Road & Travel Magazine's Blog

Road & Travel Magazine Back Issues : 2008 - 2002

2008
D E C E M B E R - 2008
	December 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] 2009 ICOTY Nominees; Themed Adventure Travel Guide; Keep Your Car; Vehicle Warning Lights; How to Catch A Plane
	December 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Aspira Spa Review; 2009 Hyundai Sonata Review; Holiday Cruises; Travel - Food & Water Risks; Maintain - New Car Look
N O V E M B E R
	November 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Homewood Suites; 2009 Jaguar XF Review; Mongolian Adventure; Humanitourism; Slow Down - Save Money/ Lives.
	November 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] 2009 Vehicle Model Guide; Trinidad; Highway Safety; Questions for your Mechanic; Women Adventures
O C T O B E R
	October 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Green Chicago; Top 10 Weekend Tours; 2009 VW Tiguan Review; Top 10 Worst Polluters; Europe on a Budget
	October 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] State Farm Woos Women; Best of the Road; 2008 Suzuki SX4; Roving with Rover; Pets on Vacation
S E P T E M B E R
	September 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] State Farm Woos Women; Best of the Road; 2008 Suzuki SX4; Roving with Rover; Pets on Vacation
	September 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Road Trip Vehicles; On the Go with Fido; 2009 Honda Pilot; Pet Insurance; British Columbia's Great Green Getaways
A U G U S T
	August 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Guest Ranch Guide; 2008 BMW X6; Travel on a Budget; Tips for the First Time B&B Visitor; How Green is your Car?
	August 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Green SUV Guide; Discovering the West; Lowest Gas Prices; Best Cars for Seniors; Fall Foliage Secrets Revealed
J U L Y
	July 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Luxury Spa Guide; Atlantis - Bahamas; Female Drivers Favorite Vehicles; Easy Car Buying; Park the Car Getaway
	July 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] 2008 Luxury Car Buyer's Guide; Bridgestone - Safer Tires; Fly Clear; Caribbean Vacationing; Luxury Vehicle Leases
J U N E
	June 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] New Section: Sex Drive; 2008 BMW M3 Coupe; Train Travel Tips; Nude Vacationing; What is that Smell
	June 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] 2008 Sexy Car Buyer's Guide; Riviera Wedding Guide; Botox For Your Car; Car Crash Deaths; Top 5 Romantic Getaways
M A Y
	May 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Green Car Africa Travel; 2008 Mini Cooper S Clubman; Healthtel; Green and Healthy Hotel Guide
	May 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] [Cover] Green Car Buyer's Guide; Green Summer Travel; It's Easy Going Green; Travel Green in Africa
A P R I L
	April 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] Valencia Spain Destination Review; 2009 Dodge Journey Review; Grand Cayman Island Destination Review;
	April 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] 2008 Crossover Buyer's Guide; Sex Drive - Sizzling & Sassy; Avalanche Bay Adventure; Solace Spa Review
M A R C H
	March 15, 2008 - [Newsletter] Costa Rica Destination Review; Sex Drive - Sizzling & Sassy; 2008 Chevy Malibu Review; RTM Launches Blog
	March 01, 2008 - [Newsletter] 2008 Cadillac CTS Review; Sand & Slopes - Ski Dubai; 2008 Audi Q7 Review; Pacific Coast Pet Travel
2 0 0 7
A U G U S T
	August 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] Disney Saratoga Springs ; 2007 Hyundai Veracruz Review; Family Beach Getaways; 2007 Lincoln MKX Review
	August 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Minivan Buyer's Guide; St. Lucia Coconut Bay Review; 2007 Suzuki XL7 Review; Cruising with Kids
J U L Y
	July 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] Jordan Destination Review;2007 Chrysler Sebring; Flowering Almond spa; $100,000 Cars; 2007 Sexy Car Guide
	July 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Sexy Car Buyer's Guide; Slovenia Spa Review; 2007 Infiniti G35 Review; Montreal Spa Review
M A Y
	June 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] Lake Powell Destination Review; 2007 BMW 3 Series ; Wynn Las Vegas Spa Review; 2007 Saturn Outlook;
	June 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Sedan Buyer's Guide; Vacation Photography; 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Review; Driving Route 66;
M A Y
	May 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] Green Scheme Bed & Breakfast; 2007 Saturn Aura Review; Spa Essencia Review; 2007 Nissan Altima Review;
	May 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] Green Car Buyer's Guide; Destination Review: Portugal; Cost of Owning a Hybrid; 100 Fountain Spa Review
A P R I L
	April 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] Travel Sweet Spots; First Impression: Infiniti M45; Destination Review: Finland; 2007 Chrysler 300 Review
	April 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Luxury Car Buyer's Guide; Top 10 Luxury Resorts; 2007 Lincoln MKZ Review; Armenia Destination Review
M A R C H
	March 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Mini Cooper Review; Copan Destination Review; 2007 Jeep Commander Review; Montecarlo Destination Review
	March 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Crossover Buyer's Guide; Medellin Columbia Destination Review; Land Rover Experience; Field of Dreams
F E B R U A R Y
	February 15, 2007 - [Newsletter] St. Vincent: Caribbean Sailing; 2007 Mazda CX-9 Review; Cancun Destination Review; 2007 Hyundai Sonata Review
	February 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 Honda CR-V Review; Idaho's Schweitzer Mountain; 2007 Chevrolet Impala; Palm Island Destination Review
J A N U A R Y
	January 01, 2007 - [Newsletter] 2007 ICOTY Award Winners; Curacao Destination Review; 2007 Chrysler Aspen; Key West Destination Review

Back Issues
2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007

Bargaining in a Tough Market

Whether you're scrounging around the local flea or hunting for treasures in bazaars around the world, you can strike a great deal if you know how to play the game. Hone your skills with these ten tips from "The Fearless Shopper":

1. Try to relax and have fun. It's a game, not a confrontation.

2. Comparison shop. Know the relative value of an item before haggling, to get a feel of the market. Observe how much the locals are buying and paying for items.

3. Before you bargain for anything, decide "What is this worth to me?" and "What is the most I am willing to pay?" Then ask the price. That way you'll know how much bargaining room you have.

4. If a merchant asks an absurd price, offer an equally ridiculous low price. You'll probably meet somewhere in the middle. But if you start in the middle, you'll have less room to maneuver and you'll pay more than you should.

More tips for bargaining your way through the market.

 

 

New Year's Car Care Resolution

For all of those drivers wondering what their New Year’s resolution should be, forget about giving up chocolate or exercising more — you’ve tried that already. Instead, adopt a resolution that you can keep and one that will benefit you, your car and your wallet. This year, make a resolution to practice better car care habits to help keep your vehicle in good condition and avoid preventable car repairs.

Responsible car care habits are crucial to keeping a vehicle in good running condition and helping drivers and passengers stay safe on the road. The following maintenance calendar provides a handy reference to help you keep your 2009 New Year’s resolution.

Car Care Checklist:

·           Weekly — Antifreeze

·          Monthly — Belts, Brake fluid, Hoses, Power steering fluid, Tires and Transmission fluid

·          Every two months — Air filter

·          Every three months or 3,000 miles — Change oil

View the complete car care calendar.

Tips for Healthy Travel

Each year millions of Americans travel abroad. In 2002, 849 cases of malaria reported to CDC were related to travel overseas. Of the approximately 400 cases of typhoid fever each year in the U.S., 70% are related to trips abroad. In 1997, 40% of all preventable deaths of U.S.citizens abroad were due to injuries.

The good news is that most travel-related sickness and injury can be prevented. You are likely to be a traveler who has an enjoyable trip free from illness or injury when you follow these tips:

·          Be informed: Learn about health risks at your travl destination.

·          Be ready: Get any vaccinations or medications you will need.

·          Be smart while traveling: Make sure you follow travel safety tips and guidelines.

Read more about how to stay safe and healthy abroad.

Bridgestone's Eco-Friendly Wheels

With environmental issues paramount in the world today, a new lead-free tire feature is cruising into high-gear.

In efforts to improve the environment, Firestone Complete Auto Care™ and Firestone Racing, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, continue their commitment by eliminating the use of lead wheel weights through committing to the EPA’s new National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative. In response, Bridgestone Americas began using steel wheel weights in lieu of lead weights in the beginning of 2008.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s new National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative,” said John Sheerin, Environmental Director for BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC. “All of us who support this initiative are doing our part to have a positive impact on the environment.”

Learn more on Bridgestone's Lead-Free Commitment.

Ice Climbing Adventures

In Vermont, where winters envelope residents in powder, sleet, freezing rain and subzero temperatures for up to six months. Its tempting to hibernate indoors; however, that is just not possible. While spinning or kickboxing at the local gym have their merit, they lack the appeal of being outdoors. Many might choose a day of skiing but why not forgo these usual activities to try ice climbing. After all, Vermont is legendary among those who climb vertical glass.

"Vermont is one of the best places in North America to ice climb," says Alden Pellett, a well-respected climber and professional photographer from Burlington.

The Bristol Cliffs nestled on the west of the Green Mountains south of Burlington is the best destination for ice climbing. Bristol Cliffs is a 80-foot wide, 220-foot high slope of cascading ice, rolling down from the roof in a 40-degree pitch. At the very top lies a swath of vertical ice, ice climber's nirvana.

Read one writer's experience with ice climbing. 

Tips for Traveling with Kids

Anyone who has traveled with kids knows it's no easy task. It doesn't matter if it's on a road trip or a plane. If the kids aren’t your own, no doubt most of us have been on a flight with screaming babies or toddlers who kick the backs of our seats. What's worse is the parent not doing much to stop the little bugger.

This can easily be avoided with the right pre-flight preparation, which will make for a much more pleasant flight. Here are a few tips to help make your flight with children a smooth one.

·         When flying consider the length of the flight. There is nothing on a plane to entertain a child, so come prepared.

·         Kids are fidgety and need to move. If your child is of walking age, it's fine to escort him up and down the aisle to stretch his little legs. Don't feel as if you have to keep your child in your lap or the seat for the entire flight.

·         Airplane food is unsavory, plain and simple. And because of budget cuts most flights no longer serve meals on flights that are less than four hours long. So be sure to check beforehand and/or bring your child's favorite meals in a plastic container or baggie

More tips for those traveling with children.

Holiday Car Care Tips

Winter can be the harshest time of year for your vehicle. According to The Car Care Council, 70 percent of drivers do not winterize their vehicles when colder temperatures arrive. Freezing temperatures, road salt, slush and snow can wreak havoc on all vehicle systems.

The car care experts at Jiffy Lube recommend the following tips for making sure your vehicle is ready to hit the road for family gatherings this holiday season:

·         Make sure the battery is strong

·         Pay attention to oil grade

·         Check your antifreeze/coolant

·         Keep an eye on tire pressure

·         Watch the wiper blades

·        Maintain a vehicle emergency kit

Learn more about Jiffy Lube's winter car care tips

Theme Adventure Travel

If you are a traveler seeking ways to vacation differently try turning toward more experiential vacations filled with activities, culture and fun. These trips go beyond tourist traps, site seeing and souvenir shopping.

Sugar and Spice Ranch
This trip to Bandera, Texas is for mothers and daughters who want to be cowgirls and have the bonding experience of a lifetime. Stay in a real bunkhouse, ride your own horse for a week and learn how to tack up, groom, bathe, feed, turn out and ride horses.

Fiji Adventures
Experience traditional bobo massage therapy and explore the islands with indigenous guides. Trips include active honeymoons, pure adrenalin adventures, soft adventure, diving, surfing, sailing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, zipping the rainforest canopy, and game fishing.

Southern Sea Ventures
From the Mediterranean to the Polar Regions, Southern Sea Ventures specializes in sea kayaking adventures, offering a diverse range of paddling adventures around the globe.

Learn about more theme adventure tours here.

How to Catch a Plane

The Holidays are hectic enough with out the added stress of missing  a flight. Here are some common air travel problems and their solutions.

Problem: Misread and misspelled documents
Solution: On receipt of your documents check the name, spelling and flight details are correct.

Problem: Flight schedule changes
Solution: Check your latest paperwork for any changes. Remember the times on the ticket will be written using the 24 hr clock

Problem: Traffic delays caused by road accidents and road works or engineering works on railways
Solution: Check with the RAC and AAA for any delays, accidents or engineering works that may affect your route and if need be find an alternative route.

Problem: Denied permission to travel due to incorrect passport or expired passports.
Solution: Review your passport in advance to ensure it still has six months to run after your return

For more common problems and simple solutions visit RTM's full article.