If you are a frequent traveler, it may quickly become difficult to keep track of all aspects of your travels-- including your pictures, the places you go, and your budget. After a certain point, it will also be hard to keep track of the different airlines you have flown with and your total number of frequent flyer miles with each company.
The Award Wallet is a free Internet resource that can help you keep track of your frequent flyer miles as well as other award program points. Development of the Award Wallet began in 2004 by Todd Mera and Alexi Vereschaga. As frequent business travelers themselves, they decided that they needed a tool to keep track of the frequent flyer miles they were accumulating. Whether you are traveling for business or for pleasure, the award wallet can help even the average traveler. It will save you time by putting all of your frequent flyer information in one place, no matter how many airlines you have flown before.
If you travel with the right gadgets, you can stay connected and secure. An Ethernet cable is another gadget that is useful to travel with. Not only will it provide you with a faster internet connection, but having an Ethernet cable can also mean the difference between signing on for free or paying for a wi-fi internet connection.
A universal power adaptor is essential if you traveling overseas, but having more than one will come in handy. A reliable adaptor is good to have, but in case you lose or break that one, it is useful to have a spare or two as well.
If you are traveling with other expensive gadgets, such as your laptop, a retractable lock will come in handy. You can lock up your backpack or your laptop, or connect several bags to secure. This is especially useful if you plan on staying in a less secure hostel, or if you plan on sleeping in an airport for the night.
Another one of the many useful travel gadgets to have is a mini flashlight. If you are traveling with others or if you are staying in a hostel, you can search through your backpack in the dark more easily without disturbing anyone else.
Finally, a USB stick is useful to have whether you are traveling or staying at home. A USB stick can hold an ample amount of information depending on its size, including documents you may need while traveling or pictures you take while on your trip. There are 12 downloadable applications to put on your USB stick, including Google Talk and Firefox Portable, that will make your USB more useful to you while on the go. USB sticks are small and easy to lose, so don't forget to protect your information by using TrueCrypt hidden folders.
Though these gadgets and tools are not necessarily glamorous or attractive, they are useful and more likely to help you than any other flashy product.
Anil Polat loves traveling with technology and combining the two at the Tech Guide For Travel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anil_Polat
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Inside Information on the Cheapest Times of the Year to Travel
During these tough economic times, many people have had find ways to cut down on the activities that give them the greatest pleasure. For many people, traveling is one activity that can often seem like a leisure endeavor which is too expensive to pursue. However, the good news is that traveling does not have to be expensive when you have a bit of travel inside information. In recent years, there have been many inside information secrets revealed that have shown that with a little knowledge, anyone can travel and stay within their budget. Knowing the cheapest times of year to travel is one of those little travel secrets.
Traveling during high season is the most expensive time to travel. Travelers will end up paying the highest price for their vacations. Not only are flights more expensive, beaches are more overcrowded, lines for attractions and activities are longer, and tropical destinations are uncomfortably hot. Tickets purchased during the low season, will be the cheapest. The weather will be more temperate, there will be fewer crowds, and hotel and resorts will be much less expensive. This season is referred to as the 'shoulder season.'
The shoulder season is the time of the year that falls at the beginning and end of the high season. During the shoulder season, flights, accommodations, and vacation packages, are greatly discounted. As well, the weather is still beautiful. An important tip to choosing the best time during the shoulder season to travel is to make sure that you pick the time that is closest to the high season. As well, avoid holidays which includes school holidays, and the other 'understandably busy' times to travel. The result will be substantial savings.
There are other important points to remember when selecting a vacation time during the shoulder season. For instance, ski resort destinations will usually open near the end of November, but people do not usually begin to take their ski vacations until the week of Christmas. You will save a lot of money if you take your ski vacation early in November or in mid-December. As well, the slopes will be much less crowded, the waiting period to get a lift will be shorter, and lift passes and equipment rentals will be cheaper. As well, late March or the beginning of April is the best time to save on a ski vacation. If the Mediterranean is your vacation choice, choosing late September or early October will save you money. Whatever destination you choose, make sure you check the weather conditions to make sure you do not vacation during tumultuous weather times such as hurricane season.
Traveling to fun and exciting destinations and exotic hot spots is a popular way to relax and forget about life's stresses for a little while. There are many cheap travel sites online that will offer great prices during the shoulder and off travel season. By knowing a few of the travel insider tips on the cheapest times to travel, you be able to have a fun and memorable vacation that will not break your budget.
Looking for information on airports, flights and flying? Cheapflights' easy-to-use online services will help you find a flight and cheap tickets to just about anywhere, compare Toronto flights and flights to New York.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Noton
Traveling during high season is the most expensive time to travel. Travelers will end up paying the highest price for their vacations. Not only are flights more expensive, beaches are more overcrowded, lines for attractions and activities are longer, and tropical destinations are uncomfortably hot. Tickets purchased during the low season, will be the cheapest. The weather will be more temperate, there will be fewer crowds, and hotel and resorts will be much less expensive. This season is referred to as the 'shoulder season.'
The shoulder season is the time of the year that falls at the beginning and end of the high season. During the shoulder season, flights, accommodations, and vacation packages, are greatly discounted. As well, the weather is still beautiful. An important tip to choosing the best time during the shoulder season to travel is to make sure that you pick the time that is closest to the high season. As well, avoid holidays which includes school holidays, and the other 'understandably busy' times to travel. The result will be substantial savings.
There are other important points to remember when selecting a vacation time during the shoulder season. For instance, ski resort destinations will usually open near the end of November, but people do not usually begin to take their ski vacations until the week of Christmas. You will save a lot of money if you take your ski vacation early in November or in mid-December. As well, the slopes will be much less crowded, the waiting period to get a lift will be shorter, and lift passes and equipment rentals will be cheaper. As well, late March or the beginning of April is the best time to save on a ski vacation. If the Mediterranean is your vacation choice, choosing late September or early October will save you money. Whatever destination you choose, make sure you check the weather conditions to make sure you do not vacation during tumultuous weather times such as hurricane season.
Traveling to fun and exciting destinations and exotic hot spots is a popular way to relax and forget about life's stresses for a little while. There are many cheap travel sites online that will offer great prices during the shoulder and off travel season. By knowing a few of the travel insider tips on the cheapest times to travel, you be able to have a fun and memorable vacation that will not break your budget.
Looking for information on airports, flights and flying? Cheapflights' easy-to-use online services will help you find a flight and cheap tickets to just about anywhere, compare Toronto flights and flights to New York.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Noton
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Planning the Perfect Road Trip - Five Tips to Make the Journey Smoother
Road trips are a time-honored tradition in the United States and even abroad. Though Americans are far more cosmopolitan today than a generation ago, road trips remain quite popular - especially as air travel costs start to once again increase with the rising price of oil.
Planning the perfect road trip is not easy.
Plan on the planning process being challenging! This article offers some time tested and practical advice to make the journey a little smoother.
Tip 1: Leave Flexibility in Your Plan
Obviously you'll need to know when you're starting, when you'll be returning and generally where you'll be going at points in between. Many families, however, overlook the basic human necessity for flexibility. A road trip is designed to allow a much higher degree of freedom than air travel can ever allow.
That freedom comes from the ability to investigate new locations and points of interest as they arise. Capitalizing on that advantage requires leaving at least some space in the itinerary to explore those avenues.
Veteran road trip travelers will frequently agree upon a certain ratio. For example a ratio of 3:1 might be employed. That means that if the trip is a total of 12 days, nine are planned but three are deliberately left open.
Tip 2: Visit At Least One Old Friend
Road trips are ideal for reaching out (literally) to friends you may not have seen in years. Because it is super convenient for an old friend to receive a visit (no trip is required on their part), such friends are likely going to be thrilled by the opportunity of a visit.
Many families on road trips will make time to visit distant family relations or in-laws. That is definitely a positive. But also consider making time to see an old friend or two along the way.
Tip 3: Get Your Car Well Serviced in Advance
Having a tire blowout or a chipped windshield is probably inevitable. But there are a platitude of other aspects of routine maintenance that if well attended to, we'll substantially reduce the probabilities of a problem.
Experiencing a vehicle problem along a road trip is certainly no fun.
Even worse, it has the potential to seriously compromise the rest of your schedule. Investing a little bit of time to service your car in advance will pay dividends down the road.
Tip 4: Invest in Quality Sunglasses
Every passenger in your car is guaranteed to absorb a massive amount of sunlight along the trip. This is especially the case if your road trip will take you across the desert or mountain West regions. But even if it doesn't, you'll still be absorbing more than a typical amount of sunlight.
Investing in polarized sunglasses is well worth the cost. It will not only increase the comfort level of the driver and passengers they will also improve people's spirits because strain and fatigue will be lessened.
Tip 5: Arrange a Family Conference Call While On the Road
Chances are high that some members of your family will not be along on the road trip. It could be grandparents, older siblings, cousins, etc. In any event, there will probably be other family members anxious to hear how things are going on the road trip.
Scheduling a conference call is an intriguing solution to addressing this challenge. Rather than having multiple and repetitive one-on-one conversations, a teleconference on the fly allows the family members who are left behind to be looped in to what is going on.
These days, holding a phone conference need not cost much. In fact it need not cost anything. A number of services provide free conference calling and require simply that all participants dial in to the same number and enter the same PIN code.
A road trip can be a great way to see the outdoors, visit old friends and generate fun memories. The tips covered in this article will help ensure a great experience.
Andy Court is a native of California. Andy has written on a number of subjects ranging from road trips to cooking to travel to conference calling technology. Court was an early contributor to the Rondee free conference call service and has since invested a lot of time in learning about new ways to apply conference calling tools to improve the social aspects of life's experience.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Court
Planning the perfect road trip is not easy.
Plan on the planning process being challenging! This article offers some time tested and practical advice to make the journey a little smoother.
Tip 1: Leave Flexibility in Your Plan
Obviously you'll need to know when you're starting, when you'll be returning and generally where you'll be going at points in between. Many families, however, overlook the basic human necessity for flexibility. A road trip is designed to allow a much higher degree of freedom than air travel can ever allow.
That freedom comes from the ability to investigate new locations and points of interest as they arise. Capitalizing on that advantage requires leaving at least some space in the itinerary to explore those avenues.
Veteran road trip travelers will frequently agree upon a certain ratio. For example a ratio of 3:1 might be employed. That means that if the trip is a total of 12 days, nine are planned but three are deliberately left open.
Tip 2: Visit At Least One Old Friend
Road trips are ideal for reaching out (literally) to friends you may not have seen in years. Because it is super convenient for an old friend to receive a visit (no trip is required on their part), such friends are likely going to be thrilled by the opportunity of a visit.
Many families on road trips will make time to visit distant family relations or in-laws. That is definitely a positive. But also consider making time to see an old friend or two along the way.
Tip 3: Get Your Car Well Serviced in Advance
Having a tire blowout or a chipped windshield is probably inevitable. But there are a platitude of other aspects of routine maintenance that if well attended to, we'll substantially reduce the probabilities of a problem.
Experiencing a vehicle problem along a road trip is certainly no fun.
Even worse, it has the potential to seriously compromise the rest of your schedule. Investing a little bit of time to service your car in advance will pay dividends down the road.
Tip 4: Invest in Quality Sunglasses
Every passenger in your car is guaranteed to absorb a massive amount of sunlight along the trip. This is especially the case if your road trip will take you across the desert or mountain West regions. But even if it doesn't, you'll still be absorbing more than a typical amount of sunlight.
Investing in polarized sunglasses is well worth the cost. It will not only increase the comfort level of the driver and passengers they will also improve people's spirits because strain and fatigue will be lessened.
Tip 5: Arrange a Family Conference Call While On the Road
Chances are high that some members of your family will not be along on the road trip. It could be grandparents, older siblings, cousins, etc. In any event, there will probably be other family members anxious to hear how things are going on the road trip.
Scheduling a conference call is an intriguing solution to addressing this challenge. Rather than having multiple and repetitive one-on-one conversations, a teleconference on the fly allows the family members who are left behind to be looped in to what is going on.
These days, holding a phone conference need not cost much. In fact it need not cost anything. A number of services provide free conference calling and require simply that all participants dial in to the same number and enter the same PIN code.
A road trip can be a great way to see the outdoors, visit old friends and generate fun memories. The tips covered in this article will help ensure a great experience.
Andy Court is a native of California. Andy has written on a number of subjects ranging from road trips to cooking to travel to conference calling technology. Court was an early contributor to the Rondee free conference call service and has since invested a lot of time in learning about new ways to apply conference calling tools to improve the social aspects of life's experience.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Court
Friday, June 4, 2010
Planning a Vacation
Wondering what to do to get out of your boredom? Do you need to get away from all the hustles of life and the same old boring routine? Then it is high time you planned a vacation and had an easy time by doing the things you love.
You may be looking for an unforgettable experience vacation idea where you will be able to enjoy a great night life, beautiful nature or just be able to shop or more.
Maybe, you may need help to effectively use your imagination in coming up with a good plan for your vacation. So, before you go for your vacation, we have got lots of excellent and simple ideas that you need to consider in planning a vacation; be it a family or a couple's vacation.
So what should you consider in planning for your vacation?
First, choose your destination. Regardless of your vacation needs, we will definitely give you brilliant ideas of destinations to settle for. We give you tips on finding the coolest vacation ideas with loads of activities to do from exotic and exceptional to the most popular and fun thrilling spots.
Know your budget. If you feel that you cannot afford to spend a lot of money, then you may consider perfect cheap vacation ideas which are great for a budget break. We can help you locate cheap vacation spots which include different affordable destinations, cheap beach vacations, adventure vacations and many more that will thrill and help you relax.
If you are taking your whole family with you, it's advisable to find places that will suit both you as parents and your kids. Look for different family vacation ideas that you will find fitting to your vacation type and needs. If you like outdoor activities or adventures, you could opt for vacation places that offer a variety of outdoor ideas for your whole family.
So, when settling for an idea, always consider the quality of enjoyment you will get, fun activities available and the fulfillment you will have after the whole experience. Remember, advance planning will help you have a better vacation experience.
Now that you know about planning a vacation, don't be afraid to take your time or try out something different for a memorable vacation. It may be just what you need. Have fun!
For more information about planning a vacation see our website about planning a vacation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Gory
You may be looking for an unforgettable experience vacation idea where you will be able to enjoy a great night life, beautiful nature or just be able to shop or more.
Maybe, you may need help to effectively use your imagination in coming up with a good plan for your vacation. So, before you go for your vacation, we have got lots of excellent and simple ideas that you need to consider in planning a vacation; be it a family or a couple's vacation.
So what should you consider in planning for your vacation?
First, choose your destination. Regardless of your vacation needs, we will definitely give you brilliant ideas of destinations to settle for. We give you tips on finding the coolest vacation ideas with loads of activities to do from exotic and exceptional to the most popular and fun thrilling spots.
Know your budget. If you feel that you cannot afford to spend a lot of money, then you may consider perfect cheap vacation ideas which are great for a budget break. We can help you locate cheap vacation spots which include different affordable destinations, cheap beach vacations, adventure vacations and many more that will thrill and help you relax.
If you are taking your whole family with you, it's advisable to find places that will suit both you as parents and your kids. Look for different family vacation ideas that you will find fitting to your vacation type and needs. If you like outdoor activities or adventures, you could opt for vacation places that offer a variety of outdoor ideas for your whole family.
So, when settling for an idea, always consider the quality of enjoyment you will get, fun activities available and the fulfillment you will have after the whole experience. Remember, advance planning will help you have a better vacation experience.
Now that you know about planning a vacation, don't be afraid to take your time or try out something different for a memorable vacation. It may be just what you need. Have fun!
For more information about planning a vacation see our website about planning a vacation.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Gory
Thursday, June 3, 2010
A Smart Way For Traveling
Can you imagine a city where you live with no more traffic jams? Can you imagine that you no longer need to wait in a long queue for a crowed car which is crawling in the mess? Can you imagine how fresh and clean the air will be because of a big reduction of cars on the roads? Can you imagine how convenient it will be to build yourselves up on your way to work by riding a bicycle rather than by going to gym?
Nowadays in many western countries, many knowledgeable people prefer riding to work to driving. Why are so many people from developed countries launching in this trend? To full length, riding sees to it that it does good to individual, social and environmental needs with one voice. All in all, two wheels are over four wheels.
To begin with, tow wheels are beneficial to individual needs, including health and daily spending on transportation. On one hand, for most people, especially those who work in office, they have little time to have sports apart from everyday heavy working load. Beyond doubt, their health is at stake and many are suffering sub health. Riding a bike to work is a good way to do exercise while at work. On the other hand, supporting a car is no less than supporting a wife, which means you have to spend much money and time maintaining it, while supporting is comparatively easy, like growing a cacti that asks for nothing but sun and water. From individual goods, it is better to choose two wheels as working vehicles than four wheels.
As a smart consumer who will chose an Omega watch for yourself, two-wheel vehicles are surely your best choice for transportation.
Joyce Deng is a junior university student who has great passion for luxury bags and watches. She has many categories about luxurious products on her website http://www.hotefashion.com. If you take a look at it, you will surely find something that interests you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joyce_Deng
Nowadays in many western countries, many knowledgeable people prefer riding to work to driving. Why are so many people from developed countries launching in this trend? To full length, riding sees to it that it does good to individual, social and environmental needs with one voice. All in all, two wheels are over four wheels.
To begin with, tow wheels are beneficial to individual needs, including health and daily spending on transportation. On one hand, for most people, especially those who work in office, they have little time to have sports apart from everyday heavy working load. Beyond doubt, their health is at stake and many are suffering sub health. Riding a bike to work is a good way to do exercise while at work. On the other hand, supporting a car is no less than supporting a wife, which means you have to spend much money and time maintaining it, while supporting is comparatively easy, like growing a cacti that asks for nothing but sun and water. From individual goods, it is better to choose two wheels as working vehicles than four wheels.
As a smart consumer who will chose an Omega watch for yourself, two-wheel vehicles are surely your best choice for transportation.
Joyce Deng is a junior university student who has great passion for luxury bags and watches. She has many categories about luxurious products on her website http://www.hotefashion.com. If you take a look at it, you will surely find something that interests you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joyce_Deng
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sightseeing the City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a beautiful city that has a lot of places to visit. It is a classic mix of the modern and the historical. It serves as the summit where the castles built ages ago are found amidst state of the art multiplexes and shopping malls. Its sprawling landscape is dotted with numerous tourist attractions.
It is hard not to be awed by the sheer number of attractions to visit. On the bright side of things, these places are located close to each other. This means that you can visit them in a short span of time.
Let us begin with Edinburgh castle. It is one of the oldest sites in the city. Camera Obscura and Royal Yacht Britannia are some of the best places to visit. The capital city is an extremely green space where you can find vast parks and wide open spaces with splendid views. You can enjoy the city with an outdoor trip once in a while especially in summer nights!
Gullane and Yellow Craigs are two great places where you can enjoy a cool beach walk. Union canal, the Scottish mining museum and the Seabird Centre are some of the coolest places to visit if you happen to be in Edinburgh. Further there are a host of wonderful restaurants around the city where you can enjoy every possible cuisine that you can imagine!
Coming into the modern part of the city, Princess Street is a great place to begin your shopping. It is a mile long street that could be considered a shopping paradise. You can find many retail outlets offering branded goods, including Harvey Nichols and Jenners!
Several gardens are present in Princess Street and offer a quaint location that is situated amidst the busy centre. The garden also prides itself of having some of the most breathtaking views of the famous Edinburgh castle.
Arthur's seat is a volcano in the city that offers a unique view across Edinburgh if you dare to climb to the top. Along with many other volcanoes this forms an umbrella around the city! They are extinct volcanoes and thus do not pose any threat to the city!
Travelling through the city can be tedious if you are planning to make use of the public transportation system as routes vary and are often delayed by numerous drop-off points.
Private hire taxi services are a suitable alternative, and much cheaper than traditional Black Cabs. If you are planning for a short stay in the city, you can visit all the must visit places without spending too much money with the help of a private car hire service!
Khalid Adams has been marketing transport companies for over three years. His knowledge of the industry allows him to write sound articles on Edinburgh Taxi companies amongst other related products and services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Khalid_Adams
It is hard not to be awed by the sheer number of attractions to visit. On the bright side of things, these places are located close to each other. This means that you can visit them in a short span of time.
Let us begin with Edinburgh castle. It is one of the oldest sites in the city. Camera Obscura and Royal Yacht Britannia are some of the best places to visit. The capital city is an extremely green space where you can find vast parks and wide open spaces with splendid views. You can enjoy the city with an outdoor trip once in a while especially in summer nights!
Gullane and Yellow Craigs are two great places where you can enjoy a cool beach walk. Union canal, the Scottish mining museum and the Seabird Centre are some of the coolest places to visit if you happen to be in Edinburgh. Further there are a host of wonderful restaurants around the city where you can enjoy every possible cuisine that you can imagine!
Coming into the modern part of the city, Princess Street is a great place to begin your shopping. It is a mile long street that could be considered a shopping paradise. You can find many retail outlets offering branded goods, including Harvey Nichols and Jenners!
Several gardens are present in Princess Street and offer a quaint location that is situated amidst the busy centre. The garden also prides itself of having some of the most breathtaking views of the famous Edinburgh castle.
Arthur's seat is a volcano in the city that offers a unique view across Edinburgh if you dare to climb to the top. Along with many other volcanoes this forms an umbrella around the city! They are extinct volcanoes and thus do not pose any threat to the city!
Travelling through the city can be tedious if you are planning to make use of the public transportation system as routes vary and are often delayed by numerous drop-off points.
Private hire taxi services are a suitable alternative, and much cheaper than traditional Black Cabs. If you are planning for a short stay in the city, you can visit all the must visit places without spending too much money with the help of a private car hire service!
Khalid Adams has been marketing transport companies for over three years. His knowledge of the industry allows him to write sound articles on Edinburgh Taxi companies amongst other related products and services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Khalid_Adams
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