Five Things You Must Do when Traveling with Older Parents

Traveling with your parents can be a wonderful experience if you plan well ahead. Here are five things you must do to ensure that you and your parents will have a great vacation.

1. Ensure that the itinerary is not too fast paced.

Old folks tend to get tired easily and thus it is not advisable to include activities that are too strenuous. It is also not advisable to pack too many activities in the itinerary such that you and your parents have to rush from one place to another.

2. Ensure that everyone has ample sleep

Plan to have at least six to eight hours of sleep for you and your parents for each day of your vacation. Try to avoid having any more activities after 11 p.m. Prepare some hot water for your parents to soak their legs before bed time if there is a fair amount of walking in the day.

3. Have ample supply of their medication

If your parents are suffering from diabetes, asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol or any other illness, make sure you obtain ample supply of medication from their doctors to last for the whole trip. To ensure that you remember to bring the medication, create a checklist of things to bring and put their medication among the top five items on that list. As a safety precaution, ask them to carry a medical record of their illness and contact details in case you are not around when they need medical attention.

4. Healthy diet

Most old people do not take heavy meals and thus you need to plan for multiple light and healthy meals that are low on salts, oil and sugars but high in fiber. Always have a sandwich or high fiber biscuits in your bag in case they get hungry and there isn’t a snack bar in the vicinity. Also make sure that you and your parents drink a lot of water to prevent dehydration.

5. Bring along a first aid travel pack.

Your first aid travel pack should contain medication for fever and diarrhea, cold symptoms and giddiness. It should also include a thermometer, tweezers, sharp scissors, safety pins, adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, adhesive tape and antiseptic wipes. While this list is not exhaustive, the stocks in the travel pack should be enough to cater to most conditions that require general first aid assistance. Do check the expiry date for those medications that you bring along to ensure that they are safe for consumption.

Traveling with your parents need not be a hassle as long as you plan ahead and take care of their needs. Involve them in all the activities along the way and remember to have fun!

Mexico’s Hidden Jewels

Thinking of a vacation to Mexico but want to go somewhere different off the beaten path? Here are some ideas for destinations in Mexico that will take you beyond Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.

Isla Mujeres, located only eight miles across the bay from Cancun, is a tiny island only five miles long and about a half mile wide. Translated, Isla Mujeres means the “Island of Women”. No, it is not a hidden commune filled with females but it is a charming and tranquil fishing village. It has shops, restaurants and about a dozen or so small hotels where you can rest your head.

With a downtown area consisting of only four or five blocks, this makes Isla Mujeres everything that the big tourist areas in Mexico are not. Surrounded by white sand beaches on all sides, snorkeling and scuba diving are popular in the crystal clear turquoise waters. Kayaks, snorkeling gear, and other water toys can be rented on the beach and fishing, sailing and even swimming with dolphins is available here. Isla Mujeres has something for every one of all ages and is a great place to explore the natural wonders of Mexico.

Another great Mexico vacation spot that is often overlooked is Cabo San Lucas. Its location at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula, gives it an ideal climate of about 78 degrees year round. Once a tranquil fishing village, Cabo has evolved into a wonderful spot for vacationers but remains small and charming. Small however does not mean boring, there are many things to do in Cabo.

Deserted beaches, on both the Pacific coast and along the shoreline of the Sea of Cortez, make Cabo San Lucas an awesome beach vacation. If you enjoy water sports, boating, marlin fishing, horseback riding and golf, you will enjoy Cabo. Golf has become very popular in the area and there are five championship golf courses already here and more on the way.

Cabo San Lucas is a perfect vacation spot for those looking for something different. It can be quiet and relaxing for a romantic getaway or it can be a place where you will keep going till you drop with the whole family.

Another one of Mexico’s jewels is Tulum. You will find Tulum about an hours drive south of Playa Del Carmen on the Mayan Coast. Tulum is best known for its Mayan ruins. Small but impressive, the ruins are perched high on top of limestone cliffs that offer a breathtaking view below of the sparkling Caribbean and a romantic coastline.

The little town of Tulum is slowly expanding and there are several very good local restaurants and a few on the beach in the smattering of hotels in the area. Accommodations range from five star boutique hotels to rustic cabanas.

Tulum offers the perfect mixture of tranquility, relaxation and seclusion but still gives you the option of exciting nearby attractions. Day trips in the area are always a good choice and the Eco-tourism experiences are limitless.

It is a much slower paced vacation and a combination of 3-4 days in Playa Del Carmen and 2-3 days in Tulum is a great way to combine the best of both worlds in these treasured spots.

Haridwar Tour – Pilgrimage Travel in India

Haridwar, India known as the Gateway to the Gods is home in the foothills of the Shivaliks along the banks of the River Ganga. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places in all of India according to Hindu mythology. Hindu mythology states that the Gods left their footprints in this city. Not only is Haridwar known for its mythology roots but also as a gateway to the three pilgrimages, home in the Uttrakhand region which are Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath. These pilgrimages mentioned in scriptures as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, and Mokshadwar are still today a main pilgrimage for Hindus.

The water found in Haridwar is clean and clear with herbal remedies, as many believe. All along the shore of the river, you will find ghats where many takes baths utilizing the healing powers believed to be in the River that is believed to cleanse the soul and open the way to Nirvana, the ultimate freedom.

Haridwar is known for providing the source of Ayurvedic medicines and herbal remedies along with possessing beautiful scenery and lush greenery. Many love to bask in the beauty as well as enjoy nature in the Rajaji Park. Tourists that love wildlife and nature truly enjoy a Haridwar vacation.

The major draw of Haridwar is that it is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in all of India. If you plan to visit during one of the many festivals, you will see people from all over the world as well as various walks of life including devotees, sadhus, and holy men.

While visiting this pilgrimage you will need to visit the Har-Ki-Pauri, which is the sacred ghat built by King Vikramaditya in the loving memory of his Bhartrihari. The temple of the Chandi Devi is located a top the Neel Parvat along the bank of the river Ganges built in 1929AD by Suchat Singh. In order to visit the Temple of Chandi Devi you will need to follow a ropeway that begins at the Gauri Shankar Temple.

The Vaishno Devi Temple is a newly built temple that is a replica of the original temple home in Jammu & Kashmir.

Just outside of Haridwar, you will find the Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary. This amazing sanctuary covers about 240 square Km. Twenty three different species call the sanctuary home as well as 315 plant species. Some of the animals you may get the chance to see including chitals, jungle cats, elephants, leopards, tigers, Himalayan yellow throated martens, barking dear, sambers, langurs, wild boars, sloth bears, ghurals, woodpeckers, and king cobras to name a few. You can even try your hand at fishing in the river as long as you have a permit.

10 Good Travel Tips

Going away on vacation should be an enjoyable experience but everyone has a horror story to tell. Perhaps your hotel room was robbed, or perhaps a careless spouse accidentally gambled away more money than they realized, or perhaps you simply lost your wallets somewhere between the airport and hotel. Here are 10 ways to make sure that your trip is a success in spite of those obstacles.

1. Use a hidden wallet to carry most of your valuables and identification.

2. If you feel comfortable sending it in the mail, mail money orders or travelers checks to yourself at your hotel so that even if you lose some of your money, more will be coming.

3. While you dont have to be too strict, you should have an agenda and leave it with someone at home. This way, if something happens in the area where you are vacationing, your loved ones will be able to have a fairly good idea of where you are.

4. Keep copies of identification at home, even if you take the originals with you.

5. When you go on vacation, choose one credit card to bring, rather than bringing all of them. This way, if your wallet gets stolen, you will minimize your losses.

6. Another option is to choose a preloaded credit card, which is really more like a debit card that you put money on so that if you end up losing your wallet the thieves cannot wreck your credit rating.

7. Bring important phone numbers with you on your trip and put them in two different places. Bring a phone number that will cancel your credit card. If you’re traveling out of the country bring a phone number to reach the embassy. Bring phone numbers of close family and friends who can help you if you get into trouble and bring phone numbers of the hotel and car rental company as well.

8. You will want to have your travel insurance information. Be sure to keep a copy of your travel insurance at home as well as on your trip so that a family member can access it if necessary.

9. Bring basic medical information with you, like blood type and allergies, and make sure that the medical information is translated into the primary language of the place you are going to so that non- English speaking doctors will have no problem understanding the situation.

10. Know what kind of insurance is covered on your credit card, if that is how you are using to paying for your trip. For example, some credit cards cover car rental insurance, but may not cover it in the country are you are going to. Be sure to know what insurance you have before you leave.

Travel Tips to Make Your Next Trip Faster, Easier and Safer

If you traveling overseas there are a few things you should do before you go to make your trip more safe and enjoyable.
Depending on where you are going you should visit the State Department website and check travel and business section for any travel warnings of the country or region you are visiting.
You should also take this opportunity to with register with the embassy (there is a link “Registering with US Embassies” from the travel and business section of the site). Registration at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (in the country you are visiting) makes your presence and whereabouts known, in case it is necessary for a consular officer to contact you in an emergency. During a disaster overseas, American consular officers can assist in evacuation were that to become necessary. But they cannot assist you if they do not know where you are.
You should make two copies of your passport and visa(s) for the country you are visiting if you have one. Give one copy of the documents to someone at home, it will make it easier for them to contact you, should something happen. Keep the second copy with you at all times.
With that said, always keep your passport and visa(s) locked in the safety deposit box at the hotel (keeping the paper copies with you). Also note, the safe at the front desk typically is the best place to lock up these items as opposed to the safety deposit box in your room.
You should also give all your hotel and flight information and itineraries to your main contact person here in the States. Again, hopefully they will never need to use that information, but in case they do, they will have it.
On to lighter subjects, well maybe not lighter, but at least, not a serious. Luggage! Regardless of if you are traveling domestically or internationally, it is a good idea to visit your airlines website to find out how much luggage you are allowed. There is nothing worse than getting to the airport and been told you have to pay another $25.00, $50.00 or $100.00 because your bags are too heavy.
Keep in mind that baggage allowance varies upon many things: are you traveling internationally or domestically? Are you flying First, Business or Economy? Are you a member of their frequent flyer program, or one of their partners? If so, what level are you (standard, silver, gold or platinum)? And finally, see if you are allowed one bag, two bags or in some cases, three bags and what are the allowances for your carry-on bag. Yes, it does vary and yes, I will be the first to admit that airline travel has become a chore.
While you are on the website checking out your baggage allowance information, you should also check to see, what exactly is included in terms of meals, snacks and drinks. More and more airlines now only offer complementary water and soda during the flight and unbelievably, some do not even offer that anymore. If your airline is on that charges for meals, snacks and drinks, it is a good idea to take a lot of one-dollar bills and a few fives. This will make paying for your purchases easier and your flight attendants will thank you.
These are just a few ideas that will help to make your travels faster, easier and safer as you are out exploring the world.

Travel to Delhi – North India Destinations

Delhi is the capital of India built on the ruins of at least seven cities that fell during the course of history. A visit to Delhi is one that encompasses a thriving growing modern city with more history and culture around every corner than you might imagine. The city is one that will embark visitors on Indian heritage and culture as well as tourism. A city that began its history in 736 Ad founded by Lal Kot by the Tomara clan of Rajputs which has seen political instability throughout its history. However, Delhi withstood all the turmoil and today stands as a beacon of the passion of the people and their culture.

Delhi is divided up into Old Delhi and New Delhi each with their own unique attractions that bring visitors from around the world to relish in the atmosphere and history of the this beautiful city.

In Old Delhi, you will find the Red Fort and Ferozshah Kotla. The Red Fort was the center of the Mughal Empire for over 200 years. The Red Fort known as Lal Qila is divided into individual pavilions with a different purpose for each. The Khas Mahal was the emperor’s private quarters which are the most impressive pavilion of all. However, you will love strolling through the rest of the pavilions such as the Moti-Masjid and the Diwan-i-Khas.

Ferozshah Kotla was the fifth city of Delhi now in ruins. This city was built by Feroz Sha Tughlaq in 1354. Here you will be able to view the remains of the old mosque and other portions of the ruins to marvel at the exquisite architectural design of a fallen city.

New Delhi in home to Safdarjang’s Tomb, Lodhi Tombs, and Humayun’s Tomb. If you are a history buff then you must include all three of these on your visit to Delhi.

The Safdarjang’s Tomb, built as a mausoleum of Safdarjang in 1753 and 1754 is known in the area as the last enclosed garden tomb. Along with the tomb there are other pavilions that need to be added to your list which include the Moti Mahal – the Palace of Pearls, Badshah Pasand – King’s Favorite, and the Jangli Mahal – the Palace in the Woods.

The Lodhi Tombs are home in the Lodhi Gardens which is an excellent place to soak in the beauty that can be found in the gardens as well as take a peak at the stunning tombs of the Lodhi and Sayyaid sultans that once ruled Delhi and northern India during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Humayun’s Tomb was built in memory of Humayun by Haji Begum. The tomb is found in the center of a large garden surrounded by high walls on three sides. The architectural design is that of Persian. The history of the tomb is dire, as the queen had the Persian architect, Mirza Ghyas along with his entire team killed after the completion of the tomb. She did this to ensure that the tomb could not be replicated.

CHEAP AIR TRAVEL TO EUROPE

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Travel To Croatia

Have you ever heard about Croatia, a beautiful country located in south Europe. Croatia possesses a rich culture and a fascinating history. If you want to have more information about this home of beautiful sights then it is a good idea to read this article.
Do you want to visit Croatia? You can choose among three common options that are train, air and bus. There are several airports in Croatia. Some of the busiest airports are Dubrovnik airport, Pula airport, Split airport, Zaghreb airport and Zada airport. You can fly to this country from all major airports of the world.
Some people like to travel by train. You can find both direct and indirect train routes. There are many direct trains from the countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Hungary. It is a good idea to travel by train as you can enjoy the beautiful sites on your way.
There is one more travel option that is by bus. You can get a direct bus from the countries like Italy, Montenegro, Hungary or Austria.
There are many places to visit in this beautiful country. Croatia is the closest destination to the Mediterranean Sea in the central Europe. Croatian National parks are known for their natural beauty all over the world. Some of the famous national parks are National park Plitvice lakes, National park on river Krka and national park paklenica.
Where to Stay? There are several accommodation options. You can rent a hotel room according to your needs. I would recommend you to hire a boat. By hiring a boat you can travel along the coast of Mediterranean. There are thousands of Islands along the coast. In this way you don`t have to move from one hotel to another and the boat rent is same as compared to the rent of hotel room.
Croatia is a popular honeymoon destination. It is a good idea to spend one of the sweetest days of your life in this country. There are many couples who are dreaming to enjoy the romance of Croatia.
You can find many tourist companies out there which can arrange a private tour for you. You can also opt for group tour as private tour packages are little bit expensive. There are many travel deals available nowadays. It is a good idea to go through these deals. In this way you can save some money.
A tour package can be bought through internet. There are several online tour agencies which are offering tour packages at reasonable rates. A tour package contains air ticket, cab, hotel and many more resources. It is a good idea to plan everything in advance with your family and tour operator. You should find enough information about your destination country.
Have you ever heard about last time travel deals? You can save some amount of money if you opt from last time travel deal. Thanks to the internet that you can buy a travel package at the comfort of your home. Never forget to compare the price of the packages available on the internet.