Archive for December, 2008
Preparation key to avoiding Christmas debt
Financial solutions company Think Money have warned consumers to be careful over the amount of debt they incur over the festive season, in order to avoid potential debt problems in the midst of an economic recession.
They have also advised those consumers who do rely on credit to act early and tackle any debts before they have the chance to grow, and to be selective over the types of credit used in order to prevent the debts from becoming unmanageable.
For many families in the UK, including those who are usually comfortable financially, the Christmas season has become associated with debt. The tradition of spending large amounts of money on food and gifts has meant that large numbers of households fall into debt every year, even if it means spending a large part of the following year repaying those debts.
Indeed, a survey taken earlier this year by Savebuckets.com suggested that one in four Christmas borrowers were still repaying their Christmas debts in the following October – nine months after the money was originally spent.
A debt expert for financial solutions company Think Money commented: “In today’s society, many households actually expect to get into debt in order to get through the Christmas season – which can put them at risk of debt problems in the future. It’s much safer to focus more on how to avoid falling into debt – and with the right preparation and attitude, it is very much possible to do that.”
The spokesperson added that staying out of debt over the Christmas period does not necessarily have to mean cutting back on costs. “The households who are best prepared for the Christmas period are those who have thought about it long in advance and have been saving throughout the year. By saving just a relatively small amount each month, it’s quite possible to save enough to cover all the costs involved, without having to compromise.
“However, it seems that it is currently more common to pay with credit in the run-up to Christmas. This may have been fuelled by the relatively easy access to credit of the past few years, although due to the credit crunch, this may be a little more difficult this year.”
The spokesperson also said that the type of credit used can be crucial to consumers’ ability to repay the debt. “For those consumers who do rely on credit over the Christmas period, choosing the right form of credit is a simple step that can make all the difference.
“For example, it’s generally unadvisable to make large purchases on credit cards unless the buyer is absolutely sure they will be able to repay the debt in a short space of time. The APR on credit cards is typically very high, which means the debt can grow very quickly unless it is repaid promptly.
The Think Money spokesperson added that anyone finding themselves struggling with debt should seek debt advice straight away. “There are a number of debt solutions that can help to minimise outgoings and/or help to reduce debts, such as debt consolidation or an IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangement). We urge anyone in serious debt to seek professional debt advice as soon as possible.”
New Technologies Being Utilised In The Car Hire Industry
A major influence on the car hire industry has been the increasing concerns over global warming and the effect we are having upon the planet. Through more efficient technologies the industry has been striving to produce rental options that will appeal to customers with an environmental conscience. This is not all car hire firms; many have not taken environmental concerns on board, but there are a number of companies who are actively changing the way they operate to meet the demands of the ever-growing environmentally friendly market.
Most obviously car hire companies can adopt an eco-friendly strategy that involves the introduction of hybrid cars in rental fleets. Whilst these cars are definitely the right way to go, many commentators have criticised this as a half measure and questioned the viability of hybrid cars as a long term solution to the problem of emissions. There are also the effects that hybrid cars using bio-fuels are having on wheat production and the cost of wheat worldwide. With a limit on good arable land it is unsurprising that many have questioned the logic of using foodstuffs as a major fuel, surely at some point a Malthusian standpoint must be taken and the resources at our disposal must be measured efficiently.
Other technologies introduced by some forward thinking car hire companies are a changing in the way rates are applied. For instance some companies have started to charge on an hourly rather than daily basis. This means that a customer who only has to drive a short distance, for instance to pick up their own car, only needs to hire the car for an hour. While the company may well lose some profits, it is possible to reduce the time any car spends on the road with this method and hence reduce both congestion and emissions.
Car hire companies are also rapidly introducing black box recorders to their fleets. This is a technology that through GPS tracking can ascertain where a car is at any one moment. This is a strategy that hopes to limit the amount of cars lost to theft whilst also picking up on customers who break speeding regulations whilst hiring a car. This is essentially a protective measure to ensure that car hire fleets remain in good condition and are not damaged by excessive driving. It does however raise a privacy argument as nobody really appreciates having a company know of their whereabouts at all times.
Another protective measure introduced by car hire companies has been the recording of biometric data from customers. In collaboration with local police forces, procedures are now in place at many desks to record a thumbprint of a customer ensuring an electronic record is taken of their details. This has predominantly been a response to high numbers of thefts by organised crime syndicates who use false documents to hire cars. The recording of thumbprints means that if a theft does occur it is possible to hand over the information to the police and speed up any tracing procedures.
The introduction of technology in the car hire industry can be seen as a twofold approach. Firstly the industry is trying to move away from the gas guzzling image for a more eco-friendly perspective. The second approach is utilising new technologies to safeguard fleets. With firms increasingly being targeted by organised criminals this is an unsurprising development to protect their investments. New technology will hopefully lead to an industry that is both secure for the firms and also friendly to the environment.
By: Thomas Pretty
About the Author:
Industry expert Thomas Pretty looks into ways in which the car hire industry is using new technologies to tackle the problems it faces.
4 Ways to Make Money as a Travel Writer
Here are the ways you can make money as a travel writer:
1) Traditional Method: Selling Your Stories To Travel Magazines and Newspapers.
This is the most common and most well-known method. Ironically, it also pays the least of all the methods.
You can take two paths when selling your article to a magazine. First you can query a magazine on their interest about a particular subject. If interested, they will agree to buy your article if it meets their standards. The second method is to write the article, then try and sell it.
To find magazines and periodicals that purchase travel stories, go to the library and check out the most recent Writers Market and you’ll have over a dozen periodicals that pay anywhere from a few hundred bucks to a few thousand dollars for an article.
The risky side to this is that there are no guarantees of payment, and you must either have a great story or be a great writer to make this work. Not impossible, just tough.
2) Writing For Other People’s Blogs.
If you can write a 400-1500 word post on any given subject, you can sell the post to a blog at a set price. Heres why: Blogs constantly need new content. It’s how they stay fresh with their readers and how they stay well-ranked in the search engines.
However, writing a new post every few days is a difficult task! If you take over that task for a blog owner, you’re going to be saving them a TON of time and effort, providing their readers with great value, and making an income for a project that is relatively easy for you to complete.
You can get paid anywhere from 20 bucks to a few hundred dollars for this kind of writing… and it’s a LOT easier to do that writing for a magazine.
Think of it: You spend a day writing 5 articles and sell the articles for $30 dollars each. Now you’ve made $150 dollars for a couple of hours of work and everyone is happy.
3) Writing for Your Own Blog.
Another option is to write your own blog and use your travel stories to drive traffic to it. You’d be surprised at the number of bored, lifeless people who want to live vicariously through someone traveling the world. You can then monetize your blog by selling adspace or selling products related to your blog. This sounds basic, but it has made many-a-traveler tens and even 100’s of thousands of dollars per year.
4) Completing Writing Projects on ‘Project’ Sites.
There are literally hundreds of writing projects posted every single day on Elance, Guru, DoMyStuff, and other ‘project’ posting websites.
All you have to do is set up a free account as a content provider, then answer people’s requests for writing projects. Once you’re done, the funds will be electronically deposited into your bank account, and you can withdraw the money from any ATM in the world. You can then pick up another project… or complete several projects all at once!
Many projects go for $1000+ dollars, so it doesn’t take a lot of these to be able to travel well and travel often. You can even do the work on the airplane ride to your next destination!
If you have any writing skill at all, you will be able to pick one of these methods and become a well-paid traveler.
**Attention Readers**
To get your copy of our free step-by-step guide showing you how to make money as you travel without ever holding a ‘job,’ visit http://www.moneyfortraveling.com. The expert authors at www.MoneyForTraveling.com
have all made a substantial internet income while traveling or they have been hired and paid well to travel the world and will show you how to do the same.
**Attn Ezine editors/Site owners**
Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site as long as you leave all links in place. You may not modify the content and must include our resource box as listed above. However, you may sign up as an affiliate at MoneyForTraveling.com and insert your affiliate links to earn income for your efforts.
By: Money For Traveling
About the Author:
To get your copy of our free step-by-step guide showing you how to make money as you travel without ever holding a ‘job,’ visit http://www.moneyfortraveling.com. The expert authors at www.MoneyForTraveling.com
have all made a substantial internet income while traveling or they have been hired and paid well to travel the world and will show you how to do the same.
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
By: Stuart S. Travel
About the Author:
Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Online Travel Guru:
Sherry Hardesty has been a professional flight attendant for over 15 years. Her experience is extensive and she provides professional travel consulting and booking services at http://www.stuartstravel.com
What You Can Expect To Find In A Holiday Villa In Florida
Many of the master bedrooms in a holiday villa will have doors straight out onto the veranda or pool area if they are located on the ground floor of the villa. If the master bedroom is on the first floor of the villa it will usually have the best view from its windows. In some luxury villas there will be a balcony leading off the master bedroom.
In warmer climates the bedrooms in the holiday villa will have air conditioning or fans to keep them cool. In larger villas there will sometimes be another larger bedroom suite with its own bathroom. This will not be as big as the master bedroom but will still be a good size. The other bedrooms will usually be smaller in the villa and may have a Jack and Jill bathroom or may share the main family bathroom.
Kitchens in holiday villas are usually extremely well fitted out. They will normally have a microwave, cooker and a large fridge freezer. Many villas also have a double sink with a dishwasher below. Off the kitchen there is usually a washing machine and tumbler drier. The kitchens in holiday villas are usually open plan and many have a kitchen bar to eat at with a dining room area just off it.
Some holiday villas have a double garage attached to them and you can usually access the house from the garage. In some cases the holiday villa owners will have converted the garage into a games room and you may find such things there as a pool table and table tennis table.
Most downstairs living areas in holiday villas are open plan. You will sometimes find a dinning area just off the kitchen in the villa. Then there is usually a sitting are and television. Most holiday villas in warm climates have air conditioning downstairs or fans to keep the villa cool.
If the holiday villa has a swimming pool it will usually be at the back of the villa. Most villas have patio doors leading out of the villa straight onto the swimming pool. This pool deck area may be made of concrete or tiled. In most cases a pool deck area by a holiday villa will be painted with non slip paint or tiles that have a good grip. Around the pool you will usually find chairs and sun loungers. Many holiday villas have a table and chairs just outside the villa patio doors for holiday makers to eat at. It is worth checking before you stay in your holiday villa if the swimming pool is heated.
In summer months the swimming pool in your holiday villa is usually warm enough but it is handy to have a heater to take the chill away. At other times of the year it is important to have a pool heater for your holiday villa as sometimes the water in the swimming pool can be cold. Before going on your villa holiday check to see if there is heating available and also how you pay for it. In some cases the heating is included in the price of the holiday villa and sometimes you have to pay for the heating separately.
Some holiday villas have a cover that you can pull over the swimming pool at night to help keep the heat in. The villa owners will also have somebody come to clean and maintain the swimming pool once a week. Most pools will have chlorine added and you must stay out of the swimming pool for a couple of hours after the chlorine has been added.
By: Andrew Gibson
About the Author:
Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It has holiday villas, ski chalets and self catering holiday apartments to rent on line as a holiday home rental. To see an example of holiday villas have a look at Holiday Villas
Tenterden Hotels, Cheap Hotels in Tenterden Kent
Welcome to Tenterden Hotels in Kent
Tenterden Hotels are situated near the beautiful places, Shopping Malls, Cinema Theaters in the Tenterden Kent uk, We are having very large and expensive Hotels in Tenterden Kent, Our hotels are very large and comfortable and also having the good Hotels Accommodation in Tenterden, Take the vacation of your life with cheap Hotels in Tenterden, offers you the hotel ratings vary from one to five stars, whilst weekends are a good choice for bargain breaks. when it comes to hotels inTenterden Kent, treat you to a whole new experience - unmatched and unforgettable. All Conferences Can be Catered with for with a Range of Facilities and Equipment.
For a weekend and you can order an exquisite bouquet of fresh flowers beautifully arranged by a local florist, Book your wedding functions in Tenterden hotels, Resorts and Restaurants in Tenterden, We are having Guest houses in Tenterden for more enjoyable by the exceptional standards of luxury, The easiest and fastest way for you to book a room is online reservations in Tenterden, Our hotels provide good cattering facilities with Family hotels in Tenterden with the menu is varied, and the specialties different from one day to the other, Here, you can taste almost anything from homemade applesauce parfaits, grilled pineapple with fresh ham to baked blueberry French toast or fresh vegetable and tomato quiche.
All these are served with the best coffee you have ever tasted or if you prefer, a cup of tea or a glass of fresh juice, Holiday breaks in Tenterden, Our hotels provide with large and huge Family Rooms in Tenterden that you can stay very safe and secure, We can also provide Special Offers in Tenterden Hotels offers you a variety of lodging options, One of them would be a large Cottages in Tenterden Hotels, for four people, perfect for families or groups of friends, Enjoy your stay for the vacations and Christmas Celebrations in Tenterden Kent.
For More Information log on to : www.kent-hotels.co.uk/tenterden-hotels.aspx
Find online Price Comparison : www.comfort-hotels.net/england/kent/tenterden-hotels.aspx
By: Tenterden hotels
About the Author:
Tenterden Hotels, Cheap Hotels in Tenterden , Bed and Breakfast Hotel Accommodation in Tenterden Kent
Budget Travel - Getting Free Flights
One great way to score free flights without tediously collecting frequent flier miles is to get yourself bumped off of the flight on which you are booked.
While getting bumped won’t make your current flight free, it will traditionally score you a free ticket you can use at a later date of your choosing.
Getting bumped is such a popular money saving strategy that there is a definite art and science behind it. Remember that you may not be the only person on your flight hoping to get bumped. It is important to follow the guidelines listed below to increase your chances.
- Book your flight with the intention of getting bumped. For instance, you may want to choose one of the first flights of the day, knowing that you will be able to get on a later flight after you are bumped and still reach your destination.
- Always ask if the flight is overbooked. It may be a good idea to call your travel agent the night before the scheduled flight to inquire. Always ask the gate agent if the flight is overbooked as soon as you arrive and let him or her know you will volunteer to be bumped.
- Always back a flight schedule for your departure and destination airport. Be sure to get a schedule that includes all airlines, not just the one on which you are booked.
- Always arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to scheduled departure. Try to be the first one in the check in line. Being the first in line will ensure that you are the first on the list of volunteers to be bumped.
- Before you agree to be bumped, be sure that the airline will offer a free ticket or other significant compensation. Individual airline policies vary, so be sure you know what is being offered.
- Some airlines offer vouchers in $100 increments, according to the time you must wait for another flight. For instance, a one hour wait entitles you to a $100 voucher, two hours means you get $200, etc.
- Before accepting your free ticket or travel voucher, let the gate agent know that you need to be sure of your arrangements for your current flight. Always make sure you are holding a confirmed reservation and boarding pass for a later flight before signing the agreement and accepting the free ticket.
- Tell the gate agent that you want a guaranteed, confirmed reservation on the next flight to your destination.
- If there are no guaranteed seats available on the next flight, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat on another airline.
- Use the flight schedule you packed to choose an alternative flight and airline.
- If the wait for the next flight exceeds two hours, ask the gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines make these vouchers available, but they do not always offer them without being asked.
- If you get bumped from your next flight, you could score another free ticket. It pays to be flexible any time you are flying on a budget.
- Remember there are no hard and fast rules everyone must follow. There are some regulations, but each airline sets its own policy with regard to bumping policy and compensation.
- The bumping rules are generally different for international flights, so be sure to ask the airline about their policies before volunteering.
By: Paul Hata
About the Author:
1000s of Hotels,Travel,Tourism and Luggage Offers! Click Here -
WorldHotelPages.com,
WorldTravelPages.com,
WorldTourismPages.comand
WorldLuggagePages.com
Hotel Furniture: Designing For Profit
The Hotel business is a commercial business, and customers range from executives. top business class people, to families on vacation. To suit guests’ specifications and tastes the furnishings in the hotel need to be designed to their need. Richness and sophistication provides a warm welcome to the entrance and reception area of the hotel. Furniture forms the major asset for the hotel and the selection of hotel furniture should be made according to that.
Returning guests to a hotel, usually are returning because they prefer the design of that hotel furniture. Hotel furniture is designed to be profitable for the hotel and is designed according to the specifications offered by the buyer. Hotel furniture includes armoires, dressing tables, head boards, night tables, mirrors, desks, drawers, beds, sofas, restaurant furniture, bar furniture, patio furniture and tables and they are specifically designed to suit the needs of the design professionals, hotel operators and hotel owners. Hotel furniture is made specifically with the quality, craftsmanship and durability that the hotel industry needs, as well as at the price that the hotel industry needs. The hotel furniture you choose will depend on the size of the hotel furniture requirements, the manufacturers you want, and what you need to do to satisfy the needs of your clients.
Some manufacturers provide some of the finest quality materials at an unbeatable price and they build the furniture according to the needs of the buyers. The manufacturers design the hotel furniture to match the style preferred by the hotel and ultimately their guests. These manufacturers usually design hotel furniture for profit and also provide discounts among the customers to attract bulk orders.
Purchasing of furniture is the most important, or one of the most important things to think of when in the hotel business, and because of its importance, you should probably hire a professional designer to help give you the look you want. . Hotel furniture is a heavy investment and that’s just another reason that the decision should be made carefully by the hotel owners. After all this furniture is what will increase your hotel profit in the long run. Purchasing furniture that is not suitable for the hotel or that is not well made, is a waste of time and money. When shopping for hotel furniture, you should get a perfect balance between the form and function. Physical appearance is the most important aspect in the purchase of hotel furniture, but you can’t forget about comfort either. Comfort is also extremely important when buying hotel furniture.
Hotel furniture is designed to make a profit for the hotel owner, and some of the important guidelines in the purchase of the furniture is listed below.
* Hotel furniture is a significant physical appearance of the hotel, and one of the main reasons why guests continue to return. Therefore, the purchase of furniture should be made to attract customers’ attention. This furniture should provide satisfaction and comfort to the guests.
* The purchase of your hotel furniture should be based on your theme and style of the hotel and that style should be at the very top of your list when buying hotel furniture. Since furniture investment is heavy, you need to take your time in making the right decision.
* Designing hotel furniture for profit includes changing the look of the hotel into traditional, classic and into the latest trendiest style.
* Extensive demographic research should be done on the type of customers visiting your area and hence your hotel and the hotel furniture should be selected based on this specification.
* The guests and visitors of the hotel should be provided with the utmost comfort and care. The needs of the customers should be put above everything else and so the hotel furniture should be designed with this guideline in mind..
* The rooms of the hotel are constructed differently. For example single bedroom, double bedroom and master bedroom. The hotel furniture should serve the distinct purposes. They should also provide comfort and elegance to the customers.
* The hotel furniture should be designed with quality in mind, and the investment should only be made in high quality furniture from reputable manufacturers, who provide a guarantee, durability and flexibility.
Hotel furniture plays an absolutely essential role in the overall physical appearance of the hotel and presents the foundation of quality services offered by the hotel. Purchasing of the best and ideal hotel furniture is a crucial factor in the success of the hotel business.
So in conclusion, this is the area that you want to take great care in, choose the right furniture and your new hotel will be a success, but choose the wrong furniture and your hotel will be a total failure. This is something you really want to be careful about, and be a part of the decision every step of the way.
By: Tony Nibbinsworth
About the Author:
Cheap Sun Holidays
Finding cheap holidays is often easier than you think if you know where to look. Most of the time, cheap holidays are best found with group deals or packages. This means that the best way for you to find cheap holidays is to request information from various agencies that deal with holidays, and with the agents that can book them. You will be able to find package deals on cheap holidays to destinations that you have always wanted to visit such as Turkey, the USA, and Canary Island. These are three of the most popular holiday destinations, but they are also the three most popular destinations that aren’t cheap - so how can you make sure you are finding cheap holidays?
First of all, when you are looking for cheap holidays, you are most often looking for a package deal. This will include flights, accommodations, and also other perks that might be included. Therefore, you need to find deals that include all these things.
One of the most important things that you do when you are searching for cheap holidays is to talk to a online travel agent. They have the contacts needed for arranging the types of packages or deals that you are looking for. Many times, travel agents can get special deals on flights that you as a traveller would not be able to get otherwise. Flights are part of what makes your holidays so expensive - especially if you take your holidays with more than one family member. However, travel agents can often get cheaper tickets for you, your spouse, and your children. Therefore, it is important to find a reliable travel agent when you are on the hunt for cheap holidays.
Accommodations are another part of the package that you will be looking for with cheap holidays. Often, staying in a prime establishment is one of the most expensive parts of your holiday. Many times, people limit their holidays simply because accommodations can be so expensive. However, if you can arrange an all-inclusive package through the travel agent, you can find cheap or alternative accommodations that will make your holiday even better.
When you are on the lookout for cheap holidays in Turkey, the USA, or Canary Island, buying your flights and accommodations together is often the best way to spend the least amount of money. However, there are also other things to think about in order to get the cheapest holiday possible. These are things that you might not even think about while you are planning your holiday, but will end up being the ones that are very expensive.
The things that you need to consider include the food that you are eating on your holiday, as well as other things that you are buying. Many people attempt to take cheap holidays, using packages that they buy from a travel agent, but end up spending too much money otherwise. There are some hints that you can follow in order to maintain your cheap holiday.
First of all, you need to keep track of the money you’re spending on food while you are on your cheap holiday. You want to be sure that you are not choosing expensive restaurants to dine at that are exhausting your holiday spending money. Many times, if you can eat at fast food establishments, or find food to buy in a grocery store, you will find that this will be a much cheaper way to eat. Many people choose to buy food in a grocery store on their cheap holiday because this way they can prepare their own food and save on eating out. Often, the best way to save money on a cheap holiday is to choose one or two nights to eat in a fancy restaurant, and settle for the less expensive dining choices on the other occasions.
Souvenirs are another item that can make cheap holidays much more expensive. When you are on a cheap holiday, you want to choose carefully what you buy, rather than just buy anything you see in the shops. While it might be tempting to purchase lots of different souvenirs, you might want to take your time and choose carefully, because this will mean you spend your money on things that matter instead of cheap stuff you will not keep.
Remember that cheap holidays are always possible, as long as you do some research and plan ahead.
By: Mandy Chagger
About the Author:
Cheap Vacation Tel: 08700 490002 or +44 (0)1780 484824 Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm or Sat - Sun 10am - 4pm or visit us for general business travel enquiries. Our staff are multilingual and very friendly with many years of experience.
Are Hostels, Camps and Private Homes Safe for Travelers
If you decide camping is the accommodation style for you, you should have a good knowledge of the area you are going to camp in. Will you be staying in a public campsite or will you be camping wherever you feel the need to pitch your ten? If it is the latter, make sure it is legal to camp in the spot you have chosen. Check whether you need to provide your own drinking water. Camp grounds in remote places may require you take in water. If you are using water from streams or creeks, boil it first to get rid of bacteria.
Animals can provide a source of danger in campsites. If you are camping in bear country you will need to take special precautions. Take care of how you store your food and where you pitch your tent. You will need to either store all your food in a bear proof box or hang it from a tree. Check the area before you camp to make sure there are no signs of recent bear activity. If there are, move on to another site. Other dangerous animals that you need to be aware of when camping are snakes and spiders. These beasts like to get in and under things so always check before you put on any clothes and shoes.
Camping is a good way to meet fellow travelers, but you can not always be sure your possessions will be safe from unscrupulous people. Ensure all valuables are locked in the car or stowed safely when you are not at your campsite.
Hostels are a good, safe way to travel, but like any public place, you still need to take precautions. Hostels that are members of a network may provide a safer option as they are well controlled. You can take safety measures by locking up your valuables in lockers if they are provided. Or ask the manager if they have a safe you can lock your valuables in. Sleep with your money and passport at night if you are sharing a room with strangers. Most hostels have bunk rooms segregated by gender. But some don’t. If you are a female traveling alone, it might be wise to stay in a hostel that has only same sex rooms.
Staying in private homes with the owners living there as well, (charging you for board), is probably the least safe option when traveling. This is because you don’t know the people you are staying with and in some countries it is actually illegal for residents to hire out their rooms to travelers. If this option is one you want to pursue, try and book your room through the local tourist office or through an agency. At least if there is a problem, you will have someone to lodge your complaint with. In some countries this is a very popular form of accommodation and a cheap one. Make sure you negotiate your price before you agree to stay. Take the same precautions as you would in other styles of accommodations and be prepared to move on if it is not satisfactory or you feel unsafe.
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
www.stuartstravel.com
By: Stuart S. Travel
About the Author:
Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Online Travel Guru:
Sherry Hardesty has been a professional flight attendant for over 15 years. Her experience is extensive and she provides professional travel consulting and booking services at http://www.stuartstravel.com
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