Practical Travel

Saving Money Abroad

Mon, 05 May 2008 22:59:07 PST

It's a tough time for Americans in Europe. Not only are stereotypes making us hesitant to say we're from the good ol' US of A, but rising exchange rates are making it tough to travel on a budget. And for us undergrads working on minimum wage, a European vacation seems like just a distant dream.

How Much to Bring

I recently traveled to The Netherlands with my school's study abroad program. The first thing they told us? Save. We would be abroad for four months and although room and board were provided to us by our school during the week, on weekends we'd be on our own. When I arrived in The Netherlands in fall 2007, the exchange rate was about $1.50 American dollars to one Euro and $2.00 American dollars to the British pound. This means you should expect to lose at least a third of your money just in exchange rates.

They suggested to us to use credit cards, as this will give you the best exchange rate. I found that doing this often led to high fees for overseas use. It's a good resource if you're buying in bulk, but for small purchases keep cash on hand. Get foreign money at your bank beforehand, they will give you the best exchange rate. Use ATM's when you need cash abroad, and avoid cash exchange booths that can rip you off.

I found that $5,000 was sufficient for me for four months, but even if you're just going for a week I would suggest having at least $1,000. You never know what expenses will come up, and with the exchange rate constantly fluctuating, it's a good idea to have extra cash on hand.

Getting Around

My program encouraged us to travel on the weekends and gave us each a Eurail pass that would enable us to travel most of Europe. You can obtain these passes via the Eurail website for anywhere from 10 days to three months. Though they're a bit pricy, it's a good investment if you'll be traveling to three or more countries. Otherwise you'll have to pick up tickets as you go, which can lead to complications and a general hassle. Also, a two hour train ride can cost as much as $50.

If you need to use an airline, Ryanair is Europe's leading bargain flight. The airports are a bit out of the way, but with the price of a ticket starting at $30 American dollars, it's definitely worth the extra bus ride. It's a flight devoid of luxury, but it gets you to your destination for cheap.

Where to Stay

Forget the horror movies, Hostels are the backpacker's best friend. Websites like Hostelworld list hostels in particular cities that cost as little as $10 per night. Some even include breakfast and discounts on tours. You'll probably have to share a room with other guests, but for the most part hostels are safe and reliable. Just make sure to book in advance, because of their cheap price they fill up quickly.

Eating

I found that in each city I visited, there were certain foods that were necessary to sample. However, most foods that are popular to a particular place (think: Belgian waffles in Brussels, Gyros in Athens) have multiple restaurants that serve the dish. Don't just go to the first place you see, shop around to get the best price. A four star restaurant may serve a Welsh Rabbit (grilled ham and cheese) that is just as delicious as the pub down the street.

Also, limit yourself to one special dinner per place you visit, or even just per week. It will save you money and there's no shame in eating fast food every now and then. Also, grocery stores can be a cheap way to get a good meal. What's more romantic than wine, bread, and cheese in a French park? The atmosphere is free, and the food is a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere!

Following these tips you'll be able to have a fun and exciting European vacation on a budget. Make sure to take as many pictures as possible and keep your valuables and passport on you at all times. Happy travels!

10 Inside Travel Tips You Need to Know

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:07:56 PST

Arrive to the airport at LEAST an hour early.
As airlines cut their staffing to cope with the rising fuel costs, the first place to cut is in the lobby where you check in. Per the contract you enter when you purchase a ticket, you agree to be in the boarding area within 20 minutes of departure, or your seat will be given away. By cutting lobby staff instead of gate staff, the flight does not face an increased risk of a delay and any passengers who miss their flight are not offered any compensation and are likely going to be put on standby for flights throughout the day.
Check-in online as soon as possible.
Most of the time, this is within 24 hours of departure. People who check in earlier can choose better seats and are more likely to get a seat assignment. If you check in and aren't given a seat assignment, this probably means the flight is oversold and the agents will be relying on mis-connects and no-shows to get you on-board.
Sign up for mileage programs.
Even if you don't travel often and aren't particularly loyal to any airline. Membership will give you status above those without it. Additionally, some programs let you store seat and meal preferences in your account so you're much more likely to get the seat you want (aisle or window) without even having to ask for it.
Remove batteries before flight.
Gillette razors and electronic toothbrushes can turn on during the baggage sorting and loading process and cannot be loaded onto an aircraft. If your bag is unlocked, an agent will probably open your bag to remove the batteries. If you lock it - even if you use a TSA approved lock - the agents cannot turn off the device and your bag will remain at the airport until it stops vibrating so it can be loaded.
NEVER loose your cool with an airline employee.
It'll never be in your interest. Agents actually have a lot of control over your experience and are willing to go the extra mile for those who they really feel sorry for. Nobody feels sorry for somebody who is being loud, rude, or threatening. That's the best way to get the middle seat in a row where the televisions and audio doesn't work... or to be put on standby instead of receiving a confirmed seat on the next flight... or being charged fees... or not receiving compensation for whatever issue you encountered. Seriously, be nice and you are much nicer to get what you want.
Watch your alcohol consumption at the airport.
Too many people miss their flights because they're too drunk to go - especially those who are stuck at the airport for a while and think they have nothing better to do. Airline employees must stop passengers who seem to be intoxicated from flying, so limit consumption on the ground. Have your drinks in the air.
Don't take stuff you don't really need.
Okay, so you have heard this tip before, but I have to emphasize this because you will be heavily fined for having too many bags or bags that are over 50 lbs. We're talking $25 for a second bag, and $100 for a third and fourth on most airlines. Or $100 for an overweight bag - and the fines will be cumulative. So if your second bag is 55 lbs, it will cost you $125.
Don't even try to carry on more than one roller-board and 1 personal item (purse, laptop, etc).
The airlines are anticipating a surge in carry on luggage to avoid the new baggage fees, so countermeasures are being implemented. If you try to board with more than 1 suitcase and personal item, you may be sent back to the lobby to check the other items. Yes, you will miss your flight and will be put on standby if the next flight is full. Or you could be charged at the gate. And if you're one of the last people to board, you could be denied boarding for not following regulations and the terms of your contract of carriage.
Make sure you're at the right gate.
Hundreds or thousands of people miss their flights every day because they don't check the departure boards on the concourse - especially at large airports and hubs. NO, the gate number on your ticket is not always accurate. NO, you will not be compensated for missing your flight because nobody told you about a gate change.
Do everything you can to be at the gate at least 15 minutes before departure.
RUN, do NOT stop to use the restroom, and most importantly do NOT stop for food. Your seat can be given away (and you will not be compensated) if you're not in the gate area or aboard within 20 minutes before departure. If you show up to the gate with an ice cream cone or chicken nuggets in your hands and you're within 10 minutes of departure, you're probably not going to make it. Airlines have a policy of closing the door 10 minutes before departure so they can leave on-time. Agents will make exceptions, but not if you're dragging your feet or wasting time. They can get in trouble for a delay, and if your Big Mac is more important than making a flight on-time, that's your choice. Harsh, but true!

Why I Love the Beach

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:02:33 PST

A beach vacation is what I really need right now. After giving birth to my daughter, the opportunity has not arisen for the entire family to have fun at the beach. Why do I love the beach compared to other destinations? Here are 10 reasons why I simply love hanging out at the beach.

Sun
It's not that I don't get much sun where I live. In fact, we get a lot of sun here. But when you go on a beach vacation, you don't get too bothered when the sun gets too hot. You enjoy it. Over here, when the sun gets too hot, we complain that we perspire profusely since we have things to do and places to go.
Sea
What is it about the sea that has a calming effect? I could just sit at the beach and watch the wide expanse ahead of me. The waves makes you feel like you are being swept away into paradise. You forget about all the stresses at work and simply enjoy the water lapping at your feet as you focus your vision into the horizon.
Sand
I love stepping into soft white sand. Walking on a sandy beach is my favorite. Whenever we go on a beach vacation, we will walk the length of the beach from one end to the other. It can be tiring because your feet has to walk on uneven surface as you plunge into the soft sand at every step. But I still love it. I can't wait to make sandcastles with my daughter. I think she'll love it too.
Sky
Why is it that the sky is so blue whenever we are on a beach vacation? Why is the sky not so blue where I live? I have always wondered about that. Is it only me who thinks that way? It's just so different. At the beach, there doesn't seem to be a single cloud in the sky and you could really enjoy the clear blue sky. Unlike where I live, the sky is often filled with clouds, sometimes threatening to rain.
Seagulls
Seagulls are fascinating creatures to look at. They will fly high and suddenly swoop down into the water and catch a fish in its beak. How do they do that? It's amazing.
Sunbathe
I love to show off my tanned skin after a beach vacation. It helps put a little color into my fair skin. I don't like to just lie around sunbathing, I like to do other things in the sun such as read a book, eat an ice-cream or swim. Seeing my sunburnt cheeks at the end of the day gives me great satisfaction.
Swim
I'm not a good swimmer. So, normally if I'm at the beach, I will just play in the water, feed the fishes with bread or try to look for my husband who has dived into the water and has not surfaced for awhile.
Sunrise and Sunsets
Why do I get so excited to wake up early in the morning to catch the first glimpse of the sun as it rises? But I don't feel that strong urge when I'm at home. And at the end of the day at the beach, watching the sun slowly disappear in the horizon winds down the beautiful day.
Seafood
Another thing I must have whenever I'm at the beach is the seafood. It's nothing like having great barbecued crabs, prawns and fish at the beach. Yummy!
Solitude
But the great thing about the beach is the feeling of solitude, even if you're with someone you love. You just feel at one with God's greatest gift of nature. Your mind breaks free and you feel calmer and more relaxed. That's why I love the beach so much.

Fly Away! The Ultimate Guide to Budget Airlines Travel

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:13:55 PST

In the past, traveling by air was often considered a luxury because of the fact that airplane tickets cost such a substantial amount of money. Now, almost everyone can allow themselves to fly to their desired destination with the lowest airfares available. Using these great tips and links, airfare packages have never been easier to find cheaply

The concept of low cost airfares is not surprising, and it has become a new trend and phenomenon in the world of traveling. This concept has been well received by low and medium income families who can now also fly to their desired destinations. The foremost aim of the low cost airfare concept is to enable even more people to travel a great deal more often.

How Can Airlines Offer Such Low Cost Airfares?

The low-cost airline's main mission is to offer a more inexpensive, convenient and simpler form of transportation to its travelers. To achieve this mission, the airlines have to cut their costs to a minimum by eliminating some unnecessary expenditure.

The main feature of low cost carriers is that their airfares are extremely lower than other big-scale airline companies. In Europe, for example, their airfares are half or less than that the larger airline company's airfares. Many of these airfares are often lower than train tickets. Despite lower airfares, the profits of these airlines are often higher than larger airlines, with their sales profits going as high as 20 to 30%.

Low cost carriers do not use the major airports, instead they fly to and from secondary airports that are not necessarily the busiest. These secondary airports usually have lower operating costs than bigger major airports. Furthermore, the secondary airports are less congested and their “turnaround times” are shorter for the flights. Many European cities have more than one airport and for many small cities that are adjacent to the major cities, they often have their own airports. Because Europe's railways and highways use a very developed network, the passengers do not usually feel any inconvenience if the airports are located a little farther away from the major cities.

Low-cost carriers maintain lower labor costs because they mainly engage in short-distance business trips, and the pilots and crews do not stay overnight. Their wages are much lower than larger airline companies, and yet the average flying time is much longer. As the routes are allocated for only 2 to 3 hours for the short-haul flights, passengers are not usually provided with free meals. All foods and drinks sold are an addition.

No seats are reserved or allocated for passengers and so they will have to take any seats available, but luggage is allowed to be checked-in and taken on board.

The seating space in the plane is usually narrowed to allow more space for accommodating more passengers on board the flight. In this manner, their revenue can help in boosting their profits by at least 10%. Because flights are generally shorter, the passengers can easily accept the narrow distance between the seats.

These low cost airlines usually sell their air tickets via travel agents, travel-based search engines, and the internet, and do not need to rent a huge office space which may incur higher costs. By booking flights via internet or through an airline's call center, you do not have to pay a travel agent any commission, which would otherwise increase the airfares. You will end up saving even more money by not using travel agents to book a reservation.

Most low cost carriers cut their costs because no arrangements are made with any airline companies on flight transfers or connecting flights which would otherwise be reflected in the airfares. They employ pilots, flight attendants, operations personnel and mechanics who are specialized in a single type of aircraft, which saves the expenditure of re-training the staff, instead of maintaining a stock with parts for different types of aircraft. These are some of the reasons why the pricing is more affordable, economic and extremely low.

7 Essential Tips To Getting Low Cost Airfares

The low cost airline companies will catch your attention with extremely low airfares banners or advertisements that require you to book the tickets 6 or 9 months ahead of the traveling date. You have to grab these opportunities by making a reservation from their respective websites. These airfares get sold very fast.
Once the tickets are sold out, the low-cost seats will not be available anymore and you will have to pay more if you purchase the ticket later. You have to book the ticket immediately as it will last only 24 hours. In other words, you have to plan your trip earlier and book the ticket in advance. By doing this, you may be able to get the best deal that is worth every penny.
Now, you need to get a list of low cost airlines. You may use the suggested list attached in this article to choose your desired traveling destinations. E-mail the airlines to obtain some details on when their companies offer a promotional trip package, when the low cost airfares are on sale, and when to look for seasonal or discounted airfares. Once you get a list from them, you can familiarize yourself with the low cost airlines that fly from your local or nearby airport to your desired destination. This information may also be included on your local airports website.
With these e-mail lists at hand you will be one step closer to getting to know which new destinations are launched that can generally offer discounted or low airfares as an added promotion to attract tourists to visit those places. They also offer numerous packages which can include car rentals and hotels. This way, you can save money instead of paying for each particular aspect of the flight individually.
Browse through the dates on low airfare searches in order to find out how much you can save. You will be surprised to find out that the rates for weekdays, weekends, school holidays, public holidays and seasonal holidays all have different rates. You should try to travel during the off-peak seasons in order to get the discounted or low cost airfare packages.
Because flights are usually not fully occupied during the off season, you will receive better discounts. The airfare in general, is also less for morning flights than for evening flights because the airlines want to make sure the flight will be fully occupied before the plane takes off.
In some cases, you will have to be patient while you wait for the release of cheap airfares. Some big airlines buy tickets in bulk and resell them at lower rates through the internet. This is because they want to sell as many tickets as they can to make sure that their flights are fully occupied.

It is important to do some research trying various sources while looking for cheap airfares. The information is usually available at sites set up by airlines, travel agencies, or travel-based search engine sites. Internet is by far the best option to let you to search through as many sources in the fastest and most most effective way to let you obtain all the information you want. Search engines like Kayak, Expedia, Travelocity or Mobissimo enable you to search travel sites for the cheapest fares by simply entering the date of travel and the destination. After you hit the Search button, all related flights information will be displayed on the screen. If you are happy with the airfare, you can book your ticket immediately.

Remember, do not make a quick decision. You should always check on multiple search engines like Kayak, Cheapflights, Iwantthatflight, Attitudetravel, Qixo, Whichbudge, Cheapair, SKYSCANNER, Wikipedia or Bookingbuddy to compare the airfares. The travel agencies can have prices much higher or much lower than another. Make sure that you check with the airlines about whether the airfare includes routes (direct flights, stopovers or connecting flights), refunds or extra charges, and if their rules for cancellations before buying the tickets suits you.

A hotel plus air package is often worth buying because the prices are offered at a rate lower than the airfare without the hotel accommodations. Lastminute.com has been found to have some of the the best deals in this field. The Travelocity who owns Lastminute is one of the best options for you to book your last minute travel reservations while still helping you save money.

Always make sure that you keep abreast of the different airfares offered by various airlines companies. The prices fluctuate like the stock market and the airlines may update their domestic fares up to two or three times a day. If you are serious about saving your money, you should really check them out regularly.

Try to combine two separate fares rather than buying an individual airfare which will probably cost you more. Travelocity or another travel-based search engine may provide you with even more information regarding combining fares.

Where to Get an Affordable, Economic and Low Cost Airfare?

The links below offer some of the lowest operating costs for airlines in Africa, Asia, Europe, America, Middle East and Oceania regions and were compiled from various resources.

AFRICA REGION

Morocco

Nigeria

South Africa

AMERICA REGION

Argentina

LAPA

Brazil

Columbia

Canada

Mexico

United States

Uruguay

ASIA REGION

Bangladesh

China

Indonesia

Japan

South Korea

Malaysia

Pakistan

Philippines

Singapore

Sri Lanka

Mihin Lanka

Thailand

Vietnam

Pacific Airlines

EUROPE REGION

Austria

Belgium

Brussels Airlines

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Smart Wings

Denmark

Sterling Airlines

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Wizz Air

Iceland

Italy

Latvia

AirBaltic

Netherlands

Norway

Norwegian Air Shuttle

Poland

Romania

Blue Air

Russia

Slovakia

SkyEurope

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Flybaboo

Turkey

United Kingdom

MIDDLE EAST REGION

Kuwait

Jazeera Airways

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

OCEANIA REGION

Australia

New Zealand

I hope this article will be useful and helpful for those who wish to find the cheapest airfare available. Bon Voyage!

Poutine: The Greatest Canadian Invention

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:27:25 PST

What about insulin? Or Basketball? Or what about an invention created by a Quebec pit-stop owner creating a "bloody mess" truly be the Greatest Canadian Invention? Of course, it's Poutine, the heart-attack in a bowl.

Some people may believe that poutine is a "laughable" invention, unfit to be called more than a recipe for food. However, don't we need food to survive? Sure, there are other (and more healthier) food choices out there, but poutine is different. We have many other types of food out there, but how many others are instantly recognizable to being Canadian? So already we have something that makes people think of Canada. People don't really do that kind of thing with something like basketball, or insulin.

Also, even though it is packed FULL of calories, that could be beneficial to many people out there. Body-builders, for example. A serious body-builder will need to consume roughly about 10,000 calories a day for their demanding lifestyle. Poutine is chocked full of what they need, in a meal not too big for them to finish. It probably doesn't have 10,000 calories in it (what would be horrible), but it has enough for them for one meal at a consumption rate of 10,000 calories per day.

Poutine has many other abilities, such as creating many very enthused poutine enthusiasts, traveling Canada to find Poutine in as many places as possible. You can only see things like this in sports, such as football. There's probably not people out there who go to as many stores as they can, trying to find many different types of UV degradable plastics out there on the market. People buy deep fryers, special fries, imported cheese curds, and grade A brand gravy made with a secret recipe, just to have a delicious bowl of grease.

So, there you have it. Insulin helps diabetes victims, the light bulb helps us see, and the telephone helps us talk to each other from great distances. But can those three inventions instantly be thought of as a Canadian invention? How about a pivotal device for body builders? Or how about having a cult following? No? What if you put them all together? Still not one thing? They're all great inventions in their own respects, but poutine has so much to offer to those to dare to go out on a limb and give it a go, reaping it of it's rewards to the public.

Right Site, Perfect Summer: Top Five Sites for Planning a Vacation

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 11:22:25 PST

Summer is just around the corner, if not already here for some. What to do, where to go, and most importantly, how to get there? Whether you would like to save your money and travel economically or splash out on that crazy, most exclusive holiday, below you will find some of the top internet sites that will help you in organizing your perfect vacation.

1.

This site compares all ticket pricing with results from practically every airline around the world. In regards to some of the features that presented Kayak as being the number one travel search engine are various ways of distribution and time schedule elements that reflect on changes made in the recommendations.

2.

Like the above site of Kayak, Farecast is also very efficient with finding tickets from all airlines, but it focuses very highly on time-scheduling. The bonus using this site is a continuous follow up after changes have been made concerning flight rates and recommendations on bookings. Approximately a third of the recommendations are accurate.

3.

Different reviews from net surfers and experts in the field concerning hundreds of airports all around the world, make this site a highly reliable one. Up to 288,000 comparisons and reviews on the site are in regards to the different scale-parameter, where you will find such topics as the quality of seats, service on the plane, among other such features that may help you decide which airline is best to fly with and what route is economically viable to take.

4.

This site offers you 75 different airline companies to order and buy tickets from, and is considered one of the more dependable sites to find cheaper tickets, especially in and around Europe. According to some magazine reviews, Wegolo has managed to become one of the more successful sites, compared to other competitive sites, when trying to find the cheapest routes. The site also offers different hotel options and comparisons as well as the preference of renting a car.

5.

This site is the main ring of the 1,001 most expensive and luxurious hotels around the world, which also includes individual villas and suites, as well as lavish rooms on-board grand cruise ships. Magazine editors recommend however to be patient when going about booking through LuxuryLink as waiting may sometimes save you up to 50% on the cost for accommodation.

How Not to Get Ripped Off with Car Rentals

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:06:30 PST

I think if people don't know any better, they should stay clear of renting a car. Either get educated or settle for the local transportation.

The first thing I tell people is don't pay the asking price. That means, don't just walk up to a car rental counter and ask for the price. You will always get ding'd if you do that. Instead, find a computer that is connected to the internet and book it online.

If you are looking for a cheap rental, check out Dollar, Thrifty, Budget and Enterprise. Each of these companies provide pretty new vehicles at their locations for a low rate.

The first place when you reach the company's website to check is their Specials page. Depending on how long you need your vehicle, check if there are any dollar savings off a weekend, weekly or monthly rate. Most of these specials are in the form of a promo code or discount code. Take note of it before you leave the page.
If you work for a large corporation, check with your company and see if they have a preferred car rental agency and what the discount is. Most large corporations have corporate accounts with Hertz or Avis, and not any of the discount ones that I have listed. With the right corporate code, you may be able to get better rates with their companies or you may get special privileges. I would compare the prices with these discount companies just to see which one offers the better deal.
If you don't have a corporate code then ask your friends if they know of any. For example, if you belong to Costco, they have codes for Alamo, Budget, Avis and Hertz. And if you golf and belong to the USGA, you can use their special code for Hertz. (I believe the last time I looked, the code was printed on the USGA site under benefits.) Having a code will save you up to 25% off your total rental costs.
When you pick up your car, stay firm on your booking. Because their rates are substantially discounted, they will try to encourage you to upgrade the vehicle for an additional cost. Or if they ran out of the size that you had booked for, they will try to charge you for a larger size car. Either way, stay firm and demand that they honor your booking.
Check with your car insurance company and credit cards to see if there are any car rental coverages that are included. For instance, most gold credit cards offer comprehensive coverage on car rentals. This will save you up to $10 per day if you decline the coverage from the car rental agencies but remember to use the gold card to pay for the rental. Also, some car insurance policies allow you to take the coverage you have on your home vehicle and transfer it to the rental car. This could potentially save you another $20 per day.

I personally take no coverage when I rent because my AllState insurance allows me to take my coverage and transfer it to the car rental and my gold American Express card covers the liability. I have to stay firm at the counter, and decline their coverages and not flinch when they say I am responsible for the whole car in case something happens to it. I know AllState and American Express are behind me on it.

How to Deal with the End of Vacation Blues

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:27:20 PST

You've just returned from your relaxing dream vacation spent lying on pristine beaches, sleeping late, and sipping fruit smoothies. Now it's back to the every day grind of six o'clock wake up calls and the demands of your not so stress free job. You may understandably experience a let down after enjoying a carefree week of sun and sand. What can you do to offset those end of vacation blues and make your transition back to your job less traumatic?

Give Yourself a Day or Two For Recovery

When you return from vacation, give yourself an additional day or two off the work schedule so you'll have a chance to recover and reorganize the items you took on vacation. If you return to work the next day, you'll probably feel stressed and disorganized. A day spent house cleaning before returning to work can be relaxing and satisfying and it can make the first day back feel less foreboding.

Make a Memory Album

Be sure to bring along a camera and take lots of photos on your vacation. Have them developed before you leave and buy a special album to place them in. On your first day home, secure your photos in the album with funny captions. Include any momentos you may have collected such as restaurant menus and tickets in your new album. Remind yourself that can relive the happy memories just by browsing through your memory album.

Plan Your Next Vacation

On your way back from your vacation, start planning your next vacation. This will give you something to look forward to and can make you feel less let down about your current vacation ending. Browse through travel magazines and travel books in search of your next destination. This can be quite therapeutic for post vacation blues.

Eat Out On Your First Day Back to Work

Make the transition back to the office easier by allowing yourself a small treat on the first day back. If you usually brown bag your lunch, have lunch with a co-worker at a local restaurant during your lunch hour. If you don't have time for a full lunch, go to a local coffee bar for a quick treat. Tell your friend about your vacation as you sip your lattes.

Wear A New Outfit Back to Work

Buy a flattering, new outfit on your trip and wear it on the first day back to work. Choose one that will show off the sun kissed skin you gained from frolicking on the beach. The new outfit will give you a psychological boost as you make the transition back to your normal routine.

Returning to your normal routine after a vacation doesn't have to give you the post vacation blues. Keep in mind that your next relaxing vacation is just around the corner.

Coffee Delight

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:27:13 PST

Ah yes, morning coffee, how sweet it is. Actually, I wouldn't know because I don't drink the stuff, but I make up for that part with other bad habits. However, I am fascinated by the fact that coffee has become the second most popular drink, (water, my favorite, is first), and is the third largest commodity in the world, just behind water and oil. The morning motivator, the day breaker, or night stimulant: whatever you call it, coffee has gone on to develop from the days where some Ethiopian goats got high off the red berries of local shrub, to the hands of the goat herder who decided that he wanted a little buzz as well, to some of the biggest empires including Arabia and the New World, to every little house, shop, corner, and street in any country, city, town, and village. Coffee is big business, so even though I don't crave it, I make sure to try the local coffee at places that I visit. And just like the goat herder, I too get a buzz cause of not drinking it all that often. It's like anything you do, abuse it and it will get boring, enjoy it for what it is and you will reap its benefits.

I thought it would be beneficial to describe the two basic types of coffee beans before posting some of the world's coffee. Each bean has its own characteristics and each is unique for various reasons.

Arabica:

The higher quality bean which is expensive to produce and more difficult to cultivate. This bean needs very specific conditions of temperature, altitude, and soil. As soon as they are ripened, the berries fall to the ground and must be harvested immediately. This bean however is full of flavor and aroma, and also is low in caffeine. Arabica beans make up just about 75% of the beans grown around the globe.

Robusta

These beans are more receptive concerning temperature and altitude. Having twice the amount of caffeine with regards to the previous bean, the Robusta bean does not fall when ripe, meaning that it can be harvested at a simpler pace. Their minimal flavor and aroma are usually the main content of instant coffee, and this is a result of the bean maturing rather rapidly.

Coffees of the World

Ethiopia: Coffee Arabica

I remember on my way to Kenya, I had to go through Ethiopia. Once at the airport I, along with other fellow passengers, found a small sitting area. Sitting down on a pillow in a semi-circle, a man in traditional Ethiopian clothes pours you a cup of Ethiopian coffee, called Coffee Arabica. Mountain coffee as it is also sometimes referred to is highly acidic but with a delicate body that is gentle on the throat. Since there is less caffeine in this coffee, the kick was disappointingly short-term.

Jamaica: Blue Mountain

A friend of mine was working out in Jamaica as part of a new hotel project not too far from Kingston. When he came back for a visit he brought back some Jamaican coffee. I asked him if it was laced with anything but he disappointingly said no. I sighed as well. The expensive Blue Mountain coffee is made of flavorful beans similar to Tia Maria coffee liquer, and has a mild taste to it with a bitter-sweet kick. It was a nice booster but honestly speaking, I would rather the other product Jamaica is well-known for…ya mon!

Hawaii: Kona

Every year in Hawaii there is a Kona Coffee Cultural Festival that displays various ways in traditionally using the coffee plant. Kona coffee is one of the most wanted coffees in the world, but it also comes with a rather high price tag. Its overwhelming aroma is backed up by its soft sweet flavor and a delicate wine-like after-taste. Could be interesting but might have to drink a few cups to feel anything since wine isn't really my thing.

West Africa, Brazil, Vietnam: Coffee Canephora

A very bitter taste and about twice the amount of caffeine compared with that of Coffee Arabica, and this is due to the Robusta bean. It usually comes as instant or filter coffee, but can also be drank as espresso blends. I haven't had the pleasure to try this particular coffee, but when I do will probably go for an espresso, or 4.

Japan, Philippines, US: Kopi Luwak

If you saw the movie “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, you know a little something about the most expensive coffee in the world. Kopi Luwak can reach up to $600 a pound, but the real story is how it is actually made. The berries are eaten and then passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet, however the beans pass through their system undigested. These beans, it is believed, get their powerful flavor from the stomach of the civet cat which also gives the coffee its richly bitter taste. I'm going to hold off trying this coffee for the meantime.

Asian Palm Civet - Yummy Beans

Road Trip Vacation on the Cheap

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:23:09 PST

Car expenses:

Before you start your trip, you might want to know what to expect gas price wise. Here's my favorite site, Gas Buddy.

Armed with this info, knowledge of your gas mileage and the distances you'll be traveling, you can plan to fill up at the most favorable locations.

Take care of any preventative maintenance your car may need far enough in advance of your trip that you'll have time to make any surprise repairs.

Eating:

Before you leave home, make and pack a few snacks and meals. Make jerky, gorp, and cookies. Freeze a cooked meal like a casserole, stew or spahetti to thaw in the ice chest. Pack a variety of cereals in individual plastic containers to be eaten right out of the container once milk is added.

Stay away from restaurants. Take along an ice chest and stop every other day at grocery stores. Buy drinks and easy-to-fix, easy-to-eat foods like sandwich makings, fresh or dried fruit, cheeses, oatmeal packets, and finger foods like olives or pickles. If you're camping, you might want to choose some cheap, easy-to-heat canned foods like soups, beans, or chili. For variety, grill up some burgers or roast some hotdogs or sausages, and of course, s'mores. If you'll be staying at a motel with a microwave, considering buying inexpensive microwaveable meals.

Souvenirs:

Pick up postcards along the way to commemorate the interesting sites you visit, write a note about the highlights that happened since the last postcard and mail them to yourself. When you return home from your trip, buy a photo album with clear plastic pages and load it up with your postcards. Only fill one side so the information you wrote yourself can be read from the reverse side without removing the card from the page. Of course, if you don't want to “spoil” your postcards by sending them through the mail, don't. I happen to like the used look and enjoy finding them in the mailbox.

Lodging:

Stay with friends or family whenever possible. If your family likes to camp you'll save a lot of money over motels, especially if you don't mind roughing it in areas without traditional campground facilities, such as national forests that allow free camping. Just be sure to check the rules and regulations first. Remember that campfires may be banned during certain seasons.

If you must stay in motels, make use of any discounts you can. AAA, AARP and some motel chains have discount deals. If you ask at the time you check-in, you might be able to get the manager's discount. If you have the time and energy for it, take the time to compare prices on-line before you leave. If you plan far enough in advance, you might find bargains on cabins, time-share rentals and cottages that are often nicer than motels. Even if you don't plan that far in advance, you might luck into a cancellation deal.

Tickets:

Some amusement parks have bargain tickets that are sold at specific convenience or grocery stores. Many have promotional gimmicks such as deals with a beverage company that require you to bring along the right can for a discount.

If you can arrange to buy tickets on-line before you leave home, you may be able to get discount prices. Electronic ticketing can be a time saver as well by allowing you to bypass long lines. Ask about senior citizen or student discounts and check brochures you find at information centers or motel lobbies for coupons.

Don't skimp to the point that your vacation doesn't seem like the escape it is supposed to be, but save a little money and rest a little easier.