Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tuesday Travel Tips, February 24th, 2009

There appears to be a strong correlation between sitting for many hours in a cramped airline seat (or bus, car or train seats) and the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the legs, a condition which has been tagged "Economy Class Syndrome" by some travel writers.
Studies are now being undertaken to examine the full extent of this connection, but physicians generally agree that sitting still for three hours or more, especially if the seat cushion presses against the bottom of the thighs, encourages blood to stagnate in the lower portion of the legs. This may cause swelling, stiffness, joint pain and fever, and increases the odds that a blood clot could form in the veins. This blood clot could then break loose and travel to the lungs where it could constrict the flow of blood to the lungs, creating a pulmonary embolism that could result in severe health problems or even death. Embolisms can occur hours, or even days after the clot is formed.
While the risk is small for most healthy people, many airlines are issuing warnings to their passengers both on their websites and when long-haul tickets are purchased. In addition, some airline sites offer exercise routines that can be performed while seated to keep the blood flowing. The following tips will help keep you in circulation:
Drink lots of water, and avoid beverages that dehydrate (coffee, tea, alcohol)
Avoid salty food; snack instead on healthy foods to encourage good circulation
Wear support socks that apply the proper amount of compression to the lower legs
Get up and move around the aircraft cabin occasionally (aisle seats make this easier)
Exercise your feet and legs four to five minutes every hour when seated.
If your legs are not long enough for your feet to rest comfortably on the floor, use a footrest or prop your feet on your carry-on bag. This will reduce seat pressure on the back of your thighs that may inhibit circulation.
If your legs are long, try to board at the first announcement to increase the odds that your carry-on luggage can be stowed in the overhead bin, allowing you to take advantage of all available leg space.
For extra comfort and protection from swelling and DVT, alternating pressure seat cushions enhance circulation by shifting the pressure points where your body comes in contact with the airline seat.
Of course, if a traveler is currently suffering from circulation problems or has a history of blood clots, a physician should be consulted prior to flying.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Travel Tip Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

1. Be sure and carry a jacket with you onto the airplane, they generally keep the cabins very cold and that would be a long miserable trip if you cannot get warm.
2. There will be instructions in your documents stating when and where your tour guide will greet you and you will join the group. We will go over these documents together in person, phone or via e-mail @ groupspecialist@hotmail.com
3. You are going to need a travel plug converter in order to use any of your electronics over seas.
DO NOT PLUG IN ANY OF THEM WITHOUT USING THE CONVERTER YOU WILL FRY YOUR APPLIANCE, CAMERA, PHONE, CURLING IRON, HAIR DRYER, ETC. You can pick one up at Wal-Mart or a retail store near you.
4. When ever you go away from your hotel,
EACH OF YOU SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO GRAP A BUSINESS CARD FROM THE FRONT DESK THAT HAS THE HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS ON IT. DO THIS REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE GOING OUT ON YOUR OWN OR WITH THE GROUP.
With this information you will always to able to get back to your hotel with no problems.
5. Do not leave any cash in your rooms when you leave. Each of you should keep a little cash in different areas on your person. Each of you should also have a credit card.
6. You should have two credit cards (Different accounts)
7. Always make sure that you have your passport on your body whenever you leave your hotel rooms.Do not leave them in your rooms, not even just to go eat.
8. Be sure and have your Trip Insurance information with your other travel documents on your person when traveling. Hopefully you will not need them, but if you do you will have no worries. If you face any problems, Illness, missed flight, lost luggage there is contact numbers for you to call. Do this right away! And you can always contact me through my web site at www.dmttravel.com from any location.
9. If you want to purchase souvenirs during your trip I would try to use your credit card as much as possible. That way you have proof of purchase, and tracking if a problem arises.
I will continue to come up with as many of these tips as I can to make your travel experience
A GREAT ONE. Thank you for your business
Call Today to book your dream vacation or destination wedding.
Donna Touchette 928-757-3368 or 928-377-3923

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tuesday Travel Tips, February 10,2009

Things to know before you go
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 @www.dmttravel.com 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.
7. You will only be allowed one suitcase not weighing over 50 pounds, one carry on and a purse or small brief case type item. If you go over the weight restrictions the airlines will charge you big.
Tour companies only allow one suit case per person on the bus.
8. If you are parking yourself at the airport, please remember to write down where you parked and place it somewhere handy that you will remember. When you return home you are going to be very tired and trying to remember this stuff is just too hard.
If you are arranging other transportation to and from the airport be sure and have their contact information, so you can get in touch if you need to. I would give them a call when you return to the states before your connecting flight takes off to touch base and review your pickup details.
More of What you need to know before you go next week, If you have any questions now please contact me through http://www.dmttravel.com/
Talk to you soon
Donna Touchette

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Travel Tip Tuesday January 27,2009

Ok , For the last few weeks I have hopefully provided you with a lot of helpful information for traveling with your pets. If you need more details or need additional information please contact me at http://www.dmttravel.com/.
I am attaching several 800 number for the airlines, when planning to travel with a pet always call the airlines and talk to them direct to find out all their rules and regulations concerning your pets travel.
• Air Tran Airways - 800-247-8726
• American Airlines - 800-433-7300
• Continental Airlines - 800-525-0280
• Delta Air Lines - 800-221-1212
• Jet Blue Airways - 1-800-JETBLUE
•Midwest Airlines - 800-452-2022
• Northwest Airlines - 800-225-2525
•Pan Am Airways - 800-359-7262
•Southwest Airlines - 800-435-9792
•Spirit Airlines - 800-772-7117
•United Airlines - 800-241-6522
• US Airways - 800-428-4322
Next week I will start on a new subject which I hope you will find interesting.
In the mean time have a great week and will talk to you soon , same time same place!!
Donna

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Travel Tip Tuesday January 20, 2009

Continue Travel Tips for your Pets:
Do not give your pet tranquilizers unless they are prescribed by your veterinarian. Make sure your veterinarian understands that the prescription is for air travel.• Do not feed your pet for four to six hours prior to air travel. Small amounts of water can be given before the trip. If possible, put ice cubes in the water tray attached to the inside of your pet's kennel. A full water bowl will only spill and cause discomfort.• Try not to fly with your pet during busy travel times such as holidays and the summer. Your pet is more likely to undergo stress during hectic travel periods.• Carry a leash with you so that you may walk your pet before check-in and after arrival. Do not place the leash inside the kennel or attach it to the outside of the kennel• When you arrive at your destination, open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place and examine your pet. If anything seems wrong, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Get the results of the examination in writing, including the date and time.
Please visit www.dmttravel for more tips
Donna

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Travel Tip Tuesday January 13th, 2009

Continue Pet Travel:
Use direct flights.•Always travel on the same flight as your pet. Ask the airline if you can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded below the cabin.•When you board the plane, notify the captain and at least one flight attendant that your pet is traveling with you and whether your pet is with you or below the cabin. If the captain knows that pets are on board, he or she may take special precautions.• Do not ship pug-nosed dogs or cats such as Pekingese, Chow Chows, and Persians in the cargo hold. These breeds have short nasal passages that leave them vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke in cargo holds.• If traveling during the summer or winter months, choose flights that will accommodate the temperature extremes, particularly if your pet is traveling below the cabin.• Fit your pet with a collar that can't get caught in carrier doors. Affix two pieces of identification on the collar—a permanent ID with your name and home address and telephone number and a temporary travel ID with the address and telephone number where you or a contact person can be reached.• Affix a travel label to the carrier with your name, permanent address and telephone number, final destination, and where you or a contact person can be reached as soon as the flight arrives.
Please visit http://www.dmttravel.com/ for more travel tips for your pet and yourself.
Donna

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Pet Travel :Travel Tip Tuesday January 6, 2009

Happy New Year.
Because we all love our pets so much for a few weeks I would like to talk about traveling with them.
I will post a few ideas each week, but if you are intending to travel soon with your pet please visit my site at www.dmttravel.com/pet.html for all the information fast.
If you decide to take your pet with you when you go abroad, you should check with the embassies of the destination countries as to specific requirements that must be met before a pet may be brought into the country. Many countries have strict health, quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and prohibitions. A listing of foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. is available on the Department of State’s website at http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm. Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found on the Country Specific Information for each country.
Note: In a crisis in which chartered or military aircraft or ships are used to evacuate Americans from a danger area, pets will not normally be permitted on the carrier. The pet owner will need to make other arrangements in order to remove the pet from the area. (Service animals, such as guide dogs, are not considered pets and will be accommodated if possible.)
Next week will be talking about what you need to know to have your pet travel on an airplane.
For all your travel needs please visit me at www.dmttravel.com