Category: Travelling

I have an adult daughter I love to travel with and we have been fortunate to go several places around the world together. As the saying goes she would pack everything but the kitchen sink and I knew if I had forgotten something she would have it. When she would come home for Christmas we would always laugh that she had to bring two suit cases and a carry on for a seven day stay.

This same daughter came back from a trip to Switzerland and Prague this year and informed me she had only taken a carry-on bag. I was astonished. I asked her if she felt like she needed more and she said no.

Advantages to using only a carry-on bag when flying:

It is wonderful not checking bags and having to wait in line to check them, and then wait even longer for them to come off the belt to pick up. This saves a lot of time and frustration.
Knowing that your bag wouldn’t be lost.
Not having heavy baggage to lug up and down stairs and off and on trains or other modes of transportation.
Packing only the essentials.
Saving money by not having to pay money to check one or more bags.

So how on earth do you pack just a carry-on bag instead of larger bags? I just went to Japan for 10 days so I have some firsthand knowledge of how to do this. At first I had to receive constant reassurance from my daughter that I could do it because frankly I didn’t know how I could do it. When packing only a carry-on there is not the luxury of packing clothing “just in case I might want it”, planning ahead is very important. Everything you pack will be used.

First of all check with your airline, this can be done on line, to find out what their measurement restrictions are. Domestic and International can be different. Measure your bag three ways; length wise, the depth and side to side. Add these three together and you have the size of your bag.
I still pack everything in plastic bags, by squeezing out the air you can get more in them. Rolling your clothes takes up less space. If you are concerned about wrinkles you can buy wrinkle free clothes, use the hotel’s iron, or lay them flat for your outgoing trip and then as you collect things on your trip roll them up for the return trip.
Wear one blouse and take two other blouses for a total of three. These can be two short sleeves and one long sleeve if going to a warm climate, or reversed for a cold climate. Check the local weather before you pack.
Wear one long pair of pants and pack two short pair, or reversed depending on the weather. If you like to wear skirts or dresses, change out one of these.
Take as many socks and underwear as you are willing to wash outI mean if you don’t want to wash only every four to six days then take that many.
Wear your bulkier shoes and pack your lighter ones. If you will only need one pair, that saves even more space. Two pair might be a good idea if you are planning on going to the beach, out for the evening, or if you think you may get your feet wet.
For cosmetics take as few as possible and in 3 oz. or smaller sizes as those are the TSA rules. Put all gels and liquids in a quart size plastic zip bag before getting to the airport. Place them in the outside pocket of your luggage and you can take it out easily to go through security.
Pack enough medications for the duration of your trip and a few extra pills in case of emergencies. Keep these in their original bottles, ask the pharmacists to put them in the smallest bottles available with a label.
If you need a curling iron or blow dryer buy a travel size. Everyplace I have been are now providing blow dryers. Buy smaller hair brushes.
Use a bungee cord to attach a jacket to your bag to stroll through the airport, doesn’t take up valuable space on the inside of your bag.

I do not recommend the hard suitcases as a carry-on bag because they don’t have any pockets on the outside you can put things in. Like your plastic bag with liquids. And other things you may need to tuck in at the last second.

If you travel often within the USA to relatives homes keep things like blow dryers, extra tooth paste, brushes and so forth in a closed container that can be kept out of their way on a shelf or under the bed at their homes. This saves you space when traveling and keeps you organized.

If you travel often keep small size products in the plastic zip lock and keep them with your travel supplies. The next time you travel your personal items will be all ready to go and this will save you time.

If you are traveling with children get them carry-ons they can not only pull, but holds all their clothing and stuff, even if you have to carry it along with yours, a paying customer is allowed one carry-on and one personal item. Too often I see kids just pulling little dinky carry-ons.

You are also allowed a personal item so use your back pack for your book to read, whatever you take to hold your I.D., money, treats, and other things you want to get to without opening the overhead bin. For the children load their backpacks with things they will need for the trip, activities and treats would be the main things to include.

Time management is important to all of us and you will not only make the most of your time but you will see that being organized has its distinct advantages even when traveling.

The medical insurance you take out when you travel overseas is a whole different ball game to the medical, hospital cover you have for everyday life.

Australian citizens are covered by medical insurance through the Australian Government”s Medicare program, but some first time travellers are at risk of leaving themselves wide open to financial hardship through not realising this cover doesn”t extend to overseas destinations.

Neither do the private funds normally cover their members for overseas travel and advise that international travel medical insurance needs to be taken out through a reputable international travel insurance company.

What Should Your Overseas Medical Insurance Dollar Cover

Industry veterans, 1Cover travel insurance, say, medical insurance is the “base line” component in all travel insurance. It covers the events that have the potential to leave you and your family anywhere from seriously out of pocket to being in desperate financial trouble.

Basically, all medical travel insurance should provide:

* Unlimited cover for hospital expenses for accident and sickness and all medical expenses related to the accident or illness.

* Unlimited cover for emergency evacuation. What this means is if you have an accident or fall ill either a considerable distance from a hospital or medical help or from a hospital or medical assistance of an acceptable standard, all the frame work is in place for you to call in specialised assistance. In some instances this also includes transportation back to the country of origin. In addition, all relevant expenses are covered. Given that costs can be in the hundreds of thousands, this is a vital component of the cover.

* Health travel insurance should also cover a component of the costs of dental work resulting from an accident during the duration of your overseas travel.

* Repatriation. This is a sombre word for a sombre eventuality. It would be nave of any traveller to totally dismiss the possibility of dying while overseas. Repatriation covers the costs of returning a deceased persons body to their country of origin. Not cheap!

* Personal Liability. Once again, it would be nave to think you would always be on the receiving end in an accident. Personal Liability covers you in the event you”re the one who knocks over the statue of David or gives the Leaning Tower of Pizza its final shove. Don”t leave home with anything under a million.

Most companies will provide you will a free quote on medical insurance, often online, and provide you with the full run down on their policy. So, don”t get the two confused and think you”re cover is winging overseas with you when it”s actually grounded back in Australia.

Kiev is located in Eastern Europe, it is the capital of Ukraine country. The better time for going to Kiev is May month, because during this time all the city is blossoming with fascinating white and pink chestnut “pyramids”, once feeling this unforgettable flowers’ aroma you will fall in love with this city. The lilies of the valley, white “bells” with tender fragrance and magic abundance of various kinds of lilac make it unforgettable place, ideal for travelling with beloved people.

Travelling to Kiev is very easy to organize. All you need is to book Kiev apartments via internet and order airplane or bus tickets to get there. In such a way you don’t need to depend on touristic groups or fixed journey time. Select the best time you wish and the most suitable apartments you want to live in. In spring any Kiev street is wonderful. There are interesting historical facts regarding the origin of chestnut plantings in Kiev. Officially the first time chestnut trees appeared in Kiev was in 1842, they were brought from Balkans just before the visit of Russian emperor Nicholas I. All main city streets were planted with chestnuts.

When the emperor found out about this, he ordered to cut down all these trees and plant poplars and lime trees on those places. The order was executed, but according to the legend, locals were so amazed with beauty and fragrance of chestnut trees, that gathered all cut branches and planted them on their courtyards, everywhere in the city besides those places where the emperor could go. According to another version, the first chestnut trees appeared in Kiev in 1825. They were planted on the courtyard of the Kiev-Pecherskaya Laura (one of the main religious city centers). Local people took the branches from there and planted them everywhere they could. In such a way Kiev became a chestnut city.

The local climate is ideal for these trees. That is why chestnuts feel very well here, and every year they present people with luxuriant white flowering bunches. The period of blossoming is rather short: about 2 – 3 weeks, usually it starts on May 8th – 10th and lasts till the end of month. When the chestnuts throw down their flowers, this spectacle can be compared only with Japanese cherry tree flourish. At the same time the lilac is in blossom, and after it the turn of decorating Kiev goes to white acacias.
There are three kinds of chestnuts growing here: horse chestnut, Ohio buckeye and red horse chestnut. Ohio buckeye begins to blossom before the rest. These are small trees with short leaves and white flowers that cover the whole crone of the tree. The interesting fact is that they are firstly covered with flowers, and only then leaves begin to appear.

Red horse chestnut is a hybrid of common horse chestnut and “fish poison” chestnut. It was found in 1818. It has unusual red-yellow blossom clusters. The climate is so good here that in the fall, mostly in the middle of September, the chestnuts are blossoming second time a season.
Travelling to Kiev will be very enjoyable for those who missed the city romance. Recently this city was the greenest European capital. Today it has lost this status, but it is still very beautiful, full of parks and gardens. It is much greener than London or Paris. Besides rich floral abundance, Kiev is famous for its architecture that combines various styles and epochs.

To explore amazing places of interest you even don’t need the guide service. Whenever you are, you will definitely find some interesting museums, galleries or churches that are worth visiting. By the way, a great occasion of your romantic trip to Kiev will be visiting the center of modern art – Pinchuk Art Center. It is also unusual place, its success is made of contrasts: joint exhibitions of old traditional works and modern startling artistic masterpieces. Be ready for unforgettable impressions, new emotions and excellent relaxing pastime with your best companion.

As Dover port is very famous in the United Kingdom, a channel crossing is now a smooth and easy travel on cheap ferries from Dover and Dunkerque is a great experience. The ferry across the water from one side to the other in about two hours, and the whole experience is enjoyable. The state of the ferries ensure that holidaymaker travel must be in comfort.

Onboard you and your family members can enjoy the pleasure of a delicious meal served in a cafeteria. Snack food can be enough, but is an opportunity for a good meal and a glass of wine in a restaurant. On board ship there are small shops selling everything a tourist might need, regardless of size and the travellers can purchase anything they want.

Luxury goods thirteen are always popular. A large selection of wines, beers and spirits to choose from. Watches and jewellery sold at affordable prices and luxury perfumes and cosmetics are a good gift to take home a loved one.

Peace and quiet for many passengers. Travelling in first-class can mean paying a little ‘more, but does not guarantee certain luxuries. Children under eight are not able to travel first-class. Although smoking is not allowed in any common place, it is acceptable for a smoker to walk in a designated area, usually outside on the deck.

Its perfectly possible to book your cheap ferries to your favourite destination and travel on the ferry, the same day. Online booking of your cheap ferry ticket is very simple, and it can be done easily.

Dover Ferries coming out of transporting vehicles and passengers. Giant boats usually do not do anyone a leg flight. Luggage is often transported in the transport box, and that is acceptable even if the box size is limited.

Its vital to inform the port long before the days of sailing. On arrival at Dover all the necessary checks are carried out after checking in, but all controls are performed before sailing to the port of Dunkirk.

Disabled passengers do not pose any problem to travel by ferry. The staff is always available and will advise if required. And ‘good and useful to inform the shipping company in good time, if someone has a disability to travel.

We have here a list made of all facts and tips that may be when you go to Vietnam

There are shoes for a door in Vietnam, it is intended that you also pulled out. Inside, the floor is spotless because no dirt along to walk in and clean them much.

Vietnam is one of the few Asian countries where you can get bread. Thanks to the French baguette they sell here now. But not really toppings. Furthermore, the salt-free bread that is a little crazy for us. If toppings they often do sell a french cheese grease that we know as “la vache qui rite”. further his avacado and bananas dirt cheap and this also doing fine on bread.

You can be fantastic street food stalls! Or go to the very small “restaurants” in people’s homes. Everything is fresh so you do not have too much to worry about. Look where many locals! Since the food is good and it is not too long!

Hotels and tourist restaurants often put an extra 5% on the account so a Tipping is not necessary. This does not mean that the staff here get something so you can consider to still give a tip.

In ordinary restaurants is very appreciated if you leave a tip. Also, drivers and guides expect a tip and it is polite to leave. Behind a small donation after visiting a pagoda.

Bargaining is very common but do not overdo it to the extreme. Negotiate with a smile!

The Tet New Year festival is something to be reckoned with. It takes place in late January or early February and everything is closed. Least a week

Wandering Souls Day is held on the fifteenth day of the seventh moon (August). During this festival gifts and food offered for the dead forgotten.

The trash you see lying on the street gets cleaned the same day. It’s more of a temporary gathering place without pockets around it than it is a permanent waste.

Vietnamese are very physical set. Both men and women will touch you, for example your hand or forearm to grasp when they talk to you. Also in stores this is quite normal. Only when you really drawn somewhere inside it is not so free

Anyone touch each other they do not understand well why we are struggling. There is indeed nothing behind!

In small shops and guesthouses can happen that the staff on the ground is sleeping when you

Always speak well wonder whether the price is in USD or Dong. Usually they say it is in USD and they charge a lot to high price if you want to pay in Dong.

Beware of Vietnamese who speak English well, generally in the biggest cheaters. “My friend …” are usually not your best friends.

It’s not like in the West, that if you are not satisfied with something you can negotiate. Possibly a discount or compensation They understand there just that you do not want to pay the possible (aggressive) effects.

If you arrange transport must clearly agree when they pick you up, what no you can call if they have absentia, to where you brought … and then you have no guarantees.

Paying more does not always mean that you get a better tour …
If you care about fairness and justice, then put these principles to one side during your trip in Vietnam.