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How To Save Money On Your Next Travel

hotelpepper — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:03:45 +0000

Whether you’re going across the globe or in the next state, you always have to worry about how you’re going to check on your kids or talk with your friends. Forget all the hassle and just enjoy your vacation – the solution is simple!

We all want to have a nice, relaxing vacation from time to time, if possible on a sunny beach in a foreign country. When we finally manage to get it, we find ourselves confronted with other issues – apart from the usual hotel reservations, flight, etc. When you travel to a foreign country, you feel the need to tell everyone back home how things are, assure them you’re alright and you’re having fun. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. And here’s why:

If you have a cell phone with you, you may surprisingly find that it’s not working properly, because the cell phone operator in the country that you’re in uses a different technology or you don’t have international calling activated. And if all the above doesn’t apply, you may find yourself in an area with poor or no network coverage at all…

If you don’t have your cell phone with you, the only thing left to do is to try to call from a local phone or from the hotel.

In both situations, you’re at a disadvantage, mainly because it involves huge costs – international calls are charged with much higher rates because of the technology involved and depending on the agreements between carriers and operators in different countries. Plus, hotels always charge you extra for using their lines.

So what’s the solution? It’s very simple – get a calling card before you leave. Nowadays, calling cards are the easiest and most affordable communication way when you’re traveling. When you buy it, you receive instantly a PIN number, access numbers from all international locations and dialling instructions. Most of the time, you’ll also have special local access numbers in cities across the world – you’ll get a lower rate when using them.

Plus, you can get a call back feature – meaning that not only you’ll be able to call home, but also your friends and family can call you back! And all this at a very low cost, enabling you to do more of the things you like during your vacation.

Photo by stevendepolo

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Most Important Travel Tips For Your Next Trip

hotelpepper — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:04:46 +0000

Experienced travellers the world over know the tried and true saying: Less is more. Who wants to schlep around heavy, bulky bags when you’re far from home, most likely running from place to place, trying to make sure all of your belongings continue to be your belongings? The trick of the trade, according to seasoned travellers, is to consider packing only one bag. What’s more, to consider making that bag the size of a carry-on bag. That’s right, the size of a bag that fits, or mostly fits, in the overhead compartment on today’s commercial airlines.

Consider the following reasons to travel light:

1. Safety

Simply put, one bag is easier to keep tabs on than two bags, or three, or… You get the idea. You don’t have to check your bags and risk losing them altogether as you travel.

2. Efficiency

One bag means less to carry, which means you don’t have to pay someone to help you or pony up for one of those Smarte Cartes at the airport. Also, with one bag, you won’t be as tempted to buy as many useless souvenirs you’ll never need, because there won’t be room for anything extra in your bag on the return trip.

3. Flexibility

With only one bag, you don’t have to worry about getting to the airport so early or sticking around so long after your flight lands. You can run through train terminals more speedily and shove yourself more quickly into the backseats of taxi cabs. And customs inspections? No problem.

So, now that you’re convinced you should limit your travel bags to one, you may well be wondering how on earth to fit all your necessaries into a single satchel. Plan carefully what you will need for your trip and take only those thing: If you think, “I might need this” then it’s probably safe to assume that you won’t. If you think “I can’t live without this,î then into your travel bag it goes.

Other tips:

* Plan to do laundry while you’re traveling (even if that means doing them in your hotel room sink!). This way you won’t feel as compelled to take as many clothes.

* Take clothes that you can mix and match.

* For your toiletry items, use travel-size products. Even if they’re not easy to find, you’ll be glad you took the trouble. And remember that most of them can be refilled and reused even toothpaste tubes can be refilled with enough patience and manual dexterity!

* Pack underwear, socks, and other small cloth items inside larger items, such as shoes, to maximise all available space.

* Check the weather of your destination ahead of your departure time so you can plan your wardrobe accordingly.

* If you’re the type of person who can’t resist a good or a bad souvenir, take one or two items of clothing that are mostly worn out. Wear them once, toss them, and fill up the space they occupied with that plastic replica of Mt. Rushmore that you just can’t live without.

And, of course, the most important travel tip of all: remember to have fun, wherever you go and however you get there.

Photo by stevoarnold

How to save money when visiting Orlando, Florida

hotelpepper — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 06:11:27 +0000

Many people still see a trip to Walt Disney World and sunny Florida as a once-in-a-life-time trip. They look at the cost of flights, accommodation, car-hire, park tickets and spending money and think that it really will cost the earth.

Today, this is not the case.

If you invest a little time into researching and planning your holiday not only will you get more out of your time, but also more importantly, you will save lots of money.

So where do you start. Firstly, forget the notion that to visit Florida and Orlando, you need to book a package holiday. Although this is unarguably a quick solution, you are paying either a travel agent or a tour company for the convenience. Start thinking independent travel, break the holiday up into its component parts, and you will begin to see ways you can save.

Flights. Shop around for your flights, if you can book well ahead you can often secure the lowest prices, as airlines often increase their prices as the seats begin to fill. This will also mean that you, with many airlines, can choose your seats, allowing you and your party to sit together, (or apart if you choose). If you are looking for a last minute deal, don’t despair. There are still bargains to be had. Some companies buy seats in advance to sell on as last minute deals at prices which are reduced below the carrier’s own prices.

Accommodation. Holidays have come a long way recently. You no longer have to spend your well-earned rest crammed together with your friends or family in a double hotel room. Or pay a premium just to get connecting rooms. Now you can easily rent an entire vacation home in which to really relax and enjoy your holiday. Take a look at a Condo or a Townhouse. These offer you a full home from home with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy yourself. Most Condo and Townhouse rentals are located in wonderful communities which provide all the facilities you would expect from a luxury resort including swimming pools, hot-tubs, gyms, tennis courts and much more. Because a Condo or Townhouse can offer you two, three or four bedrooms you will very quickly find yourself saving lots of money when travelling with a party.

Car-Hire. When you organise a package holiday many companies will include a car. The only problem is they do not include insurances. These are the most expensive part of the car-hire deal. Shop around and you will find you can get a far better deal by yourself, and often you can get a bigger and better car for less money. A few companies even offer all-inclusive car-hire deals, which really do include all your insurances in one low price. This will save you a lot.

These are the three biggest expenses you have when considering a visit to sunny Florida. But when you shop around and look at the options available to you, you will see that you really can save a lot of money, and have a great holiday. A little work at this end will help you get the most out of your time and pocket when visiting Orlando.

Also see stay in Orlando for less than you think.

Photo by [le]doo (francis)

Lower Your Travel Costs Today

hotelpepper — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:52:57 +0000

Many of us choose to travel on a regular basis, and whether we are going away on a business trip or a family vacation, the costs can soon add up. In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to watch the finances when we are going on the annual vacation but we do usually have to stick to a budget somewhere in proceedings. By saving money on the travel and the accommodation without compromising comfort and quality, though, it is possible to ensure you have more money for the vacation itself.

Booking time is a difficult factor to judge. If you’re planning a family vacation for you, your partner and three kids then it is unlikely you will want to risk a last minute deal. There is no guarantee you can find the vacation you want and readying so many people in such a short space of time would prove difficult even for the army. Booking well in advance can save you a good amount of money. When you return from one holiday, start thinking about your next. Even if the accommodation is no cheaper, booking flights and other travel expenses will invariably cost you less.

Only book what you need. If you intend to be sight seeing and traveling surrounding areas a lot then you don’t necessarily need a five star hotel will all your meals included. Self-catering apartments can be much more affordable than luxurious hotels and allow you the level of freedom you require from your vacation.

Remember that a vacation is still a vacation even without luxury. Camping trips can be true family adventure and if you’re really short of vacation budget then they are the best option. Caravans offer slightly more in the way of luxury and usually cost slightly less in the way of cash. Camping parks also tend to have entertainment, pools and parks for you and your kids to enjoy for free or very little money.

Photo by jonrawlinson

Rental Car Insurance in the US: Types, Coverage, and Recommendations

hotelpepper — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:57:07 +0000

When looking at the different options for car rental insurance in the United States, you will generally run into five options. These are Loss Damage Waivers (LDW) which are also commonly referred to as Collision Damage Waivers (CDW). There is also Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), and UMP, which is Un- and Underinsured Motorist Protection. The fifth option is to not take any rental insurance at all, but we’ll get back to that one later.

LDW/CDW takes care of pretty much everything. It takes care of your own risks, plus if the car is stolen or damaged, then Loss Damage Waivers will cover the entire cost. This is by far and away the best insurance for car rentals as far as coverage goesabout the price reflects it. Many places charge $20-30 per day for this type of insurance, which means even a single week can cost you an additional $210. This insurance can be, and often is, even higher if you rent a full-sized or luxury vehicle.

Liability Insurance Supplement is often in addition to whatever other insurance you purchase. LIS covers you for the costs of any damage or injuries that are a direct result of an accident you are involved in. LIS is usually much cheaper than LDW/CDW, but this may still cost you $8 a day and it adds up, though there is a definite degree of reassurance from knowing you are covered.

The two other insurances that are generally offered are Personal Accident Insurance and Uninsured Motorist Protection. While both of these may seem appealing at first glance because of cheaper prices, don’t be fooled. There is almost never a situation where you actually need one of these. If you’re going to buy insurance for a rental car, then buy the larger policies that are more inclusive. Saving $5 a day won’t help if you get into an uncovered accident.

Then there was the fifth option: not buying any. Insurance is expensive, so it is important to see if this actually is an option for you. Some car insurance policies automatically cover rental cars, which makes any rental insurance both superfluous and fiscally unsound. Also see your credit card company’s policies. Some of the more respectable credit cards have a policy to automatically cover you as long as you put the rental on that card. If either of this cover you, that is a much better route to go than rental insurance from the agency itself.

All of that being said, make sure that you are not under insured. Otherwise if you are involved in an accident you might end up paying for any damages you shouldn’t have to pay for. Always check each insurance policy for coverage and cost, and make sure the first makes it worth the latter.

Also see tips on how to get the best deal on your car rental.

Photo by Damian Morys Foto

Fun signposts from around the world the final post

hotelpepper — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:25:53 +0000

Following on from funsign posts from around the world, fun signposts from around the world part 2, and fun signposts from around the world part 3 – it’s now time for the 4th and final chapter in the hilarious look at the wonders of English sign posts around the world.

Here we go for the last time…

*warning* some of these will have you wondering why you didn’t think of these.

At the office of a Rome doctor:
Specialist in women and other diseases.

At an Acapulco hotel:
The manager has personally passed all the water served here.

At a Tokyo shop:
Only nylons cost more than common, but you’ll find they are best in the long run.

A Japanese information booklet about using a hotel air conditioner:
Cooles and Heates: If you want just condition of warm in your room, please control yourself.

From a brochure of a car rental firm in Tokyo
When passenger of foot heave in sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet him melodiously at first, but if he still obstacles your passage, then tootle him with vigor.

In a Bangkok temple:
It is forbidden to enter a women even foreigner if dresses as a man.

In a Tokyo bar:
Special cocktails for the ladies with nuts.

In a Copenhagen airline ticket office:
We take your bags and send them in all directions.

On the door of a Moscow hotel room:
If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.

Which is your favourite?

Tell me below. And, have you discovered any of your own on your travels?

Feel free to share this page with your friends and brighten their day with a smile. Happy English travel signpost hunting across the world.

Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt

Budget Backpacking Tips

hotelpepper — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:32:36 +0000

One of the least expensive, yet most fulfilling, types of vacations is the camping and backpacking trip. Hiking through the back country at one of the nation’s magnificent national parks, or just wandering around the wilderness of a state park closer to home, can be a great way to commune with nature, and a wonderful way for families to get away and enjoy being together.

One of the things that makes backpacking so attractive to budget minded trailers is the low cost it takes to get started. Little is needed other than a good quality backpack, a top quality tent and maybe a camp stove or similar appliance. Other than that, the main thing to pack is your sense of spirit and adventure. This article provides some valuable tips for the first time backpacker on a budget.

Invest in a good quality hiking map or guide and get to know the area you will be traveling to. Pay careful attention to the notes and precautions and try your best to match the terrain to your level of ability and experience. When estimating the time it will take to hike to your destination, always overestimate.

Be sure to obtain all necessary permits, and reserve the campsite you want, in advance of your trip. It is not unusual for campsites to sell out, particularly in popular national park destinations.

Always check local regulations regarding campfires, smoking, cleanup, etc. to avoid paying fines.

Research the weather patterns of the area and always be prepared for the worst weather. Always pack some sort of rain gear.

Dress appropriately, in layered clothing, no matter what time of year. Be sure to pack clothing that will allow you to be prepared for sudden changes in temperature or weather. It is best to wear breathable materials, such as polypropylene or wool, to allow perspiration and moisture to be wicked away quickly.

Learn how to operate your equipment before you hit the trail. It is important, for instance, to set up your tent at least once or twice at home. Get familiar with how everything goes together. Learn how to operate your camp stove before you leave home.

Determine how much weight you can comfortably carry, and pack appropriately. Many first time backpackers try to take too much gear, and end up unable to carry that gear during the trip. The weight of the backpack should be no more than one quarter of your weight, and it is best to take only what you need.

Pack more food than you think you will need. Hikers and backpackers burn far more calories than the average person, so be sure to eat sufficient amounts of high quality foods while on your journey. The best foods to pack are those that are high in carbohydrates, proteins and fats. These high quality backpacking foods include peanut butter, instant oatmeal, trail mix, pasta and dried fruit.

Learn where the water sources are on the trail and be sure to keep your water bottles filled in case the next source of water is farther away than anticipated. It is important to drink plenty of water when backpacking, even when the weather is cool.

Always cook your evening meal before it gets too dark. Extra food should always be stored in a bag and hung from a tree limb at night to protect it from local wildlife. Raccoons, skunks and bears have learned to look at backpackers, hikers and campers as easy sources of free meals.

Always pack a first aid kit and be prepared with some basic first aid training. Carry a GPS system or satellite phone if you will be traveling far into the back country, and leave a schedule with the local trail ranger and with friends at home.

Cheap Las Vegas Hotel accommodations

hotelpepper — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 05:15:56 +0000

Las Vegas, like any touristy type city has their share of great deals at great prices. The great deals however are also limited to certain days of the week or month. This is not to say that Las Vegas isn’t a great place to be anytime. The lower rates are like many in many areas, available in low season when there are fewer visitors.

Low season in Las Vegas is typically during the week. Most hotels have a Tuesday thru Thursday, daily rate that is ridiculously low. If you’re interest is in enjoying one of the premier properties in Las Vegas, then consider the mid week getaway deals. During these mid week times, you can book and reserve a room in hotels like Treasure Island, Luxor, MGM Grand, Caesars Palace and many more top Las Vegas hotel destinations at a substantial discount.

Occupancy is what the hotel is looking to achieve so the more people going, the lower the daily rate. So check around and see what kind of deals can be found using local and web based travel agents. Some travel agents specialize in Las Vegas tours and act as consolidators, booking blocks of rooms and travel arrangements. Don’t let the word “tour” discourage you however. Tour in this case in nothing more than a designation of a group of people going to a common location. This is not like a sightseeing type of tour where someone will take a group around the city to see the sights. This is just a group of people who are traveling at the same time to the same destination city and usually staying at the same hotel accommodation.

If you’re looking to visit Vegas during the high season, which is Friday thru Sunday, the strategy to snag a cheap Las Vegas hotel needs to change a little. As always, it pays to plan ahead. Don’t go during a busy weekend when major conventions are in town. The rates are high and stay that way for everyone. Still, the way to lower hotel costs is your membership in other groups. The automobile club, American Association of Retired Persons, or even your employer may have discounted rates established at many of Las Vegas nicest resorts.

Another way to save big is to stay longer. That’s right, staying longer usually gets a better rate than a one or two night stay. Remember to always ask when booking. Las Vegas always have tourists coming and going. Although many 4 and 5 star hotels will have higher rates, remember to look for discount packages and stay awhile longer. These are your best bet to find the cheapest rates and the nicest places.

Also see Las Vegas on a Shoestring.

Photo by Wolfgang Staudt

How to Fight Jet Jag

hotelpepper — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 05:41:42 +0000

One of the worst parts of air travel is dealing with jet lag. Most people attempt to avoid it like the plague, with little success. Hopefully, though, reading this article will help you stop jet lag before it starts.

Jet lag, simply defined, is fatigue and disorientation caused by extensive air travel that crosses a number of time zones. In addition to fatigue and disorientation, you can experience other symptoms with jet lag. One symptom you can experience is broken sleep once you reach your destination. Like a newborn baby, your body may confuse your days and nights. It could take days to readjust your body to the new time zone. If you’re on a vacation, this could completely change your plans. If you’re traveling for business, this could make business impossible. Another symptom you could experience is confusion and fuzziness. This could make you less aware of your surroundings, which could cause safety issues in an unfamiliar location. You might also experience dehydration with jet lag. This can make you more susceptible to illness, which can ruin any vacation or business trip.

There are a number of tactics for dealing with jet lag. First, before you ever leave the airport is one of the most important times to deal with jet lag. Make sure everything you need to take care of is dealt with in the manner it should be. This can help improve your mood and emotions. Stress can only contribute to jet lag, as can exhaustion. Being tired or having a hangover can make this worse. Be sure to get lots of exercise, too. This can help you to avoid sickness, and it can help your body adjust to the time changes you will be facing. If you do get ill, like with the flu or a cold, it might be a good idea to postpone the trip as long as possible. If you must, though, be sure to bring medications along to treat your illness, as it can be difficult to find those medications once you have reached your destination.

You may want to consider both which way you are flying and what time of day you are flying. There are a number of old tales that say it is better to fly east or west or that it is better to fly during the day or during the night. It is only a matter of personal preference as to which works best for you.

Drinking plenty of fluids is a good way to avoid dehydration. As dehydration sets in, the blood capacity is lessened, and the ability of your blood to carry oxygen is depressed. If dehydration continues long enough, it can cause a dip in blood pressure, along with dizziness, nausea, or fainting. Essentially these are the same symptoms as heat exhaustion. Continuing past this point may cause heat stroke. If heat stroke occurs during dehydration, the body temperature rises. During heat stroke, the body no longer sweats. Serious consequences like seizure, coma, and death can be the result of untreated heat stroke because not only does the blood carry oxygen to muscles, it also carries it to the brain and other vital organs. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, infrequent urination, fatigue, and dry skin. It is best to drink as many fluids as possible.

You might also consider some sleeping aids while you are traveling to prevent jet lag. If you must rely on medication, do so only under the advice of a doctor. Otherwise, try things like blindfolds, soothing music, ear plugs, or blow up pillows that airlines offer. You might even consider taking your shoes off on the plane for maximum comfort.

One final thing that can help you with jet lag is to get plenty of exercise before, during, and after the flight. Running and other exercise are the ways of helping the body cope with the stresses it is facing. Even if you have to do some simple plane exercises, you too can combat the jet lag. Some plane exercises include holding your carry on bag as close to your body as possible at a ninety degree angle. Do a few bicep curls. That should give you a good workout. If you can, balance the bag on your ankles and do a few leg lifts. Try a simple walk around the cabin. It might be difficult, but if nothing else, it should help you to stretch your legs. You can also try placing the palms of your hands together. Push as hard as you can and hold the position as long as possible. Then try grabbing the nearest book. Hold your arms out flat with the book on top. Hold the position as long as you can. Rest for a few minutes and then repeat. Finally, stretch each muscle of your body any way you can. One important thing to note as you try your exercises is to be respectful of the passengers around you.

Photo by maxf

Fun signposts from around the world part 3

hotelpepper — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:13:19 +0000

Following on from fun signposts from around the world, and fun signposts from around the world part 2, it’s time for the 3rd instalment.

Here we go for the 3rd time…

*warning* some of these will have you begging for the jokes to stop.

In a Leipzig elevator:
Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up.

In a Yugoslav hotel:
The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.

From the Soviet Weekly:
There will be a Moscow exhibition of arts by 15,000 Soviet Republic painters and sculptors. These were executed over the past two years.

A sign posted in Germany’s Black Forest:
It is strictly forbidden on our Black Forest camping site that people of different sex, for instance, men and women, live together in one tent unless they are married with each other for that purpose.

In a Zurich hotel:
Because of the impropriety of entertaining guests of the opposite sex in the bedroom, it is suggested that the lobby be used for this purpose.

In an advertisement by a Hong Kong dentist:
Teeth extracted by the latest Methodists.

In a Rome laundry:
Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time.

In a Norwegian cocktail lounge:
Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar.

Which is your favourite?

Tell me below. And, have you discovered any of your own on your travels?

Feel free to share this page with your friends and brighten their day with a smile.

Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt