Choosing an airline
You have your destination, now to get there.
With the internet it is now very easy for you to find the best possible way of flying. You can now sit in the comfort of your home and decide on the route, how many stops and how long you would like to be at the airport. Sometimes a long layover in an interesting city is worth your while.
Ticket price is most often the deciding factor. Most airlines offer discounts at times so keep checking prices. Ensure that all airport taxes are included in the price, or make allowance for them.
Airport parking is soomething to consider. It can’t all be as good as LAX airport parking but try reading online reviews of your airports parking facilities.
Airline service is important. Some airlines have far superior service and if you are going to be in the air for 18 hours, good service is important. Airlines with good service records are most likely to have all the comforts on board, and in working order.
Have a look at what they offer if you have a layover. Some airlines will give you a meal voucher, others a stay in a hotel and some offer nothing. We all like free stuff.
See what they offer at the airport. Lounge facilities, lockers and showers are a plus on a layover.
Food. You make thing airline food is airline food. There is one airline that I prefer because of their far superior food and wine choices. They even have a popular brand of up market ice-cream as midnight snack. If all the other airlines are a tie, that is the best choice.
Read MoreTravel Photography
Travel photography is exciting, because not only will your camera be a tool to help you remember the places and things you saw, but it will also teach you how to look differently. Here are a few things to do when taking pictures while you travel:
1) Shoot from different angles. Holding a camera in front of what you want to take a picture of is not enough. Play with angles; sit down, crouch, even lie on the floor. Try to see which angle will produce the best picture.
2) Make, don’t take the picture. Nowadays point-and-shoot is the method preferred by everyone, especially amateur photographers. Instead, try to consider all the elements of the picture. Think about the lighting, the background and foreground, as well as the mood you want to create or show. In the future, when you want to reminisce about your travel, you will appreciate your effort in creating beautiful pictures which complement your unforgettable experiences.
3) Remember to pack the essentials. You don’t want to be in the middle of a lush landscape, excited to preserve the moment forever, and find out that your camera has run out of batteries. Pack extra batteries and film; bring your tripod if you think you will need one, as well as other things which will help you capture the moment.
4) Consider making a donation. When you take pictures of the place, especially if you are doing it as a professional, you might want to consider giving back to the place and the people by making a small donation. When taking pictures of adults, give them something in return-it doesn’t necessarily have to be money. For children, giving them little tokens is good, but making a donation to a school might be even better.
One of the best things about travelling is knowing that you have a way to preserve some of your memories in a tangible way-through photographs. With a camera in hand, your travel will become more exciting.
Read MoreTravel Safety
Thinking of travelling to your favourite destination? Before you pack your bags, here are some simple reminders for you to remain safe and enjoy your travel to the fullest:
First, don’t over pack. Packing too much means there is a higher chance that you will forget something. Travelling means you will be absorbed in an entirely different place and culture; you wouldn’t want to worry about your things as well. Also, having too many things with you will also catch the attention of other people, especially those who have bad intentions. Thieves will likely choose people who have more things than they can account for.
Second, have a small, separate bag with you, which contains your passport, wallet, identification cards, and other important items. Even if your luggage gets lost in the airport or elsewhere, you will still have your important things with you. Preferably, get a small clutch bag or a belt bag so you need not worry about holding on to it.
Third, don’t act like a total stranger. Go to a place prepared; research about the culture and learn about their rules. You don’t have to completely study the place as being a stranger in a new place is part of the fun, but that doesn’t excuse you from being completely ignorant. A person who looks lost will most likely be taken advantage of, so ask for directions but be smart in following what the people tell you.
Everyone loves to travel to a new place. Some people forget about their safety, while some are hesitant to travel for fear of their safety. Keep in mind that travelling is fun when you enjoy and remain safe; you don’t have to worry as long as you follow these simple rules.
Read MoreTravel Budget
Most people think travelling is a luxury which not everyone can afford. Yet it doesn’t have to be so; there are simple things you can do to remain within the range of your budget:
First, don’t fall for tourist traps. Learn how to research about the prices of the items that you want to buy. Ask the locals, read the guidebooks. Ask around before you buy. Many sellers will tend to raise the prices if they know you are a tourist, so if you know a local, have him accompany you.
Second, don’t buy everything just because you are in a different place. Most likely, that thing will also be available in your own country. Don’t fall for the newness of the place. Try to see if the item will be available in your country, or if it will be cheaper.
Third, just because you are in a foreign place does not mean you need to buy every ‘new’ thing that you see. Learn how to control yourself by buying the things which you need. You can buy one or two things that you’ve always wanted, but learn to set your limits early on so you don’t end up on a shopping spree, bringing home things which you have no use of.
Fourth, don’t feel obliged to buy everyone home a present. If you need to, buy small items or souvenirs which are cheap and unavailable in your home country. Try to find something useful as well.
Lastly, don’t fall for the souvenir trap. Don’t be like those people who are willing to buy an ordinary pen for ten times its price just because it has the country’s flag or name. Learn how to buy wisely. A small, unique, and useful souvenir would be best to take home with you.
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