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- Travel Channel's Samantha Brown Shares Her Top Packing Tips
Chances are packing properly won't make or break your next vacation-unless you forget something major-but it can still be more important to a pleasant voyage than you think. With constantly changing security regulations, here are some tips from Travel Channel's Samantha Brown on getting your vacation off to a good start:
• Don't overpack. It's better to rewear clothing than to carry around items you don't need, and as a last resort you can always shop at your destination. Try to pack so that each piece of clothing can be paired with everything else, every top with every bottom. - Vacation Ownership: Time Is On Your Side
Most people want to go on vacation, at least once, every year. But take a moment to add up everything you've spent on all your vacations. Now think ahead to all the trips you dream of taking and what you know they would cost if you bought them individually-thousands of dollars for every trip, without knowing exactly what you are going to get.
There are other options. With vacation ownership-commonly known as a timeshare-you have the ability to visit a variety of destinations and the ability to choose when you want to travel and the type of accommodations that best fit your needs. You also know that you'll be able to take your whole family with you, with more than enough room for everyone, without the expense of eating out for every meal and with the conve-nience and peace of mind of a home away from home. - Are You Road Trip Ready?
When it comes to "getting away from it all," many Americans are skipping the pricey trips abroad and opting to enjoy the many amazing, closer-to-home sights from the comfort of their own vehicles.
If you're planning a getaway, remember that road trips can be tough on cars, and few things turn a vacation into a nightmare quicker than breaking down in the middle of nowhere. So, before you load the car and take off, make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top condition. - Safety Is Key To Growing Medical Travel Trend
Increasing health care costs have prompted many Americans to consider treatments abroad, but patients should not cut costs at the expense of safety.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), health care costs have been increasing by 10 percent per year. Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 45 million Americans are uninsured. Faced with this growing crisis, Americans are looking to places such as Singapore and India for lower-cost medical care. Costs can average 50 to 70 percent less than in the U.S. - The New Direction Of Web-based Maps
Odds are, you've used the Internet to get driving directions-whether it's to run to the store or to reach a vacation destination. However, Web-based maps can do more than tell you how to get from point "A" to point "B." The maps can be used to research areas, plan trips and more.
For instance, people shopping for a home can use Web-based maps to scout out potential neighborhoods before visiting an open house. Try checking out Internet search engine Ask.com to map out points of interest in the area. The search engine will help you map out the proximity of places of interest so you can get an idea how close your potential new home is to the local parks and other neighboring towns. Here's a look at other ways to use the site's mapping features: - More Safety And Less Hassle
Last year, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) spent $1.45 billion on baggage screening.
Although security is important, the screenings have resulted in frustratingly long lines at baggage check-in and huge expenses for airlines already financially strained by the rising cost of fuel. - Survey Provides Insights Into Travelers' Needs
While everyone knows that there's no such thing as a "free lunch," travelers do like to look for a free breakfast and will often select a hotel that offers one.
That's just one finding from a recent survey-conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by Best Western International. The survey findings offer some insight into what travelers of all ages look for when booking a hotel and what customer service means to them. - Road Trip Tips For The Entire Family
It's no coincidence that when families tell stories, many are about trips together in the family car.
Whether it's to the mountains, to the shore or to grandmother's house for a holiday, a family road trip can be filled with good times and memories in the making. - Making Flying Safer And Keeping It Affordable
Most airlines would do what they could do to ensure that their flight was safer from the threat of terrorism. And yet industry experts say one obvious route to airline safety-having your suitcase picked up at your home and delivered to your final destination-is being overlooked.
If you think that this alternative has been dismissed because it would make traveling more complicated, think again. The proposal would offer passengers faster check-ins, more on-time flights and a dependable suitcase-tracking solution. Currently, 57 suitcases are lost per minute within the aviation industry. The alternative might also keep more airlines-currently struggling with the additional costs of airline security and increased fuel prices-from facing bankruptcy. - Tips To Help You Stay Healthy In Hotels
Making your next trip a healthier one may only require a few easy steps.
Every day approximately 2.6 million hotel rooms are sold to travelers and overnight guests in the U.S., according to the Travel Industry Association of America. While traveling, guests are at risk for illness due to sudden changes in altitude, humidity, microbiology and temperature. The stress of travel can worsen these factors. - Video Games Can Help Relieve Travel Blues
Every year, families journey an average of 245 miles during the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks and, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, more than 90 percent of holiday travel will be done by personal automobile.
That's a lot of time for kids to spend in the backseat. - Plan Ahead Before You Hit The Road This Holiday
If your holidays are like most, you'll spend a lot of time in the car this season. Last year during the Christmas and New Year's travel period, more than 63.5 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles from home, many of which made the trip by car, according to AAA.
So where is everyone going? Visiting family and friends is the number-one reason Americans travel during the holidays. But people also spend a lot of time in their cars searching for the perfect gift or shopping for their own holiday parties. All of these seemingly easy errands can turn even the sweetest of elves into a grumbling grinch when combined with getting caught in holiday gridlock or making a wrong turn and getting lost on the way. - Taking The Wrinkles Out Of Holiday Travel
Taking the wrinkles out of your next holiday trip means more than knowing which clothes will travel well. Thanksgiving to New Year's Day is the busiest travel period of the year. Millions of people will be traveling over a short period of time and there are plenty of steps you can take to prepare for the journey.
Here are some travel tips from Stephanie Oswald, Editor-in-Chief of travelgirl magazine, the premier source for sophisticated women looking for high-quality travel: - Time For French Wine And Italian Gelato
As European vacations surge in popularity-and affordability-the time for fine French wine and divine Italian gelato has never been better.
Drink in the tastes and lifestyles of these great destinations while exploring the rich tapestry of Europe, steeped in exciting history and brimming with modern discoveries. Catch colorful cultures dancing across the stage. Picture Paris in the summer or Italy in the fall. Also on the bill, soak in the great sights of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, each with its own unique blend of cultural treasures. - Tips To Help Keep Family Travel Stress-free
A family vacation can be fun--and a lot less stressful--if you keep a few quick and easy tips in mind.
To avoid unexpected travel mishaps: - Sending Luggage Ahead
In the United States, more than 1.5 billion pieces of luggage move through our airports every year. And of that number, on average, airlines and airports lose 57 suitcases per minute. But that is expected to change…thanks to a delivery and transportation company that's pioneered a solution for easy worldwide shipping of packages and luggage.
A company called Universal Express has created Luggage Express and its premier service, Virtual Bellhop-which provides luggage delivery service across the United States and at locations throughout the world. A company representative meets you at a prearranged place, whisks your luggage away and has it waiting for you at the destination you desire. - New Passport Requirements For U.s. Citizens
If you are planning on taking a Caribbean cruise or Canadian ski trip, you could find yourself stranded on the wrong side of the border-if you travel without a passport.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires all travelers to and from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda to present a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. - Tips To Help Families Plan A Truly "magical" Vacation
Planning a family vacation may take some time, but it can be a fun experience for everyone involved. With a little expert advice and an early start, you and your family can plan a memorable vacation. And there's no better place to start than with some practical tips from MSNBC.com travel expert John Frenaye, on behalf of the Disney Rewards® Visa® Card from Chase.
"As a father of three, I know how crazy planning a family vacation can be," said Frenaye. "Whether you have one child or five, there are proven ways to cut back on the stress of planning a great vacation, maximize your budget and ensure that your family time together is unforgettable." - Discover The Undiscovered Outer Banks
For vacationers seeking an escape from the ordinary, an authentic and undiscovered "coastal experience" can be a memorable way to arrive at the extraordinary.
The Crystal Coast, North Carolina's Southern Outer Banks, features water of crystalline purity bordering sandy, sparkling beaches where visitors can learn of an eccentric history steeped in legendary tales of swashbuckling pirate adventures and ghostly encounters. - Planning A Stress-free Road Trip
A good old-fashioned road trip inspires a sense of adventure and offers the opportunity to visit unique and exciting American landmarks. Each year, millions of families take to the highways on a long-distance road trip, and, let's face it, the time spent on the road is not always viewed as a very memorable part of the vacation.
This no longer needs to be the case. Using a few of the newest tricks, tips and features offered by online mapping services, you can increase the tech quotient of your next road trip and keep the printed map folded up in the glove compartment. - Safe Tires, Safe Trips: 10 Tips
Before hitting the roads for your next trip, it's a good idea to take a few minutes to check the condition of your tires. Well-maintained tires keep your car safer and help it last longer. They can save you money, too. Properly inflated tires help increase gas mileage.
The following 10 tips can help to keep your tires in good shape and your travels safe. They come from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): - Orlando Dining Offers Great Culinary Ride
In a city known for its theme parks, visitors can enjoy a variety of exciting rides-simply by picking up a menu.
The adventure begins in Orlando, where diners can dig in and dine out on the magic of Central Florida with celebrity chef-studded eateries, award-winning establishments, uniquely themed environments, as well as a wide variety of international cuisine and trendy dining experiences. - Avoid Caution Flags On Your Next Family Road Trip
"Most of my fondest family memories are from the road trips we have taken over the years," said Rusty Wallace, retired NASCAR driver and Nextel Cup champion. Wallace and his wife and three kids have spent a lot of time traveling on the open road and have learned the do's and don'ts of road trips. The stress and frustration that can come along with highway traveling can be easily alleviated with some planning, creativity and preparation. Americans are expected to take more than 328 million leisure trips this spring and summer (according to the Travel Industry Association); here are a few tips and tricks from the king of road trips to make those getaways fun for the entire family:
• Safety check. "Before the race cars hit the track, the most important thing is to make sure they are in top-notch running condition," Wallace said. "The same thing goes for my family cars." Wallace advises taking your car in for a tune-up before heading out on the road so that you can reach the checkered flags safely. - Packing For Those Carry-on-only Trips
The next time you think you can't possibly pack another thing into your overstuffed carry-on, a glance at these tips will help take the wrinkles out of your packing problem:
• If you are traveling on business, take two suits and rotate between them. Try to take different color blouses. Mixing and matching will make people feel you've brought more clothes than you really did. - Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa Signature And Visa Business Card Launch
It can feel like forever before the dark skies and nippy weather of winter begin to subside. But as that last snowflake finally melts, there seems to be something in the air. It's spring fever! Whether you are escaping a long winter, long hours at work, or are just looking to get the kids out of the house, planning a spring vacation can be the perfect way to alleviate the restlessness that comes with the changing of the seasons.
With proper planning, a spring vacation can be stress-free and affordable. Taking advantage of credit card rewards can save time and money when planning your vacation destination. - Overseas Atms: What Travelers Should Know
Wherever you travel in the world, cold, hard cash is your most essential necessity. This is true if you're buying a cup of coffee in Los Angeles, a silk scarf in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar or a bracelet off a street vendor in Hong Kong. That is why the first thing many travelers look for when they step off the plane in a foreign country is an ATM.
ATMs usually solve the traveler's dilemma of where to safely and quickly obtain local currency. All cash withdrawals, regardless of size, are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, which is usually a few percentage points better than the rate at a local exchange counter. Plus, these machines are practically everywhere-ATM cards linked to the PLUS or Cirrus networks can be used in more than 135 countries-which make them the convenient choice of cash-strapped travelers. - Safety Checklist
If you're ready for a road trip, following a few common tips can help you get to your destination safely.
• Check your tires for air pressure, tread and wear before leaving-and don't forget your spare tire.
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