Visit Your â??sister Cityâ?? for Economical Traveling

What is a â??sister cityâ?? and how can you travel to one on a budget? 

 

A number of cities all over the globe have adopted a sister city in another part of the world to promote greater understanding, among other things, between the two cities and their nations. The sister city â??movementâ?? began at the end of World War II and was instigated by America.

 

Participating cities aim to develop friendships and foster relationships between their chosen sister cities (some cities have more than one sister) and to encourage peace and understanding between nations. This is done in a number of ways â?? encouraging business and economic relationships through trade and technology, stimulate cultural and creative networks, develop partnerships between cities and countries and to provide the opportunity for sister city citizens to experience other cultures through travel.

 

Traveling to your sister city may be something you wish to do and it can be done at relatively low cost if you are able to become part of an exchange program. Cultural exchanges between sister cities are generally paid for by your home town. Some cities select students to travel to their sister city for a period of time, (it could be weeks or months) and pay all expenses. If you are a student, investigate what opportunities are available for this type of travel.

 

Traveling to a sister city is not only for students. Other residents may participate in the program as well. You may be selected as an ambassador of your town to travel to the sister city and take part in projects fostered by the sister cities. You will then likely to be asked to host visitors from the sister city when they travel to your country. If you are able to get on one of these exchange programs you can expect accommodation and food to be taken care of (you will probably be living with a sister city family) but you may have to get involved in fundraising for your trip.

 

If you think this sounds like a fun (and cheap) way to travel, visit your townâ??s web site and find out about their sister city program. Youâ??ll need to become a member and join in the volunteer program to help with fundraising. You could be asked to host visitors from your sister city and you may get the opportunity to travel. Becoming involved in the sister city program means becoming a part of creating community links and learning about other cultures â?? exactly what traveling is all about. You may even have ideas for your communityâ??s sister city program and how it can further foster its global sistersâ?? relationships.

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel â?? Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

Tips for Backpackers â?? What Stays and What Goes?

You have lots of stuff to pack for your trip. How do you decide what stays and what goes? How are you going to fit it all in your pack and how are you going to carry it? Here are some tips to consider when packing for your backpacker trip:

 

1. Buy a good backpack. Investigate the right kind of backpack for your trip and you will make your packing easier before you go and when on the road. 

2. Put your sleeping bag in first. 

3. If you are going to be camping get a tent that is lightweight and durable and pack it in the tent compartment in your backpack.

4. Clothes â?? what are you going to take? Lay everything out on the bed. Now cut it down to half. If youâ??ve got something thatâ??ll youâ??ll only wear a couple of times, leave it behind. Youâ??re backpacking on a budget so itâ??s unlikely youâ??ll be going to any balls or ritzy restaurants. Pack your rain gear where you can reach it quickly. Make sure you have enough layers if you are going to colder areas. Donâ??t forget your gloves and hat.

5. Cooking utensils should be packed where they wonâ??t rub on your other gear and you want to make sure the hard edges donâ??t stick into your back.

6. Food should be packed in outside compartments; you donâ??t want any crumbs getting into your other gear. Carry enough food for a day, just in case. Make sure you have at least one water bottle packed on the outside. And pack water purifying tablets if you are traveling to under-developed countries.

7. Your mattress (if youâ??re taking one) should be strapped to the outside of your pack unless itâ??s small enough to fit on the inside.

8. Camera!

9. Have you got your map? What about a compass if you intend going off road on a hike?

10. Donâ??t forget your matches, first aid kit, army knife, flashlight, batteries, sun screen and sunglasses. A whistle and insect repellant are good items to pack, especially if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. And toilet tissue. Just in case.

11. Have you packed a decent pair of walking/hiking boots? These are essential because any backpacker will be doing a lot of walking.

12. Put in a daypack. This will make day hikes and sightseeing much easier if you can have a smaller pack to use on shorter trips.

13. Money, money belt, travelerâ??s checks and credit card. Along with your passport and necessary visas. Donâ??t take large amounts of cash and keep it safe while traveling.

 

And there are other things you need to consider before you set out. Keep in mind the following:

 

* Take out travel insurance.

* Are you taking your mobile phone? If so make sure you have global roaming set up. 

* Give someone at home a copy of you itinerary and passport. 

* Get to the airport in plenty of time to enable a smooth check in and time to say goodbye to your loved ones.

 

Pack well and have a good trip!

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel â?? Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

Adding Up the Cost: Does All Inclusive Travel Save You Money?

Absolutely!  Not only will all inclusive travel deals save you money (most of the time) but they will also save you time and stress, leaving you with nothing to do but enjoy your travel adventure.

There are many types of all inclusive packages and the trick is to figure out just what they do and don’t include. Every person is different and has separate needs for their travel plans, but all inclusive travel plans are so varied these days that most people can be catered to. Once you know how you want to travel and where, what type of accommodations you want to stay in and what attractions you want to visit, it’s relatively easy to get it all put into a total package deal. Let someone else do all the leg work in finding great deals for you. 

An on-line travel agent is probably the best place to start to get a great package deal. Using all their knowledge and experience, they can prepare your travel package right down to the smallest detail. They will take care of all your worries and they have the benefit of using their buying power to get you some excellent deals and packaging them all together and your food and beverages would be included (includes your adult drinks as well.)

All inclusive travel is popular with families. It takes a lot of hassle out of organizing the holiday. Resorts offer all inclusive packages, as do cruises. Once again you need to check, before you go, what the package does not include. For example, resort packages do not include the cost of some activities such as motorized water sports, golf, horse-riding and fishing charters. Childcare in some places is at an additional cost. If you take a cruise package expect to pay for alcohol and day trips around shore stops.

Some inclusive package deals offer things like ‘Kids Stay for Free’ or even better ‘Kids Stay and Eat for Free’. Remember to check exactly what these claims mean. If it says they stay for free, that’s all they get for free. You still have to pay for airfare and food for your little ones. And it may mean they only get free lodging if they share the parents’ room

Buying a package all ready put together can mean big savings. But remember taking a package deal might not get you to all the places you want to enjoy. It may not take you off the tourist track but leave you permanently stuck on it. If this is not what you’re after, then perhaps a package deal is not for you. For some people, half the fun of traveling is planning the trip themselves. You may be able to organize your travel plans for a cheaper deal and you may have the time to do it. For those of you that don’t have the time and want all the worry taken out of organizing your trip, buy a holiday package deal. 

This article was provided by:

Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Travel Guru

http://www.stuartstravel.com

Are Discount Travel Web Sites Really the Best Deal?

The Internet gives you easy access to so much information that you can become overloaded. When traveling this is definitely the case. Friends and fellow travelers tell you to book your trip on line yourself – you’ll save hundreds of dollars. But is that really the case? Will you be able to access the best and lowest deals? Isn’t it quicker and cheaper to do it all yourself? Maybe – maybe not.

Beware the discount web site. Don’t book on the first deal you see. It may claim to be the lowest fare, but you won’t know until you look around and surfing the web for the best price may take quite a while and time is money.

Research of web sites stating they will give you best deal shows up many times as an incorrect claim. Many big travel web sites pay homage to their sponsors and advertisers, by showing their ‘deals’ only. In the airline industry, a number of small carriers are ignored and they may well offer the best deal for you, but you won’t know if their information isn’t displayed.

Prices of air flights differ wildly on the Internet. Try it and see. Go to a number of travel sites and look for fares to Sydney, Australia. See what you get. And this is what you need to do when booking your travel through the web. It might then be worthwhile to see what a travel agent can get for you. Yes they do have a booking fee imposed on your tickets but, did you know that many of the best budget deals are not available on the web? Specific web sites are only accessible to travel agents.  UNTIL NOW!  STUART S. TRAVEL is a full service on-line travel agency.

Remember that air fare prices change many, many times a day. It is going to be impossible to find the best deal. You need to be smart and organized and willing to spend a bit of time researching the best deal for you. Once you think you’ve found a great travel deal, remember to read the details to see if there are any restrictions. Will you be able to change your flight details? If so will it cost you? And how much? Those kinds of details. Things can change and your travel plans sometimes need to be flexible so make sure you know what it‘s going to cost you if you have to alter anything.

So if you are going to book your travel through the Internet remember these points: shop around and compare prices; be prepared to be flexible; ask questions; don’t believe everything you read on the websites; read the fine print; give yourself plenty of time to find the best deal and; if in doubt, don’t book it. 

If it all seems too confusing (which many web sites aim to be), go to your local on-line travel agent and see what deals they can do for you.

This article was provided by:

Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Travel Guru

http://www.stuartstravel.com sherry.hardsey@aol.com

Student Discounts and Other Travel Deals

Being a poor student doesn’t mean you have to put your travel plans on hold. In fact traveling as a student, whether it be at home or abroad, can be done on a small budget as there are many deals there for you to take advantage of.

Use the fact that you are a student to get discounts. Before you go traveling get yourself a student discount card and use it. The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) will get you concessions on tourist attractions, food and shopping among other things. This card is for any student regardless of age or for youth aged between twelve and twenty six and can be used in over one hundred countries. This student discount card comes complete with an international phone card and a voice mail account. This ensures you can be contacted while traveling.

There is also the International Student Exchange Card (ISEC) which gives travel discounts across the globe. Discounts can be as much as fifty percent on such things as museums, movies, transport options and accommodation. Not only will this card save you a lot of money while traveling, it also provides other benefits including assistance with medical expenses and evacuation fees if caught in a disaster. You also have access to toll free emergency phone service world wide should you need help in urgent situations. The ISE card will also provide you with airline bankruptcy protection. If you book your flights through an ISE agency, you will be covered if your carrier goes bust.

And finally there is the International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) which you can get if you are under twenty six years of age. There is a small charge associated with this card, but the benefits outweigh this cost when traveling. This card will get you discounts in about fifty countries including airfare discounts, accommodation reductions and entry in to tourist attractions at a reduced rate.

Other student cards that offer discounts are transport cards such as the STA Travel card or Young Persons railcards issued in the United Kingdom. But the offers don’t stop there for students. In western countries it is wise to ask if there are student discounts in any place where you are about to part with your money. Discounts can be given by restaurants, retailers (on just about anything) and hostels. Not all places advertise that they give discounts so if you don’t ask, you’ll never find out what savings you can make.

Students aren’t the only lucky ones to get fabulous travel discounts. Seniors also have deals available to them while traveling as do group travelers and families. Investigate what discounts apply to you and ensure you take advantage of them.

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

Visit Your â??sister Cityâ?? for Economical Traveling

What is a â??sister cityâ?? and how can you travel to one on a budget? 

 

A number of cities all over the globe have adopted a sister city in another part of the world to promote greater understanding, among other things, between the two cities and their nations. The sister city â??movementâ?? began at the end of World War II and was instigated by America.

 

Participating cities aim to develop friendships and foster relationships between their chosen sister cities (some cities have more than one sister) and to encourage peace and understanding between nations. This is done in a number of ways â?? encouraging business and economic relationships through trade and technology, stimulate cultural and creative networks, develop partnerships between cities and countries and to provide the opportunity for sister city citizens to experience other cultures through travel.

 

Traveling to your sister city may be something you wish to do and it can be done at relatively low cost if you are able to become part of an exchange program. Cultural exchanges between sister cities are generally paid for by your home town. Some cities select students to travel to their sister city for a period of time, (it could be weeks or months) and pay all expenses. If you are a student, investigate what opportunities are available for this type of travel.

 

Traveling to a sister city is not only for students. Other residents may participate in the program as well. You may be selected as an ambassador of your town to travel to the sister city and take part in projects fostered by the sister cities. You will then likely to be asked to host visitors from the sister city when they travel to your country. If you are able to get on one of these exchange programs you can expect accommodation and food to be taken care of (you will probably be living with a sister city family) but you may have to get involved in fundraising for your trip.

 

If you think this sounds like a fun (and cheap) way to travel, visit your townâ??s web site and find out about their sister city program. Youâ??ll need to become a member and join in the volunteer program to help with fundraising. You could be asked to host visitors from your sister city and you may get the opportunity to travel. Becoming involved in the sister city program means becoming a part of creating community links and learning about other cultures â?? exactly what traveling is all about. You may even have ideas for your communityâ??s sister city program and how it can further foster its global sistersâ?? relationships.

 

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel â?? Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

Could You Work in a Foreign Country to Pay for Travel?

Of course you could! There are plenty of opportunities for travelers who want to work overseas especially if you speak English or better yet, are bilingual. But to work abroad there are some things to consider before you go.

1. Find out if Americans can work in the country you intend to travel to. Not all countries allow foreigners to work there while they are visiting.

2. Get a work permit. This documentation is different from your passport or visa. You can organize a work permit before you leave home or once you arrive in the country you want to work in. This will depend on where you intend to work. 

3. If you are a traveling student, it may be easier to get work through a student work exchange plan. Or you may even be able to organize a transfer through your company to work abroad. If so, all the leg work will be done for you.

4. If you have a particular job in mind, in a particular country, then you will need to do some research and contact potential employers before you go. If you do find someone wishing to employ you before you leave on your travels, get them to send you a letter stating the employment offer with a copy to their respective government. You will then be issued with a work permit for that country.

5. Consider working as a volunteer on your travels. Volunteer organizations are looking for helpers to assist with programs all over the world. You will be paid by the organization (usually just transport, food and board expenses), not the country you are going to. You do not need a work visa to be a volunteer in these programs.

If you are going to work overseas while traveling, register with the nearest embassy in the country you are visiting. Make sure you find out about the country you will be working in. Know if there are any travel warnings, political unrest and cultural conditions you should be aware of before you go. What immunizations do you need? Find out about the local laws, including employment legislations. And don’t forget that while earning an income overseas, you will be subject to that country’s tax laws.

Will you need to drive for your job overseas? If so, you will have to arrange an international driver’s permit. You must also take with you your valid American driver’s permit. All countries handle driving a little differently so check out what rules you’ll need to abide by to drive in your country of choice. 

Working while traveling is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture of the country you are visiting. Be organized if you want to subsidize your travel budget dollar in this way. Don’t forget you can always offer to work in hostels in exchange for cheaper (or even free) board as a way to supplement your traveling costs.

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com

What Kind of Travel Experience Do You Want?

So you’re going on a trip. Fantastic! Exciting! But what sort of trip are you planning to take? Is it for business or pleasure? Where are you headed? Who are you going with? Just what kind of travel experience do you want?

Traveling on a budget can give you all sorts of experiences, depending on a) your budget, b) where you want to go, and c) what you want to do. Everyone’s budget will be different, and traveling on a budget means knowing how much money you can afford to spend and sticking to that amount. So if you have a budget of two thousand dollars, your travel experience will be different from someone who has a budget of ten thousand dollars. It’s all relative to the dollar amount, but knowing some tricks to help you save money while traveling will make your dollars stretch further therefore increasing your travel experience.

Do you want to travel overseas? Do you want to travel around your home country? Do you want to stay in luxury accommodation or are you going to back- pack? Are you traveling with children or are you honeymooning? Are you traveling with a bunch of friends or are you keen to experience a group tour with strangers? Do you want to go to popular tourist sites or do you want to experience a destination’s way of living in remote areas? 

All these questions are things you need to ask yourself before you begin to plan your trip. You can either plan your trip with your budget in mind, or plan your trip, work out how much money you’ll need and save until you can get there. The first is probably a little easier to do because when the travel bug hits, you generally want to take off as soon as possible. Knowing your budget can guide you in making your decision of how and where you will be traveling. But if you have your heart set on a trip of a lifetime to an exotic island in the Pacific then you will need to save accordingly. It’s your choice.

Once you know what type of experience you are after, it’s time to work out the best way to get it on your available funds. Traveling on a budget is easier than you think these days. No longer does it mean living on stale food and sleeping in questionable accommodation. If you are wise and spend some time investigating deals to your chosen destination you could be able to enhance your traveling experience more than you thought possible. A bit of research will get you a long way when traveling on a budget.

This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru

www.stuartstravel.com