20 Safety Tips for Budget Travelers

1) When taking taxis from an airport to your hotel, travel in the more expensive airport taxis and ensure that the drivers have official identification. Never take a taxi waiting outside the airport grounds.

I know this sounds extreme, but it is by far better to be safe than sorry.

2) When traveling from your hotel to the airport, go by a taxi recommended by the hotel.

Again, taxi’s can be very dangerous. I can’t express that enough.

3) Try not to arrive in a new city or town late at night.

This can just go wrong in a number of ways. It is much easier getting checked in during the day time and security at night in certain areas is just horrendous.

4) Travel in a group if possible.

Since when is traveling in numbers not a good idea?

5) Learn the basics in the local language before you arrive. Don’t expect that people will speak English.

English is becoming more widely spoken these days, but you want to be sure. You should always check on these things before your arrival.

6) Keep your valuables hidden.

A money belt is great if it is an option that you willing to look into. There are many different styles of money belt. One of the most popular is an “over the shoulder” style wallet on a strap that you were underneath your top. This makes it very difficult for a thief to make off with your valuables.

7) Avoid going on your own to remote areas/ruins where the tourist would be expected to go. Seek local advice or take a guide.

8) Read the guidebooks and talk with other tourists to find out which areas are best avoided.

9) When leaving discos late at night take a taxi home no matter how close your hostel is. Outside most discos, you’ll find a street vendor selling cigarettes. Usually, these people know all the taxi drivers and can recommend a safe one.

10) When arriving in a new town, keep to your original plan and stay in the hostel that you have decided on. Don’t let the taxi driver persuade you that your hostel is fully booked and that he knows a cheaper and better one. He’ll be working on commission and the hostel probably won’t be in a safe part of town.

11) Even better, when arriving lane/train in a new city, try to reserve your hotel in advance, preferably with a hotel that has an airport/station collection service.

12) Don’t wear expensive looking jewelry.

13) On public transport have your day pack close to you at all times, preferably with the straps around your legs or padlocked to the luggage rack. On buses, your backpack will normally go outside, either on top of the roof or in the external luggage compartments. On long-distance buses ask for a receipt for your bags. On short rides just keep a careful eye out each time the bus stops to off-load bags. In the event of having your bags stolen, stay with the bus – you will probably require a declaration from the bus company accepting responsibility for the loss in order to claim any money from your insurance company.

14) Leave your valuables in your hotel safe when making day trips or longer tours. Obtain a receipt not just for your money belt/wallet etc. but for its contents, with each item listed.

15) If you have to leave your passport and credits cards together, place the credit card in a sealed envelope and sign your name across the flap. This way when you return you will know that nothing has been tampered with.

16) If planning on going to market areas, crowded streets, fiestas etc. don’t go with all your valuables. Leave them in the hotel. If you’re planning on buying something expensive keep your money safely in a money belt. Try to be discreet when opening it! To protect small change in your pockets you can stuff a handkerchief in after.

17) If the pavements are really crowded, especially in market areas, walk in the road.

18) If you suspect someone is following you, stop and stare them in the eye until they go. If you really get a bad feeling about a place, go with your first instincts and leave. Bag slashing is rare nowadays but for added safety, you can wear your day pack on your chest.

19) If it’s on your back try to walk without stopping. If you need to stop, sway your pack gently from side to side so that you can feel if anyone is tampering with it.

20) When putting your bag down on the floor, to take a photo or just to sit in a café, remember to put your foot through the strap. Not only will it be impossible to snatch, but you also won’t forget it! This is the most common type of theft – tourists forgetting bags in cafes and on returning to ask if anyone has seen it, you’ve guessed it, it’s gone.

Article was provided by https://www.hotelsetc.com 

Cutting Costs For Your Travel Business

In order for your travel business to be profitable, your revenue must exceed your expenses. A way that you can begin to increase your revenue is to look for ways to lower your expenses.

Look over your current expenses and place them in one of two groups: one are expenses you cannot do without (like utilities, Internet access, etc), the other is for expenses you may be able to lower or eliminate. Here are tips to help you with your costs.

Travel and Fun

The areas where many home businesses can begin to whittle down expenses are with travel and fun. For example lower the cost of holiday purchases by purchasing less expensive but better gifts like engraved or logo stenciled marketing tools that also cross-promote your business: not pads, stickie pads, pencils and pens, magnets, etc. And discuss travel perks, packages, discounts and coupons with your local travel agent or an online agent who has great packages or plans to offer you.

Needed Expenses

Annually take a look at your monthly and other regular expenses like utilities, office meeting space, Internet access, etc. Take at least one to three days total and comparison shop all of them for better rates and packages to service yours in more efficient financial ways.

Also, seek ways to cut back on using so much; using too many utilities like power for all the computers, phones and other gadgets that may be able to be turned off in the night time to save on energy bills. Lower your heating and air conditioning, too.

And recycle where you can. Use the back sides of printed papers for note taking and daily phone notes and calculations that can be keyed into the computer later.

Buy in Bulk

Another good way to save on your travel business expenses is to buy in bulk – either taming up with another entity, a neighbor who also has a home-based business, or working via a wholesaler. When you cut out any middle people – like drop ship coordinators and retailers, you can help lower your expenses.

Also, try to use what you have. See about revising what you have on hand or learning how to re-package it with something else – like upgrading old software instead of buying new.

To cut your travel expense down be sure to find a reputable travel membership that can save you a ton of money.

In summary, it is all too easy for business expenses to spend. Watch your costs and cut what you can!

How to Choose a Vacation Club Membership?

Choosing a membership with a travel and vacation club is not as difficult as you’ve heard about it. With growing number of tourists, some hotels and vacation management companies have started offering certain travel packages on discount and this system is appreciated by the general public as all of us want to save some money with any given opportunity.

Apart from the discount schemes, there are many companies which offer travel and vacation club membership after which any member would receive great deals on flights, local travel, and stay. These members generally get heavy discounts on vacation packages and this is the reason why a majority of people apply to become a member of such vacation membership clubs in the USA.

Tips to keep in mind while searching for a travel club memberships

Do a fine research and compare numerous membership clubs and their prices. The comparison is important because some memberships would cost you about thousands of bucks while others would provide almost the same discount on vacation at a competitive price.

After shortlisting a few of them, consider knowing for how long the companies are in the business. Visit their websites and read as much as you can about them including their testimonials, prices, clients, and other services. Call them and ask the same, maybe they would provide more and detailed information on whatever you want to know about them.

If you compare travel prices to a membership offer, you would realize that the best vacation deals are those which are offered by vacation membership clubs. These memberships offer you to travel cheap and stay at 4/5 star hotels, villas, condos, and cruises at an affordable price.

Such memberships are actually a very good opportunity for people traveling in a group as friends or families. This way, you can enjoy the top trending locations at reasonable prices. You can also choose to stay at exclusive hotels, resorts, and other accommodations that you may not find anywhere else.

When you find a genuine club, try to purchase the membership for at least six months because you don’t know if you’re going to use your quarterly membership but with six months to one year travel and vacation membership, you will have an ample amount of time to utilize your rights as a member of the club.

If you really want to save some money out from your vacation tour then it is advised to start searching for such vacation membership clubs and apply to become a member of any reliable club. These memberships are high in demand as they offer you the luxury accommodation at the price which average salaried people may not be able to afford.

Rome, the Winter Olympics, Wine, Ferrari, beautiful beaches – Italy has it all. If you are considering traveling to Italy, here are some things you should know.

An Overview of Italy for Travelers

From a European perspective, there is little doubt that Italy is the foundation of modern society in the West. This is conclusion is primarily due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church.

In more modern times, Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy’s defeat in World War II.

A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of the European Economic Community. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared to the prosperous north.

If you are going to Italy, here are some basic things you need to know.

1. Northern Italy is wealthy while the south is not.

2. Italy is slightly larger than the state of Arizona.

3. Italy’s climate is predominantly Mediterranean with Alpine in far north and hot, dry areas in the south.

4. Vatican City in Rome is considered an independent country.

5. You cannot get into any area of the Vatican wearing shorts.

6. Rome had the first paved streets in the world in 170 B.C. Vehicles had to be banned because of traffic jams!

7. Roman gladiators were the first athletes to endorse products.

8. Considered one of the oddest Emperors, Caligula appointed his horse to a senate position among other more infamous actions.

9. Roman statutes were very utilitarian. The heads could be removed and replaced to reflect the changes in political climate.

10. When the Roman army lost a battle, they really took it hard. Commanders would kill every tenth soldier under their command. This act is the root of the word “decimate.”

11. Surprising to many is the fact there were significant time periods where ancient Rome had no Emperor. The senate would rule. In times of threat, the senate would elect a person as Emperor. He had absolute power, giving rise to the term dictator.

12. Vast percentages of Romans died from lead poisoning. They used is as a sweetener!

13. In the early 1900’s, Prince Piero Ginori Conti invented the geothermal pump. He is considered the father of modern geothermal power.

14. 20 Italians have won the Nobel Prize.

15. Michelangelo’s real name is Michelangelo Buonarroti.

16. The population of Italy as of 2005 was 58,103,033 people.

17. The flag of Italy was inspired by the French flag brought in 1797 by Napoleon.

18. Lehman Brothers owns seven percent of Ferrari.

19. Italy trails only Brazil in World Cup wins.

Italy is an amazing country with colorful, animated people. From ancient culture to a bustling modern country, a trip to Italy is hard to beat. Plan on visiting Italy in the future? Be sure to look for travel discounts to save money.

7 Good Reasons For Travel Insurance

For thousands of years, risks have been shared during times of tragedy. The first formal insurance company, Lloyd’s of London, was formed in 1769 and their principal concept remains today – to gather the premiums of clients as a pool of resources to return to clients who experience unexpected but covered events. So, that is the secret really, plan for the unexpected and make sure you’re covered, especially when you’re travelling. Whether your trip is a quick one or a round the world cruise, there are many good reasons for travel insurance. Here are just 7:

Medical Emergencies: If you fall sick or are injured during your travel, your travel insurance will give you financial coverage.

Flight Cancellations: If your flight is cancelled or delayed then your travel insurance should help. Depending on the cover available, a room for the night and even alternative travel home can be included.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions: Even if you have a pre-existing medical condition and it flares up while you’re on vacation, as long as you’ve advised your travel insurance company prior, you should be covered.

Damage or Loss Of Personal property – What are you going to do when your luggage gets stolen? Yes, it happens, all the time. There are organised gangs that work in airports doing just that. Guess what? You need travel insurance.

Loss of Cash or Traveller’s Cheques – You’re in a foreign country far from home. You either lose, or have stolen, your entire holiday fund. You’re going to need help and quick. Again, travel insurance is a must.

Emergency Evacuations – What with global warming and economic pressure more and more holiday destinations are being built in potentially dangerous territory. Who would have wanted to be in Thailand on that Boxing Day? Travel insurance will help if you have to get out quick.

Car Crash – It can be very difficult driving on the wrong side of the road in a strange country. Accidents happen.

Okay, there you have it. 7 good and solid reasons why you need travel insurance the next trip you make. The other alternative of course is to not take out travel insurance, or to stay at home. Now, there’s an idea. But seriously, as always when taking out insurance, especially travel insurance, read the fine print. Importantly, find out before you go what is excluded, not just included. So, always read the fine print. For example, accidental coverage is not provided in case of drunken driving, driving under the influence of narcotic substances etc. Exclusions are also provided for accidents during risky sports like bungee jumping, car racing, scuba diving, white water rafting, flying (except as passenger in regular airliners), gliding, skiing, bike racing, diving, mountaineering, windsurfing etc. The list goes on (insert for your favorite potentially dangerous sport here). That means in case of accidents in these situations the insurance company is not liable to pay any amount to the insured.