Tips If You Are Traveling To High Risk Areas

If you need to travel to a place that has a history of kidnappings or terrorist attacks. Here is a list of things you should always do:

Before you Travel

Visit the U.S. State Department website for any risk advisories and register your trip.

Research about what is happening politically and socially in the area you are traveling to.

Give someone you trust a detailed itinerary of your travel plans and a copy of your passport.

Discuss with your family, what they should do if there is an emergency.

Put your affairs in order.


During your Trip

Avoid discussing your travel arrangements or anything personal.

Do not leave any personal or business items in your hotel room.

Be very vigilant about your surroundings, and make sure no one is tracking your movements.

If you observe any suspicious behavior report it to the police or US Embassy.

Take note of where police stations, hospitals, and hotels are located.

Have a plan of action of what you would do should a bomb explode or there is gunfire.

Choose random taxis that are clearly marked, and compare the driver's face to their license.

If possible don’t travel alone.

Do not open your hotel door to strangers and refuse any unexpected packages.

Do not meet anyone at your hotel or in remote areas.

Check your car for loose wires or suspicious activities.

Drive with your windows closed as an extra precaution.

Be certain your vehicle is in good working condition.

If you happen to be in an area where there is a shooting, stay low until the area is safe.

Do not try to help rescuers or handle a weapon.

 

Five Reasons to Visit St Martin/St Maarten

Current local time in
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

The winter seems never-ending and you are longing for more temperate weather conditions. You don’t have to wait for spring or even summer to experience warm weather. Why not take a vacation to the Caribbean? There is a lot of islands in the Caribbean with beautiful warm weather all year. 

Here are some of the reasons why the island of St Martin/St Maarten is perfect for your vacation.

Reason # 1 - The Beaches

The Caribbean islands are known to have the most beautiful beaches in the world. What makes St Martin so unique is the fact that they have beaches to suit every preference. For example, if you are vacationing with your family, there are many gorgeous beaches on the Dutch side of the island that you would enjoy. On your own and would love to try something more adventurous? Then you might want to visit the nude beach at Orient Bay, on the French side, where you can relax and let go of any inhibitions you may have.

Reason # 2 - A taste of Europe

Most of us dream of holidaying in Europe but are not keen on taking an eight to ten-hour flight to get there. St Martin is a short direct flight from many US hubs and if you are flying from the East Coast the time zones are very close. Vacationing in St Martin is like visiting two European countries, as the northern side is France territory and the southern side is Dutch territory. You are therefore able to have the extraordinary experience of both European cultures, in a Caribbean atmosphere.

Reason # 3 - The Shopping

St Martin has over the years earned its name as the fashion capital of the Caribbean or shoppers paradise. If you want the latest fashion from New York or Paris, with up to 40% reduction on the cost, then this is the place to visit. Whether it’s current fashion trends, jewelry, local styles, huge reductions on designs from last year, St Martin has it all.

Reason # 4 - The Accommodations

There are lots of hotels that you can choose to stay during your vacation, but why not choose a private villa for your accommodation. St Martin is renowned for its amazing Caribbean villas, offering all the comforts and amenities of home and much more. What really makes St Martin villas stand out from the rest, is the incredible views that you would enjoy from each one. You don’t have to always follow the crowd, book a villa, for accommodation that is second to none.  

Reason # 5  - The Weather

Due to the fact that St Martin is surrounded by water, there is a constant flow of cool breeze blowing throughout the island. During the winter the weather is even milder with warm days and cool nights. So, no matter what time of year you visit, the weather is normally pleasant for a fantastic vacation.

These are only a few reasons why you should visit the island paradise of St Martin. Regardless of the reason, you choose it as your holiday destination. There is no doubt that you would have a memorable time.

How to Be Safe while Vacationing in Mexico

When planning your vacation to Mexico, you want to make sure that you have a safe trip. So, you need to take the necessary steps to ensure that you do.  

It is vital that you do not travel with too many credit cards or excess cash. You should avoid wearing jewelry or clothing that would make you stand out.

Do not spend or display large amounts of money. Be aware that there are a lot of people who target unsuspecting tourists to rob and hurt them. Being always vigilant would prevent you from becoming a victim.

Remember not only do you want to avoid being a target for criminals, but you also want to prevent yourself from becoming ill. You, therefore, need to make sure you only drink bottled water and avoid drinking water from the tap because the water in Mexico is not the same as in the United States.

You also must be cautious about the food that you eat. If your vacation is part of a package, the food you eat from the hotel or resort should be safe.  However, if you buy local fruits or vegetables, be sure to wash them properly before you consume them.  Bear in mind as well that some local dairy products are unpasteurized. So you need to be very careful about where and what you eat.

It is wise to consider purchasing travel insurance before your visit. This would cover the costs of your healthcare should you get sick or injured.

Be always conscious of your surroundings while vacationing as you are in a different environment. It might be a good idea to consult your doctor about tips you can use to remain healthy while you are in Mexico.  Don’t forget to practice the safety precautions mentioned, as you want to prevent any mishaps and have an enjoyable vacation.

Should You Book Your Vacation Separately Or As A Package

Budget travelers are often faced with the decision as to whether to book their airfare, hotel, and tours separately or select a set package that includes everything.

The decision may be dependent on the destination and the deals that are on offer at the time of booking. An example of this can be seen if you are booking a flight to a European destination. You might notice that airfares are generally reasonably priced, especially during the offseason.

You might notice, however, that travel to exotic places such as Bora Bora, Australia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Belize, and Morocco might be more affordable if you booked an entire package.  As airlines, tour operators, hotels and resorts have packaged their services together, so you get a huge reduction on the cost. This enables them to have a continuous flow of business.

There are lots of good deals if you are traveling on your own.  Though, it may be more difficult to find vacation package deals for a single traveler.  If you plan on vacationing by yourself, make sure to start searching for deals particularly airfares in advance. It is always good to remember that airlines have a limited number of seats at a low price, so it would be more cost-effective to book early. Booking your hotel along with your airfare early will also guarantee you a good deal. 

Make sure to know precisely what your package includes, because they may sometimes have tours that are not required, which can increase the overall cost of the package. Request a full itinerary for each day, so you are able to make plans for any spare time you may have. You may also want to enquire more about the optional tours, so you can compare the prices to what you may be able to find on your own.

The decision to book your travel separately or as a package is ultimately yours to make. To make the best choice you need to thoroughly examine the price for the package and that of the separate travel. Keep in mind your personal preferences as you may prefer to book your travel on your terms or you may be happy with booking a package deal. 

Flying within Europe on a Budget

If you are a budget traveler, you might think that taking a vacation to multiple cities in Europe, would not be within your means. However, that may not be necessarily true.  As currently, many budget airlines are operating within Europe, and they have significantly reduced the average price for airfares. You might discover that traveling in economy class on a plane between major European cities such as London and Italy, can cost much less than a first or second-class ticket on a train.  

There is also the advantage you would have of saving a lot of time when you fly than traveling by train or even driving. You would, therefore, be able to visit more places on your vacation while spending less money.

To get the best airfares, from the United States to European destinations, you would need to do an extensive search online and compare prices. Many American air carriers have partnerships with European airlines, so searching for airfares between these two destinations would not be difficult.

It is advisable to book your airline or train tickets online before you arrive in Europe. As it can be more costly if you do it after you have reached your destination.

The European cities you want to visit would determine how much you pay for airfare. Since many of the budget airlines in Europe are based in London, to keep your traveling cost down, you may want to consider making London your main destination. You can then make trips from there to the other cities you want to visit.

It may not have seemed likely as a budget traveler that you would to be able to afford to vacation in several European countries. Since those who have done it, are always surprised that it is easily within their means. 

Choosing the Right Hotel

If you are on a budget when planning your vacation, deciding what hotel to choose might be a bit difficult as you have to determine if you are going to book the more affordable hotel or the one that is in a more suitable location. Hotels located in convenient locations such as major cities and near popular attractions are generally more expensive than those that are in suburban areas.

Before deciding to choose the hotel that is less expensive but not in a convenient location.  Consider the fact that you would likely be paying extra money for transportation or gas to get to the areas you want to visit. It is therefore important to calculate these costs in your budget, so you can work out which option would be cheaper.

There are also several ways that you can save money on your accommodations. For example, membership with auto clubs such as AAA gives you access to discounts on hotel rooms, as well as, if you are a senior citizen or a member of the military service. Always remember to ask about discounts that are available when inquiring about a hotel room.

Another way you can save on hotel rooms is to book in advance. As hotels normally reserve several low-cost rooms, which usually are booked quickly. You would, therefore, want to avoid spending extra money on one of the few rooms that are left. It is all down to timing, so be prepared.

The internet has made finding a decent, inexpensive hotel much easier. Since you are now able to find many options, along with photos of the rooms, the hotel property and nearby areas in just a few minutes. Don't forget before booking a particular hotel, to do thorough research. Make sure to also research the vicinity in which the hotel is located, the restaurants and the attractions that are nearby. Researching the area will help to prevent you from staying in a dangerous neighborhood. Also bear in mind, it is not sensible to sacrifice value for affordability. So, you need to avoid hotels that are unsanitary and are in unsafe areas.

If you are visiting an area for the first-time, review sites can be very helpful. This is because you can read about people’s thoughts and their experiences at hotels they have stayed at before.

Comparison websites are also used by travelers to compare various hotels in their destination. You have the option to compare things such as their star level, price, and distance from specific attractions. Do not conclude your search here though, as these sites only feature some hotels.

If you conduct proper research about hotels in your holiday destination, you are sure to find one that you are satisfied with overall.

Mexican Vacation

If you are trying to decide what is the best time to vacation in Mexico. There are some factors you must take into consideration. For instance, what activities you want to do. Are you interested in attending any festivals? What kind of weather are you hoping for? Are you on a budget?  What prices are you prepared to pay?

In regards to the weather, it depends on the area in Mexico you are vacationing. For instance, on the east and west coasts, August and September are the rainiest months and they could also be very warm and humid as they coincide with the hurricane season. In central Mexico, however, because this location is elevated, the nights tend to be cool even at this time of the year, while the southern areas of Mexico are generally warm and can become very hot during the summer months. Baja California is a desert that is close to the ocean so expect the weather to be hot and dry all year.

During the winter months, the majority of Mexico can be relatively pleasant.  As the temperature in coastal beach cities can vary between the 70s and 80s.   The higher altitudes in the middle of the country during winter usually have highs from 50 degrees to 70 degrees in the day and at night, lows at or below freezing.

 Mexico is famous for its many festivals as thousands take place every year. So, if you are interested in attending specific ones, just search online to get information about them. Note, some festivals are celebrated nationally.

If you are interested in Carnival (or Carnaval) remember it is celebrated five days before Ash Wednesday. This is a time you could truly enjoy yourself as there are lots of parades, parties, and dancing in the streets. 

Mexicans celebrate their independence yearly on the fifth of May (Cinco de Mayo). It is a time of great national pride.  

Around mid-December, they start their Christmas festivities everywhere with mini-festivals, celebrating the journey of Mary and Joseph leading up to Christmas Day.

You might want to consider visiting during the off-season when prices for accommodations are reduced. This is in areas with the rainiest season during August and September. Generally, though because summertime tends to be very hot most locations also offer reduced rates.

Why It Make Sense To Pack Light

As a budget traveler, it is essential that you pack light. After all, you are on a budget so any unnecessary money you need to spend will affect the quality of your vacation. Making the mistake of overpacking would cost you greatly as you would need to spend more money on porters, baggage carts, taxis, and all those other expenses that could have been avoided. Though these charges may appear trivial they would add up quite quickly, and even more so if your vacation involves traveling to several places.

Think of someone who has packed light that might only have a knapsack or a small carryon, they would be at ease taking the low-cost bus to town. Now the traveler who has several suitcases would not feel as comfortable taking the bus so would have to hire a taxi, which is way more expensive.

It is quite easy to identify how overpacking can affect not only your budget but also your time while traveling. So, here are some tips for packing light.


If possible, try to prevent having extra luggage that you would need to check-in. This is because you would avoid that long-dreaded wait at the baggage claim. Which simply means you would be able to start enjoying your trip much earlier. Remember time is money, and you want to get as much time as you can to do the things that would make your trip more enjoyable.


Some airlines permit one carryon and a handbag.  Take advantage of those that do, by carrying a large bag as you can pack things like your toiletries and cosmetics in, saving valuable space in your baggage.


Another tip you can use is to wear clothing and shoes while on the plane that would have taken up a lot of space in your suitcase. So, if you are planning on packing boots or sneakers, wear them instead and pack the shoes that take up less space. Also, if you are packing clothing such as a jacket or coat consider wearing them while traveling, if it is suitable.


A key piece of advice in reducing the amount of clothing you pack is to plan your outfits sensibly. If for example, you have a black skirt or pants, pack a couple of classy shirts to coordinate with it.  Scarves, ties and different pieces of jewelry added to your look, would make it seem that you have several outfits.


Instead of packing that cumbersome bathrobe you might want to consider packing an oversized t-shirt as an alternative. It would have more uses as you can wear it after you shower and as a coverup for your swimwear.


Shoes tend to take up a lot of space in your suitcase. To limit the number of shoes you need to pack, choose one that serves several purposes. Having a pair of shoes that are comfortable and stylish would eliminate the need to pack several pairs.


The method you use when packing makes a huge difference in the amount of space you would need. Try rolling your clothes instead of folding them, they would not only take up less space but be wrinkle-free.


Make sure your toiletries are travel size. To save money and space, frequent travelers use small shampoo, conditioners, and soaps they have collected from hotels when they travel.


Finally, eliminate the need for having to buy an extra bag for your purchases on your trip home. Pack an additional foldable bag in your luggage. 

 

Five Reasons You Should Book A Vacation

There are lots of good reasons why people should take a vacation. So why are so many not taking time off work, even though they are offered paid vacation days? If you are one of these people, here are five reasons why you should consider using the vacation days you have accumulated.

For a healthier You

Taking a vacation with time off to relax has a huge impact on your overall health. Studies have found it lowers your blood pressure. Yes, if you take time to do pleasurable activities such as vacationing you would have a reduction in your cortisol levels. Remember high cortisol levels increase your blood pressure.

Your heart also benefits from taking those days off to unwind, as there is a lower risk of a heart attack when your blood pressure is not elevated. Keep in mind a healthy heart means a healthier you.

High cortisol levels are also linked to weight gain and stress. To maintain a healthy weight and be stress-free, you might want to consider taking that much-needed vacation.

Boost your Creativity

If you want to increase your creativity, being in the same environment day after day would not help. Researchers have found taking frequent trips to different places has contributed greatly to high levels of creativity. So, unearth the creativity in you by taking your vacation time and visit new places to inspire you.

Improve your Mood

Working long hours would cause you to become tired thus affecting your mood generally. Studies have found that just the thought of an upcoming holiday that you have planned can make a huge difference in your mood. Imagine how much your mood and happiness would improve when you take that time off, away from your hectic lifestyle, to rejuvenate.

Enhance your Productivity

It may seem that not taking any time off work would make you more productive, but the truth is you need that time off to revitalize your energy. Experience has taught us that our mind and body function a lot better when we take frequent breaks than when we push them constantly or overwork. So, take those vacation days, not only will your mind and body thank you but your boss will as well, as your productivity will increase.

Quality Relationships

If you are working constantly, you don’t have a lot of ‘me time’ much less ‘our time’. Your relationship with your partner would naturally suffer. One study has found that couples who vacation together have a more fulfilled and happier relationship than those who don’t. So start planning vacations with your significant other to help improve the quality of your relationship.  


I hope these five reasons would motivate you to book your vacation. I am sure you would feel much happier and healthier when you do.

Essential Items you Need to Pack for your Vacation

Your vacation is approaching, and you are literally counting the days until you can escape your busy schedule and get a chance to relax. However, if you do not pack these important items your trip would not be as stress-free as you hoped.

Travel Documents

Passport
Remember you would not be able to travel overseas without one. It should be valid for at least six months after the date you plan on entering your holiday destination.

Travel Visa
Make sure to check for updated information regarding visa requirements for the country that you are traveling to and get the correct one if needed.

Travel insurance
Purchase travel insurance before your trip to significantly minimize the financial burden in case the unexpected happens, such as medical emergency, canceled or missed flight, lost baggage and theft.

Air Travel and Accommodation Information
It is important to have any information relating to your flight and accommodation such as your ticket, boarding pass, itinerary, name and address of the place you are staying and confirmation of your booking.

Photo Identification
Your driving license can be used as a photo id and you will also need it if you plan on renting a car so make sure to have it available.

Important Contacts
Make a list with contacts for family and friends, bank and credit card companies, airline, local cab companies, travel insurance provider, local emergency responders, embassy/ consulate and your accommodations.

Make sure to have at least three hard copies of these required travel documents. Place a copy of each, in your travel wallet, in your suitcase and leave a copy at home with someone you trust. You can also save digital copies in your email account.

Travel Money

Have the necessary financial items for your trip accessible, specifically cash, debit and credit cards. Check that your credit and debit cards are up to date and would not expire during your vacation.

Health Items and Medications

Don’t forget your glasses and contact lenses if required. Also make sure to have a first aid kit, multivitamins, painkillers, and sunscreen.

If you take prescription medicine, make sure to check the laws regarding prescription medicine in the country you are planning to visit before you pack them, as certain medications are prohibited.

Toiletries and Personal Care

Your toiletry bag should contain travel size toiletries you use routinely like, a hairbrush, comb, deodorant, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, creams, lip balm, hand sanitizer, and styling tools.

Electronics

These electronic items should be on your permanent list of essential items to have with you when you travel so make sure not to forget them; your phone, laptop/tablet, kindle, camera, battery pack, travel adaptor and chargers.

Appropriate clothing and accessories

When deciding what clothing to pack for your vacation consider the length of your visit, weather forecast during your trip, activities you plan on doing and airline baggage stipulations.

Sunglasses, jewelry, sun hat, day/evening bags, and makeup might also be convenient to have on hand.