‘Travel Tips’ Category

Tips for Traveling During Pregnancy

May 10th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

While being pregnant isn’t a reason to put your entire life on hold, it does mean a certain number of changes. Whether you only travel once in a while or you burn up the roads and the sky, you should take the proper precautions to make sure both you and your baby are safe as you move from place to place. Follow these tips while traveling during your pregnancy:

Ask Your Doctor

Always follow your doctor’s advice. While he’ll probably tell you it’s OK to go on that special trip, he may have some reason you should wait until after you deliver. Certain countries should probably be on your personal no-fly list – as in, you shouldn’t fly there. You wouldn’t want to expose your baby to a tropical disease or some other infection that isn’t typically a problem in developed countries.

Don’t Miss Any Testing

When planning a trip, schedule your away-time around your pre-natal testing requirements. For example, a pregnancy in week 28 requires a glucose screening test. This tells you if you’re developing pregnancy-related diabetes, a critical piece of information for the expectant mom.

Create an Emergency Contact List

Just in case something unfortunate does happen, never leave home without an emergency contact list. This should include the names and phone numbers of your emergency contacts in addition to your medical team. The latter could include your regular doctor and your obstetrician. Before you call it a job-well-done, add your vital information including your due date, the date of last menstrual cycle, any medical problems and your prescription medications. If you’re getting pretty far along, include a copy of your medical tests as well.

Pack Your Medications

In addition to your prescription drugs, bring along plenty of pre-natal vitamins and over-the-counter medications. Keep your prescriptions in their regular bottles just in case there are any questions during a bag check.

Check Your Insurance Policy

If you go into labor while you’re out of town or out of the country, will your health insurance provider pay? While most will, some won’t. You may also want to buy travel insurance that includes medical transport back to your hometown just in case something happens. This type of coverage would also reimburse you for your out-of-pocket expenses if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to complications with your pregnancy.

Take Precautions if Driving

While long-distance flights have their own hazards, a road-trip isn’t without potential problems. Invest in an auto club policy if you don’t have one just in case you break down or have a flat. Never leave home without a cell phone.

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Tips for Traveling with Kids in Car

May 10th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Traveling with kids can be tiresome, irritating and overwhelming all at the same time. Though road trips should be exciting, most young children don’t see it that way, and it only takes 200 “Are we there yet”‘s before parents start pulling their hair out.

If you’re not prepared for the road trip, it could be even more stressful. The best way to ensure that you remain sane during the trip is to prepare yourself for the trip before you leave. The following tips will help.

 

Before You Leave

Have a conversation with your kids about the road trip. Show them on a map where you will be going, what route you’re going to take and what states or cities you’re going to drive through to get there. It’s also important to let them know how long the trip is going to take.

Have your kids pack a bag of activities that will keep them busy. Coloring books, stickers, iPods, computers, Nintendo DS—all of these things can keep your child busy while in the car. Make sure they have their favorite stuffed animals too.

You also need to make sure that you pack plenty of snacks. Try to get them ahead of time so that you’re not making an extra stop along the way. Try to stick to non messy items, such as dry cereal, pretzels and chips. You can also pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. These will keep your children full until you stop for real meals. Make sure you pack plenty of drinks too, and try to use sippy cups or water bottles to reduce spilling. You also need to pack a garbage bag for wrappers and every other piece of trash, and having wipes and paper towels on hand is also a good idea.

On the Road

Make sure your child’s toys are easily accessible. It’s also a good idea to make sure that snacks and drinks are easily accessible too. This alleviates the whining and the frequent stopping.

Make sure you also have a portable DVD player so that your child can watch movies or listen to music. This can keep their attention for a longer period of time. Just make sure to bring the headphones.

It’s also a good idea to bring pillows and blankets. This will help make your child more comfortable, and may even help them fall asleep. Make sure that your child wears comfortable clothes in the car too, and make sure that a change of clothes is easily accessible in case of accidents or changes in weather.

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Travelling tips for the older generation

April 30th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

There are many options for travelling in the modern day – even when you reach a vintage age. In fact, retirement is considered by many people to be the best time for travelling. After a lifetime of hard work, the elderly should be able to enjoy the latter period of their life to the fullest. Here are some ideas about how to travel when your financial and physical resources are limited:

Bus

Public transport is always a great option. Once you reach a certain age, usually the same time that you can qualify for your pension, you can receive a bus pass. This is limited in what times it can be used within, notably restricting you from 9:30 am onwards, but provides free transport. If you live near a bus stop, this can become a vital link between you and your potential destinations, providing a free, safe method of getting to and from town, shops or wherever you need to go.

Train

Additionally, if you live near a train station, you may wish to consider a rail card. This will initially cost you an annual fee, but it reduces your travel costs by 33%. Of course, whether you save money in the long run is based on how often you travel each year.

Finally, depending on where you live, your local council might have additional offers or schemes for senior citizens. It doesn’t hurt to enquire as you have nothing to lose. In short, there are many options regarding elderly support to assist senior members of society in both mobility and travel options, whatever your situation.

Mobility Scooters; a good idea to move around

Mobility Scooters are, in essence, automated wheelchairs or scooters. They can vary in terms of power, number of wheels and shape, but they are usually seated mobility units that travel between 4 and 8 miles per hour, depending on where you are using it.

The main advantage of a scooter is that it allows you mobility combined with the comfort of sitting down. However, the drawback is that you should really be trying to exercise whatever parts of your body you still can; it can be quite easy to avoid this and lapse into a routine which does not encourage exercise. In this regard, a mobility scooter should not be an option unless it is deemed necessary, in other cases a temporary wheelchair or walking stick should suffice.

Accommodation abroad; trust stair lift solutions

 

Many elderly people don’t travel because they fear that their destination will not have the facilities they require to get around. The reality, however, is that this is not always the case.

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Gay Cruises 2012: Top 5 Gay Friendly Destinations

April 24th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Planning to take a gay cruise in 2012? There are a number of travel companies who are offering gay cruises that includes top tourist destinations all over the world. One of the most frequented gay friendly destinations is the beautiful paradise of islands in the Caribbean.

Caribbean Cruise

The Caribbean has never failed to temp tourists, both gay and straight alike, to visit and relax in the heavenly paradise and vacation experience that only the Caribbean can provide. Though the Caribbean may be considered on top of every person’s list for gay cruises, there are still quite a number of places that can make your cruise one to remember.

For gay cruises in 2012, why not head on out to Asia and be mesmerized by the wondrous mix of historical significance, the beauty of the natural world and the excitement of fast paced modern cities? Asia has some of the best tourist destinations in the world. In fact, any tourist can find a thing or two that will capture his interest during a visit to one of the Asian countries.

To help you decide on what country or countries to visit for your cruise in and around Asia, here is a list of some of the most gay friendly countries in Asia for 2012.

Nepal

Some might directly disagree with the choice of Nepal as one of the most gay friendly country in the Asian continent, but still, Nepal is included in this cut. Due to the country’s strong opposition to gay people up until the year 2007, Nepal may be a questionable entry to some for this category. But over the past few years, they have steadily improved their treatment to gay people which includes allowing gay marriage in Nepal. It is now being considered as the next big thing in gay travels in Asia.

Thailand

If the only category to consider in choosing the best gay cruises destination is the number of gay bars present in that locality, Bangkok in Thailand may come out as the runaway winner. Thailand is also home to Pattaya, a great gay friendly place that celebrates being homosexual on an annual gay pride parade.

Shanghai, China

If you’re gay and would want to experience China, the beautiful city of China is just the right place for you. The busy and fast paced life in China has also lead to the acceptance of the gay community in the once overly strict and conservative city.

Philippines

A list of the most gay friendly places to visit for your gay cruise in 2012 would never be complete without a mention of the Philippines.

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Business Travel With A Family

April 23rd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Traveling with the family can be a very fun and rewarding experience. It is nice to have the ones you love close at hand when going leaving the home for business. However, there are things to be cautious of. Adequate preparation and some initial thought will go along way to ensure that everyone has the best possible time whilst away from home. Here are some suggestions to make your next adventure with the whole family fun and successful.

First and foremost, do research before going anywhere with a group. How many people are you going with? What are their ages? Having a plan will go along way when traveling and it is absolutely essential to avoiding potential problems. Use the internet to research your destination before going. Find where locals enjoy spending their time. Make sure the places you plan to go are accommodating for everyone in the group. A solid plan will go a long way to ensuring a pleasurable experience.
Next, consider how long your trip will be. Will you be staying for more than four days? If so, trips can be extremely expensive, particularly when traveling with a group. Have some ideas that will not cost a lot of money. This can include things like a trip to the local parks or seeing landmarks in the area. Avoiding large tourist attractions not only eliminates run ins with large crowds but is also light on the pocket book. Again, you can use the internet to find the best locations for parks and lesser known attractions.

Eating Arrangements

Eating can present some difficulty as well. Some places might be overly expensive. Others may not present the correct atmosphere for children. Look for places that are both cheap and delicious. There might be some places that give discounts for families or let children eat for free. Food is one of the biggest expenses for any trip. Feeding four or more people can be very expensive. Another idea is to go to a local grocery store and purchase bulk items. Every meal does not have to be eaten in a restaurant setting. Saving money will make the trip less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone who participates.
Next, it might be nice to enjoy the day without the kids. Look for a place with trustworthy people to let the children go when you and your spouse take some time of and enjoy each others’ company. Another option is to let the kids stay in the hotel and put on a movie while you and your partner go to a nice meal in an upscale restaurant.

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Perfect Songs For The Amazing Trip

April 23rd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Traveling is certainly a lot of fun. You can go somewhere you’ve never been to before, and experience new and exciting things. You get to leave your job for a couple weeks and really spend some quality time with your family. Of course, traveling is very expensive, which is why many people refrain from doing it. But one way that is becoming more popular is the road trip. When you travel by car, you don’t have to bother with intrusive airline rules, you don’t have to pay high prices for low service, and you can go wherever you want, and take your sweet time. Of course, there are some things you’ll need to do to prepare, otherwise your road trip might be filled with horrible psychological pain that you may never forget. In this article, you’ll learn how to make your road trip a wonderful experience.

When you’re on a road trip you need many things, one of the most important is great music!

When you are on a road trip to Las Vegas, you obviously intend to enjoy to the fullest. There are a few road trip songs which you should make it a point to hear. Here, we will list a few good songs for a Las Vegas trip which you must hear when you are on a road trip.

If you are driving to Las Vegas. here are some of the best road trips songs ever  to get an idea of the best songs which are sure to entertain you while you are on a road trip to one of the finest and the most entertaining places in America.

The song which we would recommend has to be Fast Car by Tracy Chapman. There is no doubt that you are going to love this song while you are seated comfortably in your car. You are going to be absolutely in love with this clip as it would show how songs can ease up your mood and make you feel refreshed. The other good road trip song has to be born to be wild by Steppenwolf.

If you love to remember the old memories of the gone by days, we would also recommend you to hear to summer of 69 by Bryan Adams as you are going to enjoy the beats of the song. Also, if love tracks seem to enchant you, make sure to plug into the evergreen song addicted by love lord Enrique Iglesias.

Thus, these are few of the songs which can make your trip absolutely fabulous.

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5 Things You Should Never do Abroad

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Whether drawn their by the allure of sunnier climes, or a simple desire to see more of the world, when you’re a visitor in a foreign country there are a set of unwritten rules that should never be broken.

In the interest of upholding tourist etiquette the world over, here are 5 cardinal sins you should never commit. Thou shalt not;

Use Your Own Language, Only Louder and Slower

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Though undoubtedly one of the most popular, English is not a universally understood language. Unfortunately, this comes as a surprise to many, who, having made no effort to learn even a few stock phrases in the native tongue of their chosen destination, become confused and angry when confronted with locals who can’t understand them.

Miming is one solution if you don’t have a phrase book, but it will only get you so far. There are no easily understood gestures that covey the message “where can I find soy milk, I’m lactose intolerant” for instance. Attempting to innovate some will make you look like an idiot.

Whilst looking like an idiot is one thing, looking like an abrasive, odious, idiot is quite another. Therefore, no matter how frustrating the language barrier may be, never give in to the temptation to break it with sheer volume alone. Shouting in English, will not make it easier for a non-English Speaker to understand you, even if you do it v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.

Wear a T-Shirt Proclaiming Your Love for the City You’re Temporarily In

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No matter where you are, or how genuine the sentiment you’re attempting to express with such a garment, wearing it will make you look ridiculous.

Of course, looking ridiculous, whilst inadvisable, is not a crime. It can, however, make you the target of crime. Tourists in any popular destination are usually seen as a meal ticket for petty crooks anyway. Wearing a T-shirt adorned with a slogan that might as well read “I’m New Here, I’m Carrying Money and I Have No Brain” is not going to help any.

Eat in a Restaurant Serving the National Food of a Different Country

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There are, admittedly, many instances where this is permissible. In a city like New York for instance, you can find top quality food representative of a host of different nations, prepared by highly skilled chefs.

That said, if you are in one of the many places in the world that is not known for its culinary flair in general, you are only letting yourself down if you avoid the local specialty.

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What to Pack for a Walking Holiday

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Footwear:

Probably the most essential thing to make sure you get right on a walking holiday is your choice of footwear. You will probably have a detailed itinerary of how far you will be walking each day and over what type of terrain. You should use this to plan the type of boots you will need. If you are doing less than 10 miles a light, mid or trail show will do. For day long hikes then choose a thicker boot with a higher cut. If you are walking for a number of days then choose something with arch support and a strong toe box. The best thing to do would be to visit your local outdoor store and have a chat with them. If you are buying new boots for your holiday then make sure that you do so well in advance so that you have ample time to break them in. Always take a second pair of shoes (something like sandals) to change in to for after your walk for comfort.

Underwear:

If you are carrying your own gear then it is essential that you pack light. A minimum of three pairs of socks and pants will be required but it is probably best to play it safe and go for four. That way you can wear one, wash one, have one drying and one spare. Choose socks with an elastic support so that you are not constantly stopping to pull them up. Women should wear a well-fitting sports bra for walking holidays as undulating terrain and climbs can put strain on the chest.

Sun Protection:

You must protect yourself from the sun when walking. Even if it doesn’t appear to be a bright day you can still end up with sun burn and so a hat should be worn at all times. Choose a hat with a large rim to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun. Some caps will have flaps that can be let down to cover the ears and neck and protect you from the wind & rain as well as the sun.  Choose a sports sun screen that is water resistant and keep it will you at all times as you will need a number of applications during the day.

Other essentials:

-A signalling device such as a whistle and a mobile phone

-Blister plaster

-Water

-Insect repellent/bite cream

-Plastic bag (for rubbish)

-Torch

-Maps, compass and any other navigational devices

-Camera

Vicky loves to go on hiking tours, especially in the UK and Spain. She is also a passionate writer and likes to combine the two and write useful travel articles.

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The Best Walks in Southern England

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

With the best weather in the country, it’s no surprise that there are many famous and well-used country walk routes in the South of England. With the vast majority of Southerners living in an urban habitat, endless amounts of holiday makers take to the countryside in search of a break from urban insanity to rural serenity. A simple online search of specialist outdoor companies such as Pitchup will give you all the information you need about making the most of your stay in the countryside. Take a look at the list below of the most famous and tranquil routes in the South.

Gloucestershire

Gloucester, heart of the West Country, is known for its farmland (especially orchards) and is home to some amazing landscape and countryside views. A great country walk is that from Cowley to Devil’s Chimney. The walk is 13 miles long, so certainly isn’t for the faint hearted! It should take most walkers about a day to complete at an easy pace, so get a picnic packed before you get on your way!

Alternatively, you could stop off in a pub or café in one of the three charming villages along this route. An interesting walk, you will be met by terrains such as farmland tracks, field paths and country lanes. The destination of Devil’s Chimney, a structure whose origins are still debated today, has sparked interesting local myth in this part of the Cotswolds.

West Sussex 

One of the best walks in this extremely southern county is the straight line, five-hour stroll from Midhurst to Petworth. The walk is one way, so make sure you take everything with you before you set off! Best walked in the Autumn for the South Down’s famous foliage, this route will lead you through woodlands, parks and fields. The destination town, Petworth, is home to Petworth house, a famous 17th-century mansion. Among its historical curiosities is a collection of the National Trust’s finest artworks.

Devon

If you’re a keen, experienced walker/hiker looking for something a little more demanding why not try the trail between Salcombe and Noss Mayo in Devon. The county boasts a large area deemed an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and this route runs straight through it. A good base is Bigby on Sea; it’s equidistant from the start and finish line of the walk and with 26 miles of coastline to scope it will take any walker a couple of days to triumph. There are some amazing camping sites in Devon which make for perfect stop offs in this area.

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How to Enjoy the Family Roadtrip this Year

April 20th, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Every spring the countdown to summer vacation begins. And every year the same dread of what happens when you’re 250 miles away from home realizing you left the garage door open or your car overheats or the kids get sick. How do you avoid the infamous, “Are we there yet?” Whatever happens on the road stays on the road, right?

Wrong. If you’re dreading your families annual roadtrip, or making one for the first time here are some simple tips on how to have fun, stay safe, and enjoy your vacation without all the hassle.

  1. Tune up your car before you head out the driveway. Fill your tires, vacuum out the dirt, change your oil and get any needed maintenance out of the way. If your car is up to date on all of its maintenance, you’ll feel safer driving long distances.
  2. Pack emergency supplies. Water bottles, blankets, snacks, toilet paper, BandAids, flares, a flash light, hand sanitizer, baby wipes and a small cooler will all help in the event of an emergency like a dead car battery.
  3. Bring interactive games for your whole family. Road Bingo, flashcards, books on tape, a portable DVD player or iPod can keep everyone entertained when your halfway there. A good playlist can keep spirits high even if you’re far from your destination.
  4. Use metal cookie sheets as backseat desks. Whether your child wants to write, play cards, color pictures or eat a snack a metal cookie sheet creates a perfect surface and it’s easy to store under the back seats.
  5. Keep a journal as a family. Give a particular day or event to each child to record in the family journal. Keep the journal in the car so that as you drive from destination to destination your kids are excited to put down their most recent memories. If you have the money, buy each child a cheap digital camera or disposable camera so that they can record their favorite sights and memories from the trip and add it to a family scrapbook at the end. This gives them the ability to notice things you might be too busy to appreciate.
  6. Using your smartphone, record your family having a conversation in the van. Let your children interview each other about where you’re headed and what you’ll be doing when you get there. Post this to Facebook or a private blog so that family and friends can follow and see where you are.

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