When on holiday do you dread going over the weight limit? Or maybe you are backpacking and you don’t want to carry a heavy load around with you. Well here is a list that suggests things not to pack and hopefully will help you on how you can lighten the load.

1. Soap – now a day’s most hotels have soaps in their rooms, if not it isn’t that expensive to buy from the local shops. This also includes shampoo, I would buy a tiny travel bottle when I land and leave it behind once my holiday has finished. If you need or want to take some soap and shampoo, they can be bought in travel sizes.
2. Jeans – if you are going on holiday where it is hot, you will not want to wear heavy, bulky clothing also it would be impossible to wash them in a sink if the hotel hasn’t got a laundry room.
3. Towels – now this is a item that will be provided by the hotel and something you don’t need to pack. If your hotel doesn’t provide towels why not re use some of your clothes they are something you need to pack and easy to wash and dry or a microfiber towel.
4. Jackets – if you are going to a place where it is hot you won’t need a thick winter coat maybe take a thin jacket in case the weather becomes a bit nippy. If you are going somewhere cold then you will need a thicker coat not a thin jacket, take what is suitable for the trip / holiday.
5. Expensive Jewellery – Do not take expensive jewellery with you on your trip as you wouldn’t want to be a target of a crime or a victim.

If you don’t agree with this list then please don’t follow it, don’t let this list be do’s and don’ts, if you feel like you really need to take soap and it’s really important to you then buy a travel one. Also leave room in your suitcase for the fun items and souvenirs you purchased on your holidays.
Don’t forget to pack your passport and travel insurance and holiday documents also store them digitally on a USB as a backup.

Traveling to an exotic tropical locale is extremely attractive and exciting to most of us. But, travel in tropical environments can involve more than just sun and fun.  Water and food-borne illnesses can certainly cause extremely undesirable problems that can linger long after the trip is over. Also, the combination of humidity and high temperatures can cause dehydration or heat exhaustion for those not accustomed to extreme weather conditions and sunburn is an ever-present concern. Last but certainly not least, biting bugs and other unsavory characters such as lizards, snakes, and scorpions can find their way into your room at even the most luxurious resort. Luckily, the correct travel gear coupled with a healthy dose of common sense can prevent many of these problems from spoiling your tropical vacation.

Food and Water
The best way to know for sure if the water is safe to drink is to ask local guides who are used to dealing with foreign tourists or the staff of your hotel (assuming that it caters to tourists). Generally, it is safe to eat and drink almost anything (except maybe the tap water) at tourist hotels in major travel destinations such as Veneto Panama in Panama City; however, tourists who will be going off the beaten track and venturing into local restaurants or eating street food will definitely face more risk.
The safety of food and water can vary widely from country to country, and sometimes even within a country. In most major cities the water is drinkable (although extremely sensitive travelers could still become sick). In other places, drinking just one glass of water is a sure way to ruin your trip.

As a rule, thoroughly cooked food is always safer than meats eaten rare or medium rare and travelers should always avoid foods that are room temperature or appear to have been sitting around.  Also, any vegetables and fruits without a skin or peel should be avoided (like lettuce) whereas items such as bananas, oranges, and avocados are safe to eat as long as they are not washed after the peel is removed. Bottled water is widely available and you should always opt for that as opposed to water in a glass (or even another beverage with ice).  If you do want a soda or juice, choose one that is in a sealed can or bottle.

Weather
It may sound strange to pile on clothing in a hot climate, but long-sleeved shirts and long pants will protect your skin from both sunburn and bugs. Clothing should be light weight for comfort but also lightly colored to reflect the sun. Some specialty companies such as Columbia and ExOfficio offer ventilated clothing and some clothing designed for travel even comes treated with bug repellent (which can last up to 20 washings). Most importantly when in the tropics, wear a hat; hats protect you from overheating as well as from sunburn.

Major health conditions related to weather are dehydration, heat exhaustion (or the more severe heat stroke) and hyponatremia, which occurs when the body sweats so much that its electrolyte balance is compromised and it can no longer process water properly. Periodic snacking of foods containing some salt and sugar can replace some of the electrolytes lost to sweating and electrolyte replacement drinks or athletic drinks can also help prevent or treat dehydration.

Bugs
Insect repellents are must for travel to the tropics. The Anopheles mosquito which transmits malaria is most often active at night, but mosquitoes that transmit dengue fever are active during the day so it’s extremely important to protect yourself at all times. Repellents containing DEET are most effective against biting insects but be careful when applying DEET, as it can eat through some types of synthetic clothing, and even could damage plastic items like watch bands, camera parts, straps and buckles. Unfortunately, even with insect repellent, you are bound to get a bite or two so make sure you bring something for the itch as well.

Some travelers who follow all the rules can still get sick.  However, by using common sense and following these basic guidelines, visitors to tropical countries can be pretty sure that they will stay happy and healthy on their tropical holiday.

Okay….so January has been and gone…and February was just a blink. Now it’s March and there are at least eight full months of the year left. So let’s take a look at some of the top festivals and events which are still to take place this year. If you see something that interests you, you can organise your airline tickets now to get them cheap.

1. La Tomatina, Buñol, Spain

La Tomatina is an annual festival which takes place in the Valencian city of Buñol. It dates back to 1945 and is held on the last Wednesday in August. All you need are old shorts and an old shirt and you can take part in the world’s biggest tomato fight too.

1. International Pillow Fight Day, cities around the world

This year the International Pillow Fight Day will be held on the 2 April. Imagine taking part in a huge pillow flight in the middle of a big city. Find out which cities host this festival by clicking on this link.

1. San Fermin, Pamplona, Spain

Okay…so the Spanish are famous for their crazy festivals and the running of the bulls through the streets of Pamplona is just another to add to the list. This event usually takes place on the 7 July every year and lasts a week. All you need is a white top and trousers and a red scarf to take part.

1. El Colacho – Baby Jumping, Castrillo de Murcia, Spain

Again….a dangerous tradition which takes place in Spain. What happens at this festival is that men jump over newborn babies to cleanse them of evil. Believe it or not, this is an event and it takes place in June every year.

1. Up Helly-Aa, Shetland, Scotland

Otherwise known as Europe’s largest fire festival and it is held in January to mark the end of the winter. This is something to look forward to in 2012.

1. Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest is the most famous beer festival in the world which is held in October every year.

1. Aloha Festival, Hawaii, USA

Perhaps not as crazy as the other festivals…..Aloha Festival celebrates all things Hawaiian and it is a good excuse to visit this exotic island. By booking flights to Hawaii in September you can enjoy this event.

1. Flour Throwing Festival, Galaxidi, Greece

A coloured flour throwing battle which is ironically held on Clean Monday every year.

1. Just for Laughs, Montreal, Canada

An event which you see on television but which is more fun if you take part – Just for Laughs – held in July every year.

1. Queen’s Day, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Celebrate the Dutch queen’s birthday on the 30 April every year. Huge parties are held in the streets and the theme is orange…so make sure you wear something that colour.

I always put a lot of thought into packing and preparing for a long-haul flight. By planning to spend hours on an aircraft or even at an airport, you can make the journey much more comfortable. I have learned from experience.

One of the things I couldn’t survive without is my pull along mini suitcase which I can take on as hand luggage. Most airlines allow passengers to carry on baggage measuring 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. You should, however, check with the airline you are travelling with. Here are some of the essentials I pack in my hand luggage:-

Toothpaste and toothbrush: If I were going to a desert island and could only take one thing, this would be it. If you are spending hours in an airport or on board a flight, just going to brush your teeth after eating can make you feel better. Remember to take a mini toothpaste (maximum capacity of 100 millilitres).

Face wash, towel and moisturizer: It is a great feeling to wash your face during stopovers.

Earplugs, sleeping mask, socks and fleece: Flights can be uncomfortable and with over 200 people on board, there will be noise, babies crying and passengers talking – that is why I take earplugs. On most flights I get cold because of the air conditioning so I always take a pair of socks and a fleece. However, on every Iberia aircraft I have travelled on I melt with the heat so it is also a good idea to wear layers so you can strip down if necessary. Finally, the sleeping mask just in case the person beside me has the light on.

Extra change of clothes: I always take an extra change of clothes just in case my suitcase goes missing. If you are travelling from winter to summer or vice versa, perhaps you could take something suitable to change into at the airport when you arrive.

Oh and don’t forget to wear flight socks or you won’t be able to fit your feet in your shoes after the journey.

You don’t have to spend thousands on a travel insurance policy to enjoy peace of mind while on holiday. We have discovered a few clever tips and tricks to purchase the perfect policy at an affordable price.

The most obvious way to save money on travel insurance is by shopping around and doing a thorough travel insurance comparison. Get quotes from as many travel insurance agencies as you can and do a comparison based on cost, level of cover and benefits that are relevant to you. Once you have a thorough understanding of the costs of your desire policy, negotiate! Most agencies work on a commission basis, and may be able to reduce the price in order to secure the sale.

Bundling your policies can also be an effective way of saving money. This can be done two ways, through bundling all your insurance policies together, such as life, travel and home insurance, as well as through joining together travel insurance policies for family members or friends who are travelling with you. Joint policies are better value for money, as many travel insurance agencies will jointly insure two unrelated people travelling together.

The key to saving money over the long term is to never under-insure. Although some budget travel insurance policies maybe more affordable, they are likely to have much higher excess fees and can cost you more money in the long term if you ever need to make a large claim.

The final tip to save money on your travel insurance policy is to use your credit card. Many card holders are entitles to a certain level of accident and emergency cover if they pay for their trip with their credit card. This may not be sufficient cover for all travellers, so check with your card provider before departing on your adventure.

Being and staying healthy is important before embarking on any mountaineering adventure, particularly for anyone with a history of respiratory problems or smoking. People who are heavy smokers are already breathing as if they were at 3,000 feet elevation, so it is best to give up smoking well before doing any strenuous training.

Getting into a paced training regimen a few months before attempting any mountaineering is essential. Starting with a fast walk for a mile or two and gradually covering longer distance, then start climbing the stairs or any short hills. When doing practice climbs, simulate the real thing by carrying a sturdy rucksack loaded with essentials that would be carried on future mountaineering expeditions. In many countries there may be provincial and national parks where anyone can go and start tackling the shallow hiking trails, then gradually move up to more difficult terrain at higher elevations.

The added weight of any necessary equipment can be difficult on any climb, so it is essential to find the lightest and most portable equipment that is durable and will perform well. Plenty of water and high-energy food such as dried fruit can be carried in a lightweight rucksack. For those living in areas where mountaineering is common, there may be several equipment outfitters close by. For those with internet access, there are several outdoor equipment firms which advertise their wares online, and will often throw in free shipping when purchasing more than one item.

A lot depends on what climate and weather conditions you might encounter on a mountaineering advienture, but having the proper clothing can make all the difference. A mammut windstopper jacket is lightweight and thickly padded to trap body heat in extreme temperatures. Even on warm summer days, chilly conditions after sundown can happen quickly at high elevations.

For more experienced mountaineers, there are outdoor adventure outfitters which will provide all that is needed in an all-inclusive package. Many mountain expeditions will include a guide who has plenty of experience on a specific destination, while some mountaneering tours will even take people by helicopter to high elevations, from where they must find a safe passage back to a base camp.

Although travel seems to come with a lot of hidden and unexpected extra fees and costs, there are definitely ways to minimize your planned costs to help offset the unexpected costs or, even better, to save you money on your overall trip budget.

The number one key to saving on your travels is to plan ahead and do your research. A little research into your destination can help you figure out what you might need to spend money on and where you can save. You can also find out what necessities are cheap versus those that are much more money. This can help you to determine what things you will need to travel with, and those things that you could purchase on your travels.

The people you travel with will also determine how much you spend. If you are traveling alone…that’s great. The only person you will have to answer to is yourself. But if you are traveling with friends, make sure they are frugal friends. Friends can pressure you into spending or saving on your travels. If you are traveling with a tour company, choose a budget minded tour. These tours will attract other travelers who are also budget-conscious, and the tour will be built with budget in mind.

Knowing your spending weaknesses can also help you to avoid those scenes and situations that make you want to spend unwisely. Travel seems to thrive off of last minute purchases and necessities, as well as tourist traps and convenience spending. Right from the time you enter the airport you are faced with overpriced convenience. Overpriced food, entertainment for the flight, and everything from clothes, toiletries, and pillows are all meant to attract those travelers stuck for any alternative. This type of conveniently located, price traps will follow you throughout the whole of your trip. That is why it is so important that you pack wisely. A packing list will help you immensely with your organization and ensuring that you’ve packed everything you intended. You can find pre-made packing lists all over the internet that will help you come up with ideas of what you will need.

In order to avoid overpriced touristy food, souvenirs, accommodations, etc. you will once again need to do a little research. Venture off the beaten path to discover more local and authentic services and items. Shouldn’t traveling be about experiencing another culture anyways? Being stuck in the middle of tourist-central will not provide you with that type of experience. In touristy areas everything is catered to what the locals think us westerners will enjoy. And, they expect us to pay for the overpriced tourist kitsch…mostly because we do. However, as soon as you move out a little from the main areas you will save money on everything while getting a better experience. You will be able to find much better souvenirs as they will be original and authentic, and sometimes even better quality.

When trying to keep to a budget or save money while traveling, planning ahead is the most important factor in your success. While traveling, make a game out of not spending. See how long you can go without spending money, and try to search out deals. Just think, the more cheaply you travel, the more often you will be able to travel.

If you are old enough to remember when there was no Internet, you can probably recall how difficult and time-consuming it could be to get a good deal on a Florida rental car. Sure, you could have called a travel agent, but then you never knew if you were really getting the best price. Or you could take the time to call Hertz, National, Dollar, Alamo, National and a few other car rental companies, and after a few hours of work you would probably have yourself a pretty good deal. Of course when the Internet came along that made things a lot easier, especially in recent years as it is now easier than ever with just a few clicks to compare rates for an Orlando Car Rental, Miami Car Rental or anywhere else you want to go in the Sunshine State.

But even though it’s so much faster and easier than before, you still need to know what to look for to get the lowest Florida rental car rates. Here are a few simple tips:

Book early, and often

Unlike Florida airfare reservations, it’s very easy to cancel or change your Florida rental car reservations. So if you find a good rate, go ahead and book it but then check back every once in a while to see if the rate has changed. If it does, you can either cancel your original reservation and re-book or just change your existing reservation.

Check different locations

Most people only check the rental car rates for the Orlando and Miami airports, but you can sometimes find much better deals at other nearby locations. If you can save $150 by renting a car a few miles from the airport, isn’t that worth taking a $20 cab ride?

Bring your car back on time

If you find out that your flight home is going to be delayed, you might want to still head over to the airport at the original time to avoid extra rental charges. Depending on when you picked the car up, you can sometimes get charged for an additional day just for keeping the car for a few extra hours. So instead, return the car on time and relax at the airport, do some people-watching, and have a pre-flight meal using the money you saved on your Florida rent-a-car.

If you are looking for a unique vacation, a cruise provides the perfect balance of travel and relaxation. Cruise ships are luxurious and provide their guests with food, entertainment and a place to sleep. Planning a cruise may sound expensive, but many discount cruises are available that fit your budget. You can find these cruise deals through cruise specialists such as Discountcruises.com. Another option is to book your cruise directly through the cruise line. These provide you with a variety of options for finding an affordable cruise package.

When planning a cruise, you should first decide when you are you able to leave since the departure dates are already scheduled. After finding the days that you are available, you should decide which location its best for you. The most popular cruise destinations are the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska. These all provide a scenic view with many amazing locations to visit at each port. The location and length of the trip also affect the price.

There are also cruises available for those wishing to travel alone. These singles cruises provide the perfect opportunity to meet new people. If you decide to book a singles cruise, be sure to take part in the onboard activities.

Whichever type of cruise you wish to plan, there are many options available to choose from and the price varies between these options. When planning a cruise, be sure to research the locations you wish to see and then pick a travel package that fits your budget.

While so many people think that traveling abroad is the only way to go as far as traveling is concerned, these same folks – people who so often extol the virtues of seeing new and different sights – discount just how much this great country of ours has to offer. From sandy beaches to even sandier deserts; from mountains to rivers to deep wavy fields and valleys filled with wild flowers and grasses, and from quite literally one ocean to another, the United States of America offers something for everyone and its landscape is as vast and varied as any country on the globe.

Even though I certainly pride myself on having visited several foreign countries, nations, and other locales abroad I firmly believe that someone should first explore their own country before moving on to visit the rest of the world. As someone who has been to 46 of 50 states as well as several territories (I’m missing just Alaska, Hawaii, Michigan, and Louisiana) I feel that I am in the proper position to give this sort of advice. In fact, before you set out to leave this nation ask yourself, what am I looking to find?

More often than not you will find that you can find what you are looking for, and then some, right here at home. If you are thinking of a visit to the deserts of Egypt look no further than our very own Death Valley in Nevada and California; the Painted Desert of New Mexico; or any other number of deserts throughout Texas, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and even Oregon! If you are more into beaches and ocean play than states such as Florida, Rhode Island, California, and most obviously Hawaii might be more your speed and the states of Alaska and Texas, almost small countries in their own right offer more to explore than many of the international destinations so many Americans are eager to visit.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with international travel and keeping in mind that I don’t want to come off as one of those ignorant Americans who ignores the world at large, I am just saying that, while travel abroad might have its place, we should not be so quick as to overlook the amazing people and beauty that our own country can offer us right here at home. All I’m saying is that before we go abroad, we should travel at home first.