Road & Travel Magazine's Blog

Take a Vacation - At Home!

By Liz Kaadou

 

Not much bang for the buck these days when it comes to traveling? With the current state of our economy, the last thing you need to worry about is purchasing pricey airline tickets and shelling out your savings account for a swanky hotel stay.  It may be time to rethink the traditional vacation, and opt for a more convenient, economical choice, otherwise known as a “staycation.” This new travel trend simply means spending your vacation in the comfort of your own home and saving tons of money while you're at it.  Even though you won’t be soaking up the sun along the beach, these simple suggestions will make other travelers green with staycation envy.

 

1) Explore your own city – dig a little deeper for hidden treasures right under your nose. Most cities have fun festivals during the year, house community centers that offer theater productions, free dance classes and art exhibits, and many even have historical districts with antique shops and exceptional eateries. Check out local parks or lakes in the area for a little fishing fun or picnic party. It’s okay to be a tourist for the week, remember you are on vacation!

 

2) Unplug yourself – if you were flying high in the sky all electronic devices would have to be turned off, so adhere to vacation rules and wander far away from the wireless world.  After all, the whole idea of a vacation is to escape reality for a few days, so set your phone to go to voicemail and check your messages periodically like you would on a traditional vacation.

 

3) Travel the World in a Week – invite friends to your staycation and pick destination theme nights for everyday of the week. Themes could range from "a night in Paris" to "a luau in Hawaii." 

4) Family Adventure Week - spend your staycation as a family. Plan a fun adventure for the week like building a tree house, having a family talent show contest or even creating a time capsule and filling it with great memories. 

For more travel ideas from RTM, visit our Travel Channel.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Packing Checklist: Most Important Things To Remember

For those of you that think of a packing checklist as unnecessary, this one highlights some specifics to really enhance a vacation:

1. A list of phone numbers and addresses you'll need. This is a huge time and stress saver, especially if you pre-program them into your phone and/or GPS and print out a copy.

2. All travel documents, proofs of payment, itineraries, tickets, and pre-planning information you may have found.

3. The right amount and style of socks, undergarments and accessories. Nothing's more annoying than women having a halter top but no strapless bra, or all of your workout clothes but not enough clean socks to accompany them.

4. Electronic converters for international travel - all those electronics you packed won't do you any good when you realize there's nowhere to plug them in.

5. Chargers - For the phone, camera, and anything else whose battery life has potential to burn out in the midst of your trip.

Photo: flickr.com/photos/kathycsus/ / CC BY 2.0

For more vacation advice, visit RTM's Travel Advice & Tips section.

 

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Halloween Celebrations All Over the World

Halloween's not just an American holiday, even though almost as much money is spent on it as Christmas in the States. These countries do Halloween up just as well:

Ireland – the Emerald Isle is known for being the originator of Halloween, where Samhain started. Halloween is celebrated widely with large street parties, bonfires and fireworks. Dublin will host its Halloween Festival and Parade, where ghostly creatures take to the highways and byways of the city.

UK – Halloween is well celebrated in the UK especially with children, but adults also get in on the action too. One of the more interesting events this year is the London Zombie walk, where hundreds of people dressed as the undead will walk through the streets of the capital, moaning and groaning as they visit twelve pubs along the way.

Mexico – The Day of the Dead which occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November is dedicated to the celebration of those who have died. It is a joyous festival because it’s believed that this is when lost ones return to earth to visit their families and friends. The celebrations see bright street carnivals with elaborate costumes, skulls and coffins paraded through cities, towns and villages throughout the country.

Germany – While Halloween is still quite a new tradition, it has become increasingly popular with children and adults alike since the 90s. One of the most well visited Halloween events is the festival celebrated at Castle Frankenstein near Frankfurt/Main. Visitors will feel a ghostly chill as 77 zombies follow them through the darkness and hair-raising shows loom behind every corner.

Madagascar – Halloween is little celebrated on this island off the east coast of Africa, but Madagascans do have a particularly unusual way of honoring their dead. The ‘turning of the bones’ is an ancient ritual where the tombs of the dead are opened, the remains removed, dressed in fresh clothes and then passed around and danced with by friends and relatives.

Source: Skyscanner.com 
Picture: CC BY 2.0   

 

For more travel ideas from RTM, visit our Travel Channel.

 

 

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Trip Cancellations: What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

For really big, expensive trips, travel insurance is a MUST. But, like any other insurance policy, it's gonna cost you to really cover everything. Travel "mishaps" like hurricanes and sickness are often avoided in insurance policies, but right now, both are huge concerns. With swine flu raising hell in the states and strange illnesses to be picked up in other countries, travel's one of the easiest ways to pick up a deadly, or at least vacation-killing, bug. With the effects of climate change, hurricanes are obviously becoming more of a risk. But can you refund a vacation if the area becomes swine-flu infected?

Trip-cancellation and trip-interruption (TCI) insurance refunds any payments you can't first recover from suppliers if you cancel or shorten your vacation for a reason specifically listed in the insurers' contracts. But, it’s hard to find a company that would reimburse you if you cancel because you're worried about contracting flu in an area where flu is prevalent. In fact, many companies specifically exclude covering fear- or worry- based cancellations.

For example, Travel Guard Insurance states that it does not cover cancellation even for trips to places cited in official government warnings.

 

If pre-booking travel plans makes you nervous for any reason, consider a "Cancel for Any Reason" or "Change your Mind" travel insurance plan. If you or a travel companion gets sick, you change your mind, or anything unexpectedly comes up, you can be refunded for the vacation you never got to take. By buying this pricier insurance option, you won't have to worry what is and isn't covered in the normal policy - you are totally above the rules.

 

For more travel advice from RTM, visit our Travel Advice & Tips section.

 

 

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Oh, the Wonders of Travel: Coming Back Home

By Sara Hoffman

As someone who's been traveling back and forth, this way and that way her whole life, I've always experienced a twinge of homesickness upon arrival home from a vacation or even a little trip. Yep, homesick for vacation - talk about confused. But coming home is a wonder of travel, too - right up there with experiencing other cultures, meeting new people, and having fresh experiences. Home looks different from elsewhere - from a plane, a boat, or even the expressway.

Travel makes you see things differently, including the way you see life at home. Gazing out the window of an airplane literally offers a fresh view of your hometown - all the roads you drive and places you visit are dwarfed in landscapes not noticeable from the ground. Sure, it could make home seem dreary or stressful in comparison to some sunny island resort, or hilly mountain region, but it also makes you appreciate those everyday comforts - luxurious or not - and the people you get to come home to.

Travel time, whether driving or riding along, has always been a time - and is now one of the only times - for me to think and reflect on life. That reflective thought combined with the new experiences of travel and reminiscent experience of coming home can be, well, kinda magical.

And if there's no room for a vacation this month, try Google maps.

For more travel writing from RTM, visit our Humorous Road Trip page.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Business Travel Mishaps & Advice from Embassy Suites

Despite today's struggling economy, the frequency of business travel has remained steady for nearly half of all traveling professionals; those brand new to business travel need and deserve the chance to walk into that first off-site meeting with enough business savvy in their back pocket to boost their confidence and help them succeed. To assist these rookie road warriors, Embassy Suites Hotels recently announced the results of a nationwide survey that taps into the mindset and experiences of business travelers and offers words of wisdom to grads just entering the workforce.

Veterans have all the knowledge: Business travelers have the best grasp of the secrets to traveling successfully - they say that preparedness is the name of the game. Seven in 10 veterans advise rookies to always have cash handy for cabs, more than eight in 10 pack the night before departing and over half bring hard copies of important documents with them on the road (58 percent) or carry electronic copies on disks or flash drives (52 percent).

"For many college grads who have just landed that first job, being well-prepared for their first business trip is a great way to stand out," says Stuart Schultz, founder and CEO of Gradspot.comand author of The Gradspot.com Guide to Life After College. "Having access to tried-and-true business travel tips, like those provided by Embassy Suiteson BusinessBalance.com, can be the difference between a promotion and a disaster for college-kids-turned-business-professionals transitioning to the real world."

Experienced travelers still encounter rough times on the road:

• Thirty-three percent have spilled food or drink on their clothes en route to a client meeting; consequently, over half of respondents recommend business travelers always pack an extra suit.
• Nearly one in four (24 percent) have mispronounced a client's name or referred to a client by the wrong name; to deal with the situation at hand, 64 percent apologized profusely to the client while three percent turned bright red and ran away.
• While only nine percent of respondents have overslept and missed a meeting or business function entirely, 41 percent suggest setting two alarms for the morning of an important meeting.

For more travel tips from RTM, click here.

 

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Packing Right to Avoid Luggage Loss at the Airport

Based on how luggage misplacement can turn into a number one vacation killer, travelers really cannot be bombarded with too many great tips on how to not let their luggage get lost. Here are some excellent ways to stay in control of your stuff.

1) Consider squeezing everything into a carry-on for a short trip. Most people tend to over-pack and end up re-wearing the same items over and over again - like bathing suits, jeans and shoes.

2) In a pinch, use a ribbon or some sort of fabric to tie around your suitcase to make it stand out, when luggage tags aren't enough. Pack business cards, preferably in the most accessible or visible pockets of you luggage, so you can be easily reached if your luggage is found.

3) Don't assume all will go according to plan; watch the check-in staff to ensure appropriate labels are being put on your luggage.

4) In the digital age, it's easier than ever to simply take a picture of your luggage. In case your luggage is lost, you can show it to airport staff to aid their search.

For more travel advice from RTM, click here.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

How to Be Conned & Exploited in A Foreign Country

To quote Charles W. Bryant of howstuffworks.com, “Not every traveler wants an umbrella drink in their hand and their toes in the sand. Some people crave danger up close and personal.” Sure, danger can be amusing. But people stealing from you or demanding unwarranted amounts of money? That’s just annoying. Here’s a guide on how to be taken advantage of and exploited by desperate locals in obscure locations. 

If a Good Samaritan goes out of his or her way to “assist” you in finding your way through their area, trust them wholly. Some "good Samaritans" are actually con artists in disguise. If people offer to "help" you use an ATM, allow them to get your PIN code. If there is something sticking out of the card slot at the ATM, slide your card in anyway. It could be a mechanism set by thieves to steal your card. Always make eye contact and accept anything that's handed to you. Never purchase any tickets yourself – rely on locals’ assistance, never the concierge at your hotel.

When taking a cab, don’t bother to first gain a working knowledge of where you’re headed. If you know how long it takes to get to your hotel and the cabbie says he knows a shortcut, let him talk you into taking his way. Also, if the cabbie offers you a hotel package deal, by all means, accept it! The cabbie is paid commission to get you to stay there, and chances are the discounted rooms will be all full when you get there. When hailing a cab, always choose unmarked cars rather than those with logos.

Never bother being knowledgeable about the local currency, and always look for black market currency exchanges – this is the perfect time to bargain hunt. Always pay with large bills, and keep your wallet or purse in plain view, in case a local wants to steal it. Don’t familiarize yourself with what the local authorities’ uniforms and badges look like. If a “cop” asks to see your wallet because of a counterfeit bill problem in the area, hand over your wallet for him to rifle through. While you’re at it, voluntarily hand over your wallet or passport for anyone to look at.  Good luck!

Visit RTM's Travel Safety & Security section for more (non-backwards) tips like these.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan

Road Trip Rules: Have a Flawless Labor Day Vacation

Despite expensive fuel and economic uncertainty, millions of Americans will be hitting the road over the Labor Day holiday.  The National Motorists Association has developed a list of recommendations intended to keep a vacation trip a vacation and not a family disaster story.

1) Take An Extra Key: Not many experiences are more frustrating than to be 300 hundred miles from home and to lock yourself out of your car. New automobiles can be a real challenge to enter, even by pros, when they are locked. Placing or hiding a key somewhere on the exterior of the vehicle will turn a potential nightmare into a minor inconvenience.

2) Your GPS Isn’t Infallible - Buy And Carry A Good Road Map: That new GPS may be addictive, but they are not foolproof in every situation.  For example, a bad accident stalls traffic for hours on a major highway and has you stranded in unfamiliar country.  A good map may provide a feasible escape route, and will often provide an alternative to an official detour route that is much faster if you are in a standard passenger vehicle (official detour routes have to accommodate large trucks and busses).

3) Check Your Belts And Hoses: Modern automobiles are remarkably reliable - they will absorb a lot of neglect and abuse and still get you to your destination. The weakest links in the reliability chain are coolant hoses and the belts that convey power to alternators, water pumps, and other components external to the engine. These too have improved dramatically but they should be checked over periodically.

4) Alternate Drivers If Necessary: Traffic accidents common to vacation travel can often be traced to fatigue and being in unfamiliar travel environments. Stay fresh, trade off driving, take breaks and get some circulation going. If you’re fresh and alert unexpected events or situations will be less likely to cause confusion or dangerous reactions.

5) Be Smart About The Traffic Laws: Traffic laws and traffic signage are supposed to be uniform, but they aren’t. It pays to be careful though because, according to the National Speedtrap Exchange, there are over 50,000 speed traps in the United States. If you are ticketed, don’t fight your battle on the roadside. If you truly feel exploited, you can challenge your ticket in court by yourself, with help from the National Motorists Association, or through an attorney. Just don’t let it spoil your vacation!

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog Bookmark this on Delicious

Do the Private Island Math: Little Whale Cay

Most people don't think about renting an entire island for that special occasion. It would be too expensive, out of the question. Well…not true. If a group of 10 to 12 rented the entire island of Little Whale Cay in the Bahamas, having it all to themselves for 5 nights, it's less expensive than you would think. Let's do the math.

What do you get? Little Whale Cay, a private island paradise set in the heart of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, replete with accommodations, a superb main beach stretching endlessly, a marina with a flotilla of boats for sailing, cruising, fishing, water-skiing, off-island excursions, spa and gym facilities, sea-view infinity edged pool, tennis court, and even a chapel. Plus, a top notch chef and dedicated staff, whose job is to watch over the guests.

It accommodates up to 12 guests in 3 individual, elegant villas, privately set on 93 acres, skirted by white, unspoiled, sandy beaches. Villas are all air-conditioned, with flat screen TVs, DVD players, WiFi and telephones; Little Whale House, the main house and usually the popular gathering place, is equipped with a bar and satellite fed flat screen TV, 2 en-suite bedrooms, one double bedded and 1 king master suite, study with computer, spacious living room, dining room and terrace. Flamingo House has 4 bedrooms, 2 en-suite queen bedded rooms, one twin and 1 queen that share a bath, living room and terrace, and Peacock House with a king en-suite master bedroom, living room and terrace. Houses are connected by pathways but sheltered for privacy.

At first glance, the price of $9,500 per day for up to 12 with a minimum of 5 nights seems pretty scary. But, that is $3750 per person for a five night vacation on a private island including accommodations, food, drinks (including spirits and house wines), and the use of all island facilities, boats, fuel, telephone calls and WiFi Internet connection in each guest house. Now, if the group should book a hotel for 12 people for 5 nights, they would get rooms, not an island, for maybe $2,000 per person (at $400 per night) not including food, certainly not spirits, or sports, or boating.

Little Whale is truly a discovery for friends and families. There are few resorts, never mind private islands that offer luxury and privacy for such a price. It’s not the most practical destination, but it’s a lot more practical than you’d think.

(Source: Morano PR)

For more luxurious vacations, visit RTM's Luxury Travel Section.

Subscribe to Roadandtravel Blog   Become a Facebook Fan