101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent / 76 through 101

76.They Are Considered Travel Experts and Specialists
Wouldn’t you rather have a travel expert plan your trip rather than a preprogrammed website?
77. Best Pre-Seat Assignments Possible
Travel agents can talk directly with the airline to arrange for you to get the seats with the most leg room, seats that might not otherwise be released until the day of the flight.
78. Mapping Routes Out Ahead of Time
Not really good at reading maps? A good travel expert can help you to map out any basic directions you might need on your trip ahead of time.
79. Family with 3 Small Children and Only Want 1 Room?
A travel expert might be able to find a way to help a family with small children get around the hotel policies of only 4 to a room.
80. Help, I’m Lost!!!!!!
If you should get lost somewhere along the way, your travel agent could be a good outlet for help.
81. It just Makes Sense to Use a Travel Agent.
82. They’re Out There… Use Them
Why do the work if someone else like a travel specialist can.
83. Possibility of a Free Gift
Some travel agents offer free incentives. Who doesn’t like the possibility of free presents?
84. Even if the Internet Goes Down Your Trip Can Still Be Planned
Your travel agent is still getting your trip planned even if your internet at home or at the office is not working.
85. Back-up Distributor of Documents
You can give your travel agent a copy of all your travel documents so if anything were to get lost you have someone to call that can send copies.
86. Because We Said So
Our business is to help you find a qualified travel specialist.
87. What to Expect on the Flight
Your travel expert can give you helpful answers on what to expect long flights to be like, and maybe some interesting activities to do while flying.
88. It is Their Job
Travel agents actually work to get different accreditations to increase their qualifications as a travel expert.
89. Lost Baggage
If the airline should lose your baggage, your travel agent can get on the phone and make sure the airline works as quickly as they can to solve the problem allowing you to at least go relax at the hotel.
90. Travel Agents Must Be Doing Something Right. They Sure Have a lot of Business
Travel agents still sell 51 percent of all airline tickets, 87 percent of all cruises, 81 percent of all tours and packages, 45 percent of all car rentals and about 47 percent of all hotels. *
91. Don’t Like Letter Writing?
A good travel agent will send a letter to the airline or hotel for you if you should have a bad flight or poor service at a hotel.
92. Sound Important When Talking About Your Trip
After a bragging about a great trip to coworkers or the neighbors, and they ask how you got all those details organized you can say, “My agent did it.”
93. Forbidden Fruit
Your travel agent can forewarn you of items not allowed to be brought back into the United States. –Yes, you have to smoke those Cuban cigars before you leave to come home and you can’t bring that “rattling rose apple” back with you from India!
94. Financial Planning
Travel experts can help you to create a budget to stick to while you are on your trip, so you can have a good time and not break the bank.
95. Good Babysitters
Travel experts might be able to help you find a local babysitter in the area you are traveling to if you want to plan a night out alone.
96. Good Lounge Recommendations
Travel specialists can help you decide if purchasing access to an airline lounge is worth it or not.
97. Good Airport Hangouts
Travel agents travel a lot. They can probably help you figure out what to do with that extra time you have in an airport after getting through security.
98. Where to Watch Your Wallet More Carefully
Although you should always take extra care to hold onto your wallet when traveling, travel agents can warn you if pick-pocketing is common at your future destination.
99. What to Put in the Hotel Safe
Travel agents can give you good advice on what you should be keeping in that hotel safe while you are out exploring the sites so there is nothing important missing when you return.
100. Altering Your Travel Arrangements
If you have already booked your trip but want to change some details your travel agency can help get all the necessary steps done, leaving you without the headache and confusion.
101. It Makes Traveling Easy
Once you find a good travel agent, your dream vacation is just a phone call away.

101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent / 51 through 75

51.Immunizations That May Be Needed
To enter certain countries you may be required to obtain certain immunizations first. Your travel expert can advise you on the steps you need to take.
52. Special Deals Worked Out in Advance
Travel agents may have a relationship with certain tour operators and could be able to get you a special price that might not otherwise be available.
53. Make Travel Meaningful for Children
Travel agents can offer information about kid-friendly activities on your trip to make the experience exciting and meaningful for everyone.
54. Where to Shop
Travel agents can offer excellent advice on great shopping neighborhoods in your destination city.
55. Avoid Scams
Not all 5 star hotels are treated equally. Many times photos are outdated and information about the hotel you are considering may not be true. Travel agents can make sure that what you are seeing beforehand is what you get.
56. What You Can Buy Later
New airline restrictions make packing for long trips hard. Travel experts can give you advice on what you might be able to purchase while you are on your trip to avoid having excess weight in your luggage beforehand.
57. Advice on Where to Go if You Get Sick
If you happen to be unfortunate enough to get hurt or fall ill while on your trip, your travel agent can help you find somewhere clean and safe for medical attention.
58. Trust
If you should have any questions after booking your trip, you know how to reach your travel agent and can avoid the confusing FAQ section on a website.
59. You Know How to Reach Them When You Need Them
Problems at the airport? Reservation issues at the hotel? Your travel agent is a phone call away from getting your problem solved.
60. Tips and Tricks
How early do you really need to be at the airport? What are the quickest ways to get through security? Your travel expert can advise you of the airport security levels the day of your trip and any new security checkpoints you may have to worry about.
61. Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Your travel expert can help you save money by helping you decide if certain upgrades at hotels are really worth the extra money.
62. Difference in Days to Save Money
Instead of playing around with dates on the internet for hours, your travel agent can advise you on any changes to your travel dates that might save you hundreds of dollars.
63. Staying In-the-Know of Daily Promotions
Travel agents get emails and faxes of daily money saving promotions.
64. Enhancing the Trip with Extra Amenities
Your travel specialist may be able to arrange for those little extras- like a bottle of champagne to be waiting in your room when you arrive.
65. Using Clout in Impossible Situations
Whether it is airline seats, cruise reservations, or overbooked activities travel experts have more buying power than the average consumer.
64. Clarifying the Fine Print
Your travel agent can advise you of all the cancelation penalties and restrictions hidden in the fine print of your travel documents.
65. Detailed Itineraries
Your travel expert can help you plan out your trip day- by -day to give you a good mix of fun and relaxation.
66. Advice on Activities to Book Beforehand
A travel expert can forewarn you of any activities that tend to sell out early so there are no unexpected disappointments when you are there. For example, character dining in Disney sells out months in advance.
67. General Ideas on Where to Go
A travel expert can offer excellent trip advice based on the details of what type of trip you want to take. Internet booking sites tend to require a destination up front.
68. A Trip to Nowhere…Sort of
Want to get away to somewhere that is not normally a vacation hot spot? Your travel specialist can help you find that perfect place.
69. Great Singles Trips
A travel agent can help find you exciting singles trips and cruises.
70. What to Pack
Your travel expert can give you great advice on what to pack to those exotic destinations.
71. Plan a Trip Where you Bring the Kids but Can Still Get Some Alone Time
Many cruises and resorts now offer activities throughout the day for young children that make the day fun for them and give you some time to yourself. Travel experts can help you find great family destination options such as these.
72. Higher Productivity Benefits
You have your trip planned while you are hard at work in the office.
73. You Get to be the Boss
You get to tell someone what to do for a change.
74. Great Group Trips
Trying to organize a trip for big group of people? A travel expert can help get all the details finalized and update everyone in the group.
75. Someone to Complain to
If that slim chance were to occur that you do not get what you were promised, you have a real person to go back and complain to. Travel agents will work hard to rectify the matter.

101 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent / 26 through 50

26. What to Eat
Where are all the top chefs at your destination? Travel specialists give great advice on the best restaurants to hit on your trip.
27. What Not to Eat
Leaving your home country and not familiar with the new language? Travel agents can help give you some forewarnings so you don’t accidently order the local delicacy (which may or may not be specially prepared bugs) without meaning to.
28. Local Traditions
Travel specialists can update you on all local traditions and customs of places you are visiting, so you make a good impression. For example, in Japan many people expect their visitors to take their shoes off before entering their homes.
29. Local Laws
Many countries have laws that are very different from your own. Travel agents can help give you a quick rundown of what you need to be aware of before you go.
30. Busiest Travel Times to Avoid
If you want a quiet trip, travel experts know what dates you should avoid and can help you plan your trip accordingly.
31. Avoid Unexpected Expenses
Travel agents will be able to inform you about expenses you will incur on your trip, even ones you might never expect.
32. Exchange Rate Knowledge
Travel agents are knowledgeable of the countries where your dollar can go further.
33. Useful Travel Books to Have with You
A travel expert can give you advice on what travel books are the most useful to have with you. Some of these books list restaurants, customs, and small amounts of the local language.
34. List of Not- to- Miss Places
Travel specialists can give you a great list of not- to- miss hikes, waterfalls, and cliffs that may or may not be published elsewhere.
35. What to Wear
Many restaurants have different types of dress codes. If you are interested in dining at specific places on your trip, your travel expert can advise you on appropriate dress wear for the occasion.
36. What Not to Wear
Travel agents can help you to be in the know of local dress code restrictions. So if a thong is part of your favorite beachwear, you should know that they are illegal in places like the Isle of Palms.
37. Crime Rates
Travel experts are great at informing you about questionable parts of town that you may be heading to and can give you tips on what to look out for.
38. Someone to Call if Having a Problem During Your Trip
An online travel agency is not going to answer the phone when you call with any complications during your trip. A travel agent continues to give you that personal support even while you are away.
39. When You Shouldn’t Drink the Water
We are always told when you travel be careful of the water. Travel agents can advise you on when it is safe and when it’s not safe to drink the water.
40. Small Intercontinental Flights Delayed – What to do?
Travel agents can help you find somewhere to stay when you are left helpless at an airport overnight due to flight delays.
41. Saves You Precious Time on Your Trip
To avoid 36 hours in the airport, your travel expert can help plan your trip so your time spent getting to where you want to go is the shortest it can be.
42. Anticipating Trouble
Travel agents are extremely useful if you are planning a trip to a known weather troubled area such as the hurricane plagued Caribbean islands. In the event of a natural disaster, your travel agent can work to immediately reschedule or cancel your trip so there are no worries for you.
43. Complicated Itineraries Made Simple
Travel experts can take care of all the details for those complicated around the world itineraries and all the extra headaches that go with them, such as hotel and transportation along the way.
44. Special Needs Travelers
Travel specialists can prearrange any wheelchair or special need that someone in your travel party may have. They can also take the time to make sure your reserved accommodations are safe and easily accessible for the special needs traveler.
45. What to Pack
Some activities you choose to partake in may require different layers of clothing throughout the day. Your travel agent can advise you on what to bring. A bike trip down an extinct volcano in Hawaii for example, may require you to start out with jackets and wool socks, but when you get to the bottom you may be down to shorts and a tank top.
46. Let Them Wait on Hold
By using a travel agent you no longer have to wait on hold and talk to automated systems while trying to book different parts of your trip.
47. Business Concerns
If the airline you are scheduled to use goes on strike or bankrupt while you are traveling, your travel agent can work to find you alternate travel means while you continue to relax at the hotel.
48. Transportation in Smaller Countries
Travel agents can arrange all your transportation and travel needs, especially in those smaller countries where you may not know if cabs or van services are safe.
49. Group Hotel Reservations
Travel agents can help to keep everyone in your group on the same floor at a hotel.
50. Charter Private Boating Trips
Travel specialists can help you to avoid paying top dollar for chartered snorkeling or fishing trips for large groups. They can often find great deals for large groups who want to do personalized tours.

What Can We Do about Jet Lag?

Here are some of our favorite strategies for resetting your body's clock.
•Start Rested. The preparation for a long trip often means you're tired before you begin. If at all possible, get enough rest in the days prior to your trip, so you can start out strong and full of energy.
•Sleep. It's best if you can sleep on the plane. Earplugs, eyeshades, and a comfortable neck pillow are well worth the effort of packing if they prevent you from losing a day to jet lag. Try to take care of as many travel details as possible before you leave so that flight day is stress and anxiety-free, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
•Many travelers have depended successfully on No-Jet-Lag to help them feel fresh on arrival. It's a surprisingly effective, natural homeopathic product that addresses all the symptoms of jet lag, not just sleeplessness.
•While a drink or two may relax you, alcohol can dehydrate you, making your symptoms worse. Also, Flight Safety Expert Diana Fairechild (author of Jet Smarter) says "Avoid sleeping pills and mind-altering pharmaceuticals on the day you fly. In the event of an emergency, you will need all your faculties in order to survive."
•Drink water. Lots of it. Plan on 8 to 16 ounces during each hour of travel. Taking a bottle or two on board can save you the awkwardness of repeatedly pressing the "call button" for another glass of water, and will help you resist caffeinated and sugared drinks, which can actually make you more dehydrated. Have a nice, long hot bath when you arrive to rehydrate and relax.
•Exercise. The long periods of sitting on an airplane, bus, or train are hard on your body. Walking and stretching exercises in flight will help your body adjust to the new climate. To help reset your body clock, try to stay awake until bedtime rather than taking a nap upon arrival - spending time outdoors seems to help most travelers.
•Experience. As you travel, experiment to find the system that works best for you. Some travelers forswear all naps, others insist on them. Keeping note of your experiences will help you get the most from future trips. Consult with fellow travelers, too. Their experiences can help you avoid days lost to jet lag discomfort.

Know risks you face.

Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face. Know the local laws and abide by them.
Register your whereabouts with the U.S. Embassy if you are staying longer than two weeks or are in a particularly dangerous area.
Dress conservatively and try to blend in. If you are in an area with groups of people hostile to the United States, and there are many, avoid clothing or other items that openly label you as a U.S. citizen. Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers.
If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe.
Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel’s safe.
Avoid traveling alone.
Be careful about sharing your traveling plans with strangers.
Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets.
Always be aware of what is going on around you.
Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs.
Be very careful if you are asked to sell or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into serious trouble for violating those laws.
Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties.
Don’t accept items from locals to carry out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know.
Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them.
Know the laws about exchanging money. Only use official exchange facilities since this is another area that can get you into trouble fast.

How can I protect my travelers checks while traveling?

Take the same precautions you would to protect your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll also need to make copies of your travelers checks before you go and keep separate from them the following information.
The serial numbers of the travelers checks.
The denomination of the travelers checks.
The date and location of their purchase.
The phone number to call to report them missing.

What should I know about using travelers checks?

What should I know about using travelers checks?
If the particular brand of travelers checks are accepted in the country you’ll be visiting.
How widely they are accepted within the countries you’ll be visiting.
Any fees for purchasing and using the travelers checks.
The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies.

How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?

How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip?
You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone.
They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country.
They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country.
They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations.
They’ll be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system.
They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees.
They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions.
They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations.
You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases.

What type of research should I do before I travel?

•Do some research, learn as much as you can about your destination.
•Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
•Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.
•Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.
•Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
•Check to see what other type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
•Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
•Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
•Find our what type of electrical outlets the country uses, you may need a special converter or adapter to use your electrical appliances.
•Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
•Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping, many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
•Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates and checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.
•Do some research with U.S. Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
•Build some basic language skills in the local language.
•Check the dates of local major holidays, since services may be limited on those dates.
•If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
•Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.

Backpacking Tips

Backpacking is an enjoyable way to experience nature and access remote terrain. The folks at Camp Trails offer the following tips to help you get started:
Study a map or guide to know the terrain you'll be hiking and estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination. Pad your estimates with extra time to account for delays.
Obtain necessary permits and reserve campsites in advance, and check local regulations to avoid fines. Know the area's weather patterns and accommodate for time of year. Always be prepared for the worst weather.
Remember, it's very easy to perspire, even in the winter, so dress appropriately in layers and be prepared for changing conditions, temperature changes at higher altitudes, and evenings. Avoid wearing jeans or cotton clothing. Wear polypropylene, wool or other breathable materials that wick moisture away and dry quickly.
Always pack rain gear.
Get to know your gear before heading out. Seam-seal the tent and familiarize yourself with its design and set-up. Learn how to operate your stove so you're not caught in the dark or the rain trying to figure it out. Know what you can carry and how long you can carry it without straining yourself. The pack shouldn't weigh more than 25 percent of your weight, so take only what you need.

Should I use my ATM card while traveling?

Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your trip so you won’t have to take as much cash with you and using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries.
The ATM will issue money in local currency.
You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges.
Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down.

At the hotel

Hotels, especially of the four and five star category are normally extremely safe; providing you with a safe in the room and at the reception area, security guards hiding around the place, and cameras that can be as much your friend as your enemy. But things still can happen so here are a few tips to avoid your valued possessions from taking a walk:
If the hotel has in room safes use it and keep all your valuables in there.
However, if the safe is electronic, wipe the touch keys down before operating it with a damp cloth, and then dry it before entering your secret code. Try to do this every time you use the safe.
Also after you have keyed in your code and closed the door firmly locked on the safe press all the other keys /numbers that do not make up your code, and press them firmly. Doing this may set off a small alarm from the safe but it stops quickly and no one will pay any attention (!!).
The reason to do this is because certain hotels have caught their own hotel staff placing, a light oil residue or powder on to the touch keys that shows them when using a certain light what numbers were pressed. They were managing to open the safe, and one very clever thief was taking only 1 or 2 US$ from each room. Would you have noticed? It is not a lot but in a 400 or 500 room hotel the guy was doing quite well for himself.
Never leave valuables in soft/material bags with pockets even if they are padlocked like Alcatraz
this avoids any potential of somebody simply splitting a seam to a pocket with a knife and removing select contents. This has happened to one of our friends and he never even noticed until he went into the bag and pockets a while later.
This should also apply to luggage that you check into the airplane.
Never get drunk and invite a stranger to your room. This seems funny, I know, but better safe than sorry.

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?

How can I avoid being the victim of a pickpocket?
•Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
•When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
•Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
•Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
•Carry your purse under your arm.
•Carry your money under your clothes.

Travel Tips For Men

Here's a tip that's useful even if you're not on a trip. If you need a shave desperately and shaving cream is expensive where you happen to be, the cheapest and indeed the best is available over the counter from pharmacies - aqueous cream. It comes in tubes and economy pots and (as the name implies) is excellent for moisturizing dry skin. Highly recommended.
Roll your ties backwards and very tightly round two of your fingers, starting from the narrow end and finishing with the wide. Then secure by rolling a sock over each one, separately. This method will keep the ties from getting creased, and will even remove that annoying twist.
Carry a "mugger's wallet" when travelling overseas - with a big bill in front and a half-dozen or so smaller bills behind, along with my photo ID library card, some other papers, hotel coupons, etc, for bulk. Day-to-day, this is my source for minor expenses. But in an emergency, you can surrender it easily and hope that the assailant is more interested in a quick windfall than carefully assessing the situation and evaluating whether or not you have more stashed somewhere that he'll have to go to considerable effort to get.
On a crowded city street with a large tour group, and you are busy looking at history and your wife wanders off to the nearest shop? Men, carry a large patterned umbrella (big, bright flowers work well) and have your wife carry the same. Then, if you get separated, you can both open them up and raise them above the crowd and find each other in an instant.
On the wallet security issue, make sure you always keep your wallet in a front trouser pocket (not in your inside jacket pocket or your back trouser pocket). Since the front of your thighs are very sensitive, it's difficult for the pickpocket to get it out without you knowing.
Besides the rubber band for wallets, turn your wallet ninety (90) degrees so the wallet goes across your pocket rather than up/down.
Make sure that you have a thick rubberband around your wallet. This will ensure that you will FEEL if someone is picking your pocket with the friction of the rubberband against the material of your slacks as they try to relieve you of the wallet!!

Arriving

Whenever you arrive in any country, whether it be by boat, plane or whatever you are vulnerable. You have all your cash, cards, documents and anything else valuable on you right at that moment. It is even worse if you have never been there before and look like you haven't, there are always people who are willing to "help". Every precaution you take will help to avoid any potential problems. After all you do not want someone to "help" themselves to your belongings, when you have just arrived. Here are a few tips that should help.
Before leaving for your trip, try to get some prior information as to the rough layout of the airport where you will be arriving. This will help, to have a vague sense of where you should be going and where the taxis are located etc.
Whenever possible, especially in certain countries we recommend taking either the airport limousine, or a hotel pick up.
Never take a taxi that seems just to be hanging around, offering its services when there is a taxi queue available.
Try to keep your wallet and valuables safely secured in a handbag or in one of your hand luggage.
Change some money into the local currency before you depart. This gives you one less thing to worry about, and will stop you from pulling a large amount of money out at the airport arrivals.

First Meeting For "Girls On The GO"

First Meeting For "Girls On The GO"
Ladies we will be having our first meeting September 30th at the Cellar Door Wine Bar at 6:00 pm
Hope to see you there
Be sure to bring your bucket List!! (And a Friend)

How can I protect myself from traveler’s diarrhea while traveling abroad?

How can I protect myself from traveler’s diarrhea while traveling abroad?
•When you are traveling abroad, don’t forget that drinking another country’s water can be dangerous.
•Stick with bottled or boiled water and carbonated soft drinks.
•Remember that the ice in your drink turns into water, so order them with out ice.
•Wipe off the tops of cans before you drink from them, or better yet, bring some straws to use for drinking.
•Avoid raw foods, as they can also be a good way to get sick.
•Only brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth shut when you’re in the shower, even an accidental spray can get you sick.

How can I protect my health when I travel?

If you have any food allergies, learn the names of those foods in the languages used in the countries you’ll be visiting. This way you’ll be better equipped to stay on the look out for them.
Find out what types of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip. Get your vaccinations early in case you have a reaction and need some recovery time.
You should consider a dental appointment if you haven’t had a check up in a while.
Be careful what you eat and drink.
Carry complete health information with you on your trip.

SAVING TIME WITH YOUR COMPUTER

Being computer-savvy can be a real timesaver when it comes to making travel arrangements and checking in at airports. . With the variety of travel web sites most of us know we can search for cheap fares, make an offer for rock-bottom pricing, make direct airline bookings and pay for it all without leaving our chair. Many of us know how to use the airport kiosks to check in without waiting in line. Now you can also check in online up to 24 hours before your flight and print your boarding pass in advance. 'Avoiding the counter, you can check your luggage at the curb and head straight for the gate. Check airline Web sites for details.

WATER SOUTH OF THE BORDER

A friend tells the story of walking by the housekeeping closet at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico and glimpsing the maid filling the complimentary "bottled water" straight from the tap. As someone who is extremely careful of what he eats and drinks in foreign countries, he was outraged at the thought of drinking unsafe water. "But the hotel water is purified," the manager said with a shrug. While that may be true, I never trust the quality and cleanliness of hotel purification systems in other countries and stick to one basic rule: If you don't personally break the seal, don't drink it. No exceptions. Also,I only drink from disposable bathroom water glasses.

THE ICE TEASE

While we Americans use a lot of ice in our drinks, many countries around the world not only forgo the ice, they don't even chill their beverages. Pubs in Britain are famous for warm beer. Italy usually serves soft drinks and alcoholic beverages without ice to avoid watering them down. Japan will only put one or two ice cubes in the glass. When traveling, remember to order drinks cold, chilled or with a glass of ice on the side, but only in a country where you're sure of the water safety. If you can't drink the tap water, you can't use the ice, either. If in doubt, go without.

Just For Fun! Be sure and Check Your Hotel Bill

Be sure and check next time you think your hotel bill is too high, you might want to consider this.
My wife and I are traveling by car from Victoria to Prince George. Being seniors, after almost eleven hours on the road, we were too tired to continue, and decided to take a room. But, we only planned to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road. When we checked out four hours later, the desk clerk handed us a bill for $350.00.
I exploded and demanded to know why the charge is so high. I told the clerk although it's a nice hotel; the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.00 for four hours. Then the clerk tells me that $350.00 is the 'standard rate.' I insisted on speaking to the Manager.
The Manager appears, listens to me, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference centre that were available for us to use. “But we didn't use them," I said. ''Well, they are here, and you could have," explained the Manager.
He went on to explain that we could also have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "We have the best entertainers from New York, Hollywood, and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.
"But we didn't go to any of those shows," I said. "Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replied.
No matter what amenity the Manager mentioned, I replied, “But we didn't use it!"
The Manager is unmoved, and eventually I gave up and agreed to pay.
I wrote a check and gave it to the Manager.
The Manager is surprised when he looks at the cheque. “But sir, this cheque is only made out for $50.00." ''That's correct. I charged you $300.00 for sleeping with my wife," I replied.
"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.
I said, "Well, too bad, she was here, and you could have."

Don't mess with Senior Citizens

Things to consider when choosing a Hotel

Questions To Ask And Where To Ask Them
According to Sal Caccavale, Director of Security for the Waldorf=Astoria in New York, there are three questions to ask for selecting a secure hotel:
•Are there electronic door locks?
•Is there good key control?
•Is there a fire alarm and water sprinkler system?
"Generally, the only way to find this out is contacting the hotel directly. The number one security issue is controlling who has access to a guest's hotel room. While we can install electronic locks and keep a closely controlled system of key control, it's the guests themselves who often let down their guard and fail to lock their door when they go out to get ice at the end of the hall, or open their door to an uninvited intruder," says Caccavale. "It is important to remember that a hotel is a public place and criminals are attracted to places where outsiders are vulnerable."
What Room To Reserve
If possible, avoid staying in a first floor room, as they often have sliding doors or windows that are accessible from ground level, and are a greater security risk than rooms on higher floors. Second floor to fifth floor rooms are usually a good choice in the event of a fire, as they are more easily accessible for rescue purposes than rooms on higher levels. Rooms away from the ice machine or utility area will minimize your exposure to the noise of hallway traffic, and a room near a stairwell will provide a quick escape route in the event of an emergency. Women traveling alone may wish to choose a room near hall or stairwell surveillance cameras for added security. Before you get settled into your assigned room, verify that there is a reasonably quick access to a fire escape route by window or stairway.
Smoke and Fire
Most hotels offer in-room instructions outlining what to do in case of fire, and it is wise to read them carefully. Count the number of doorways on your floor from the door to the exit staircase, and then walk down the staircase to the ground floor. This will help you familiarize yourself with your escape route so that in a fire situation when it is likely to be dark and smoky, you will be able to exit safely with no confusion, surprise turns, or unexpected locked doors. Put your room key and glasses beside your bed so that in an emergency you will be able to find them quickly. If you leave your room in an emergency, take your room key with you so you can retreat back into your room if necessary.

If you discover that the hotel does not have a smoke detector system, carry your own. It is also a good idea to carry an emergency escape smoke hood, which filters out the harmful gases that are present in a smoke-filled environment, and provides those precious extra minutes you, might need to escape.

Hotel Room Security

Some hotels can monitor when and with which key a room is entered, and there are usually room cleaning procedures to help thwart intruders. Out-of-the way hotels in foreign countries and hotels in less developed countries often do not have secure door locks. In some cases, the hotel staff may actually target you and your belongings. Your level of security awareness and the precautions you take must be adjusted for each city and area you visit, but there are standard minimal precautions that apply almost anywhere. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your belongings when you travel:
•Don't leave valuables in your room when you are absent - professional thieves and hotel staffers are usually aware of every possible hiding place. Use the hotel safe, and get a receipt for what you leave there. Although some hotels provide a safe in each guest room for storing valuables, be aware that there could be insurance issues if you use a guest room safe rather than the main hotel safe (e.g. your credit card loss/theft policy may not apply if you use the room safe).
•When you are in your room, lock the door, use the chain lock, and use your door peephole to identify people who knock at your door. Overseas, there may be no chain lock and no peephole, so you should carry a good quality traveler's door lock, a doorstop alarm that wedges against the base of the door, or a motion detector.
•Do not open the door for unexpected visitors. Call the front desk to verify that maintenanceworkers are truly from the hotel.
•Some hotels and motels that do not have their own dining facilities allow food to be delivered to your room from outside the hotel. It is best to have such deliveries made to the lobby. Also, be careful about the leftovers you leave on the tray outside your door. A single drinking cup with lipstick marks and/or remnants of a single meal can alert passersby to the fact that you are alone in the room.
•Before you go to sleep, make sure that your deadbolt lock and chain locks are in place and that all windows and sliding doors are secured. To make your room appear occupied when you leave, place the DO NOT DISTURB sign on your door and leave the TV or radio on at an audible level. At foreign destinations, this may be difficult as housekeeping may have instructions to remove DO NOT DISTURB signs in your absence.
•Most security specialists advise you to keep your room key with you at all times so that no one (including hotel staff) can see by checking the front desk that you are not in your room.

What to expect when cruising week two

LIFE ON BOARD

Every day you will receive a ship newspaper and the ship's day sheet. The day sheet will list everything that is happening onboard that day, including whether the evening meal will be formal or casual. Have fun reading it and planning your day or just recycle it and plan to do nothing!

A word about the ship photographer, you will be photographed as you enter the ship and many other times during your vacation. Imagine walking down a secluded path on a private beach in paradise, turning a corner and nearly bumping into the ship photographer! He's everywhere, ready to snap pictures to record your journey. Every evening you can go to the photograph gallery and view your photos. If you like them, you can buy them. If not, just leave them there and eventually they will disappear. There is no obligation when you let the photographer take your picture. These pictures are usually excellent and are a great way to save your memories.

TIPPING

Tipping may vary from ship to ship but the cruise lines are good about letting you know what they expect. Here is the most common approach: gratuities are added automatically to your onboard account up front. Most cruise lines add $10 per day per person for gratuities. If you feel you received better service than expected, you can tip more.

In most cases you are expected to tip your cabin steward, waiter and assistant waiter. Everyone else is optional. Usually bar tabs include gratuities, but if you have a wonderful bar server who took the time to form a relationship with you, you can tip them too! You can usually find tipping information regarding your particular ship on-line, in a brochure, or just call us and we'll get it for you! It is good to know what to expect so you can have the cash with you beforehand if that is the ship policy.
Another important thing happens the last night. Read on.

DISEMBARKATION
Darn, the dreaded day is going to arrive, despite your best efforts to ignore it! Disembarkation actually starts the night before. If you didn't guarantee your onboard account with a credit card, you must pay off your onboard account. If you have used a credit card, this is just like express checkout in a hotel, nothing to do. You must also leave your packed suitcases outside your cabin door to be taken by the stewards to prepare for disembarkation. Be sure to keep the nightclothes you will sleep in, your clothes for the trip home, and anything you will need to get ready in the morning. Be sure you have a carry-on that can hold these items, as you will not see your suitcases again until you are off the ship.
In the morning you will have one last wonderful breakfast and then you will leave your cabin for good. Make yourself comfortable in any one of the public lounges until the number or color you have been given is called. If you have one of the earlier flights, you will be called quickly. If you are driving, staying for a post-cruise vacation, or have an evening flight, you will be one of the last to disembark. Please remember that you may be out of your room for an hour or two before you disembark. When your number is called, you will disembark and go into the terminal where you will find your luggage. Finding your luggage has been organized. The luggage has color-coded tags, and you find the row with your color and locate your bag. Putting something bright or obvious (such as ribbon) on your bag is also a good idea. Another good idea is to wrap your bag handle with colored duck tape; this will not get pulled off. You will find the tape a good option for the cruise and the air travel.

What to expect when cruising

This is the first post of a two week series on what to expect when you cruise

DOCUMENTS

When your documents arrive be sure to check them over very carefully. Make sure that all of the information is correct and fill out any paperwork that is required. Make sure you have your valid passport, or valid copy of birth certificate and photo ID. Passport expiration dates must be at least six months after your return date. Documents will also include information about appropriate clothing for the climate you are visiting and what is acceptable for dining and other onboard activities. The documents will also advise you which on-board nights are formal, semi-formal or casual.

AT THE PORT

Boarding a ship is similar to boarding an airplane. You may wait in line before you reach the check-in counter where you will check your luggage and provide your birth certificate and photo ID or valid passport. Then you will be invited to board.

BOARDING

Boarding a ship for the first time, or the tenth, is one of the most exciting moments of a cruise. Sailing away is another one! A crew member will escort you to your cabin. Do not be surprised if your luggage is not in your cabin. It will show up. There will be an envelope in your stateroom with your dining table and seating. If you would like to change either assignment, take the envelope with you and speak to the maitre'd in the dining room. Otherwise, memorize the number so you will know which table to ask the dining room escort to take you to at dinner.

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH THE SHIP

After you get settled in your stateroom, it's time to tour the ship. Check out the excursions offered during the week at the Shore Excursion Desk, located near the purser's desk. If you see something you really want to do, reserve your spot! It may fill up later and you could miss out.

While you're in the lobby area of the ship, follow the ship's instructions and open your onboard account. Purchases onboard can't occur without this. Most ships run on a cash-less system except in the casino, which is cash-only. This is very liberating, especially when you are spending your day in a swimsuit! Simply bring a credit card, or post an amount of cash to the cashier after you board the ship. From then on, you will use your room key to pay for anything you purchase on the ship whether it's drinks, excursions, souvenirs, massages. You can check on the amount you have spent anytime during the cruise and a summary of your charges will be put under your door on the last night of the cruise. Be sure to review it carefully and report any errors immediately.

The first time you wander the ship is a memorable experience. You won't believe this will be your home for your entire vacation!

LIFEJACKET DRILL

There are two events on a cruise that most people wish did not have to happen. They are the lifejacket drill, and disembarking (more on that later.)! The lifejacket drill, sometimes referred to as the "muster drill", is important and is for your safety. The Coast Guard requires this drill to take place within 24 hours of sailing. On the day you board, there will be information about where to meet when the lifejacket drill horn is blown. When the horn blows seven times, everyone must get their lifejacket and go to their assigned muster station and put on their lifejacket. Crew members will be there to help and each passenger must be checked off of a list before the drill is over. Bring your camera to the drill and use this great opportunity to get pictures of friends and family wearing a huge orange vest!

Travel tips for seniors

All travelers should plan carefully to ensure their health and safety while away. However, older people have a few extra concerns.

Pre-trip planning
Suggestions include:
•Consult with your travel agent for suggestions. For example, many tour operators specialize in accommodating the needs of travelling seniors.
•Find out about the medical facilities in the areas you will be visiting.
•Research important factors such as climate, language and culture. Buy a guide book and read it before you go.
•Make arrangements for wheelchairs, guide dogs and seating needs well in advance.
•Organize travel insurance with pre-existing illness coveager if needed.
•If you are concerned about your health, arrange to go on a package tour.
Reciprocal health care agreements
Australia has a reciprocal health care agreement with some countries, which means emergency care is available. Non-emergency health care is only offered if delaying medical attention until returning home is unreasonable. Check with Medicare for an up-to-date list of countries participating in reciprocal health care agreements. Remember that travel health insurance is still needed.

Pre-trip medical check-ups
Suggestions include:
•Consult with your doctor for a complete medical check-up. This is especially important if you have coronary heart disease, hypertension or any other chronic condition, or if you have recently undergone surgery or experienced a heart attack.
•Discuss any particular health concerns you may have, such as dietary changes and the possible impact of different eating habits on your specific condition.
•People with diabetes will need medical advice on how to safely stagger their medications to fit a different time zone.
•Consider having your flu and pneumonia vaccinations before you go on your trip.
•If you intend travelling to areas where infectious diseases are present, make sure you are fully vaccinated.
•Visit your dentist for a check-up.
•Visit any other health care providers you consult with on a regular basis, such as your optometrist.
Contact Donna for all your travel arrangments: www.dmttravel.com

Clothing for Summer Travel to Europe

Your are heading to Europe this summer, and are afraid of looking like tacky tourists – what are the best ways to add some style but stay packable?
Fashion designers in this country always look to countries in Mediterranean Europe for their inspiration. From a European’s point of view we simply dress, while they dress with style. In fact, you may be stopped at the door of many fashionable places if you are not properly dressed. In this country we are noted more for a casual appearance that if worn abroad will draw attention and garner the label ‘tourist’.

To avoid this, start with a solid core of basic items in classic styles that can easily be mixed and matched to create a variety of looks. These should be in neutral tones (khaki, olive, navy, grey). Reversible items are a good pick to lighten your load. Items that make the switch from casual daywear to elegant evening wear will give you the maximum versatility.



For Women
Choose dresses and skirts. Our Little Black Travel Dress can be worn casually during the day. Accessorize with a string of pearls or other jewelry, and you’re ready for an elegant evening out.

Despite its name, our Tropical Microfiber Blazer is a perfect choice for Mediterranean Europe, especially during the summer months as it can get very toasty there.

Choose comfortable shoes for walking, visiting museums, climbing around on ruins, etc.

Accessorize with jewelry, (costume Jewelry) scarves, hats and wraps.

For Men
Blazers/Sport Coats paired with complementary slacks. Under your blazer wear colored or striped collared shirts. Avoid white.

As far as casual attire, think “business casual.” Polo shirts paired with khakis etc. Avoid shorts.

In general, European men wear more fitted clothes. Leave those trendy, baggy, American styles at home.

Avoid baseball caps, especially worn backwards, running shoes or socks w/sandals. Look instead for stylish but comfortable walking shoes and accessories.

What types of fabrics travel best for hot weather?

What types of fabrics travel best for hot weather?
Coolmax® is one of my favorites for steamy climates. If you were to use one word to describe Coolmax® it would be wicking. The next generation polyester fabric created by Dupont wicks moisture or perspiration from your body and dispenses it to the outside world helping to keep you cooler. The fabric has a cottony feel, is very wrinkle resistant, and when laundered dries in a flash. On a recent trip I laundered both cotton and Coolmax® tees at the same time. The Coolmax® items dried overnight while the cottons remained there and are probably still wet.

Tropical Microfiber is another great choice for hot weather travels. With several lightweight suiting options, these travelers are made from a silky, super fine filament giving a durable fabric with soft drape as well as excellent wrinkle resistance.

Natural Fibers such as cotton, silk, rayon and linen are naturally cool, breathable and easy to care for. To lend extra travel savvy, often they blend natural fibers with other fibers to gain wrinkle resistance and durability.

Sun Protective Fabrics offer extra protection from the sun with tighter weaves, UPF resistant finishes and linings. Some Supplex Nylons, due to the tightness of the weave actually have built-in protection from the suns burning rays. A typical cotton tee for example is rated UPF8 (UPF=Ultraviolet Protection Factor), indicating that you can be out in the sun 8X longer than without protection. Special protective garments may have protection as high as 40-50 UPF.

The U.S. Dollar and Travel

The U.S. Dollar and Travel
Fortunately, there are still safe havens out there — countries where our currency and the host country’s currency move in lockstep. In two cases, our dollars are the actual currency, so you don’t even have to visit an exchange booth. Here are five destinations where your costs should be stable no matter when you arrive.
Panama
Panama has been using the U.S. dollar as its own for more than 100 years. As I noted in this longer article about travel in Panama, prices are lower here than in neighboring Costa Rica, but many of the reasons for visiting are similar. If you’re a birdwatcher, a wildlife buff, an adventure traveler, or someone who loves to sail and go island hopping, Panama will keep you occupied for weeks.
Ecuador
Ecuador also uses the dollar as its own currency. The land best known as the home of the Galapagos Islands has a lot more to offer, with the Andes Mountains, thick rainforest jungle, and some bargain-priced beach resorts. Ecuador gets its name from the equator passing through, but much of it is not all that hot because of altitude: this is the one spot where you can find snow on the equator-on Volcán Cayambe at nearly 19,000 feet. The historic center of capital city Quito has gotten a major makeover in the past few years and is also worth a visit.
Belize
The exchange rate with Belize never budges much beyond a range of 1.97 to 2.05. In other words, its 2 Belize dollars for every 1 American dollar, give or take a couple pennies. You don’t have to take a time machine to get a lot for your dollars here, whether you want to scuba dive, snorkel, sail, lie on a beach, or explore the jungle interior.
Caribbean and Atlantic Islands
As many cruise ship passengers have learned, there are several Caribbean islands and clusters of islands that peg their currency to the greenback. Barbados’ currency trades at a stable 2 to 1 with the dollar, while in the Bahamas or Bermuda you can use their dollars or your own—the value is the same. The exchange rate is stable in Turks & Caicos and the British Virgin Islands, and of course the U.S. dollar is the principal currency in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. This doesn’t mean you’ll find bargains galore in all these locations, but you can feel secure that prices won’t suddenly rise because of an exchange rate change.
Argentina
This is an example that may not stand the test of time, but since 2003 the Argentine currency has moved in a narrow range of around 3 pesos to 1 U.S. dollar. Before the massive economic crisis that hit the country at the beginning of the decade, it was 1 to 1 and it’s certainly possible things will change again in the future. For now though, even though inflation is high and prices aren’t as low as they were a few years ago, Argentina is a relative bargain and Buenos Aires is the best substitute for a visit to a European cit
All of the above destinations are in this hemisphere, places where you can frequently find reasonable flight or package deals and you won’t have to worry about jet lag. If you want to go further, Hong Kong, Guam, Saipan, Jordan, and Dubai all have currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar.
Of course, it’s important to look at the full range of actual costs for what you are planning to do. Belize is less expensive than most islands in the Caribbean, while Panama and Ecuador are true bargains when it comes to food and transportation. Rises in fuel and grain prices are driving up costs everywhere around the world though, wherever you are heading, so always assume prices you’ve read about will probably be higher when you arrive.
But if you’re going to an inexpensive place that’s already a good deal, such as these and other greenback deals around the world, it’s much easier to budget and live large without breaking the bank.
If you live in Europe and have been getting paid in euros, forget all of this advice and go anywhere: your currency is at the top of the heap right now. Take advantage of it! As we Americans have painfully found good times don’t last forever.
For Currency Conversion visit www.dmttravel.com, click on services.

Vacation Preperation
1. You should have two credit cards (Different accounts)
2. Be sure and call your Credit Card Companies and tell them the dates and the destinations of your vacation.
3. You might want to go to your bank and get some currency before your trip. You should be able to get some at the airport but that would be just one more thing to have to do then, and I think you would get a better deal from your bank.
4. Make sure and make a copy of your passport, carry that copy in your carry-on.
Also leave a copy with your travel agent or a family member.
5. Make a copy of your itinerary and place it inside your checked luggage, right on top. That way if your luggage happens to get misplaced the airlines will have the information needed to forward it to you.
Also leave a copy of your itinerary home with a family member or friend.
Another thing to consider is for you to share suitcases. Each pack half your clothes in the others suitcase.
That way if one losses their luggage you at least have something to wear until your bags show up.
If by some chance your luggage is not there, go directly to the claims center and let them know. If you are going to be greeted by a tour guide be sure and tell them also .Then call your Travel Insurance Company!
6. Be sure and have any medication, camera, jewelry (I would not even take any jewelry) in your carry-on. Do not pack these things in your checked bags. AND DO NOT PACK ANY CASH, TRAVELERS CHECKS OR CREDIT CARDS IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS.
To Purchase Your Travel Insurance contact Donna at www.dmttravel.com

Hurricane Season

Peak hurricane season, which runs between August and October in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the U.S. south Atlantic coast, is certainly nothing to take lightly. Most every year you can see a fair bit of storm activity: according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on the average there will be 14 to 18 storms, with winds of at least 40 mph, will be generated. Seven to 10 of these storms may be hurricanes, with winds of 75 mph.
Still, the lure of these warm-weather destinations, especially during the off-season, can be hard to resist. Crowds are thin, prices are excellent, perks—like free meals and spa treatments—are numerous, and very often, the weather winds up being perfectly fine (if slightly more humid than in high-season months). So, the question is: are there ways to “hurricane-proof” a vacation—to minimize the chances that a storm will ruin a low-season trip to the tropics?
Indeed there are—although most of the tricks for lessening hurricane risks require some research on the traveler’s part. The Internet can be an indispensable tool for scoping out predicted weather patterns, for example, or for comparing the hurricane policies of different hotels, tour groups, and airlines. Booking accommodations and flights with companies that offer hurricane guarantees (most often in the form of penalty-free rebooking) is a good way to safeguard a vacation; so is shopping around for and purchasing traveler’s insurance (the further in advance, the better).

A Little Info Regarding Your Flight

AIRLINE MEALS
An airline meal is not something people rave about. In fact, people don't rave at all lately because the meals are almost nonexistent in domestic economy class. Some airlines sell snacks or sandwiches on board, but a hot meal behind the curtain is the exception, not the rule. Surprisingly, many people still get on a plane expecting to be fed. Many tell the story of how they flew all day and got nothing to eat but a bag of pretzels. There's a note in your flight confirmation that says "meal service," "no meal" or "food for sale." Check this note ahead of time so you know whether to pack a lunch or an extra 10-dollar bill. Airline food doesn't cost peanuts.
GETTING THE BEST SEAT ON THE PLANE
Why do airlines only reserve seats for you if you remember to ask? By the time you remember, the good ones are gone. To get the better coach seats, you want to avoid the restrooms and galleys because they're busy with lots of traffic. The seats in the last row and in front of exits often don't recline, Middle seats are cramped. Bulkheads have less leg room, but no one reclines into your lap, Window seats have a view but less head room or aisle access. Show up when the counter opens to get the desirable exit row. Each airline configures its aircraft differently, so check out www.seatguru.com before your next flight for the scoop on which seats to ask for.
www.dmttravel.com

Look 10 lbs Thinner in Your Vacation Photos

How to Look 10 lbs Thinner in Your Vacation Photos

I always intend to loose a whole bunch of weight before going on vacation so I will look great in the travel photos and feel a little less guilty when sampling the local cuisine. But reality being what it is, it’s the same old me (the good and the bad) in all the photos. Here are some great tricks recommended by professional photographers that will help you look thinner in pictures.
#1 – Turn your body slightly sideways to the camera.
#2 – Move one foot a little forward of the other and point it in the general direction of the person taking your photo. Your weight should be on your back foot.
#3 – Hold your arms away from your body; waive, hold out a glass, give a thumbs up etc.
#4 – Hold your head slightly forward to minimize a double chin.
#5 – NEVER let someone snap a picture of you angled from below – everything will look huge! Shots taken from slightly above or at eye level will be best.
#6 – Stand tall, no slouching. If you’re sitting, cross your legs at the ankle or sit with both feet on the ground, one foot slightly forward of the other.
#7 – Use props to hide undesirable areas. I hate being photographed in a bathing suit (are you with me on this???). I usually grab a beach towel to hold over my arm and let it drape to cover the evidence of my good living, or holding a colorful sun hat or beach bag works as well. If seated, drape one arm across your middle, clasping your other hand at the side to cover some of your midriff.
#8 – A one color outfit helps the eye travel from top to bottom and back without pausing inbetween. – And we all know that nothing makes you look wider than horizontal stripes! If you’re wearing stripes, be sure you do not stand straight to the camera.
#9 – Use local props – instead of standing in front of scenic objects, step partially behind and peak out at the camera.
#10 – Think about what a great time you’re having, how much you love being on vacation, and then put a gleaming smile on your face. People seeing your picture will look right at your face first and when they see the fun and joy there, it will make absolutely no difference how the rest of your looks!
www.dmttravel.com

Passport Fees Going Up And How to Fly Without Interruptions

Passport Fees Going Up (Again!) – Renew Now
In this era of escalating fees, the State Department has requested an increase in the cost of obtaining a passport. The new proposed rates would be $135 for a first-time passport application, $110 for a renewal and $82 for additional pages (which are currently free). It’s hard to believe that the cost of a passport could more than DOUBLE since 2002 when the fee was $60! The fees can’t go into effect until the end of a 30 day “comment” period


How To Fly Without Interruptions
Here’s a great tip I picked up yesterday at a Air Tahiti Nui (national airlines of Tahiti) meeting. When you’re on an overnight flight and want to sleep undisturbed, here’s what to do…. Bring along a Post-It note or two and write “Do Not Wake For Meals” or “Wake For Meals” on the note and stick it to the top of your seat back. When the flight attendants come by they’ll know instantly whether you want to be disturbed or not. The nice folks at Air Tahiti Nui provide these notes for your in their amenity pack – great idea.
www.dmttravel.com

Trip to Italy

I just returned from a nine day trip to Italy and I cannot wait to go back.
Our trip started in Stresa on the shores of Lago Maggiore.
Our first night we had a welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands.
We ate at the Ristorante Casabella and family owned and operated restaurant.
The most delicious ravioli I have ever had eaten!!
The next day we were off to Lake Orta, upon arrival to this hidden treasure we took a boat ride to Isola di San Giylio where we walked the grounds of a still working convent. We then returned to Lake Orta and enjoyed the enchanting lakeside resort with its many outdoor cafes and shops.
On day three we drove to the city of Lucca, one of Tuscany’s hidden gems. We enjoyed a walking tour with a local expert and visited the 14th century Cathedral of San Martino, Lucca’s medieval streets, Piazza S, Michele in Foro and Piazza Napoleone. Then we departed for the Etrusan town of Cortona.
We enjoyed a relaxing three night stay in the Villa Aurea tucked away in the uniquely beautiful Tuscan countryside.
Day four we headed for the city of Florence, the cradle of Italy’s Renaissance. We had a walking tour which highlighted the city’s treasures and monuments, including the Piazza del Duomo, center of religious life in medieval Florence, and Piazza della Signoria with its many sculptures.
For dinner we enjoyed sampling some delicious Tuscan cuisine at one of the medieval Cortona family owned restaurants, once again fabulous food, wine and company.
Everyone should visit Cortona; this is one of the most beautiful, quant villages I have been to.
Day five we had the pleasure of visiting a winery in the heart of Tuscany. Upon are arrival we got to visit the wine cellar, family estate and beautiful grounds submersed in vineyards, olive groves and stunning views.
We then met the winery’s chef for a Tuscan cooking lesson.
Afterwards we enjoyed our authentic Tuscan lunch, expertly paired with the wines produced in site.
This winery is owned and operated by women only.
Upon our return to the villa we enjoyed a relaxing picnic with our new found friends.
I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy a marvelous massage at the spa that evening before our picnic.
Day six we drove to Siena for an expert-led walking tour through narrow medieval streets to the dramatic cathedral. We had time to enjoy the little shops hidden away on all the beautiful cobble stone streets and walkways that wind there way through the city and end up at the square.
We then enjoyed our scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside and across the valleys and mountain passes of Apennines.
We continued towards the truly unique city if Venice, built on 117 islands with 150 canals and 400 bridges.
The entire city if Venice is about the size of central park.
Within this city there are about 100 churches, of those 100 churches 95% are Catholic.
The next morning we enjoyed a boat trip to Murano Island for a fascinating glassblowing demonstration with time to visit the factory and shop. The group had no trouble finding beautiful Murano Glass items to purchase.
We returned to the charming St.Mark’s Square, the hub of Venetian city life. We met our local expert who took us on a walking tour which featured the Clock Tower with it’s famous Moors, St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the legendary Bridge of Sighs.
We were then left on our own to explore. Some chose to return to our fabulous hotel right on the canal, some took a gondola ride.
A few of us chose to find our way back through the winding little roads/walkways and over many of the 400 bridges. I managed to get the most fascinating pictures that day.
The last night we had a farewell dinner celebrating the end of a marvelous trip and our new found friends.
And as it would go we got on our way home just in time.
We had a 10 hour flight home, and sometime during our flight is when the volcano in Iceland erupted.
So as much as we wanted our trip to continue, I guess ending when it did was a good thing.
I am looking forward to visiting Italy again soon, and hopefully we will have the opportunity to see our new friends on another trip someday.
I know I have left out some details and experiences, but I will remember this trip for a long time, and I hope you will all get the opportunity to experience this wonderful country.
www.dmttravel.com

Ten Tips for Your Road Trip

So many Americans fly everywhere these days that you might think the classic American road trip is a thing of the past. This is not actually the case. While it does seem that the "On the Road" experience of getting a car and just going for the sake of going is in decline, the statistics (and the number of cars all around you on the roads) prove that more Americans than ever are taking to the roads for vacations and family visits, albeit apparently for more frequent but shorter trips. And frankly, with airline customer care unquestionably in decline, many Americans would rather drive than fly.

Stats be damned, there is no denying that the lure of the road is undeniable and probably eternal; it almost seems embedded in our very makeup. This is more true for some folks than others, but there is a richness to traversing the land an inch at a time that is absent from the experience of climbing into a metal canister and climbing out at your destination. If this is what you're looking for this summer, here are some tips to maintain the romance while minimizing the rigors of the road.

1. Clean your car before and during your trip.
Go ahead, leave the napkins and gum wrappers under your seat. Leave the receipts from your last business-related drive in the glove box. Don't sweat the dog hair in the back bed ... but you'll be sorry you did. A few days into your trip, when the old gum wrappers are joined by new fast food wrappers, when the glove box starts overflowing with hotel receipts and local maps, when dog hair starts sticking to your luggage and your gear, you'll rue the day you failed to pull out the Shop-Vac.

As your trip proceeds, take time every couple of days to purge your car of undesirable flotsam and jetsam. Even if you can tolerate some chaos (as I can), the accumulated junk and minor filth will start to drive you mad in the close quarters that define a road trip.

2. Have a loose plan.
Delays are the one thing that you can count on when driving significant distances. Admittedly, the archetypal "BRIDGE OUT" sign is a rare sighting these days, but the flashing "Road Work Ahead, Merge to One Lane" message is not. You don't have to have seen a lot of Chevy Chase movies to know that things aren't always going to go your way. If you overschedule your road trip, it is almost a lock that you will find yourself slogging the last few miles long after you had intended to be asleep, trying to cancel one hotel reservation so you can pay for another well short of your originally planned destination.

On the other hand, having no plan at all is only recommended for the most hardy souls. On a trip through New England a few years ago, our plan was simply to pull over when we got tired to crash in a hotel; after taking three exits without success, we finally stopped at a hotel at which the front desk person asked, "are you staying the whole night?" Ugh.

3. Get off the highways -- but beware the Blue Highways.
Unless you have a specific destination and a strict schedule, there is little point in hitting the roads to see the country if you don't spend some time on the back roads. However, some blue highways (as certain back roads were called in the popular book by William Least Heat-Moon) are not much more than endless strip malls. Most U.S. road maps have some indicator of whether a "back road" is an interesting one; the map I use most has small red dots along those roads recommended as scenic routes. I have found these recommendations to be fairly reliable; most have at least a few miles of interesting local scenery, offer driving experiences ranging from a rambling bucolic feel to truly stunning views of America the Beautiful, and pay off handsomely for those with the time, patience and inclination to wander a bit. However, that being said...

4. ...have an escape plan to get off country roads.
When I was a kid, my family took a trip down the East Coast by cutting inland to take the Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive is certainly beautiful and occasionally visually stunning, but after a few official overlooks and an intensifying bout of car sickness on the winding roads, the kids in the car were ready to come down from the hills. It was also fantastically slow going; average speeds were about 35 m.p.h., which, starting in New Jersey, gets you to Florida in about four days of 10-hour drives. After about 600 sharp turns surrounded by a whole lot of trees and mist, I-95 never looked so good.

5. Anticipate trouble spots.
If you are grinding out long miles on a road trip, it's not hard to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time -- like trying to cross the Hudson River at rush hour, or driving the long bridges to Key West on the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend. You'll want to plan ahead so you cross the Hudson at, say 10:30 a.m., or blast down to Key West on a Thursday.

5 1/2. Consider a satellite radio subscription.
The days of regional radio offering a musical or informational palette that you can't find anywhere else are almost all but gone, so tapping into the local vibe via radio is far less satisfying than it used to be. Were this not the case, I wouldn't recommend a satellite radio subscription. But it may be the traffic reports from major cities that tips the balance; if a city like New York or Los Angeles lies in between your car and your destination, you are going to need some timely traffic information to hope to beat the inevitable traffic congestion. XM features traffic and weather for about 80 cities; Sirius offers about 30.

Planning a Fantastic Road Trip

Planning a Fantastic Road Trip


Whether you want to hit the open road to find yourself or lose yourself along the way, keep in mind a road trip is all about you. You decide when to start and stop, you decide where to eat and sleep, you decide what is worth a second glance.
Road tripping isn't for everyone -- but even if you're accustomed to some hand holding, it still might be for you. Consider the possibilities: Maybe you tour Southern California in search of the country's best burrito, or your desire for the perfect fried clam takes you to New England. Maybe you're a baseball nut and want to visit the ballparks of the United States. Perhaps you're sick of package tours and you want to see where the road less traveled will take you. No matter what, you'll have an adventure as you explore what, quite literally, is just around the bend.

The Route
You can take any number of tried and true road trip routes, or let the road take you where it may. But no matter what, you'll need a starting point and a good map. The biggest mistake novice road trippers make, is "driving too many miles in one day." She suggests erring on the side of fewer miles per day. That way, if you see something that piques your interest or you get off course, you can feel free to relax and go with the flow.

While you can take a road trip and find adventure virtually anywhere, some routes remain perennially popular. I-95 from Maine to Florida, Highway 1 in California and Route 66 remain the top three choices for first-timers and experienced roadies alike. She warns, though, that people from the East Coast "seem to underestimate distances in the West," and as a result often find themselves behind schedule.

The Gear
First and foremost, you'll need a detailed road map and a good guidebook, preferably one written with road trippers in mind. A first-aid kit is also a smart purchase. What else you bring depends on your personality and your destination. If you're headed for a warm climate, be sure to bring plenty of water and keep it on hand throughout the trip. If you're headed for cooler climes, make sure you have plenty of cold-weather gear -- if your car breaks down and you have to wait for help, you'll be thankful for the extra pair of gloves in the back seat.

Bring your own pillow on trips for a little bit of luxury. "Even if you find yourself in a less-than-wonderful hotel," she said, "having your own pillow makes it a little bit nicer."

The Car
If you're driving your own car or borrowing from a friend, it's wise to have the oil changed and the wiper fluid checked. Check your tire pressure and make sure you have a spare, and double check that your roadside assistance is up-to-date and that you know what it covers.

If you're renting a car, consider your route when you book your rental. Sure, Highway 1 is gorgeous through the window -- but just imagine it in a convertible. If your trip is taking you to the mountains, consider an SUV. Do your homework and you may only end up paying a little more for a specialty car than you would for a compact. Consider also the number of passengers and find out how much luggage each person plans on bringing along for the ride. If you book your rental with a major credit card, you're probably at least partially covered with car insurance. Even so, call your creditor and be clear on exactly what is covered and what, if any, additional insurance you should purchase from the rental company.

Though it will cost a little more (usually around $5 to $10 per day), add at least one other person to the rental car contract. If one person is forced to do all the driving it is likely to cause tension along the way. Spouses are often covered free of charge.

The Companions
Your companions will likely affect you more than any other aspect of your road trip. For that , "it's important to have a conversation before the trip to figure out everyone's comfort levels." Though you'll "rarely completely agree," it is possible to strike a balance between planning and adventure, even if personality types differ.

If your companion will feel uneasy without hotel reservations each night while you'd just as soon sleep in the car, try and compromise. Maybe booking hotels in advance on certain nights of the trip but keeping your accommodation options open for others will make everyone happy. The clearer everyone is about travel style and expectations before hitting the road, the more successful your trip will be.

The Cost
Keep costs (and tempers) under control by striking a balance between dining in restaurants and eating from a cooler. Mix motels with camping out and bring plenty of snacks for those times you find yourself traveling long distances between meals. If you do stay at a hotel, a motel or even a hostel, be sure to load up on any free breakfast before you get back on the road.

A great way to make sure no one person absorbs the majority of shared costs is to establish a kitty before ever leaving your street. Have each person contribute the same amount of money and use that money to pay for gas, tolls and hotel rooms. That way no one person can be accused of not paying his or her fair share.

Gas Facts For Your Road Trip

Gas Facts for Your Raod Trip

Over the last few years, average gas prices in the U.S. have ranged from under $2 a gallon to well over $4 a gallon -- meaning that the cost of gas could have a major impact (either positive or negative) on your next trip budget. No matter what you're paying at the pump, we've come up with a few ways to help you trim your gas expenses.

Simple Stuff
1) Buy gas the day before you travel. You already know where the best gas deals are near your house or office, so you might as well purchase the first tank of your trip at a price you know and can control.

2) Empty out your ride. Leaving the 50-pound bag of dog food, the sack of grass seed, the immovable box of magazines headed for recycling, and more in your car on long trips adds weight to your car and gobbles up fuel at a rate of 1 - 2 percent per 100 pounds. Lighten your load before traveling to save money.

On the Highways
3) Choose an exit with several gas stations. You can usually tell these from the amenity signs on the highway leading up to the exit -- the ones that list several fast food joints, local diners, hotels and gas stations. If the sign lists two or more stations, you will often benefit from the simple fact that there is competition for your business.

Upon exiting, you'll typically see a sign reading:

Brand A - 0.1 mi -->
Brand B - 0.1 mi <--
Brand C - 0.8 mi -->

In this case, you may want to choose the station that is furthest from the exit ramp.

Typically, Brand C will have the lowest prices, simply due to the inability to gouge outsiders looking for a quick off-and-on fill-up (the locals often use this station).

Two things happen. First, it's cheaper. Second, it is often less crowded. The extra mile's drive will cost you a few cents, but you can sometimes recover that in the first few gallons, and ultimately save quite a bit if you are running on empty and fill your tank.

4) Use "official" rest stops -- like those named after founding fathers, football coaches, nurses, mythical figures and others surely lost to memory were it not for Wikipedia and New Jersey Turnpike rest areas. (Quick -- who is Joyce Kilmer? Anyone? Anyone?) Oddly enough, these official rest stops tend to have fairly competitive prices; perhaps it would be unseemly for a station enjoying the considerable benefits of a government highway contract to soak us with high gas prices while trapped on the costly side of toll booths.

When Renting a Car
Anyone who has filled the tank of their rental car at the station just outside the cluster of car rental companies knows that you can get truly soaked by waiting until the last minute. These folks know they are your Last Chance Texaco, and price-gouge accordingly. There are a couple of ways to win this game.

5) Your most reliable tactic is to check nearby gas prices on your way out of the airport/car rental zone just after you pick up the car -- this is when you should be thinking about saving money, not when you are returning the car and are under time pressure to make a flight. Then, when returning the car, consider purchasing your gas some distance from the rental return counter.

6) You can even pick the exact station at which you will purchase your gas on the way back in. Most rental companies require only that you fill the tank within 10 miles of the return lot; you will typically find much cheaper gas at this distance, out where real people buy gas for daily life. If you do this, get a receipt and take it with you to the counter as proof of purchase.

7) Even before getting in the car -- in fact even before booking the rental -- you may want to make the fuel efficiency of your chosen vehicle a priority. You can research fuel efficiency by car class, model, year and more at www.fueleconomy.gov. The dollar amounts aren't nothing -- the site mentions that "the difference between a car that gets 20 m.p.g. and one that gets 30 m.p.g. amounts to $550 per year (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $2.20)." And we all know that the $2.20 gallon of gas ain't likely coming back!

Driving Around
8) There are a gazillion ways to keep fuel consumption down when driving; here are just a few: Gas Prices Got You Down?

9) A recent study found that, when searching for parking spaces, people lose the most time and burn up the most fuel by trying too hard to get too close to the entrance of the store, restaurant or hotel they are visiting. Not only that, they found that the harder you tried to park up close, the longer you waited overall.

The results found that:
• People who drove to the first obviously available spot and walked, no matter how far from the entrance, tended to get to the entrance first and burn the least fuel.
• People who drove around looking for the best spot, then parked when they found one, tended to get to the entrance next, and burned more fuel.
• People who waited to see someone who was about to pull out of their spot, then sat and waited for them to pull out and pulled into the spot, tended to get to the entrance last, and burned the most fuel.

So park a little further away and save yourself time, burn less fuel and burn more calories.

Rental Car Tips

If most auto accidents occur within one mile of the departure or destination site, then most car rental auto accidents must occur within a few hundred feet of the car rental parking lot.

We've all done it -- hopped into the rental vehicle, started it up and headed out into the streets. Then, in the midst of airport traffic with buses bearing down on you and taxis nearly swiping you, you're trying to read utterly illogical signage as you start groping for knobs, posts, headlights, windshield wipers, window controls, defroster/heat controls, the radio seek button.

As you get your bearings, you find yourself making every error of every bad driver you've ever hated. To safely find your way into the big bad world in your next gutless rental car, follow this guide.

00:01
Check for scratches, dings, tears. If the car rental agent is circling your car with a pad making notes of scratches and blemishes, make sure you do the same. I've rarely failed to find a scratch or two that the agent missed, and if they're going to hold you to this process, you should do the same in return.

01:01
Start the car. Although it wastes gas and pollutes, you might find that allowing the car to warm up is a good call. It also affords you the opportunity to make sure the car is running fairly well, with no strange noises. Although most people take a good look for scratches and dings so they won't be charged upon return, they rarely check how the car is running.

01:15
Find and turn on heat/air-conditioning. This will allow the interior to heat up or cool down depending on the season while you get your bearings. A dark blue Neon is going to be blistering hot in the summer. Turn on the air-conditioning and let the car cool down while you continue your orientation program.

01:45
Consult your map. Car rental lots are often inconveniently located in the outer reaches of the airport loop road organism. If you take a wrong turn out of the lot, you may find yourself back at the baggage claim before you know it. Most car rental agencies will give you a map of the area that pinpoints the location of the rental lot; take out and consult this map, and formulate your intended route out of the car rental void and into the world. Next, hand the map to a copilot if you have one, who can conceive any enhancements to the plan.

04:15
Fix your mirrors. A quick adjust to the rear view won't do it -- you gotta deal with the side mirrors. If you’re traveling with someone, he or she can help. This will save you some heartbeats when you first have to merge into heavy traffic.

05:15
Figure out the radio. Despite the nonessential nature of the radio, this may be the most important step. In fact, more accidents are caused by drivers tinkering with radio dials than using cell phones. (In my case, the only accident I've ever caused occurred when I rear-ended a police car while rooting around for a cassette tape.)

For the quickest approach, turn on the radio, figure out how to program stations into memory, find the seek button and move on.

I encourage you to take your time with this -- although the corporatization and franchising of radio has rendered the public airwaves almost uniform from coast to coast, some vestige of regional character remains at both ends of the dial and on both bands.

07:15
Find the window controls. When you arrive at the first toll booth and you're fishing around for the controls, and doors are clicking open, windshield wipers are going on and off, and rear windows are going up and down, you'll thank me for saving you the embarrassment.

07:30
Find the turn signals. This one is usually pretty straightforward, and will be exactly where you expect it to be. With all the ergonomic "improvements" to auto interior spaces that have forced me to write this article, the location of the directionals has changed very little since I was learning to drive.

07:45
Find the windshield wipers. Do this before you figure out the lights. As the sun sets, you'll have plenty of time to discover how to turn the lights on and off. If it starts raining suddenly, you'll be frantically hitting buttons in search of your wipers.

08:00
Locate the lights. This is a two-step task.

1. Find the on-off switch. When an approaching police car starts flashing its lights at you to turn on your own lights, you can now do so before the cop is past you and he won't turn around and pull you over.

2. Figure out the high beams. When you turn on your lights and the high beams are on, you can now turn them down -- you can also give a "thanks!" or a "go ahead, I'm lost" flash to the guy who cuts you a break when you're trying to figure out how to drive this high-tech Neon.

08:30
Find the fuel latch. Save yourself the embarrassment of popping open the trunk during your first fill up at the pump by figuring out where the fuel cover latch is right now.

08:45
Check the emergency brake. Is it on? You don't want the car rental employees to pick up the smell of burning brakes even before you leave the lot. Find it and release it.

09:00
Put the car in gear and head for the exits.

10:00
Head out the driveway and into the world.

10:15
Say, "Darn it, which way do we go again? Where's that map? How do you put this window down? Could you fix that mirror?" Repeat.

Got it? Remember, it can get worse -- there's driving in the U.K.