Tips for worry-free winter travel

With portions of the country experiencing record snowfalls and temperatures plunging into the single digits, those planning a winter get-away may be thinking twice about leaving the house. To take the sting out of your winter travel plans, ASTA is providing a series of useful travel tips.

“Travelers this winter are facing an increasing number of hurdles and challenges from security issues to weather delays, and we’re only a few weeks into January,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. “Now more than ever, an ounce of prevention is worth hours in line. Following common-sense advice and using a professional travel agent to book your trip won’t eliminate all travel hassles, but having someone on your side before, during and after your trip and when the unexpected happens, be it an Icelandic volcano or blizzard, can save you time and aggravation.

“Ask anyone who went through the recent holiday blizzards--those who had booked their own travel likely spent hours on the hold waiting to speak with an airline customer representative, assuming they ever got through. Meanwhile, those who used a travel agent were free to relax and maybe even spend a little more time with their families or out enjoying the snow.”

General Travel Tips

    * Plan ahead. Waiting to the last minute always leaves a great deal of your trip up to happenstance. Contact your travel agent to book your vacation in advance as soon as you can manage. Then, you'll be able to avoid peak travel dates, get lower airfare, fly direct (or minimize your connections) and fly early or late in the day to avoid the bigger crowds and delays.
    * Constant contact. Keep your travel agent’s contact information handy in the event your flight is delayed or cancelled. Rather than spend hours on hold, waiting to speak with an airline ticketing representative, one call to your travel agent is all it takes to start the re-booking process. In fact, many travel agents have 24-hour hotline desks so they are able to start helping their clients immediately when trouble strikes.
    * Leave at least an extra hour earlier. Give yourself more time than usual in order to anticipate the peripheral delays that could occur. Remember to bring some reading material while you wait in the security line or at your departure gate. In cities with snow or ice, arrival delays can exceed two to three hours and de-icing procedures can take an hour before takeoff. Security procedures are being ramped up, so make sure you pack wisely and remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels in your carry-on luggage.
    * Consider insurance. Many travel insurance policies cover trip delay and cancellations due to weather.

Winter Driving Tips

    * Have your car examined before you leave. The last thing you want to worry about is your car breaking down, stranding you far from home. Take it to your local auto shop for a quick once over, and make sure your tires are winter ready and properly inflated.
    * Be prepared for a change in course. Before you depart, make sure you know your route. It's very important that you're ready for anything on the road that could change your plans, including construction, road closings and traffic. Remember to keep the directions as well as appropriate state map(s) or a GPS handy, in case you need to reroute your trip.
    * Stay hydrated. Dehydration might not seem very likely, but a Mayo Clinic study shows that a mere one- to two-percent loss of body weight can quickly lead to fatigue and decreased alertness, which could be deadly in icy winter driving. Also, your body requires more fuel in the cold - so rely on high-energy food including sandwiches, fruit and a thermos filled with soup.
    * Pack a winter safety kit for the car. Don't leave without the essentials for a safe road trip — a cell phone (don't forget the car charger); ice scraper; tow rope and jumper cables; sand or cat litter to aid with traction; blankets; flashlights, matches and emergency candles; first aid kit; portable radio; and a good book, in case you do get stuck.
    * Make frequent rest stops. Winter driving is much more fatiguing than in the summer, so you'll want to make time to stop and stretch your legs. Just a few minutes off the road will make all the difference in improving your alertness when you're back behind the wheel.
For more info- http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/41022-Tips-for-worry-free-winter-travel

Managing Your Kids During Travel

A young person can get away with taking a vacation that consists of backpacking through unknown terrain with nothing but a credit card, a passport and a few articles of clothing. People who have children or the elderly cannot say the same as a vacation for either of these two groups of people requires much organization.

Kids can be rather impatient and very hard to manage when they are cranky. To keep this situation at a minimum on vacation, you must have had an organized plan created ahead of time.

When you travel you will need distractions to keep your children happily engaged. Make sure you know what your child's favorite foods are as children have a specific palate that can keep them from wanting or being able to try foreign foods. Check the internet before you leave for restaurants that offer child-friendly menus.

Its amazing how child have the best timing for very loudly asking to use the restroom. It is important to take the time to understand the culture of the place you are traveling to make sure you avoid these types of embarrassments. If you can, find a forum in which parents discuss the how to's and wherefore's about traveling with children. You should know that some countries and even some of the united states have strict policies about being a customer before being able to use a restroom.

Keep your cool and your sense of humor because you'll need both. It is very easy to ruin your vacation if you lose your temper with your children over the little things that really do not matter. A vacation is supposed to be a time of relaxing and having fun.

The elderly, what with having better control over their emotions, can practice much more patience than the average toddler, however, thorough planning must still be accomplished when thinking about taking them on vacation. They often have health problems that limit the length of walking they can manage. There are also the issues of poor health, joint pain and headaches that must be taken into consideration when planning the vacation.

Make sure you have planned things of interest for the people you're taking with you. Make sure to book ahead of time to save standing in a long line as elderly people cannot do this. Check the weather before you pack because elderly people cannot stand extreme weather changes.

Take the advice given to heart and your vacation should be everything you wish it to be. Have a happy and save time.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Warren_Haynie

Cheap Air Tickets for Flights to India

The great Indian legacy has always been successful in attracting tourists from all across the globe, but today the Indian heritage is not the only thing which grabs a travel enthusiast’s attention. The country is fast becoming the top most economic powerhouses of the world which means there is a growth in each and every sector. So what better place can you find when you have a combination of luxury and heritage henceforth this is the biggest reason why most travelers chose India as a preferred destination.
Now as the tourists visiting the country is increasing with each passing day hence most of the airlines are offering a number cheap flights to different cities across the nation. There are so many choices available that a person can be easily confused. Different airlines offer different discounts on various things some of which include:

• Direct Flights
• Cheap Fares
• Baggage Allowance
• World Class In-Flight Services

If saving time is on priority for you then you can consider Lufthansa or Qatar Airways to different destinations such as Mumbai and Delhi. On the other hand, if saving money is the priority for you then you can go for flights offered by Jet Airways, Oman Air and Air India. But if you are looking for the cheapest flights to India then Kuwait Airways is the name that you should start searching for.
Another option available if you are in a hunt for cheap flights to India is Kingfisher Airlines. The airline is offering cheap flight tickets from the London Heathrow airport to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. On the other hand, Etihad airways is a luxury Arabic Airline that offers cheap flights to the capital of India i.e. New Delhi. Gulf Air is another airline which offers cheap flight tickets to New Delhi. All these options will surely give you a tough time to choose if you are in the hunt for cheap flight tickets to India.
It is true that there are so many options available which allows customers to book tickets according to the need and budget like Air France offers the most luxurious and expensive flights to Mumbai whereas Oman Air offers a very budgetary option to the similar destination. There are so many flights available that flying to India was never this easy before. With so many options available the tourism of the country is bound to increase in the near future.
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Beach Resorts in Andaman Islands

A Place for All Your Vacation Dreams

The Andaman Islands is a group of archipelagic islands in the Bay of Bengal. Located just off the coast of western India, they form part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory of India. Picturesque, unhurried and welcoming, few places on earth can match Andaman Islands’ engrossing and beguiling character. Stunning sceneries, powdery beaches, lush forests, protruding hills, friendly towns and impressive resorts, Andaman Islands have everything to quench the hearts of travelers.
A large chunk of beauty, the Andaman Islands is for anyone who wishes to spend their holiday in a highly romantic and poetic atmosphere. The picturesque bounty of these islands, matched with the warm hospitality of its people, lays promise to a vacation spent in complete relaxation. When you are looking for that classic sea, sand and sun experience, there is no other but the beach resorts in Andaman Islands to champion the notion of a calm, peaceful and sophisticated holiday destination.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a group of more than 500 islands. The Andaman Islands itself has approximately 200 islands that flaunt plenty of affable, relaxed, and classy beaches. Bright, sunny and covered in white or golden sand, these beaches house majority of the tourist accommodations in Andaman Islands. Everything from star, premium and budget hotels to lodges and Government accommodations can be found here. The majority of the tourist resorts can be found around the capital city of Port Blair and Corbyn’s Cove beach, Havelock Island and the Radhanagar and Vijaynagar beaches, a few around Mayabunder and Diglipur Island, and several others around smaller beaches.
Beach resorts in Andaman Islands boast a wide range of recreational facilities, island tours and excursions. Holiday attractions include water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, big-game fishing, and adventure sports like island camping, trekking and hiking. Andaman Islands enjoy gorgeous weather and tropical sunshine lasts nearly 12 hours in summer and at least 8 to 9 hours in winter. Sunbathing is a favorite pastime on Andaman’s beaches. On-beach facilities provided by beach resorts include sun-beds, sun-loungers, and hammocks. Cool drinks served in coconut shells also feature prominently among amenities.
Beach resorts in Andaman Islands houses a bevy of Indian multi-cuisine restaurants. Oriental and Continental dishes are also served, although the variety is somewhat constricted and mostly unauthentic. Seafood is the dining specialty in Andaman Islands. The pristine waters of the Andaman Sea host a wide variety of fish, prawns, lobsters and crabs. Both, the beach resorts, and the native towns lying a little inland from the beaches, offer traditional and stylish eateries serving seafood dishes cooked in South and North Indian styles. Indianized Chinese and Indian Tandoori dishes can also be found.
For more info-  http://travel.indiahousing.com/beach-resorts-in-andaman-islands/

Abacus International signs exclusive deal with Sapsan Air

Abacus International has gained further ground in Kazakhstan by signing an exclusive agreement with Sapsan Air. In Quarter One of 2011, Abacus-connected travel agents will be able to book tickets of Sapsan Air content through an integrated user-friendly guided workflow. To encourage the market to promote travel with Sapsan Air, the company is launching a series of promotional campaigns where Abacus-connected travel agencies will be rewarded for bookings made.

Robert Bailey, President and CEO, Abacus International said the agreement supported Abacus’ focused strategy to increase its footprint by bringing unique content to build Abacus market competitiveness in Central Asia.

Bailey added, “As travel demand recovers around the world, airlines are seeing a greater need to drive business across multi-channels. Given our strong presence in Central Asia, we are in an excellent position to help Sapsan Air fill planes for the highest possible yield. This agreement equally benefits our travel agents -- the additional provision will assist them to increase their business efficiency and more effectively serve their customers.”

As per the company release, the company forecasts that its extensive distribution and strong presence throughout the region will help support Sapsan Air’s total distribution in 2011. This partnership also aligns with Sapsan Air strategy to expand regionally across Abacus’ extensive regional network.  

Nurzhan Temirkulov, President, JSC Sapsan said the airline was delighted to partner with Asia’s leading GDS. “This partnership with Abacus signals our continued confidence in the GDS as an expert in and a valuable component of the travel industry. We are pleased to provide agents with an increased level of content, thus benefiting end-customer through the most competitively-priced fares.”
This article taken from- http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/abacus-international-signs-exclusive-deal-with-sapsan-air-11948

Travel Predictions For 2010 - Unexpectedly Good News!

• January is traditionally the least expensive travel month of the year (and the coldest!). My suggestion is to stop worrying about taking your holiday decorations down and just run away for a week in the warm sunshine - sip a Margarita or two and scrunch your toes in the sand. You'll find incredible deals for all-inclusive Caribbean resorts on sites like CheapCaribbean.com, AppleVacations.com and TravelZoo.com. On selected weeks this winter you can vacation for a week at an all inclusive resort in Mexico or the Dominican Republic for just over $1,000 per person including air!
• January also brings "Wave Week" from the cruise industry. The lowest cruise prices of the year are traditionally offered during Wave Week promotions. Keep a keen eye of sites like VacationsToGo.com, TravelZoo.com and Cruise.com to snag some deeply discounted cruises this winter.
• It will be very hard to find a destination cheaper than Las Vegas in 2010. The combination of new resorts just opening (City Center, Trump, and Hard Rock), coupled with a dramatic reduction in convention business means luxury resorts are discounting like never before. It's likely you'll be able to find deluxe Las Vegas rooms priced less than anywhere else in the country. Combine a cheap hotel room with all those low cost buffets and the spectacular stage shows, and you have the makings of a memorable vacation. Be sure to visit TravelZoo.com to find deeply discounted show tickets.
• Where ever you travel, price resorts and services you've never been able to afford before - you might be pleasantly surprised at how much they've been discounted. Four and five star resorts are regularly offering 30-50% off when you stay additional nights. (Stay 2 nights get 1 free etc.) Sandals Resorts are continuing their 65% off sale into 2010. Resorts are throwing in the extras like complimentary breakfast; kids eat and stay free, spa services and even free rounds of golf. The airlines also have more room at the top. Business and First Class seats will see big promotions during 2010 as corporations set travel policies restricting travel to coach class. It will also be a great time to try to use your frequent flyer miles to obtain seating in Business or First Class as more seats will be open.
• Watch for Europe to put out the welcome matt with gusto this spring. With passengers reluctant to take international journeys after the Christmas bomber incident, Europe will feel the pinch more than usual. Keep an eye out for sites like Gate1Travel.com, GoToday.com, and VacationsToGo.com to offer terrific pricing for trips to Europe. We'll also likely see fabulous prices on European cruises. They have a short season to fill their cabins and they'll be running great specials to get you on board.
• There's a growing trend in vacation lodging that is expanding by the day - homes, villas, condos and apartments for lease by the day, week or month. Folks who have been unable to sell their vacation properties have listed them on 'For Rent By Owner' sites, and as the volume of choices increases, the deals and specials escalate as well. Check out the deals page at VacationRentals.com to begin your search.
• For anyone with a free spirit who just wants a bed to sleep in, the internet has opened a whole new world of beds and couches for rent (and many times for free). The popular site CouchSurfing.com is a great place to begin - they have communities for everyone from college students to retired adventurers.
• 2010 is very likely to be a big year for road trips. Gas prices are expected to remain fairly stable and airline attitudes will dampen our desire to fly away. It will be a great year to tune in to regional bed and breakfast associations and watch for seasonal promotions. For New England, become a member of the "Inn Crowd" with deals on the NewEnglandInnsandResorts.com site. For the West Coast, you'll find gorgeous inns and lodges at UniqueInns.com/specials.

2010 will be filled with opportunities to venture out and meet new people and experience wonderful places. Save your pennies and add some adventure to your life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Kohlback