So, you’ve not only planned the summer European vacation but also purchased the flight tickets, gotten your rail passes, booked the hotel rooms and even found a couple of event tickets. But what about travel insurance in case something goes wrong?
According to a recent article, having cheap travel insurance is better than having not at all. Be sure you check around online for competitive rates, but also take a close look at what the insurance coverage is offering.
Also, be sure that you insure your luggage as well, this is one item that travelers forget to cover.
We found a great post today that we wanted to share for all you honeymoon travel planners out there. After giving great thought to why one should use a travel agent to plan this big event, I found this post really helpful. Let us know what you think and what you ended up doing for your own honeymoon.
1. Travel agents can tell you the best days to travel
2. Travel agents can save you money on your honeymoon vacation
3. Travel agents can save you a ton of work when planning your honeymoon vacation
4. Travel agents have the answers to any questions about documents you will need for your honeymoon vacation.
5. Travel agents will most likely provide you with some insider perks for your honeymoon vacation
6. Travel agents know about your desired destination
7. Travel agents will help you deal with any problems that arise if changes occur to your itinerary
8. A travel agent will give you one bill
You don’t have to sacrifice your travel plans this summer due to frugality reasons. I mean, we can’t get you on that European vacation or something this year, but you can still have a great summer travel experience in 2010.
Take a peek below at our tip list on how to travel cheap this summer and keep that chin up!
- Don’t you dare step foot in a travel agency. Make sure you book all your airfare online via comparison sites such as Kayak.com.
- If you’re headed to the likes of London, NYC or Las Vegas, it pays to buy your entertainment in advance. You’ll know your schedule and you’ll save money by buying tickets to shows in advance.
- Stay flexible by looking for last-minute travel deals. You may find something you wouldn’t have thought of, but that’s the beauty of staying open to new travel experiences. Check out Book My Trip for some last minute inspiration.
- Vacation packages will save you money in the long run with savings on hotel, car rental and airfare. Give the travel package a look-see and you’ll be pleasantly surprised on what you’ll find.
- Be ready to drive. If you want to save on hassle and on money, be ready to drive to your travel destination. You might get driven insane by the kids, but isn’t it nicer to have all that extra space in the van for diapers, food and drinks?
AAA is reporting that more drivers will be hitting the roads this Independence Day weekend compared with last year, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
The travel group released a forecast Monday that estimates more than 2.75 million residents will drive 50 or more miles, up nearly 20 percent.
AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough says people are more upbeat since the recession hit bottom last year.
Air travel is expected to increase by 10 percent for more than 140,000 Mountain West residents flying.
The Triple-A relies on Boston-based research firm IHS Global Insight for the numbers.
So, where are you headed this 4th? Boston?
Next time you’re staring into a French menu with a blank expression, you’ll remember that you so cleverly download the new Google translation app so you don’t have to eat snails ever again!
That’s the ultimate vision behind the weirdly named Goggles Translate—an app that turns your phone into a point-and-shoot translator. It’s a free download for phones that use Google’s Android operating system, such as the T-Mobile G1 and the Motorola Cliq. It’ll eventually be available for other phones, too.
I tested the app this weekend at a French restaurant in New York. I was interested in trying andouillette, so I took a pic of the word. On the phone’s screen, a blue line appeared and moved across the image of the menu. About 20 seconds later, Google let me know that andouillette is sausage made from pig intestines.
Sign me up!
So, it’s the 40th annual Earth Day celebration and what are you contemplating today? How to green-up your routines even more? Well, let’s keep it focused this year and let’s think how we, as travelers, can each lower our travel footprint. Shall we?
1. Even before you head out the door for your next journey, you can green your travel routine. Here’s some great examples: check that you turn your water heater to the lowest setting, unplug large appliances such as the TV, DVD or microwave, stop the newspaper and mail service if your trip will be extended and keep your AC or heater at a lower-energy setting.
2. Since we all know that airplanes use a heck of a lot of fuel, research transportation options such as buses or the rail to get you on your way.
3. If you’ll be staying at a hotel, sign up for their service of using towels until you actually need a fresh set and tell the cleaning crew you won’t need them every day.
4. Instead of using taxis to get to and fro at your destination, take it slow with a nice walk or turn to the tram for those longer distances.
5. Research any green travel groups in the area you are staying if you’d like to get even greener. Many cities have dedicated eco-friendly tours that use better fuel options or more environmentally-friendly services.
Hope this travel tip list will help you celebrate Earth Day in a traveling way this year!
To lend a helping travel hand to tourists and travelers alike, Lonely Planet has announced their Volcano Relief Sale.
The Volcano Relief Sale lets you download your choice of 13 city-guide applications free of charge. Each app usually runs around $16, but to help you and yours survive being stuck in Europe during the volcano ash clouds, Lonely Planet is giving them up completely free.
You can download the apps via iTunes free until Thursday, April 22. Check out the cities up for offer below:
Amsterdam
Barcelona
Berlin
Budapest
Copenhagen
Istanbul
London
Moscow
Munich
Paris
Rome
Stockholm
Vienna
USA Today has a great article out about what travel expenses you can deduct on your taxes this year and we wanted to share the news with you and save you a dime or two for that upcoming Vienna trip.
So, as a business owner you can deduct 50% of your business meals, which includes tax and tip, as well as your entertainment costs. Make sure to keep your receipts organized and on hand during the year as any ticket of $75 or more is required to show proof.
Also, it’s good to know that when you’re away from home you quality for a daily meal allowance which varies from city to city, ranging from $39 to $55 and can vary also during the quarters, so be sure you stay on top of the changing amounts.
For more on travel tax deductions, take a peek at the article here.
Lonely Planet has a great post up right now about how to go about decoding French and Parisian restaurant lingo and we wanted to share.
The post offers great insight into how you should order, what they might be asking you and how best to reply.
“Je vous écoute”— Your waiter will likely come up and make this statement after you’ve looked at the menu for a moment. Literally, “I’m listening to you.” Don’t be fooled; your waiter is not inviting you to have a heart-to-heart. He simply wants to take your order.
“Ça y est? / Ça a été?”— Finished? How was it? You will most definitely be finished because French waiters are not the type to swoop in and prematurely clear your plate. At this point, you will likely be having a post-meal bliss moment, so just say “Oui, c‘était trés bon,” and you’ll be all set.
Now you should feel a little more at ease ordering in French. Thanks LP!
Whether you’re packing for your first traveling journey or your 100th, it’s always best to keep these quick travel tips in mind.
1. Shop Around: Check with as many vendors as possible for the best in flight deals. Make sure you look for the best rate possible when you’re looking to order airline tickets. Try travel agents or online travel sites, you’re sure to find the lowest rate available at that present time.
2. Keep It Up to Date: Make sure your passport is up to date. The last thing you want to happen is watching your friends board the plane while you’re stuck at home squandering the amazing travel deals you found for yourself and friends. They will not let on you the plane with an expired passport.
3. More Money, More Problems: Make sure you know how your currency translates in the country your going to. This will help you from being ripped off in any way.
4. Know the Ins and Outs: Make sure you know what you’re getting into. A lot of countries overseas have different customs than your own and the last thing you want to do is offend people without knowing what you’re doing. It may hurt your experience in the country without ever knowing what happened; ignorance isn’t always bliss.
5. Keep Your Friends Close and Your Personal Information Even Closer: keep your personal information like identifications cards and passports with you at all times. Often, tourists will be targeted for pick-pocketing. Make sure the items are safe and secure.
Now you’re ready to be on your way, safely and adventurously!