![]() It is certainly true many want to travel, but individuals cannot always afford the luxury to do so. Here are a few simple ways to save money and places to visit that will keep you focused on your trip and not how much you are spending. Start off with traveling in the off-seasons, this means to choose times of the year that airlines and hotels charge less for bookings. The most popular months for off-peak travel is September and October. Think about it, September is right after the summer season, kids are getting back into school, and not many people are looking to travel. Hotel prices lower if you book a hotel stay on weekdays, it is much less expensive than booking on weekends. Depending on the days of the week airline tickets will run cheaper on per say Tuesdays or Thursdays. If you are booking a vacation give yourself enough time to play around with your options to get the best prices. When you arrive at your destination if possible steer away from rental cars. Busses and trains, even walking will be much less costly in the long run. Depending on certain cities busses will be more affordable than trains. If cars are a must travel in a group to save money, buying four bus tickets will probably be more expensive in the long run. Be aware of where you park, if in an area with parking garages, it may be worth the extra mile walk to save some cash. Plus, walking is great exercise. Worried about food? This, in my opinion, is the time to indulge, however there are ways to do it right to save you an extra buck. Avoid hotel breakfast; try to find a local café or restaurant that serves better food for a better price. Not too hungry? Split an entrée or just go for an appetizer. Stick to water, in most cases it is free and you will need to keep hydrated with all the walking you are going to be doing. Most important look for a travel agency such as Crystal and Clear Travel who offers monthly payment plans to make your dream vacation affordable. Happy traveling!
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1. In crowded terminals or flights, try to find a buddy in line or in the seat next to you if traveling alone, so that you are watching his or her bags at the counter or on board and he or she is watching yours.2. When putting your carry on baggage through the x-ray belt, put your laptop last so that it comes out behind your other luggage, and with luck, about the same time you are cleared to pick it up-or, better yet, have a buddy that has cleared security keep an eye on your laptop until you have cleared security. 3. Put your luggage in the overhead bin across the aisle from you so that you can see that no one is opening your luggage during the flight. Overhead storage bins may not be able to hold very heavy objects during turbulence, so if you or another passenger is having trouble lifting an article into the bin, have it stored elsewhere. 4. Dress for comfort and safety-best protection from heat and fire is natural fiber (cotton, denim, leather, wool) so avoid synthetics and bear in mind that the safety slide is pretty rough material and the end has strips of Velcro, so a skirt and panties will not survive the trip down-women should use natural fiber slacks. 5. The safest seating is on the exit aisle in the back of the airplane-usually farthest from impact and farthest from explosive fuel. 6. The time for greatest concern is during take-off and landing so nonstop flights reduce exposure to these most accident-prone phases of flight. You should have an evacuation plan in mind-memorize how many rows to each exit point. Choose larger aircraft whenever possible, as they provide a better opportunity for passenger survival. Planes with more than 30 passenger seats are designed and certified under the strictest regulations. 7. Always carry a penlight flashlight for use in an emergency when no other source of light may be available. Follow directions from the flight crew and exit the aircraft as quickly as possible. 8. If you are traveling over water, make sure you know how to locate and don your life jacket or floatation device. The primary reason flight attendants are on an aircraft is for safety, so if one of them asks you to do something like fasten your seat belts, do it-ask questions later. 9. Carry your passport even on domestic flights. During a crisis, U.S. flights may be diverted to Mexican or Canadian airports and having a passport will facilitate the border crossing. 10. Don’t drink too much alcohol! The atmosphere in an airliner cabin is pressurized to about the same altitude as Denver, so any alcohol you consume will affect you more than at sea level. Moderation is a good policy at any altitude. Drinking non-caffeinated products is a good practice as well. Planning an anniversary getaway (particularly for one of the big anniversaries like a 10th or 25th) can be stressful. Taking time off work, making extravagant plans and then spending money on something often billed as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to rekindle the flame of romance can certainly be nerve-racking. But for seasoned travelers, perhaps the most difficult part is choosing where to go! Here are some tips for making an anniversary celebration unforgettable, memorable, but most of all, enjoyable.
Don’t try to be something you’re not An elaborate anniversary trip seems like the perfect time to do something out of the ordinary or even a little bit crazy – but don’t let yourself get carried away. If you know you’re really the kind of person who wants to lie on a beach for two weeks with your significant other, reading books, drinking cocktails, and talking for hours while watching the sunset, don’t guilt yourself into a trek to Machu Picchu just because you feel like you should. The true purpose of an anniversary trip is to celebrate that special union – something you can’t really do if you’re regretting your surroundings. Likewise, if you and your partner are true adventurers, then planning two weeks lying around on a beach doing nothing is going to be a challenge, too. Make sure you plan a vacation around something you can both enjoy doing together. That alone will make it something you’ll remember fondly. Choose a destination that allows you to stand out or blend in Are you the kind of people who want to be recognized and given a little bit of special attention for your anniversary? Granted, you can’t expect to be doused with free champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries wherever you go, but there are some perks to letting hospitality staff know you’re celebrating a special occasion. Popular anniversary locales like Hawaii and California are teeming with hotels that go out of their way to welcome anniversary travelers since they make up such a big part of their business. On the other hand, taking a vacation to a more remote or less popular location could give you the benefit of being a bit of a novelty and could mean a little extra attention from staff. It could also mean you could just disappear from the radar altogether, which is another romantic notion. Don’t forget to plan for extras Most of your budget will likely go towards accommodations and airfare, but don’t forget to leave a little bit of wiggle room for extras! Budget about 10 percent over what you think you’ll spend; it will give you the extra room to splurge on a nicer bottle of wine at dinner, or leave an extra generous tip for the hotel staff who gave you an upgraded room or a free bottle of champagne. If you don’t use that extra cash? Great! Save it for the next vacation. And if you do? You’ll know you were ready to, and you won’t stress about the credit card bill when you get home. If orange juice and multivitamins are your go-to staples for staying healthy while traveling, you may want to rethink your defense strategy.
Research shows that disease-causing bacteria can linger on airplane surfaces for up to a week, according to the American Society of Microbiology in Boston. The study tested if two types of bacteria that can lead to scary health problems – E. coli and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) – could survive in various places on a place like window shades, leather seats and plastic tray tables. Researchers exposed the pathogens to airplane-like conditions and found that MRSA survived a whole seven days on the seat-back pocket, and E. coli lasted four days on the armrest. But, even though porous materials like the seat-back pocket harbor germs for longer, you’re more likely to transmit bacteria to your hands when you come in contact with flatter, less porous surfaces like the plastic tray tables window shades, the study’s author, Kiril Vaglenov, said. The cloth tends to trap bacteria in the small fibers and makes it difficult for the bacteria to transfer to skin. Another germy place on an airplane is the bathroom, which is typically shared with 50 to 75 people on each flight, said University of Arizona Professor of Microbiology Charles Gerba, Ph.D. The sink and door handle can get pretty gross over the course of a long flight, and a lack of proper cleaning in between flights can contribute to the overall nastiness. “They turn planes over so fast, and there are no rules or requirements for disinfecting or cleaning airplanes,” Gerba told Women’s Health. “They pick up the litter, but they don’t really disinfect [planes]. Protect yourself on your next flight using Gerba’s tips: Use Hand Sanitizer It’s your best line of defense since most germs are picked up through direct contact. Make sure to bring hand sanitizer in your carry on and use it before eating and after using the restroom. Minimize Contact One of the most dreaded sounds on a flight is someone in proximity to your seat coughing profusely, but most viruses are transmitted through hand-to-face contact. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible, which adults do at an average of 16 times per hour. Wipe Down Your Tray “Everyone uses the trays to eat, drink and play cards,” Gerba said. In another study, he found norovirus and flu bacteria on tray tables. Pack disposable disinfectant wipes and wipe down your tray before using it. There is no doubt that all of the Hawaiian Islands are beautiful and amazing to explore and that is what makes it so hard to choose. From the lush landscape of Kauai to the populated island of Oahu, there are so many amazing activities to do. Whether you are down to relax on the beautiful beaches or go zip lining through the forest, there is an island for you.
Oahu is a history rich and largely populated island. It is home to Pearl Harbor and the legendary north shore where surfing began. Waikiki has plenty of activities for all ages. For the whole family there is the Honolulu Zoo, Pearl Harbor, and the Waikiki Aquarium. For the more adventurous there is dive tours, zip lining, and surfing. For the laid back individuals there are sailing tours, beachside dining, and world class shopping. Maui is a picturesque island known for its stunning sunsets and lush landscape. The island has amazing hiking and biking tours through its national parks. In the winter see majestic whales migrating in the ocean waters. For active individuals kayak or canoe in the crystal clear waters. This island is great for family trips too, being that there are plenty of family activities to do. Kauai is the definition of a tropical paradise. Take a helicopter tour and soar over the lavish waterfalls and green landscape. Whether it is the whole family or a romantic couples trip, relax on the beautiful beaches. Horseback ride or take a four-wheeler threw the scenic locations of you favorite movies such as Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Wind down from these activities with a Luau in the evening. Hawaii or the Big Island is the largest of all the islands. Tour the Kilauea volcano and view the amazing flowing lava. Learn the Hawaiian culture on the island where it all began. If you love the outdoors visit the Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park and explore the grounds including the Great Wall and the scared temple Hale o Keawe Heiau that is guarded by wooden images of gods called fierce kii. Whether you visit the amazing black sand beaches, swim with manta rays, or explore natural wonders and the history of the island, there will definitely be something for everyone to do. Lanai & Molokai are extremely enticing islands. These island is great for couples looking for an easygoing romantic getaway. No itinerary is needed here. The island is all about peaceful paradise. Both of these islands have yet to been taken over by the crazy amounts of tourists. |
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