Travel discounts, Travel Tips

What is the real secret to cheap international travel? it's the same as the secret to doing anything for less. Learn to be an opportunist. Opportunistic travelers get to travel more, see more & do more. Of coursework, you can ignore this advice if you have unlimited currency.

I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. Honestly, are not there plenty of interesting places in this world? Why not choose eight you can travel to inexpensively? The other places will be there in the future, & you may have an opportunity to go to those places cheaply at some point.

Ecuador is my favorite international location. You can still get a decent meal for eight dollars. U.S. dollars, by the way, since that is conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped Andes mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you'll seldom run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe & inexpensive.

Cheap Countries

South America in general is inexpensive, & the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, & Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to it's recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.

In Central America, it costs  little to travel & holiday in both Nicaragua & Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has become more stable & safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful , & though it's eight of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than Europe.

In Asia, India is still low-cost,  if you stay in the numerous hostels & boarding houses. Thailand & Indonesia are also  cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single biggest travel expense. This is  true with the asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there may not be.

Cheap International Travel Tips

Wherever you go, there are things you can do to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at the tourist restaurants. To keep it  cheap, eat fruit from street markets (wash it well) & packaged snacks from grocery stores.

Visit the free & cheap attractions first. It's possible you'll have so much fun that you'll seldom get around to doing the expensive things. A higher price means better quality with travel bags, but not with travel experiences.

For cheap accommodations find out where local visitors from within the country stay. Negotiating room charges is common in some areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. Consider hostels, if you don't mind sharing a room. they are much more common overseas.

Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, but be careful of crowded city busses, where pickpockets hang out. jogging is even cheaper, & it's a great way to learn about a city.  ask the locals where the dangerous parts are before you wander  far.

Cheap international travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. Use the techniques outlined on our site to save big on tickets, or search the fares to several interesting countries. If eight is $500 less than the others, consider going there. $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.

Before you think to travel to Paris, Switzerland, Bordeaux or Quebec, you absolutely need to learn basic French phrases. Without these common sentences and words, you will be lost and frustrated.

There are sentences and words that you will use every single day. Let's start to learn them, because life will be extremely hard if you chose to ignore this lesson and travel to a French speaking country.

We will start with the most common words because it's easier, and then, we will learn basic French phrases...

1. Most common words in French (and any other foreign language)

Note: I will write the English word first, and then, translate it in French.

1 - Yes = Oui
2 - No = Non
3 – Ok = D'accord (Note that French say OK as well!)
4 – Why = Pourquoi
5 – Where = Ou
6 – How = Comment
7 – Thanks = Merci
8 – How much = Combien
9 – Hotel = Hotel
10 – Room = Chambre

2. Three Must Know French Phrases

Note: I will write the English word first, and then, translate it in French.

These are four sentences that you will use every single day.

1 - Good Morning! How are you? = Bonjour! Comment allez – vous?

2 - I'm fine thank you = Je vais bien, merci.

3 – Do you speak French? = Parlez-vous Français?

4 – Where are you from? = De quel pays venez vous?

As you can see, these French words and sentences are essential if you want to travel to France or any other French speaking country. No need to say that you will not be able to live in France without those...

To learn basic French phrases with a French native speaker is your best option. However, there is no harm to learn with a Canadian or even a English native if he is fluent.

Learning from home is another option, and after all, you can quickly learn these essential sentences before you decide to travel to Paris!

The J.P. Chase and Company provides tons of options to the people at large, thus enabling them to properly manage their money matters. The same can be said about the Chase credit cards, which come with very lucrative and beneficial offers. One of them is the Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa Card, which is truly beneficial for those who are frequent travelers.

The Various Aspects of the Credit Card

The introductory annual percentage rate of this card is 0 percent; this rate is applicable on balance transfers or new purchase for the first twelve months. Once the introductory period expires, the annual percentage rate increase to 14.24 percent. The variable annual percentage rates depend on the prime rate.

If you pay your balance full each month then you are sure to reap great benefits. If, however, you plan to carry balances, you will invite unnecessary finance charges (due to the ‘Two Cycles Average Daily Balance’ method used to calculate the finance charges).

The card charges no fees. You are not required to pay anything towards annual fee; there is nothing as participation fee, reload fee, application fee and/or inactive fee. The rewards for this card are in the form of miles.

The Credit Card Rewards

The Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa Card is very apt for those who are interested in travel reward credit cards. If you are a credit savvy and credit worthy consumer, then this card is worth your needs.

The reward program for this credit card is very interesting. You will have to pay $29 to be inducted into the rewards program. There is the chance of earning one mile for every single dollar spent on the purchases. You can also use your accumulated miles towards hotel charges, car rentals, cruises and many more. The reward program enables you to save for 250 airlines.

The various platinum services of this card incorporate auto rental insurance, travel accident insurance, travel and emergency services and many more. You can also make transactions with your account from anywhere in the world through the Internet.

The other services of the platinum card include emergency card replacement, emergency cash replacement, lost and stolen card reporting and many more. The cardholders also get purchase protection and they will not be liable for unauthorized card transactions.

Therefore, if you love to travel, then you should start using the Chase Travel Plus Platinum Visa Card, which will enable you to save miles for your next vacation. Before you do so, go through the card limitations and restrictions.

We all know the temptations of traveling… grabbing a slice of pizza while running to your gate at the airport, an elaborate steak dinner with a client, and being so tired at day’s end that all you want to do is fall into bed. Traveling can often create havoc on regular exercise and golf conditioning. Fitness and good nutrition while on the road can help keep you on top of your game. With a bit of planning and creative strategy you can help keep your body ready to hit the golf course.

First thoughts about travel, exercise and maintaining good nutrition can be negative for many. Some will think, I don’t have the equipment I usually have, my meals will all be eating out or fast food. Instead of giving up on preparing your body for golf, consider ways to maintain a good portion of your normal fitness and health routine. You’ll be surprised at just how much you can accomplish. Here’s a few tips to help:

• As you plan your trip be sure to define your fitness goals while you travel. Keep them specific, measurable, realistic and timely. Consider the constraints you’ll have by your travel schedule and logistics.

• When booking your flights and hotel call ahead or check the internet to find details about exercise facilities. If no facility is available, plan alternate activities like an in-room workout.

• As you pack be sure to include workout gear as space allows.

• If your travel involves time-based appointment, schedule appointment with yourself for your workout. Treat this appointment just as you would any other meeting.

You’ll be surprised at just how much you can accomplish even in your hotel room. Stretches, and some exercises are easily performed as no equipment is necessary. With fitness awareness soaring, many hotels have first-rate fitness centers with a full variety of equipment and their own fitness staff. For most travelers, the best way to fit exercise into their day is by simply setting the alarm a bit earlier to accommodate time for conditioning. This helps to leave the remainder of the day free for your other scheduled activities.

While exercising regularly is important for your health and golf game, so is how you eat. It is so easy to get off course when you are not at home. Try to pack snacks for the trip and an extra water bottle. Travel can place stress on the body and zap you of your energy. Snack and meal replacement bars are handy for travelers with hectic schedules. While bars are no substitute for real food (i.e., fresh vegetables, fruit, and protein), they’re a certainly a step in the right direction from burgers and fries. As you choose your bars read the label to check calorie, fat, carbohydrate and protein content. All bars are not equal.

With a little planning and determination, continued conditioning during your travel can keep your body ready for the golf course.