Hawaii: Lonely Planet Travel Video

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Reducing The Debt Of Travelling

Seeing the world can be an expensive past time, spending on the greater side of £1000 for a round the world ticket and then you have all the expenses of food, accommodation and of course the experiences that come hand in hand with the travels.

Luckily, there are opportunities available for the cash strapped traveller that will help when travelling around the world. Places that are used to backpackers passing through may have jobs available, fruit picking being the prime opportunity, this can be an enjoyable activity as you may find yourself travelling to a vineyard with a group of likeminded travellers, spending the days in hard labour in the heat, but you may just get all the wine you could drink and make some friends on the way.

The agricultural sector in Australia is enormous and there is an abundance of crops to picked all over the country, a smart traveller can plan where it is you are going to travel by when the harvesting period is for the produce grown in that area. This can be tricky to work out, but can be done with great effect and lessening the burden of the costs of accommodation and food.

This is just one method of lessening the financial impact but you can sign up to the services such as couchsurfing.com which connects people with a spare settee to people who like you want to see the world without incurring the costs. Hitchhiking is another great method of keeping the costs down but is not always recommended, depending on where about in the world you are.

There are many voluntary schemes available, which on the face of it seems like it’s not really a way to make any money which is right. But there are opportunities to save money as some organisations will provide food and lodgings, but again there is a huge grey area in this as many companies will charge an up front referral cost to cover such expenses and can leave you well out of pocket. The best way to find these kind of opportunities is to apply before you go as to have your journey planned out.

There are other ways to make money using the internet if you think you are going to be able to access the web over your journeys. If you are smart about it, then you could end up making just as much money as you are spending. Three steps to making money online, set up a blog and try to blog your experiences, take great photos and write reviews.

Setting up a blog site you can get some money from the Google Adsense if you happen to build up a decent following. Taking high quality pictures and selling them, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a skilled photographer you can attempt to sell the works on the many stock photo sites situated around the web such as Getty images or Shutter point, it might not be a way of making quick money but over the course of your travels it could end up buying you a meal or two.

Another great service is on beforeyoubackpack.com, a site that will pay you $5 for every review of accommodation you make, and in Asia and places where the accommodation is cheap anyway you can find that this pays for your nights sleep.

You are going to spend a whopping amount of cash no matter where you go, but if you plan effectively you can definitely subsidise your trip abroad and possibly lengthen the trip with some of these money making ideas.

Andy is a keen traveller and internet guru currently working for Sanctuary Spa Holidays. Find his ramblings and advice on Twitter @andym23


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Tips For Backpackers

Experiencing the world with nothing but the clothes you’re wearing and a few items in your backpack may seem like your idea of bliss. Waking up and not knowing where each day will take you is the driving force behind many when deciding to go backpacking, however most of us don’t have unlimited funds to spend whilst we are away. The best way to get the most from your budget is with a little preparation, here are some tips on how to get the most out of your money when backpacking.

Purchase Travel Insurance

When budgeting for your travels purchasing travel insurance may not seem like something that should be high up on your list of priorities. For that comparatively small payment before you leave having travel insurance can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience becoming a major problem that means your entire trip coming to an abrupt end.

There are plenty of great deals to be had, with many companies offering specific backpackers insurance to cater for your needs. Visit price comparison site such as moneysupermarket.com to ensure you’ve got the very best deal on your insurance before you travel.

Do your research

The thought of going wherever your travels take you seems a fantastic idea, unfortunately any kind of budget is quickly diminished if you are purchasing expensive last minute tickets and staying in the only hotel rooms that are left available when you arrive at each destination.
The best thing you can do to get the most out of your travels is to research the area you are travelling too, make a plan of your route and how you will travel from city to city.
The internet is a mine of information, use it, read online travel guides, join online travel communities and forums and take others advice on the hostels that are the best value for money, a restaurant off the beaten track that does great food cheaply and which bus companies to avoid.
Don’t learn the hard way by experiencing being unprepared whilst overseas.

Pack wisely

The most valuable thing you will have with you whilst travelling is your back pack, it will house everything you own for the duration of your trip and you will never be too far from it. A useful tip is to have a back pack that doesn’t look brand new, thieves are more likely to target luggage that looks brand new than if it is a little more scuffed around the edges. Only carry what you must, if you pack 5 pairs of jeans and high heeled shoes your back won’t thank you and you will soon get tired of carrying them around.
Some staples for your backpack include, flip flops for use in often dirty hostel shower rooms, a ball of string, useful for many of occasions, a temporary close line or tying belongings to your back pack, a sarong, great as a blanket or cover up or even to provide some privacy if hung up across bunk beds in a hostel and a small torch, even on a key ring can be very helpful.

This post was brought to you by Charlotte McCulloch, for your cheap travel insurance visit moneysupermarket.com



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Thanksgiving Travel to Be Worse Than Usual: What You Can Do

Get ready for an especially annoying Thanksgiving travel experience this year. If you’re flying over the holiday, you’re probably already well aware that airline prices are higher; according to CBS Travel Editor Peter Greenberg, we’re shelling out about 50 percent more this year than last. But wait, it gets worse. Prep yourself for enduring a sardine experience to get to your turkey destination as the Air Transport Association says flights will be packed to 90 percent of capacity.

According to Bloomberg, that will make air travel the most crowded it’s been since 1944, and travelers back then didn’t have to deal with interminable security check lines and mano-a-mano jostling for overhead storage space. Planning to stick to the ground for your Thanksgiving travels? Well, gas prices are already 7 to 9 percent higher than a year ago. And if the Federal Reserve’s QE2 policy keeps pushing the dollar down, that will likely mean prices at the pump will head even higher, as the cost of oil — priced in U.S. dollars — rises. The weekly gas price survey from AAA shows that a gallon of regular rose 6 cents last week.

Here are some tips on how to navigate the costs and stress of holiday travel:

Air Travel

Make a dramatic entrance…and slip out early. If you’ve yet to book your flight, CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg suggests avoiding any Wednesday flight — typically the busiest travel day of the year — and plan on catching on early flight on Thursday morning. That is indeed the least crowded travel day during the holiday week, according to the ATA. The same theory works for the return flight; Sunday is a killer, so try to head home on Saturday if you can to avoid some of the crowds. You’ll also save a bundle avoiding peak travel surcharges. Greenberg says he recently found an LA-NY roundtrip for $279 by avoiding the Wed-Sun time frame, nearly half the cost of traveling during the peak days.

Develop a family baggage strategy. No, I’m not offering tips for navigating the conversation around the Thanksgiving table, but how to minimize the financial and psychic cost of dealing with checked baggage. Greenberg is a big fan of shipping your luggage via FedEx or UPS Ground. Yes, that means getting organized well in advance so you can mail your luggage at least three to four days ahead of your arrival. “It may end up costing you $15 to $20 more than paying for a checked bag,” says Greenberg. “But your baggage won’t be lost and you won’t lose 2 1/2 hours of your life waiting standing around checking bags and dealing with baggage claim, assuming the airline doesn’t lose your bag.”
Save on baggage fees in the future. If you tend to travel on Delta or Continental you may be able to avoid the checked baggage fee — which can run as high as $200 roundtrip for a family of four — by opening a credit card sponsored by the airline. That typically entitles you to free checked baggage. Yeah, your credit score might take a temporary ding when you open a new credit line, but you’ll save plenty if you are frequent fliers.

Auto Travel

Invest in EZ-Pass. If your route involves toll roads, bridges, and tunnels, and you have yet to outfit your car with a transponder that entitles you to zip through the express lane, what exactly are you waiting for? You know there’s going to be a lot of traffic; any chance to move through it faster seems like a smart family survival tactic.

Buy a cheap portable DVD player. Okay, if kids are in the mix, and you’ve yet to take the plunge into the DVD-equipped mini-van, a good investment could be a portable DVD player for everyone’s sanity. Maybe I’m the last person to realize this, but you can pick up a portable player for under $100 these days. My MoneyWatch colleague Sarah Lorge Butler has a great list of kid-travel survival tips, including the advice to invest in headphones for the kids as well. (By the way, if you and the kids don’t get carsick reading on the road, Sarah recently shared a fabulous list of terrific children’s’ books.)

Get on the bus. If you’ve only got a few hundred miles to get where you need to go, a bus can be the most economical mode of transport and save you plenty of road rage. And if you haven’t checked out buses lately, take another look. Many bus lines have added comfy seats and free wireless.

Article Written by Carla Fried with The Daily Money


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Selecting A Good Hotel

Every time you look on tour, the first thing we have in our mind is a comfortable place. If your destination is not a very familiar place, it is necessary to know the details of various hotels in the area. Internet is a good source on the matter. All relevant information should be collected. Ads will appeal an excellent accommodation at lower prices, but it is better to ensure the authenticity and credibility of these establishments. Sometimes misleading advertising will make your trip and stay horrible.

VISIT THE WEB: It is very important to visit the websites of hotels and resorts to convince the facilities available. The details of the property, address, telephone or telex, email address, etc. should be collected and verified by contact with them. If it is possible to order the testimony of important guests who stayed there in the recent past. Information such as credit card acceptance services as car rentals, communications and currency exchange are important. Once they are convinced of the bona fides of the establishment, book accommodation and insist on a note of acknowledgment indicating the details of the power it offers. Also check if you are receiving the head rail or the Port of Air and transfer agreement will be for them.

TRAVEL AND FAMILY BUSINESS: If you travel with your family to enjoy holidays, certain facilities are expected. You need large rooms as the first requirement. Swimming pool and park for children is needed. Rent a car for sightseeing and shopping are other requirements. Facilities for entertainment will be an advantage.

But if you are on a business trip, need to know whether adequate communication facilities like telephone national and international direct dial, fax, email, etc are available. These are essential if you are not having a laptop with you. Accommodation near the air port may be preferable. Many other facilities will be offered for a good hotel if it is an executive or a family vacation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HOTEL: hotel's proximity to Puerto del Aire, and a city will be chosen by customers according to their purpose of visit. Standard rooms and special rooms with luxury amenities are always appreciated by business executives. Families on vacation who like cable or satellite TV, gym, cafeteria, laundry, excellent room service is an essential requirement for all categories of people.

Facilities such as conference room, conference room, restaurants and shops as well as catering for those who attend conferences are the requirements expected by enterprise customers.

CLASSIFICATION: The hotels of different categories. The ratings are given by AA and the UK tourism authorities to hotels, taking into account the level of services they provide. That are classified as a star with five star ratings based on the quality of service and level of services offered to guests. Maintenance of satisfaction of local customers and take into account the award of qualifications.

Also read this one : Bali Budget Hotels | Booking Bali Hotels | Very Cheap Hotel In Bali | Flight To Bali | Cheap Flight Tickets | Learn Forex

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Top 10 Most Haunted Places

Everyone seems to know of at least one haunted house; as kids there was almost certainly one in our own neighbourhood. This list contains the most famous and most haunted places in the world. If you have had any experiences of a similar nature, feel free to tell us about it in the comments. I should add, before starting, that I am a skeptic; I have written this list for entertainment value.

1. Borley Rectory, Essex, England

The haunting of the Borley Rectory during the 1920s and 1930s, is undoubtedly one of the most famous in Britain, as well as being one of the most controversial. The wealth of sightings and experiences by independent witnesses, suggests that although much of the phenomena can be explained in rational terms, a percentage remains which can still be seen as inexplicable at the present time.

2. The Whaley House, California

Author deTraci Regula relates her experiences with the house: “Over the years, while dining across the street at the Old Town Mexican Cafe, I became accustomed to noticing that the shutters of the second-story windows [of the Whaley House] would sometimes open while we ate dinner, long after the house was closed for the day. On a recent visit, I could feel the energy in several spots in the house, particularly in the courtroom, where I also smelled the faint scent of a cigar, supposedly Whaley’s calling-card. In the hallway, I smelled perfume, initially attributing that to the young woman acting as docent, but some later surreptitious sniffing in her direction as I talked to her about the house revealed her to be scent-free.”

3. Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England

aynham Hall is a country house in Norfolk, England. For 300 years it has been the seat of the Townshend family. The hall gave its name to the area, known as East Raynham, and is reported to be haunted, providing the scene for possibly the most famous ghost photo of all time, the famous Brown Lady descending the staircase. However, the ghost has not been reported since the photo was taken. Its most famous resident was Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend (1674-1738), leader in the House of Lords.

4. The Myrtles Plantation, Louisiana

The Myrtles Plantation was built in 1796 by General David Bradford and called Laurel Grove. Touted as “one of America’s most haunted homes”, the plantation is supposedly home of at least 12 ghosts.[9] It is often reported that 10 murders occurred in the house, but historical records only indicate the murder of William Winter. Possibly the most well known of the Myrtles supposed ghosts, Chloe (sometimes Cleo) was reportedly a slave owned by Clark and Sara Woodruff. According to one story, Clark Woodruff had pressured or forced Chloe into being his mistress. Chloe and Clark were caught by Sara Woodruff, and Chloe began to listen at keyholes, trying to learn what would happen to her.

5. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia

Designed by John Haviland and opened in 1829, Eastern State is considered to be the world’s first true penitentiary. Its revolutionary system of incarceration, dubbed the Pennsylvania System, originated and encouraged solitary confinement as a form of rehabilitation. On June 1st, 2007 a television show called “Most Haunted” went live to the penitentiary. Part of the group went to Al Capones cell. Two people passed out while “investigating” the prison. One member of the team, Yvette, stated that “this is the most evil place I have ever been.” They claimed to have had contact with spirits but there was no hard evidence that their claims were legitimate.

6. The Tower of London, London

Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress The Tower of London, more commonly known as the Tower of London (and historically simply as The Tower), is an historic monument in central London, England on the north bank of the River Thames. Perhaps the most well-known ghostly resident of the Tower is the spirit of Ann Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII, who was also beheaded in the Tower in 1536. Her ghost has been spotted on many occasions, sometimes carrying her head, on Tower Green and in the Tower Chapel Royal.

7. Waverly Hills Sanatorium, Kentucky

Waverly Hills Sanatorium, located in Louisville, Kentucky, opened in 1910 as a two-story hospital to accommodate 40 to 50 tuberculosis patients. It has been popularized on television as being one of the “most haunted” hospitals in the eastern United States, and was seen on ABC/FOX Family Channel’s Scariest Places On Earth as well as VH1′s Celebrity Paranormal Project. It was also seen on the Sci Fi Channel’s Ghost Hunters. Ghost investigators who have ventured into Waverly have reported a host of strange paranormal phenomena, including voices of unknown origin, isolated cold spots and unexplained shadows. Screams have been heard echoing in its now abandoned hallways, and fleeting apparitions have been encountered.

8. The Queen Mary, California

RMS Queen Mary is an ocean liner that sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967 for Cunard Line (then Cunard White Star Line). The Queen Mary was purchased by the city of Long Beach, California in 1967 and transformed into a hotel. The most haunted area of the ship is the engine room where a 17-year-old sailor was crushed to death trying to escape a fire. Knocking and banging on the pipes around the door has been heard and recorded by numerous people. In what is now the front desk area of the hotel, visitors have seen the ghost of a “lady in white.” Ghosts of children are said to haunt the ship’s pool.

9. The White House, Washington DC

The home of the presidents of the United States. President Harrison is said to be heard rummaging around in the attic of the White House, looking for who knows what. President Andrew Jackson is thought to haunt his White House bedroom. And the ghost of First Lady Abigail Adams was seen floating through one of the White House hallways, as if carrying something. The most frequently sighted presidential ghost has been that of Abraham Lincoln. Eleanor Roosevelt once stated she believed she felt the presence of Lincoln watching her as she worked in the Lincoln bedroom. Also during the Roosevelt administration, a young clerk claimed to have actually seen the ghost of Lincoln sitting on a bed pulling off his boots.

10. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is reputed to be one of the most haunted spots in Scotland. And Edinburgh itself has been called the most haunted city in all of Europe. On various occasions, visitors to the castle have reported a phantom piper, a headless drummer, the spirits of French prisoners from the Seven Years War and colonial prisoners from the American Revolutionary War – even the ghost of a dog wandering in the grounds’ dog cemetery.

Courtesy of listverse.com



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10 Tips for Travelling Solo

Holiday for One

You need not be an intrepid traveller to enjoy taking a vacation solo, nor do you need be part of a group tour to discover all the cool and exciting experiences that this great big planet has to offer. Regardless of gender, anyone can vacation alone and really enjoy it—in fact, sometimes even more so than when being tied to someone else’s agenda. You just need to follow some basic guidelines. So, gather your sense of adventure, and take that solo holiday!

1. Do Your Homework
Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to preview a potential destination. But remember, official tourism websites have an objective to paint only the rosiest of pictures to attract visitors. If you want the real lowdown, a great source of information online is forums like Traveltalkonline. These are the best spots to receive in-depth information from locals about safety and culture, as well as to have your questions and concerns answered in an unbiased manner.

2. Stay Connected
Look for warnings about destinations you are about to visit by checking with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website. At this site, you can also officially register that you are travelling abroad so the government can contact you should alerts escalate or if a crisis arises at home. You should also research reliable hotspots like Internet cafés close to areas you will be staying to ensure you can regularly connect with loved ones about your whereabouts and ongoing itinerary.

3. Pack Smart
When travelling solo make sure all of your essentials are in your carry-on in case your luggage gets lost. That means a complete change of clothes for hot, cold, and wet weather, walking shoes, medication, and all of your identification and important technology. Split up your cash and credit cards into different spots so if you lose one set you still have another. Dress for comfort and always have some emergency cash stashed on you.

4. Be Aware
Personal safety and protection of your valuables can be a big concern but needn’t be such a fear that you become paranoid. Don’t dress like an obvious “tourist” (fanny packs, cameras swinging, and home country flag patches) and don’t flash money, expensive technology or wear pricey jewellery. Be aware of your surroundings and stick to main roads and well-lit areas when possible, but walk with confidence and purpose if you end up in unsavoury locations.

5. Be Creative
It’s prudent not to let strangers know you are alone. Little white lies are perfectly acceptable such as letting people think you’re waiting to meet someone until you’re sure they are trustworthy. You can also be creative in finding spots to stash stuff like hotel keys and cash when you must leave them unattended like when swimming at a pool or beach. Travel gadgets designed for this purpose are easily obtainable.

6. Befriend Professionals
Discover secret spots by getting to know local service people such as store clerks, hotel staff, security guards, taxi drivers, and servers. Tip generously to make a lasting impression. Travel writer Marcia Frost, owner of WineAndSpiritsTravel.com says, “When I travel alone, I always eat at the hotel’s bar. Bartenders have the inside scoop on things to do, and you never really feel like you are dining solo when you have someone to talk to!

7. Meet People
Vacationing alone is a great way to enjoy doing your own thing without restrictions, but eventually you might get lonely. A good way to meet people is to be a real “tourist” and join a group tour outing. Or seek out like-minded groups of locals that share a hobby you enjoy and attend one of their functions or go to a local church service of your faith. Having something in common is a wonderful ice-breaker.

8. Be Adventurous
Try things that really push you outside of your comfort zone, after all, you’re on an adventure! It doesn’t have to be something extreme like bungee jumping or dangerous like hand-feeding sharks. It could be as tame as singing karaoke at a local bar or taking a windsurfing lesson, as long as it’s something you’d never consider doing at home. You might be surprised to discover what you’re capable of when no one is watching.

9. Be a Good Samaritan
No matter where in the world you go, helping hands are always needed. Whether it be opening a door, aiding the elderly, taking someone’s picture, or even going so far as volunteering at a soup kitchen, walking dogs at a local shelter or participating in a beach clean-up. Even the smallest kindnesses are appreciated and often lead to new friendships as well. So always be on the lookout for where you can help.

10. Avoid Unrealistic Expectations
If you’re not comfortable doing things on your own at home, then vacationing solo might not be for you. If you’re not sure, then you might first try being part of a group tour or cruise to see if you like it. Once you’ve tackled vacationing solo successfully, you’re sure to feel a renewed sense of confidence and pride you would never have had experienced had you not done it alone. Go for it!

And of course, have fun!

Written by Susan Campbell for readersdigest.ca



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