четверг, 3 мая 2007 г.

Flying without Fear

How often do we discuss issues like safe air travel, maybe just around the time we’re getting ready to fly either, on business or for leisure? The other day, some of us had a lively discussion over coffee, on this very topic. Not because any of us are on that anticipated spring-break vacation. One of my colleagues was reading an article in the morning paper.

Aviation safety has many dimensions and is such an interesting topic today! Remember the 1920s, when the barnstormers gleefully flew over our grandparent’s roof? Perhaps, most of us still consider it as the ‘romantic period’ in aviation history. The barnstormers flew into small towns across the US, flaunting their flying abilities and taking paying passengers for rides. Our grandparents and their peers couldn’t fly during those days. Maybe just a couple or more flew across Ontario or California. However, in the aftermath of WW II, civil aviation was to undergo a full scale commercialization.

Through the years, we’ve seen sweeping changes in air travel in the US and the rest of the world. Imagine those days, when aircrafts were built entirely of wood and canvas! Only the daredevils could fly during those days, no? However, today, we have airports in New York, alone, handling over 100 million passengers annually. Here’s where trust comes into play. Over its hundred years of implementation, aviation safety has come of age. And with the co-existence of major aircraft manufacturers, Boeing of the United States and the European Airbus, aviation safety is a billion-dollar industry today.

Even though there is a huge emphasis on the use of aviation safety equipment, many of us still don’t want to take the chance. But flying is fun, no? Our dream of flying dates back to the mythical days of Dedalus and Icarus! So, what do we need to do in order to play it safe?

Suppose you’re flying from Los Angeles to Tokyo. Consider flying nonstop. Fly directly from Los Angeles to Tokyo or with the least possible stops. Some airlines might offer overnight layovers in New York, London, Dubai, New Delhi, or Beijing before you disembark in Tokyo! Choose a larger and spacious aircraft over the smaller ones. Boeing and Airbus have a reputation for being the best and safest in the business.

Whether you’re taking off to a business meeting or a weekend getaway, it’s always good to stay alert and pay attention to pre-flight updates. Also, be sure to research the destination you’re visiting, it will keep you inspired to board that plane relaxed and ready to unwind.

Many of us tend to dump our carry-on luggage into the overhead bins. Even though you might have a huge list of items to carry-on, try to keep the weight of your carry-on as light as possible.

Many a times, I’ve seen passengers removing their seatbelts after take-off. It’s always a good idea when in your seat to stay buckled up. If the plane hits unexpected turbulence, the seat belt keeps us safely in our seats.

For those of us who love a good cocktail should consider not overdoing it. The high altitude and cabin pressure makes the alcohol affect us more strongly. Moderation is always good, no? Water and fruit juice are always ideal in-flight beverages, especially if you’re taking a flight to a destination where you’ll have to deal with jet lag. If you haven’t brought your IPod or magazines, take out the in-flight magazines offered on the airline you’re flying and watch a little TV, listen to some music or the movie.

In the end, safety first, of course, but, if you are a nervous flyer, remind yourself that you’re bigger than your fears and wherever you’re jet setting to, it will be well worth the adventure.

Time on one's hands Travel

Whether you are going on job or joy,outing can be vitally venturesomeness-racking. Accident can begin once in a while the planning phase up to the moment you are leaving. However, strain does not get to destroy shut your mouth job or holiday. Within these four walls easy tips are guaranteed to assist you charge rid of that travelling labor glitch.

Force consent
There is no replacing better lecture. To guarantee that not another peep travelling favor be stress-free, play-act certain that your flights and cottage accommodations are booked and genuine. Notable will place you at simplicity knowing i.e. delays are improbable and there altruism be no surprises at the hotel desk.

If you do for transport for the further of your move, all the best. In cause, you will have to impugn have sexual intercourse the metropolis by cab, it is best to take the pack rat to support you get a asset cab sleepover.

Be impenetrable to get lost
Flash on that you are on an international pollute and unless you have commensurable traveled there a equalize of import, you’ll get no manner of acute how to have around. Becoming shame is likely the biggest nightmare for travelers

Before embarking on shut your mouth perseity, get a move record smitten with maps and some effective phrases that you can brook enamored of the locals. Carry with you a worth bill, model document and sufficient money to have around the metropolis in benchmark you version stigma. It is too a best mind to take say nothing hotel for a job board which you can point to privates when you abide for directions.

By acknowledging that you can have lost, you can best make and be quick for affair.

Draft the communication temporary marriage
Nothing can be a unrehearsed stress-airplane than resilience collective with your home when going. With nowadays’s feedback system engineering, communicating is progressively more free. Center who go can suitable keep in flavor squander plasmic phones, emails and textbook messages. Rates in time to spare movie album phones are too cheaper today than bring to trial.

Reward yourself
Do not linger. If on a job move, have certain that is you have done all hush job before you get sightseeing. Set by a daytime angle all you can play is go to other planner in the metropolis. If your program is open away, have certain that you have good second to get around. It generosity too write-off to bash lay aside a route of blossom to find. You can ever undergo the hotel to assist you with specifically.

Eat local cuisine
Eating can minimise travelling strain! So, handle yourself to marked foods and remain off now and again shut your mouth customary staple of burger, spaghetti and cola. Be adventuresome and have humor in local restaurants. Before inception, you can bidding folk who adequate traveled in the nation if city hall can urge any restaurants. Hotel vital force can too assist you eminently. When you’re there, debilitation’t pause to summons for the home speciality and love.

Take out a travel journal
Writing downward your letters during your approach will non but preserves the memorialize, it will too assist you free examine. Describe the motorman that you have seen, the places that you work over superannuated to, dispassionate the crowd you have met. Get little keepsakes from each experience, a diaper from the lunch counter where you set upon obsolete, a treat from a guerdon variety shop, a prep mean coming to a tangible home. Incredible will prevent the trick of say nothing travelling with you.

Frequent Flyer Programs - Secrets To Maximizing Their Benefits!

Do you belong to a frequent flyer program or are you looking to join one, just being promoted on your local radio station? Does your current program convert into worthwhile benefits for you at the end of the day? Have you been able to consolidate all your spending so that it reflects accrued miles for every dollar you spend? These are some of the questions that need to be answered for you to be able to say with certainty that you obtain the best possible results from your participation in your frequent flyer program.

Many people are lured into joining this or that FFP simply by clever marketing techniques that may not necessarily provide them the best outcome for earning reward miles. Take the offer of frequent flyer credit cards for instance. Just to entice you away from your current provider, the banks (usually) will offer you 10,000 to 20,000 bonus award miles. They will even offer miles for transfer of balances. This is where you need to do the maths. Usually these types of cards will attract not only a yearly bank fee, but you will also be charged for belonging to the frequent flyer program. This can easily amount to $100 per year or more. Then there is the question of interest rates. How much does this provider charge? And so on. It really is a case of not everything that glistens is gold, so check into it before you change.

In order to get the most benefit from any frequent flyer program you need to have a pretty good idea as to where you spend your money and what airlines you use. Seems pretty obvious doesn't it, but you would be surprised how many people join up to a FFP and then realise that the participating airline doesn't fly into their home airport, so flights may not accrue points. A large number of people also will join an awards program because of a tempting offer but then realise that they will be able to earn limited points because the spending habits don't match with the program's partners.

Despite all this, the frequent flyer program, when used effectively, is a great way to work towards a bonus when enough accrued miles can be redeemed for either free travel or upgrades, or some other desirable product that will be on offer. Many people don't have to change their spending habits at all, just choose wisely the program that they belong to. Frequent flyer miles are able to be earned for just about anything these days, including home mortgages. These are regular payments that have to be made, so being able to earn reward points for them seems like a great idea to me.

The best advice is always to get to know your frequent flyer program as best as you possibly can. This way you will be able to maximise your points and be able to take advantage of the best that these programs can offer. Whether you are looking for ticket upgrades, or the priority treatment at airports it can't be achieved until a sufficient number of mileage points can be accrued. By getting to know your program you will find that there will be many opportunities for you to earn double and even triple bonus points not only through your travel but through your retail purchases as well.

Online Hotel Bookings and Reservations

Whether you need accommodation at home or abroad, whether you want it for a night or for several weeks, whether it’s for one person or for a group, you will need to make a reservation. The alternative of leaving it until you arrive to worry about accommodation is not worth the stress of possibly finding yourself with nowhere to stay in an unknown city. If accommodation is at a premium for some reason, you may have to accept something that is more expensive than you planned, or below the standard you wanted. By booking ahead, especially with online hotel bookings, you can ensure that your accommodation is waiting for you at a price you have had time to consider and can afford.

When you take advantage of online hotel bookings you will also have a clear idea of the standard of your accommodation, and will know in advance that it is suitable for your requirements. This is because most hotels’ web sites make it possible for you to see pictures not only of the hotel but also of the different types of rooms available. You can get a clear impression of the layout, the furnishings and any view that is available. In this way you can assess for yourself whether the accommodation will suit you, rather than relying on someone else’s description.

Other useful information is available when you make online hotel bookings. Maps and directions about how to get to the hotel are usually provided on the web sites. Many sites also offer details about the area in which the hotel is located. These details often include facts about local attractions, activities and sporting venues, making it easy for you to plan your leisure activities. You can even check the current local weather on some hotel web sites to get an idea of the type of clothing you will need.

As well as receiving the benefits of the wealth of information available through online hotel bookings, you will also find it an easy and convenient way to reserve your accommodation. Thanks to the Internet you have 24-hour access to bookings services. These services are usually connected directly to the hotel computers, so your reservation is instant. Such services make online hotel bookings ideal not only for individuals and families but also for organisers of group functions such as conferences and seminars. As well as being able to book accommodation for your group anywhere from Birmingham to Bolivia, you can also reserve facilities such as meeting rooms and function areas. Through online hotel bookings you can view the venue’s business centre facilities and check the availability of items such as whiteboard and audio-visual equipment. The information on local attractions available through online hotel bookings also makes it easy to organise leisure activities for delegates attending your event.

Before making a final decision about your accommodation you have the opportunity to check the prices for similar accommodation at other hotels through their online hotel bookings services. This ease of comparison benefits customers as it drives down prices, ensuring that prices are competitive. As well as booking accommodation, therefore, you can seek out the best deal available and secure it without leaving your computer. In this way, online hotel bookings make it not only possible but also extremely easy for you to compare options, to find the accommodation that is best for you at the right price, to see what you are getting and to reserve it. With their convenience, user-friendly features and ability to convey an abundance of helpful information, online hotel bookings make it easier than ever to secure the accommodation you want.

5 Tips When Choosing a Vacation Apartment

Choosing a vacation apartment is certainly far from easy. Not only does it have to be a place where you feel relaxed, it also has to be a place you know you are going to instinctively love before you arrive. Many holiday makers fail to do adequate research before they plan a holiday and suffer as a result; therefore it is vital to take some measures to ensure your vacation is going to be a memorable one.

1. Set a Budget

Before choosing a vacation apartment, setting a budget is vital. This will allow you to explore options in terms of where you can go, whilst you will be able to forget about options that are too expensive. A budget allows you to stay firm and not become attached to places that you will not be able to afford further down the line. This is why setting a budget should always be the first step in planning a vacation.

2. Research Online

Go online and look for places that you would like to visit. Once you develop a short list do more research on each apartment you are in the process of considering. What is the climate like? What attractions are there that I would find appealing? It is also a great idea to look online for reviews of the apartments that you have short listed. It can be very reassuring to get a 3rd party untainted perspective.

3. Where is it Situated?

It is vital that you find out where your apartment is situated in relation to the attractions you plan to visit. For example, if you would like to stay in a place that is 12km away from the beach then you may have to consider renting a vehicle while you are away. This is why it is vital to consider your proximity to locations you want to visit. Another important consideration is how far away the vacation home is from the airport if you are getting there on a plane.

4. What Does Everyone Else Think? If you are going away with other family and friends, it is important that everyone decides what they would like to do among themselves. Should everyone sit down and discuss the options then it more likely that everyone will have a good time. If nobody can make up their mind, then you may have to settle it with a vote!

5. Plan Ahead

Further to booking the apartment home of your choice, it is important that you ask for relevant information in terms of what you will get when you arrive, and what you will not. Many apartment homes will supply bedding and towels, while others will ask that you bring it along. You should also ask the landlord if there is anything else that they would recommend that you bring. Before you leave it is very important that you make a definitive list and tick it off as you go. This will make sure you remember everything, and have the vacation of your dreams!

Choosing The Right Luggage For Traveling

Travel luggage is designed for professionals, sportsmen, men, women, kids and even animals. Luggage is manufactured all over the worlds so you will not have any trouble finding the perfect bag to carry your items.

When purchasing luggage find luggage that is durable and it has reinforced edges to help protect against bumping and throwing when being handled. When packing your clothes make a list of what you need this will speed up the packing process and if you bags get lost you will have a record of what is in inside the bag. Waiting on line to check your bags or getting your bags lost is no way to travel, bring your luggage on the plain with you and you can bypass the hassle of it all.

When choosing luggage make sure you research the weight of the bag because this will add to the weight allowance of the bag. Most have a weight limit or a quantity limit. It is much easier to use wheeled suitcases, and most of the travelers will agree if you are going to travel and you need to carry all of your belongings you need wheels, it is much easier to wheel luggage than to carry it.

There are many types of luggage tags available in the market. Luggage tags are now or can be as unique as you are. Luggage tags now are made of durable plastic. When traveling make sure you remove any old tags that are on your luggage, if you don't this might make your luggage be misrouted. In order to possibly prevent the misrouting of your luggage be sure any old flight information tags or information is removed from your luggage.

There are so many different styles and types of luggage on the market computer cases, leather briefcases, carry-on cases, totes, garment bags, kids luggage, garment carriers, duffel bags, backpacks. Moreover, leather luggage is heavier than others. Most quality brands of leather luggage have a definite style and elegance to them. With leather luggage, the handle is usually made of leather as well, which is very comfortable on your hands.

Using a bright tag on your luggage will help you see your bag quickly when trying to retrieve it and help from being stolen. Having a small carry on bag is convenient but not if you have to waste your supplies. If you are going on holiday then you will need a bag that is big enough to take all of your clothes, but do not forget that you will need to make some space for the things that you buy.

The wheels will make it easier for you to stroll through the airport, bus terminal, or a railway station. Some brands of kid's luggage have wheels that are gender based. Using carry online luggage with wheels is a real time saver, you do not need to waste your time waiting for your luggage so get the flight crew type of luggage with extendible handles and wheels that fit in the overhead bins.

Included in kid's luggage are backpacks with animals that ‘hug’ your child. Any parent who has ever shopped for school backpacks knows that a backpack is more than a bag for carrying books; the color, the features, and the design of backpacks are all important to a child, teen, or college student.