photo credit: Go Card USA

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Look For Bundled Attraction Discounts

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If you’re considering a trip abroad you should actually register with the State Department for your own safety. Sure, it seems like a bit of overkill and maybe it is, depending on where you’re traveling, but no matter how insignificant you think you are in the grand scheme of things, the State Department actually cares. If you register your travel plans this gives the government a way to contact you in case there is a family crisis or you’re needed and can’t be found. It also gives the government a way to contact you in the event that some sort of crisis is about to occur or has occurred where you are traveling.

Registering with the State Department is both free and easy and it just requires a few minutes at their website.

If you’re worried about big brother, keep in mind that the Privacy Act provides for your personal privacy and your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to any other person who may request them unless you have given your express authorization.

This is an exceptionally useful travel tip for anyone who will be traveling abroad for an extended period of time. If there is an emergency back home or where you are vacationing, it’s better to have the State Department on your side in case you need to make a hasty retreat.

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Register With the State Department Before You Travel

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If you’re on a diet and traveling you can ruin your entire diet routine or you can ruin your vacation by being too regimented. So, how do you find a happy medium where you can enjoy yourself and not destroy your healthy eating plan?

The first thing you need to do is get educated. You may have already done this when you started your diet but you may need a bit of a refresher course. Learn what the local cuisine is and what the calorie content is. If you’re concerned about other aspects of your diet check out those areas as well. This will help you determine if the sushi is a splurge or a healthy choice. Or which dessert is going to blow the diet for a week versus a dessert that will simply require an extra scenic hike. When you make your food choices you want to be educated on what is healthy and what isn’t.

Being proactive is also a great way to avoid extra calories, sugar, cholesterol or fat. Bring your own snacks so you aren’t tempted to grab something on the go that’s less healthy. And a good dieter knows that having healthy regular snacks prevents you from overeating later.

And finally, SPLURGE. Don’t go overboard and undo any good you’ve done, but make a point of trying some local cuisine treats and enjoying your vacation destination. There is really no rule that says you can’t share meals or desserts or that you have to finish every last bite. Use moderation but allow yourself a few extra treats while on vacation.

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Tips for Dieters

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House swapping isn’t for the faint of heart — you’ll send keys to complete strangers and leave them alone in your house for days at a time! — but thousands of independent travelers are slowly discovering the joys of this inexpensive (and slightly voyeuristic) way to travel.

House swapping is simple: instead of staying in a hotel, you switch houses or apartments with someone in a far off land. The easiest way to check out the options is by visiting craigslist.org, navigating to your city, and clicking on house swapping. See who wants to stay in your town, check out the offerings, and start to dream. Getting used to the idea is half the battle, though in all fairness, it’s definitely the uphill part. Once you’re used to the idea, house swapping is a fantastic and economic way to travel.

Once you get into house swapping, check out some members-only sites, like digsville.com (homes are rated), intervacus.com (emphasis on homes abroad), homeexchange.com (satisfaction guarantee), and homelink-usa.com (all listings are current). Your membership fee will be paid off in just one foregone hotel night, and a big, wide world of travel will be opened to you. Who knows, your home-away-from home may just be floating around in the online ether right now.

photo credit: David Masters

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Tip: Travel Cheap, House Swap!

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Traveling has become more expensive than ever. First of all you’ve got the high price of fuel, then you’ve got rising airline costs with hidden fees at every corner, and if you’re thinking about going abroad the value of the U.S. dollar is just not what it used to be.

Rather than spending the big bucks and taking that vacation or skipping the trip all together, explore your home. Every state has a tourism bureau that can load you up on information about your region and what’s more exciting than learning a little more about where you live and maybe learning more about yourself in the process.

Whether you’re interested in a day at a local beach, hiking trips through the woods, shopping excursions, or all the trappings of a traditional tourist stop there’s bound to be something within a few hours of your home that offers you everything you want. Sure it’s not a week at the Riviera but you may find you like some of your local hot spots better and a new family tradition may develop.

And, in addition to saving some money for yourself and your family, you’ll be pumping money into your local economy, helping your neighbors and in the process you’ll be helping yourself.

photo credit: michale

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Local Travel Options

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For many people taking a vacation means taking a vacation from healthy eating and this is sometimes okay if you’ve planned for this added luxury. But for others this is simply not acceptable because of diet restrictions, health concerns, and a lifestyle regimen.

If you fall into the latter category and you want to or have to stick with your diet, use the following tips to stay on task.

Find a Market

Don’t rush to the nearest diner or restaurant for every meal, find a local market (or bring food with you) so that you can create healthy meals on your own. You’ll also save a ton of money if you go this route.

Order within the Diet

It takes discipline, but learn to order foods that fit into your dietary restrictions and stay away from the foods you normally wouldn’t have. You can even do this in places where the cuisine is very different, just learn what you can have and what is good for you and try the local culinary creations featuring the “good” foods.

Splurge

You’ll never stick to the diet on your trip unless you have amazing willpower or if you let yourself splurge a little bit. It’s a vacation and there are going to be new and wonderful things to experience. Reward your good eating behavior with a little treat now and again, just don’t go overboard.

photo credit: Lili Vieira de Carvalho

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Healthy Eating on the Road

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As you pack for that winter skiing trip in the Swiss Alps or Australian summer vacation, you may throw your hair drier, laptop, or cell phone charger absentmindedly into your bag. Not so fast: though North America, much of South America, the Caribbean, and Japan use 100-125 volt appliances, most of the world does not. Keep in mind that packing your appliances for travel abroad requires a little extra planning:

Buy a converter: Your first step to international appliance use is to purchase a small converter, which will allow your American appliances to run on 220-volt currents. Take note that some newer, high-end appliances are designed to work on both 110 and 220-volt systems, and that a converter will not be necessary in these cases.

Buy and adapter plug: Even if your destination uses 110-volt currents, you may still need to purchase an adapter plug. This will make your three-pronged American appliance plug compatible with that of your destination’s.

Once you’ve purchased a converter and adapter, you should be ready to use any appliance abroad. Make sure to purchase well-made products, though, as cheap ones have a tendency to break. Adapter plugs should cost about $15-$20, and converter prices will vary.

photo credit: J.Smith831

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Tip: Prepare Your Appliances for Use Abroad

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If you’re like me, even an overnight adventure can mean a lot of packing stress and at least two pieces of luggage, not to mention the purse and the fanny pack, if hiking is involved. Sure, I’m medium to high maintenance and I accept that, but I’ve learned that I don’t necessarily have to pack that way. Below are some tips I’ve learned that can help you pare down your “essentials”.

Monochromatic wardrobe. Try to stick to a one or two color wardrobe. It’s boring but it limits the number of clothes, shoes, and accessories you have to bring. This way you can mix and match and your outfits will all work together.

Comfort. Again, not totally stylish but bring something that is strictly for comfort. This is handy when traveling in a car/bus/train for long periods or time or if you’re hiking.

Sample sizes. Bring small sizes of everything and then refill your staples at the hotel. You can totally mix shampoos, conditioners, and lotions (not together but with their own type). Heck you might even come up with something better than the original.

You’re not a boy scout. I love being prepared for everything that could arise, but I try to keep that tendency at home and leave all the accessories, medicines, antibiotic lotions etc behind.

You can shop. I’m third generation serious shopper but sometimes I still have to remind myself that I can buy things I need when I’m on vacation. Not everything needs to come with me when I leave home.
Mail it. This goes along with the shopping tip, but if I buy too much stuff on my trip, it’s pretty easy just to mail it back to my house rather than buying extra luggage (which I’ve done) to carry it all home.

photo credit: mok

Looking for information on Miami Beach Hotels check out Miami Beach Advisor.com

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Tips for Women

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In an effort to protect the public from lithium batteries (and aren’t we all afraid of them) the DOT enacted new lithium battery rules for travel beginning on January 1^st of 2008. Basically the rules state that you cannot pack spare lithium batteries in your checked baggage. Meaning the bags you hand over to the clerk at the counter. And when they say spare batteries they mean loose ones floating around. If you have lithium batteries in your camera, MP3 player or other device those are just fine.

If you need to carry spare lithium batteries then you’ll have to pack them into your carry on baggage. Generally you can carry any number of them with you onto the plane. If you have any questions about what batteries and how many you can bring, check out the official DOT page to get more specific information.

The stated reason for this lithium battery rule is that lithium batteries are a potential fire hazard and when left in checked bags they’re apt to spontaneously combust. By bringing them onto the plane with you the government feels that the in-flight crew is better able to closely manage the situation should a battery burst into flames. Although anyone with some sense of logic would understand that the checked electronics items with batteries in them are probably just as likely, or more likely, to burst into flames as the ones you’ve put in your carry on.

photo credit: curiouslee

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This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

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It’s a common traveler’s plight, but rarely do you hear about it: Peru’s famous Inca Trail fills up fast. It can be a sad disappointment, after months or even years of anticipation, but many Machu Picchu pilgrims face this problem every year. If this happens to you, or if you worry that it will, take heart: the Inca Trail is only one of several beautiful ways to reach Machu Picchu.

Inca Trail adventures are often laced with beer, partying, and few similarities to the trip the ancient Incas once took. Even with expensive rates, the Inca Trail’s 500-person daily limit fills up fast, forcing many travelers to find alternatives. And alternatives are everywhere, offering many trekking trips up the green-line mountains and through the famous Sun Gate.

Salkantay is the most popular Inca Trail alternative, taking you traveling for five days and four nights. Winding up Salkantay Mountain, you’ll pas through Quechuan communities, Inca ruins, and many incredible natural wonders. As the area’s second-favorite trail, though, Salkantay has become very full, as well, so if you’re looking for an even less-touristy option, keep looking.

When you arrive in Cusco, simply look around for the best trail trip for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a party or a zen-like experience, you’ll find it here, get excited. Remember, all roads here really do lead to Machu Picchu.

photo credit: thecsman

Looking for information on Miami Beach Hotels check out Miami Beach Advisor.com

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Travel Tip: Machu Picchu Without the Inca Trail

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The All Inclusive resort is becoming a major staple in the travel industry. Years ago the idea of all inclusive meant Club Med. You may remember – the party atmosphere, the uninspiring food, the plastic pop beads used to pay for drinks. Your other option for an “all inclusive” was the Catskill resort in the film Dirty Dancing! Things have changed!

Your choices for an all inclusive resort now can be an island retreat, the Mexican Riviera or the Yucatan Peninsula. All Inclusive resorts now emphasize customer service, outstanding food choices and a wide choice of activities. But is the All Inclusive right for you? Maybe – sometimes – depending …

First decide what kind of vacation you are interested in. Do you want to relax in a beach chair, bury your feet in the sand and only move to beckon a waiting waiter? Are you interested in trying a kayak or windsurfing? Is this a family trip or a romantic getaway for two? So far you can find any of those in an all inclusive resort.

Understand what an All Inclusive really offers. In a nutshell it is a pay one price vacation. Your meals are included, your drinks – both alcoholic and non, most non motorized water sports and night time entertainment. Many resorts have a no tipping policy and some will provide transportation from the airport to the resort.

If you love the idea that you have paid for your vacation and don’t have to worry about carrying extra money then the All Inclusive may be for you.

But be aware not everything is included. There may be a charge for the snorkeling boat trips or scuba diving. Golf is usually extra as are visits to the spa. Baby sitting may also have an extra charge as may some arcade games. And while tipping may be discouraged at some of the resorts (and forbidden at others!) a well placed tip may sometimes dramatically improve your service.

If you’re considering an All Inclusive then work with a Travel Professional to plan your vacation. The questions that they ask can help you make the decision and also which of the all inclusive resorts are best for you.

If you have a specific island in mind they may not have an all inclusive resort- or your choice may be limited. Your best bets are Jamaica, St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and Mexico.
So let’s consider the pros and cons and answer the question “Why choose an All Inclusive?”

Price: if price is a concern you may think that an all inclusive comes with a fairly high price tag. That may be true at the outset but you do go into this vacation knowing what it will cost you at the end. That isn’t true of most vacations. The add ons are minimal and more easily controlled. Your food is paid for; your drinks are taken care of. If you love to golf or scuba dive that may cost extra but you’ll know that before you start.

Great Beaches: usually but not always. Most resorts build themselves around a terrific beach and use it as a great selling point. Be sure to check if this is true of your resort. However, even those with less than stellar beaches recognize the attraction of the water sports and have elaborate pools- some are so enormous they resemble a water park!

Good Food: again, most but not always. The food choices at all inclusives have been steadily improving. Most parents love the easy availability of food choices for the children. There are buffets and beach or pool side grills that serve up quick meals for hungry little ones. While some couples may be accustomed to exploring for quaint little restaurants it’s hard to complain about a choice of 5, 6 or 7 different restaurants in one location. Many of the specialty restaurants are small and do require a reservation. If you’re a real “foodie” make your dinner bookings early to avoid disappointment.

Children’s Programs: Most resorts have some form of “Kid’s Club”. Many of them are just a friendly place with toys and a TV- some video games and a friendly staff. All ages may be grouped together. Some resorts however are noted for their children’s programs. Coconut Bay in St. Lucia has a giant kid’s club with a waterplay zone, waterslides and activities. Beaches Resorts – the family friendly arm of Sandals – offers multiple programs for different ages. They have waterslides, Pirate Island, Teen Discos and with their connection to Sesame Street they also offer character breakfasts with Elmo and the gang!

The other big winner with Children’s programming surprisingly enough is Club Med. Long thought of as the singles paradise Club Med has seen the growth of the baby boomers and now wants them and the whole family back. Their programs are more like camp- they have in line skating, Hip Hop dancing, archery and a circus school at some clubs complete with trapeze instruction.

Entertainment: Most resorts provide nightly entertainment. It may not be Las Vegas but some of these shows can be quite spectacular! Some also offer the quieter piano bars and lounge singer options. Remember, it’s all included! But if you’re looking for a new show every night and big name entertainment this may not be the place for you.

Romantic: Let’s see – moonlit beaches, romantic strolls, gourmet food and great wines????? Yep, we got romantic covered. Want to avoid the “younger set”? How about all adult resorts? Try Sandals Resorts, Couples, Secrets, Club Med in Turks & Caicos or Le Blanc Spa in Cancun.
So, is an All Inclusive Resort right for you?? You’ll never know unless you try!

Looking for information on Miami Beach Hotels check out Miami Beach Advisor.com

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You?

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If you are in a relationship, a romantic vacation is a great idea for an anniversary, birthday or anytime. You can choose from an seemingly endless number of destination for a romantic vacation. On every far reaching part of the globe, there is a perfect vacation spot for couples not too far away.

Many reasons exists as to why to go on a romantic vacation. First of all, escaping the everyday grind is always good for your physical and mental health. Vacations can lower stress and help you clear your head. If you feel overwhelmed at work or you feel like your life is in a rut, a romantic vacation just might be exactly what the doctor ordered!

Another reason to go is to help build your relationship. With people leading busy lives these days, it’s easy to take your significant other for granted. The bond that you felt when you first met might feel like it’s loosening over time. If that’s the case, a romantic vacation is the perfect remedy to get your relationship back on track and to help both of you rekindle the fire.

If you are having problems in your relationship, some alone time on a romantic vacation can help you and your significant other work through any problems you may have. Eliminating the daily stresses of life will help you two better handle the obstacles in your way. Sometimes breaking up isn’t the answer. Sometimes all you need is better communication and a vacation is a great avenue to improve communication.

When planning a romantic vacation, the first thing you should consider is price. How much can you spend without breaking your budget?

While romantic vacations are great, you need to be honest with yourself about whether or not you can afford a vacation. A vacation isn’t worth going into debt. If you can afford a vacation, the next thing is to figure out a time to go. If both you and your partner work, you should find a time when you are both able to take some time off from work. A romantic vacation can take place over a weekend or over the course of two weeks – obviously, depending on how long you can get away.

If you have children or pets, you should make arrangements to have someone take care of them when you are off on your romantic vacation. While it’s possible to bring children and pets along, it isn’t recommended – screaming kids and needy pets aren’t very romantic. A romantic vacation should be all about you and your significant other.

Once you have made all your preparations, the last step is to figure out where you are going. The options are truly endless but here are some tried and trued romantic vacation ideas:

A Romantic Cruise

Cruises are a great option for a vacation. Since most cruise lines are all-inclusive, meaning everything you need is included in the package, you don’t have to worry about much other than booking the right itinerary and boarding the ship!

While almost every cruise line offers romantic cruises, a lot of vacationers have found that the smaller cruise lines are better suited for romance. That’s likely due to the fewer number of people on the ships and the higher crewmember to passenger ratio.

A small cruise line that is perfect for romantic vacations is Silversea Cruises. Silversea Cruises offers destinations all over the world. Their suites are huge, their beds are rated highly and the service on the cruise is always exceptional. Additionally, their ships are famous for being clean and you’ll have plenty of personal space.

To find more information on Silversea Cruises, you can go to their website at Silversea.com and find a voyage that works for you.

A Bed and Breakfast Inn

Many people who are traveling on a romantic vacation prefer to stay at a bed and breakfast. There are many quality bed and breakfast inns all around the world. In the United States, you can find a bed and breakfast in nearly every city in the country – no matter the size.

The unique and charming atmosphere at a bed and breakfast inn is perhaps the biggest reason why they are great destinations for a romantic vacation. Since they are uniquely decorated and typically taken care of intently, the rooms at bed and breakfast inns are usually better than any other types of rooms – especially for romantic vacations!

It’s tough choosing the perfect bed and breakfast. Your best bet is to likely pick a location that is near you and then look for bed and breakfast inns in the area. If you live in California or you are willing to travel, Carmel Garden Court Inn is a bed and breakfast that is absolutely perfect for romantic vacations.

Carmel Garden Court Inn is located in Carmel, California. Each of their nine rooms is fairly and competitively priced. Not only are the rooms wonderful but the surrounding landscape is breathtaking. Their staff is also willing to help arrange romantic surprises and other extras that are perfect for romance. If you are looking for a break from reality with your significant other at your side, Carmel Garden Court Inn is worth checking out.

An All-Inclusive Resort

All-Inclusive resorts are extremely highly rated and are becoming more and more popular. While you can find all-inclusive resorts in the United States and elsewhere around the world, arguably the best place on the planet for all-inclusive resorts is in the Caribbean. Almost every island in the Caribbean has a state of the art resort that will cater to all your needs and wants! Consider booking a honeymoon suite, even if you aren’t on your honeymoon. It’s a great way to add more romance and extras to your trip.

At all-inclusive resorts, you can get a suite and typically you have a wide range of options for dining, entertainment, activities and social events. All-inclusive resorts differ from resort to resort, so make sure to check with the specific resort to ensure it has everything you want before you book your stay.

Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Aruba, St. Lucia and the Dominican Republic are just some of the islands that have great all-inclusive resorts. Located in the Dominican Republic, the Barcelo Bavaro Beach and Caribe Resort is one of most famous destinations for romantic vacations. Barcelo Bavaro Beach and Caribe Resort is a large resort that has eight restaurants and over a dozen bars within the resort. You can either stay in your lavish suite or venture out into the resort’s social scene – the option is yours.

A Big City Suite

A common misconception is you have to escape the big city to have a romantic vacation. That simply isn’t true. While most romantic vacationers want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, you can certainly find a romantic getaway within the confines of the city limits. All you truly need is a luxurious suite and your significant other and you can have a romantic vacation without leaving the big city!

For example, in New York City you can go to the Four Seasons New York Hotel for your romantic vacation. If you have the money to spend, you can stay in the Ty Warner Penthouse. The Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons Hotel in New York is the definition of luxury. With twenty five foot tall ceilings and a 360-degree view of the city, you will feel like the king and queen of the world.

No matter where you decide to stay, you should remember that the purpose of a romantic vacation is to have alone time with your significant other. Pick a destination that excites both of you and remember to have fun!

Photo credit: aarmono

Looking for information on Miami Beach Hotels check out Miami Beach Advisor.com

This post originally came from Kathika Travel Blog. Stop by and read our most popular travel blog posts.

Romantic Vacation Ideas

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