Posts Tagged ‘travel’

How to Make Time Fly on Long Haul Flights

January 22nd, 2012 Tushar Mathur

Flying across continents and oceans is the fastest way to travel, but it still means that you will have to spend considerable periods cooped up inside an airplane. A couple of hours in a plane is not an issue for many people, but extend that time to 8 hours or more, and then you might face problems. It is especially difficult for people who cannot afford business class or first class – which applies to many! I have flown my share of long haul flights, and I have been lucky to have had things and activities loosely planned so as to stave off boredom. Here are some of my tried and tested ways to make time fly during long flights.

Sleep!

This is rather easy for me, as I love my sleep! Some of my closest friends have this insidery joke about me being able to sleep practically anywhere, in any position. If you are the same, then you will be able to while away many hours sleeping in the plane. If, however, you do not fall asleep easily, you can consider not getting enough sleep before the flight. This way, your body will be forced to get some rest while you are tens of thousands of miles up in the air.

Bring a book.

Whether it is a book made of real paper or an eBook, it does not matter. Long flights are perfect for catching up on your reading. Think about the book that you have been wanting to read but never had time for. Wouldn’t reading it be an excellent way to kill time?

Be sociable.

This one’s a little tricky, but if you have the right personality for it and if you are lucky enough, you just might experience the best human interaction ever. Open yourself to the idea of engaging your seatmate/s in conversation. Gauge the person/s beside you to see if they are open to conversation as well. If the elements are right, you won’t notice how long the flight is, and you might even make a friend or two!

Watch movies.

If you are not the reading type, then you always have the option of watching movies. Depending on your carrier, you might have on-board entertainment options. If you are like me, however, you will always have a gadget with you. Whether it’s a laptop or a tablet, the gadget can save your sanity. Make sure you have your device/s fully charged and loaded with media that you enjoy. Depending on the length of your flight, you can spend the entire time watching movies, playing games, and listening to music.

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Getting Insurance When Traveling Abroad

November 8th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

Visitor medical insurance has become an essential part of the global economy today. Now-a-days, the frequency of the people traveling abroad is on an increase. If anyone is traveling within his/her own country, they need not apply for a separate policy to cover them as they are being covered under the domestic medical services. Such a facility is available under the international travel health insurance scheme.

Visitor medical insurance policy for a travel to USA guarantees that you are safe in the destination land and away from your country. Visitors travel insurance is designed to avert financially incapacitating situations in the event of a medical emergency or some such unforeseen event while traveling overseas. Thus, for all people who wish to plan a trip to USA, visitor health insurance is strongly recommended.

These visitor health insurance schemes are designed for visitors, international students, tourists, business people as well as skilled workers. The motive behind these visitor insurance policies is to make sure that a visitor is underwritten against any possible accidents that he/she may have to face while traveling in USA.

The insurance companies provide these benefits so as to offer maximum coverage to buyers. For example, there are policies available for students having students visa for USA, which also cover them if they visit some other country during the validity of the policy. These policies must be purchased only after you have relevant travel documents with you. There are lot of insurance companies which provide such visitors insurance policies which make a stay of a visitor in USA more comfortable and secure.

The American health care industry is known to be the best in the world. However the costs for medical care in America are equally high and therefore an ordinary person may not be able to bear them. Paying medical bills for such medical care may leave a person bankrupt in a single day. One of the things that can help in such a situation is a having a visitors medical insurance policy.

If you are not insured by any policy, a medical treatment may turn out to be expensive. Without medical coverage designed for emergency reasons, you would end up paying a lot of money out of your own pocket. The bills in a good hospital in USA can reach to thousands of dollars per day. Residents of USA usually have adequate medical coverage under their regional health plans.

In order that you are able to avail the visitors health insurance, you need to meet a predetermined criteria.

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6 Must Have Travel Items

November 8th, 2011 Tushar Mathur

Traveling is the best way to educate yourself about the real world. Traveling has become so popular in the recent years that it is possible for practically everyone to just pack their bags and hit the road. Of course, knowing a little about your destination helps. And more importantly, you have to pack essential items that will make your trip even more enjoyable.

Universal Power Adapters

This is particularly applicable for those who travel to other countries. You may not think much about the kind of socket you have at home, but a visit to a country using different sockets will teach you very quickly. The good news is that there are many cheap universal power adapters that you can buy at practically any hardware or electronics shop. Make sure you always have one handy!

Power Strip

Don’t laugh just yet. A power strip can be very handy, even if you just go around the country – or even your city. Have you ever gone to a coffee shop needing to plug in, only to discover that every socket was taken? With a power strip, you can make sure that you and your neighbor can have all the power that you need. Other patrons will even thank you for it.

Tablet PC

Whether you have an iPad or an Android tablet, or any other tablet, it may very well be your best friend on your trip. If you find yourself stuck at the airport, in traffic, or wherever, a fully charged tablet with games and books can save your sanity. Trust me – been there, done that.

Smartphone With Relevant Apps

Everybody and their mom has a smartphone these days. It doesn’t even matter what kind of phone you have as long as it has Wi-Fi and apps that can make or break your trip. With the Wi-Fi, you can amuse yourself if you face hours with nothing to do. With the right apps, you can find you way around a strange city and even discover things you might otherwise skip.

That Book You Have Been Wanting to Read

One of the best times to go ahead and bury yours nose in a book – the real kind made of paper – is when you travel. More often than not, you will find excellent opportunities to actually ditch all other things and just sit down and read. The great thing about having a book is that you do not need anything else but the book! No electricity, no glare issues, no nothing! And the feel of paper between your fingers…priceless!

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Hitchhiking worldwide

September 10th, 2009 Tushar Mathur

Hitchhiking is a worldwide practice. Every continent and country has hitchhikers. However, some countries favor hitchhikers more than others. Here is a list of the countries with the highest rate of hitchhikers.

Macedonia (4.80 of 5)
Chile (4.37 of 5 votes)
Thailand (4.31 of 5 votes)
Bulgaria (4.26 of 5 votes)
New Zealand (4.26 of 5 votes)
Romania (4.19 of 5 votes)

Most of the rules and regulations followed for hitchhiking travel locally, also apply worldwide. There is a set of universal guidelines everyone should follow.
First, always know the area you are beginning your journey from. In addition, having a map of both where you are and where you are going is good practice.

Secondly, carry necessary supplies in a backpack. Sunscreen, a hat, a map, flashlight, pocketknife, drinks, and snack bars are small items that easily can be tossed into the knapsack.

Another guideline is to adhere to all local laws pertaining to the act of hitchhiker. Most places allow the art of catching a ride, but in some areas, it is illegal. To stay out of trouble, make sure to double check the local laws.

While being prepared to walk all day, be sure to pace yourself. If you feel like needing to take a rest, do so. Find a shady place on the side of the road to sit and rest. Enjoy one of the snacks from your knapsack.
Use common sense when accepting a ride from someone. Most of the time, hitchhiking can be a safe and fun practice. However, not everyone who stops has your best interests at heart. If something does not feel quite right, pay attention to that and pass on that particular vehicle. Just because they pull over for you does not require you accept their invitation.

The hitchhiking form of transportation can be an adventure all on its own. It is a cheap way of travel, allowing you to meet a wide variety of people along the way. Following these few tips will help you arrive safe and sound at your destination.

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Great blog on food and travel

February 2nd, 2009 Tushar Mathur

I somehow stumbled upon the Ms. Adventures in Italy blog in Italy and boy am I glad I did. If you look food and you like travel, this is a great blog. Lots of interesting stories on locations in Italy and other must-see spots like Turkey… you’ll see that this person takes the types of photos I like to take… photos of food! I love the shot she took of the halva.

I’ll pitch in with my own food photograph, just for kicks… a simply delicious rabbit dish from a restaurant in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.

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Traveling Tips to Save you Money

December 9th, 2008 Tushar Mathur
The number one reason that people do not use up all of the vacation hours that they earn at work every year is because they do not have enough money to take a vacation. Instead, they either work or find things to do around the house because they think that taking a vacation is going to cost them too much money. While traveling can be expensive, there are things that you can do to help cut the costs and still have a wonderful vacation. Everyone needs to get away from the daily stress of work and the routines that we all fall into. One of the easiest ways to relax and rejuvenate is to get away for a little while.

The thing to keep in mind when planning a vacation is that you do not need to travel to another country, or an island to experience the benefits of taking a vacation. Some of the most quality time you spend on a vacation could be in your neighboring state or even countryside. You do not need to take a two week vacation either, even a few days away from the stress of every day life can be enough to relieve your stress and help you become relaxed.

There are a lot of great options that may be closer than you think to your own back door. Check out what is going on for local attractions or nearby attractions that could turn into a fun little vacation or getaway. Finding a lake cabin or resort for camping can be an excellent way to spend good family time together and get out in nature away from the distractions of modern living. You can also find a hotel with a spa if you are looking for a little pampering on your next vacation. If you do choose to fly, you can be flexible with the dates and times that you fly which can save a lot of money for you. You can also check out what rates are available for taking a bus or train. That can also lend you scenic adventures along the way. If your family is really into the great outdoors, you can plan a camping trip and save yourself a lot of money by not having to stay in a hotel.

A good idea is to check out different travel sites to see what is coming up for specials and deals and where you can go to get a great vacation without having to spend a lot of money.

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Business Travel with Your Business Travel Luggage

November 7th, 2008 Tushar Mathur

Even those working in small businesses are finding that they need to travel more frequently these; with the global popularity of the Internet, even tiny companies can compete, and have customers anywhere. Business travel can be quite stressful, especially if you are new to working on the move. Whilst the following business travel tips cannot help reduce traveling, they can help with some useful information to make these trips more bearable.

When your baggage goes missing it is irritating to say the least but for business travel luggage, it can be a whole lot more disastrous. The easiest way to ensure this situation does not affect you is by placing important business documents in your hand luggage.

Although it means taking more on the plane it does mean that whatever might happen you will be prepared for your meeting. When you do pack the main luggage, the clothes you won’t be carrying on as hand luggage, make sure to pack only what you need for this trip.

To keep this simple just work out how many days you will be at your destination and pack accordingly, remembering to pack a few items of casual wear plus just enough pieces of footwear to last; this would be one pair for work and another pair for play. The remaining items to pack will be toilet essentials and any other work related documents that aren’t important.

To make further space and allow you to pack a smaller bag, roll your clothing into tight cylinders; this allows you to pack things tightly and will help you to avoid wrinkles – try to remember this useful business travel tip. Dark clothing are very useful for traveling business people as it hides stains and dirt very well, so if you get sweaty or spill a coffee on the flight it won’t be too noticeable.

Another little trick that experienced travelers use is to carry hand and face wipes with them which can freshen your appearance in seconds without the need of a washroom. If you are only away for a couple of days make sure your cell phone and any other electronic equipment are fully charged so you can continue working at your convenience.

As it is possible to carry out work while you fly, by making the best use of this time you will be able to spend some time relaxing in the evening and perhaps a little site seeing. Simply planning ahead for these eventualities mean you will be ready for your business travel journey, no matter what.

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Proper layering when going for a hike

October 30th, 2008 Tushar Mathur
In bitterly cold weather I wear several layers for going out hiking; I also cycle a lot and find that several thin layers are far more practical than one or two thicker ones. Generally, I will wear a lightweight sleeveless or short-sleeved thermal vest. Next to that I’ll wear a thin short-sleeved cotton t-shirt with a long-sleeved t-shirt on top of that. A jumper – preferably one made of real wool – will form the top layer with an outdoor Berghaus jacket on top, so, with the jacket, I wear five layers. In milder weather I’ll do without the first t-shirt but would never leave out the thermal vest because you never know when the temperature will drop.

For the lower half, in really cold weather, I’ll wear a pair of thick knitted tights with jeans or jogging bottoms on top, plus a pair of thick boot socks. Worn with proper leather hiking boots, they ensure that my legs and feet stay warm. I would never wear Wellington boots in such weather. Years ago, I assumed that, because Wellington boots were waterproof and ideal for wet weather, they would work in cold weather too. I found out the hard way one Guy Fawkes night when I attended a firework display that lasted for a few hours in freezing conditions and my feet just got colder and colder as the evening wore on. I now know that Wellingtons are only for keeping the rain off your feet.

It is very important to keep your head covered in very cold weather – we lose a great deal of body heat through our heads and wearing a hat is essential. These days you can buy thin cotton liners to wear inside a knitted of fleece hat. I wear a hat that also covers my ears because cold ears can be very painful, especially in windy weather. Ear warmers are available as well and these are very useful if your hat does not cover your ears. Similarly, gloves are also important and, again, you can buy thin cotton liners for these.

Wearing several thin layers rather than one or two thicker ones ensures that you remain comfortable and not restricted by heavy clothing.

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Great sights when you travel to Mexico

October 21st, 2008 Tushar Mathur

Mexico is a hub of different interests and cultures. People who travel to Mexico will witness many rich and diverse cultures and entertainment. From museums and opera houses to idyllic beach resorts, travelers in Mexico will definitely not ask for anything more.

Probably one of the places that people who travel to Mexico will surely enjoy are the beach resorts outside the capital city. At the top of the list is Acapulco, which is sometimes referred to as the Riviera of Mexico for its hotels, casinos and beach resorts. The Acapulco is a very popular tourist destination where one can also do deep-sea fishing as well as other water sports. Another haven for people who travel to Mexico is the Mazatlan, which frequently holds the international fishing tournaments as well as pre-Lenten carnivals. Hunting and fishing are also things that will interest people who travel to Mexico. One can also find in Mazatlan an observatory and one of the tallest lighthouses in the world. Other beaches that travelers in Mexico should not miss are the Cancun Island, the Puerto Vallarta and the Los Cabos.

Traveling to Mexico also opens the door to a world of arts and drama. With its many museums, Mexico is one of the most important museum destinations in the world. The Chapultepec Park houses several of these celebrated museums; the most important of which is the National Museum of Anthropology. Other museums that travelers in Mexico should also visit are the Museum of National History, Snail Museum, Technology Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art, which boasts of the finest collection of Mexican painting including those of masters such as Diego Rivera, Jos? Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Rufino Tamayo. Children will also enjoy the Mexico City Zoo and the Papalote, a children?s interactive museum.

Traveling to Mexico will not be complete without visiting the Basilica de Guadalupe, which marks the site of the Virgin Mother?s appearance in 1531. The Metropolitan Cathedral is another travel destination within Mexico. With its baroque and neoclassical fa?ade, the church is a great example of architectural art forms.

Another Mexican architectural masterpiece is the Chapultepec Castle, which once served as presidential residence. The castle also features the murals of Mexican painter Juan O? Gorman as well as the Memorial to Infant Heroes. Los Pinos, which is the official residence of the Mexican President, is also on the grounds of the Castle.

Monuments abound in the Paseo de la Reforma, a tree-line boulevard that houses Mexico?s landmarks.

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Should we be using Online Travel Sites ?

September 29th, 2008 Tushar Mathur

These days we all travel more on our yearly vacations, some more than others while the really adventurous like to travel as far away from where they live as they can. Whatever your travel interest is you will find a wealth of information online at numerous travel sites. It is now true that increasing numbers of people carry out all their travel arrangements using internet web sites. The main problem is the convenience of it all and the huge savings that can be found using the internet.

This ease doesn’t always hold true however, and I have never been one to trust my entire vacation to a computerized travel site; it just seems a bit too strange to me. However, I am still of the old school and prefer to sit down with a cup of coffee and plan my vacation with a professional, face to face.

With a travel agent, I can change my mind about my plans several times, call and ask questions, and have someone to blame should my vacation not turn out to be what I was hoping for. It is difficult complaining to a travel site and almost impossible to actually speak to a real person, plus with today’s technology it is almost impossible to say where they are in the world.

They may say something just to appease you and it will not hold true in the end. It is this fear of the problems that can occur and if they do happen it is too late that prevents me from being more trusting in the way that I trust my travel agent.

Whereas a good friend of mine only ever books her vacations online and always those advertised at the last minute; probably from cancellations. She is good at this and saves hundreds of dollars of the proper price and has always had a good vacation.

I’m not one for last minute travel although I suppose I could be if my schedule was more flexible but my job requires me to ask for vacation months in advance. If you are flexible though, booking through a travel site could be incredibly worthwhile plus, travel sites offer discount coupons and prices for excursions or miscellaneous items when you book online.

Knowing a little about what you want and information about the location you want to travel too can be useful so I still research as much of this as I can online before I pay my travel agent a visit.

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