Beware of Bedbugs!

When searching for a hotel within driving distance of a state park our family wanted to visit, I came across a motel that was very conveniently located.  Better news, the price was good!  

Was I ever glad when I decided to search the Internet for a reference before booking.  As soon as I saw one review that said the people  had recently visited and found BEDBUGS I quickly crossed it off my list!

If you don’t know where to stay when planning a vacation try these tips:

1. Ask friends or people you trust who have traveled there to suggest something
2. Look up accommodations through  AAA or other responsible travel guides
3. Search the Internet for Travel Reviews: some excellent sites are TripAdvisor.com or TravelerReviews.com
4. Check with complaintsboard.com or a Better Business Bureau to see if there have been problems
5. When the hotel/motel you first wanted is full, ask them to recommend someplace.  We happened to find something very nice this way, that was not even listed in out travel guide.

Travel safe, plan carefully and don’t let the bedbugs bite!

Cruise Speak

First time on a boat , ship , cruise?  You don’t want them to think you are new to the game. So here are a few words to come to terms with (terrible pun, I know!)

• Bow – is the front of the vessel
• Forward – again you are right in guessing it means the same direction as the front!
• Aft- towards the rear (A fine distinction, but use it properly)
• Stern – is the rear
• Bridge – the Command Center, probably marked clearly with NO ENTRY
• Galley – the kitchen, a place that produces those delicious meals and confections
• Tender- Not the meat in the kitchen, it is the vessel that takes you to shore (you can call it a boat)
• Boat- The word that brands you an amateur if you refer to the cruise ship this way! 
• Purser – The guy who holds the purse and the money- the accountant!
• Veranda- the place you pay extra for, your balcony view
• Muster Station – The place you should gather in an emergency, determined by your cabin number, hopefully, you never need to use this except in practise!

 

Ever Get Lost?

The Rand McNally Store features maps and navigational accessories for all your travel needs. Shop Now!

Flight TIP

 

Who wants to sit around?

When my family flew to Hawaii this winter, we were so excited that we got up at 6 AM and rushed to the airport only to discover that because of the storm the previous night, all flights had been delayed for more than 4 hours.  If we had called ahead to the airport before leaving home, we could have saved ourselves a long boring wait at the airport lounge.  

TIP:  call ahead to be sure your flight is on time.

 

I am sure you have a bad flight story too?

CREDIT yourself with Insurance knowledge

We’ve heard the slogan, “Don’t leave home without it”, but how many people out there know what exactly their credit cards cover?  I was happy to learn that my credit card covered as many travel risks as I would have had by purchasing extra insurance.  I have heard horror stories about the uninsured, but even those insured might be surprised when they want to put in a claim.  

When  investigating the purchase of travel insurance there were some things you need to consider:

1. Medical coverage:  If you are going on a cruise then you may or may not choose to get the emergency medical portion of the plan (afterall- the ship will have a facility and doctor on board, so you probably won’t be calling the ambulance!
2. Medical conditions that existed before the travel insurance plan or policy took effect- take note of the last time you visited your doctor, or if there was a change in medication.  Many policies will not cover you in the event that you have recently had a surgery or new medications prescribed.
3. Does it cover lost baggage?  If you travel light and leave your expensive jewelry at home, you may not need this part of the plan either.  I would rather have new clothes!
4. Flight interruption as well as cancellation.  My family had the unfortunate experience of having to cancel their European vacation when our father passed away, but even though they had cancellation insurance it was not payable because he had been diagnosed with cancer 3 years previously!  Be aware that not all cancellation policies will be covered.  Read  fine print carefully. Or ask the rep!

Some group insurance plans may also carry protection for travelers, so before paying for extras, see if you have coverage on your household plan, or on your credit card, but I always believe in being safe!

Behold Bangkok

 

“It is unlike any city you have ever seen”, my friend told me in preparation for our trip to Bangkok. He was right, because it is hard to capture the individuality of this Asian center in words.

Our taxi driver is toothless, but charming as he negotiates a fare that we know is too high, but how do you argue with a grandfather who probably has no social security? He is efficient at navigating the crammed streets where 3 cars drive down lanes designed for only 2, and still manages to safely deposit us at our hotel of choice, the Menam Riverside Hotel. This is a first-class hotel with an upscale attitude and proudly holds its own against the luxurious hotels that line the waterway. Between the magnificent hotel giants lie teetering wooden houses that threaten to topple into the river, yet this too is part of the character of the city.

Trapped in the Spider’s Web

For all those out there who have mastered the web, may I congratulate you!

This is what I have learned:

1. The more I learn the less I know
2. Meta tags were once important, now not so much
3. Spiders like to crawl, and apparently they need to catch you in their web
4. Now you need to BLOG to get noticed

Really, all I wanted to do was put up a travel business website and see if people would get as excited as me, but instead I learned there are all these rules and marketing ploys.  

How does one keep up with the jargon?  Do you people take classes to be so inventive?  

As you can see, I am technically challenged, but kudos to you wonderful people who come up with blog sites, free software, teaching  tools like You Tube, and pass on all the simple tricks that people like me could never hope to master otherwise.  

I hope to pass on some travel tips, some destination finds, and whatever else I can uncover in this fascinating jungle you call the Web.

Diane

Neat Stuff- If you have ever despaired because the airlines refuse to let you take your liquid shampoo on board in your carry-on, well check this item out!  Paper shampoo.  Believe it.

paper-shampoo1