TRAVEL TIPS


SERVICE & ADVICE		Choosing the Right Luggage for Air Travel - Here are a few luggage-related tips that will help when travelling by air: 1 Always find out what the limits are in terms of size, weight and contents for hand baggage; 2 Be aware that all your luggage may be opened by airport security staff; 3 Always ensure that your checked in bags are easily identified when on a luggage carousel; 4 Make certain that your baggage will not become snagged due to protrusions or straps when on the luggage conveyor system; 5 If you are carrying a laptop you will need to keep it with you as hand luggage; 6 Put all your valuables in your hand luggage; 7 Be prepared for baggage loss by ensuring you have essentials in your hand luggage.
		What Clothes To Pack 1. Coordinate your clothes around one or two basic colors. This cuts down on the number of shoes and accessories you have to bring. 2. Take as few clothes as possible. Plan on laundering. One person suggested one week's worth of clothes. I take fewer unless they are my washable silks. 3. Wear and carry washable silk clothing whenever possible. It is as warm as and as cool as cotton. It dries overnight and 10-15 pieces take no more room than two pair jeans. There are some other manmade fabrics that travel as well if not better, but they cost quite a bit more. 4. Plastic rain coat can double as a bathrobe or windbreaker. 5. Take older clothes that can be discarded along the way. Great for growing children. Many places, the local people are pleased to get these castoffs. There are travelers who take nothing but old clothes so they have that much more room for bringing souvenirs home. 6. Jeans - I never take them as they take so long to dry. If both the time and money for laundering are concerns, take lighter weight pants.

		First Time Backpacking Tips Article Courtesy of CampTrails.com Backpacking is an enjoyable way to experience nature and access remote terrain. The folks at Camp Trails offer the following tips to help you get started: Study a map or guide to know the terrain you'll be hiking and estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination. Pad your estimates with extra time to account for delays. Obtain necessary permits and reserve campsites in advance, and check local regulations to avoid fines. Know the area's weather patterns and accommodate for time of year. Always be prepared for the worst weather. Remember, it's very easy to perspire, even in the winter, so dress appropriately in layers and be prepared for changing conditions, temperature changes at higher altitudes, and evenings. Avoid wearing jeans or cotton clothing. Wear polypropylene, wool or other breathable materials that wick moisture away and dry quickly. Always pack rain gear. Get to know your gear before heading out. Seam-seal the tent and familiarize yourself with its design and set-up. Learn how to operate your stove so you're not caught in the dark or the rain trying to figure it out. Know what you can carry and how long you can carry it without straining yourself. The pack shouldn't weigh more than 25 percent of your weight, so take only what you need.
		Camping: Anytime of Year in All Kinds of Weather Often thought to be reserved for summer, camping is fast becoming a year-round activity. And while camping trips are planned with hopes of good weather, severe weather always is a possibility, but it doesn't have to diminish the enjoyment of camping. To make the most of the camping experience, it's important to consider the weather before packing up the camper or travel trailer. There's no avoiding the weather when camping. "The United States has the most extreme weather conditions in the world, second only to China," says Susan Weaver, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service. "Weather can change quickly and is very specific to each area." Lightning Does Strike Twice Severe weather can occur anytime of year and often with little warning. According to NOAA, lightning is one of the most underrated severe weather hazards because it usually claims one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction. "You are in danger of lightning if you can hear thunder," states Weaver. "Seek shelter inside an enclosed structure; if that is not possible squat low to the ground, with your feet close together and your head between your knees." Maintain minimal contact with the ground and do not lie flat. It's a Twister... In the Southern states, peak tornado season is March through May. Northern states are more likely to be hit with tornadoes during the summer. People know that during a tornado warning they should move to an interior room with no windows, or in a basement. When camping, that's not a viable option. Experts suggest retreating to a ditch or other low area, get as low to the ground as possible and cover your head from possible debris. "Do not seek shelter under an overpass; they act as wind tunnels during a tornado," Weaver warns. Author Brad Herzog and wife Amy of Pacific Grove, Calif., have been camping for nearly eight years. During their first trip, Brad authored "States of Mind," a book, which chronicles their experience. One night, while camping in Mississippi, they encountered severe weather. "There were late-night tornado warnings and we were able to track the warnings by keeping tuned to a local station," Herzog explains. They were aware of the warnings in advance and took precautions in case of a tornado strike. Fortunately the storm passed without any tornados touching down. Rain, Rain Go Away Floods and flash floods also are serious threats to campers. "Most people underestimate the threat of water," Weaver explains. "Never attempt to drive through standing water. It only takes 18 to 24 inches to float most vehicles." According to Weaver, canyons are particularly prone to flash floods. She recommends not only paying attention to the weather around you but also upstream. If flooding is a possibility in your camp area, immediately move to higher ground. Running Hot and Cold Not only should campers remain cognizant of possible severe weather; they also need to be mindful of extreme temperatures or sudden climate shifts. "Extremely cold temperatures and winds rob heat from the body," says Weaver. This, increases your risk for hypothermia and frostbite. When camping in the winter, pack extra blankets, food and water to reduce these risks. Be Prepared It takes planning to handle any weather Mother Nature might throw at your camping trip. Simply following some basic tips can lead to a much more enjoyable camping experience. o Check the weather before you leave home. A variety of Web sites offer weather forecasts seven days in advance. NOAA's Web site can be found at www.weather.gov. o Carry a weather radio at all times. Available at most electronics stores, a weather radio can be programmed to a specific location and provide life-saving notification of a fast-developing storm. o Talk to your camping group and develop a contingency plan should bad weather arise. When it comes to providing peace of mind and safety while camping, nothing rivals a reliable power source. Onan, a leader in power generation products, recently introduced a generator designed specifically for the smaller, towable RVs. Onan's Camp Power is the first installed generator to provide power to the towable RVs so popular with millions of campers. Now when RVers are caught in severe weather, they can have the electricity they need to operate communication devices to monitor the storm and signal for help if necessary. Brad Herzog knows how reassuring it is to have reliable power with you when the weather turns bad. "When the weather is iffy, it's nice to be able to tune into a news station to know what's up." Since weather can change quickly, it is important to constantly keep track of it while camping. In addition to powering weather devices for travelers, generators can make camping more comfortable by supplying power to air conditioners to cool the RV or run heaters on cold days. And rain won't put a damper on campfire cooking for campers with Camp Power installed towable. A generator can power almost any electrical kitchen appliance. Travelers can cook meals in the microwave or on an electric grill when the weather doesn't allow them to build a campfire. Turning Lemons into Lemonade Despite all your preparations, sometimes the weather simply won't cooperate with your outdoor plans. But that doesn't have to ruin the camping experience. Herzog recalls when he and his wife were traveling through Kansas and they encountered severe storms. "Other people began to pull their cars over and panic," Herzog explains. "We pulled over to the side of the road made some grilled cheese sandwiches and relaxed while the storm passed." "The great thing about being in an RV is if you don't feel that the weather is conducive to driving, you can pull over and you have your house with you. With powerful generators in your RVs, you can be anywhere and have the conveniences of home," says Herzog. Stay Safe With planning and preparation, it's possible to camp year round in almost all kinds of weather. Checking the weather forecast regularly, listening to a weather radio and knowing what your group is going to do in the event of bad weather allows campers to have a safe and fun trip anytime of year. To get up to the minute weather related information, log on to http://www.nws.noaa.gov/. To learn more about RVing and Camp Power, check out www.funroads.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
		Camping Tips Follow these safety camping tips and make the best out of your camping: Make camp before dark. Traveling after darkness has resulted in many accidents from falls, so travel during daylight whenever possible. Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees and hazardous terrain. Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour of the land and for potential trouble due to rain. Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread your gear. Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparking flames and heat. Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. Beware when encountering wildlife. Use a flashlight at night - many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Watch out for bugs. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light colored clothing and avoiding perfume and cologne. Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area where you are camping. Think before you drink. No matter how clean or pure stream water looks, it's likely to contain water-borne parasites and microorganisms that can cause discomfort or serious illness. These camping tips, along with related safety information, can be found on the USDA Forest Service Web site www.fs.fed.us
		During your stay It is very important to enjoy yourself when on a trip, whether it be for business or pleasure and you must not be constantly thinking about what you should or should not be doing. Instead the tips below are meant purely as a guide, for you to take some points from and others to leave all together. Try to look as if you know where you are going, this may not be so easy if after all it is the first ever time in that country, but even still look confident as IF you know. Carrying maps around looking perplexed, and stopping to look at monuments or buildings, obviously shows that you are from out of town, and may attract the wrong type of attention. Using travellers cheques, will always be helpful, as will using a credit card for any purchases made so that you can take advantage of the additional insurance offered. Do NOT pull large amounts of cash out of your pocket. This will catch attention, no matter what country you are in. It sounds so silly, but it is amazing how many people pull out a mound of cash to be some small item. I see it all the time in Thailand, and it always amazes me. There have been times when even I was tempted to follow the guy and .... (rest assured I didn't ! Try to think about where you are going that day and carry sufficient cash for that and any unforeseen extras, plus a card. That should cover all you need and will limit any losses if anything did happen. Do NOT accept drinks from anybody that you have just met, especially if in dubious surroundings or do not know, they could be laced with any type of concoction. Try not to go on "wonderful trips" or to a "super shopping centre" rides with people who approach you in the street. This could lead anywhere, and will probably cost you a lot more than by taking a normal taxi. Ask your concierge or read through this site. Check on your first day whether you need to reconfirm your next flight, if so do it then. Some airlines do not require this anymore but it is still worthwhile calling them so that they at least have your contact details, in case the flight is delayed or whatever. Do not carry your passport around, leave it in the safe in your hotel. A photocopy will suffice if local law states that you need to.
		Top adventures destination Costa Rica Adventures From the dense rainforests to the sparkling seashores, Costa Rica belongs at the top of everyone's favorite destination list. Surfing, whitewater rafting, pristine backcountry adventures, culture, stability, freedom of movement, exploring the forest canopy, rappelling waterfalls, diving, fishing...the list of reasons is long. New Zealand - The Land of the One Ring Even if film innovator Peter Jackson didn't film the "Lord of the Rings" epic in New Zealand this year, it would still be a grand spot for adventure -- as more and more will be discovering in the New Year thanks to the publicity provided by the epic adventure films. While the orcs and goblins of the movie are all make-up and CG programming, the landscapes are real. Enough said! South Africa Adventures The Dark Continent ever remains a popular destination for adventurers worldwide. From great waterfalls and massive, rolling rivers, to abundant wildlife and nature events that rank among the best the world over, the diversity of this region lends itself to travelers looking to see several attractions in the same area. Explore the forests, the plains and the beautiful beaches of South Africa - an experience long remembered. Siberia - Land of Mystery Closed to most of the world for so many long years, Siberia -- the vast land of the Russian Northeast - is quickly gaining attention as a favorite adventure destination for those willing to experience the wilderness in the raw. From dense forest to rolling tundra, the great outdoors of Eastern Russia are ideal for those wanting to adventure away from the mainstream. Outdoor activity opportunities abound in this little discovered travel Mecca.