Savvy Travel Tips

If you’re a fan of packing light then you already realize that shoes take up the bulk of space in your luggage.

Would you like a pair of shoes that can double for an elegant evening out and also cushion your feet while touring the sites during the day? I’m talking about shoes that actually transform themselves from day into night!

After years of searching for the elusive pair of footwear I have finally found them! And I love them so much that now I’m telling every female friend and family member about them.

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Give the gift of spa! Shop SpaFinder.com

I have recently returned home from my 6th visit to what has become one of my favorite places in the world. When ever I’m told to imagine a beautiful, happy place in my mind…well, this is the place I always come back to–in my imagination as well as physically. Read the rest of this entry »

When you go on vacation it’s nice to know that everything at home is taken care of. Some people hire professional house sitters to come in and take care of pets and plants but not all of us are willing or able to go that route. What follows are some recommended actions to take prior to departing on vacation. These will give you peace of mind while you are away and will make your return home more enjoyable: Read the rest of this entry »

As someone who is fortunate enough to travel you are presented with many choices…where to go, how to get there, where to stay, where to eat and what to do when you get there. Each of these choices has the potential to impact the environment for future generations and being aware of your choices may just make your trip more enjoyable and may even leave you with a greater sense of purpose and connectedness to other cultures.

Here are some great reasons to be conscious of your choices when presented with the many travel options: Read the rest of this entry »

Traveling actually increases a person’s carbon footprint (over that of someone who never strays from home). However, it’s the people who travel that generally have a higher awareness of the need to reduce their carbon footprint, taking care to preserve the environment. If you are one of those individuals, or are simply curious about what it means to be a green traveler then read on…. Read the rest of this entry »

English is commonly spoken in many parts of the world and this is definitely an advantage for the American traveler. However, knowing just a few phrases will make your experience more pleasurable. Why? It’s simple.

Have you ever been approached in your home town by a foreigner who is clearly struggling with the English language but is making an obvious attempt to converse in your native tongue? Didn’t you automatically feel compelled to help that person, more so than you would a local? It’s human nature and it’s universal. Read the rest of this entry »

So you’ve decided you want to embark on an active journey. You know where you want to go but you’d like to be guided and you have no idea how to select an agency. Here are some tips we’ve compiled to help you pick the company that will best suit your needs:

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Being the most expensive agency does not automatically make them the best.
• Some companies specialize in treks in a certain region (such as
  Nullabor Traveller in Australia) and it is worthwhile to check into these but don’t rule out those who cover the continents.
• Many agencies follow the very same routes and so the differences between them come from the types and quality of lodging provided, the food provided along the way, the age and quality of the gear (tents, sleeping bags, day packs), the treatment of the guides, porters & pack animals, and the knowledge and experience of the guide(s).
• Your guide (or guides) will most likely be local to the area you are visiting and often will not be a direct employee of the trekking agency.

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How do you capture those special places, moments, and people? Here are some tips on preparing for and taking pictures to preserve those precious memories:

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Are you hampered by finances or the high price of gas this season? Here are some inspirational ideas for a stay-at-home vacation:

• Local Factory Tours: Is there a candy factory, brewery, boot manufacturer or even a branch of the government mint in your area? These can be great fun, very educational, and the food & beverage factories often give out free samples afterward!
• Historic & Government Building Tours: Do you live near a state capitol? If so, consider touring it and enjoy learning some U.S. history in the process. Did famous people live in your town at one time? Has their home been turned into a museum?

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Do you travel to expand your knowledge of other peoples and cultures? To broaden your perspective? To really experience a place as a local? If so, then you are no doubt seeking an authentic experience and this can be difficult when you’re in a place for a short while.

Here are some tips we’ve gathered to help you find the truly genuine in your travels:

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Using a handheld GPS device while traveling is a great idea. Not only does it eliminate the need for paper maps, but you can also use the handheld’s personal information manager (PIM) functionality to organize trip information, such as flight & hotel reservations and important contacts (home and abroad).
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Are you an experienced hiker with a trekking vacation on the horizon? My husband and I embark on a trekking trip generally once every two years and we’ve learned a few things that we’d like to pass along here.

As a general rule you want to carry fewer things and you want those things that you do carry to be light as marshmallows. This requires you to be very discerning in choosing what to take with you.
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