July 31, 2008 at 11:07 pm · Filed under Travel_Trip
Your choice of luggage can make any vacation or business trip much easier if some forethought is used. Never buy suitcases based purely on price or your favorite color!
Careful consideration should be given to several factors, such as:
* How long do you plan to travel?
* Do you intend to pack heavy items (like books or sports equipment)?
* Are you short in stature?
* Do you know the weight/size restrictions of your travel carrier?
* Do you intend to transport or purchase any fragile items?
Luggage can be categorized into three main groups: hard-shell, soft-sided, and semi-soft.
No matter which group you choose from, ensure that your bags:
* Have lockable zippers and compartments
* Are waterproof
* Are durable
* Are in good repair
Some carriers will refuse to accept your luggage if it looks like it will disintegrate during your trip.
Hard-shell suitcases are ideal if you intend to carry fragile items; but this type of luggage can be very heavy. Be kind to your back and ensure that all of your suitcases have wheels. Try to find luggage with metal-reinforced corners to protect it from damage during baggage handling.
Soft-sided luggage is lightweight - but you won’t get the best protection for fragile souvenir treasures. If you decide on soft-sided baggage, make sure that you cram each suitcase as full as possible to avoid shifting and wrinkling of your clothing.
Semi-soft baggage is constructed with a hard frame (like hard-shell suitcases). Strong fabric is then placed over the frame. The frame provides more protection than soft-sided luggage, with the added advantage of being lighter than hard-shell offerings.
If you are a frequent business traveller, you might want to consider purchasing a good quality suit or garment bag. Try to locate one with multiple pockets and tough zippers. With careful planning, you should be able to pack enough clothing for up to a week.
A single carry-on, rucksack, or duffel bag is great for a weekend getaway. However, since August 10, 2006, airline restrictions will force you to place liquids, gels, and pastes into another checked bag.
Your luggage should appear distinctive. Having the same beige or black baggage as everyone else makes it difficult to locate your belongings on luggage carousels. You can transform basic black into bold and beautiful with decals, fabric paint, colorful tape wrapped around handles, etc. Your imagination is the only limit!
Short passengers should avoid huge suitcases that are difficult to lug around. Smaller suitcases and baggage with retractable wheels and telescoping handles will make life on the road considerably easier. If you can’t find suitable bags with wheels and telescoping handles, purchase a baggage caddy.
Colorful duffel bags are a favorite with most children. If you do an online search for ‘duffel bags kids’ or something similar, you will find thousands of websites.
After you have packed all your bags, try lugging them around the block the same way you will be carrying them through the airport, railway terminal, or bus station. If you can only walk a block or two, your luggage is too heavy. Repack!
Do you plan to do a lot of souvenir shopping? Squeeze in an extra soft-sided bag - or nest two hard shell suitcases, one inside the other. When you return, you will have an additional bag - so be sure that you don’t exceed your carrier’s restrictions. Remember, also, that charter flights may have different restrictions than regular flights.
Paying attention to your individual needs and personality when you choose your luggage will make your travel much more enjoyable.
Try these search engines: http://www.triple1.com/searchen.htm when looking for duffel bags. Do you need accommodations for your trip? 111 Travel Directory: http://www.triple1.com/ is a great place to start. Trying to find packing tips? Visit: http://1000tips4trips.com/ - with over 1000 travel tips.
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July 30, 2008 at 8:09 am · Filed under Travel_Trip
You put time into planning a relaxing break with the knowledge that if the trip involves air travel there is always that risk of something going wrong! I recently experienced this when my flight was cancelled due to a terrorist threat. As a result I had to spend 14 hours, I repeat 14 hours, sitting around twiddling my thumbs waiting for some kind of feedback from those exhausted looking airline staff. With so many other holiday makers having to endure the same experience, this added insult to injury. Starbucks, Costa, Pizza Express, and basically anywhere you could sit and attempt to calm down with a nice latte or a glass of wine, were crowded beyond belief. The lucky people able to secure a table were prepared to purchase as many drinks as necessary to keep their relatively comfortable place to sit and wait. Those of us left had to find floor space (at this point the only potential areas were next to the litter bins or the public toilets).
I have decided to avoid risking a repeat experience for some time. I simply cannot face another airport again. In fact I am even wary of train and bus stations. That leaves me with my Pininfarina designed Peugeot 406 Coupe. A form of transport I can actually rely on. Fresh from its MOT and newly taxed my car is ready to go so I have decided to take another road trip next month. My fondest memories of the year are the trips we have taken across the UK in this car.
I have been on to one of my favourite reference sites and purchased my road map and an Eyewitness UK Travel Guide. All that’s left to do is download some of our favourite tracks to play as we drive around and take in the scenery. I can confidently say I am well and truly looking forward to my next trip.
Another great thing about travelling by road is the ability to pack the car with as much luggage as you like. The last holiday I took using air travel involved me being charged for excess baggage when bringing back too many bottles of wine. I’d been in France - what do people expect?!
For those of you with children, like myself, you should be aware of the new law on child restraints which takes effect from September 18th of this year - definitely something to bear in mind!
In my opinion road trips are well and truly coming back - just remember to fasten your seatbelt and drive safely.
Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club.
Tags: ba, Dorling Kindersley, Eyewitness Travel Guides, Mothercare, road trip, travel books, travel guidesba, Dorling Kindersley, Eyewitness Travel Guides, Mothercare, road trip, travel books, travel guidesShare This
July 29, 2008 at 3:03 pm · Filed under Travel_Trip
Okay you are about to embark on the great adventure, a trip to see somewhere new and exciting-just as soon as you get there. Meanwhile you are going to be spending a lot of time in cramped quarters with the kids and it would behoove you to keep the kids happy during the long trip.
This applies whether you are about to get on a long air flight or taking a road trip across the country because nothing can be harder than trying to keep the peace in an aggravatingly cramped situation.
Most children have their own space that they like to occupy without being touched or annoyed by their siblings. You all remember that childish ‘I’m not touching you,” game your little brother or sister irritated you with by holding a finger just close enough to your person to upset you but not quite touching you. Well, it’s still popular. If you are on a long flight think about breaking up the kids by sitting in the middle and having each sit on either side of you. If in the car put one in the front passenger seat and one in the backseat. Or you can rent a larger vehicle such as a van that will allow quite a bit more space to the kids.
In a way kids experience a Pavlov response as soon as you hit the highway by feeling the urge to go to the bathroom while at the same time realizing that they are very hungry. I blame it on the prevalence of fast food signs by the roadsides. Deal with the potty issue by checking that everyone and I mean everyone has gone to the restroom before getting into the car. This also serves for those on air flights. You don’t want a kid to have to go potty during take off. As for food take snacks that you know the kids will like on the plane and in the car. You should also take more than you estimate you’ll need, because the estimate will never be enough.
You can try to take advantage of the kids sleep schedules to make the most time on your travels. Kids often go to bed much earlier than their parents, so you can actually start your trip towards evening and let the kids fall asleep in the back. Be sure to make it as comfortable as possible to properly induce sleep. Take blankets and pillows and pack a small pen light or two for the ones who do manage to stay up to use for reading. Similarly you can pick air flights that are scheduled for later in the evening so that the kids will hopefully sleep through most of the flight.
Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.
Tags: entertain, kids, travel, trip, vacationsentertain, kids, travel, trip, vacationsShare This
