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
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
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
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
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)