Author Archive

France, Share Your Experience

A great moment in the countryside

17 12 2008

I spent an unforgettable week in France, in a region called Poitou-Charentes.
I visited the swamps, some historical museums, and tasted the local food. To go there, I crossed a big part of France, so I stopped in Alsace, Bourgogne and Auvergne. This last regions was very nice too, there are many old volcanos, and the sights are really wonderful.
To everyone who loves to rest in calm places, in the countryside, and see the mountains and the sea almost at the same time, I really recommend you to visit France and its beautiful different regions. I found good informations on a website called France Regions. There you can find a place to stay, book a plane, rent a car, and even find a school if you want to study in this country.

Björn Svensson, Sweden

Travel Tips

List of railway companies in Europe

15 05 2008

Albania : www.hsh.com.al

Austria : www.oebb.at

Belarus : www.rw.by

Belgium : www.b-rail.be

Bosnia-Herzegovina : www.zrs-rs.com

Bulgaria : www.bdz.bg

Croatia : www.hznet.hr

Czech Republic : www.cd.cz

Denmark : www.dsb.dk

Denmark Sea Ways: www.dfdseaways.com

Estonia : www.evr.ee

Finland : www.vr.fi

France : www.sncf.com

Germany : www.bahn.de

Greece : www.ose.gr

Hungary : www.mav.hu

Ireland : www.irishrail.ie

Italia : www.trenitaila.com

Latvia : www.ldz.lv

Lithuania : www.litrail.lt

Luxembourg : www.cfl.lu

Macedonia : www.mz.com.mk

Moldova : www.railway.md

Montenegro : www.zeljeznica.cg.yu

Netherlands : www.ns.nl

Norway : www.nsb.no

Poland : www.pkp.pl

Portugal : www.cp.pt

Romania : www.cfr.ro

Serbia : www.serbianrailways.com

Slovakia : www.zsr.sk

Slovenia : www.slo-zeleznice.si

Spain : horarios.renfe.es

Sweden : www.sj.se

Switzerland: www.sbb.ch

Turkey : www.tcdd.gov.tr

Ukraine : www.uz.gov.ua

United Kingdom : www.nationalrail.co.uk

Travel Tips

Traveling 101: Five Things To Remember When Travelling

18 04 2008

Traveling can sometimes be tiring and stressful but it can be very enjoyable if everything goes smoothly and as planned. To make sure that your trip will be successful in satisfying your needs. Make sure you are equipped with all the travel essentials that you need, and the knowledge that you need to know.

First, always keep a map at hand. Though adventure seeking or re-enacting the amazing race in your trip can be most fun and thrill worthy, it can be a drag when you can’t go back to the place where you reside during your trip. A map will help you be on track on where you are and can also help ensure your safety. You can opt for a more tech-forward option by getting a GPS device instead. Next, always know and keep track as to where you kept passports, I.D.’s, credit cards, plane tickets and other documents that you will need for traveling. It is too much of a hassle to call your home embassy and have them assist you in going home. These will also ensure your safety especially at the emergence of TNT’s where most foreigners are getting accused of a crime just because they lost their papers.

Another travel essential is a book, an ipod, or anything to keep you awake and to not turn your trip into a case of boredom. Always expect long drives or flights to the destination of your choice. Even a short hour can just fly by if you’re listening to your favorite song.

Another travel essential is a camera. Documenting your trip can serve as a token for you to show to your friends and relatives at home. It can also serve as a guide for you just in case you would want to go back to the place you visited. Several priceless moments occur in trips that’s why having a camera with you is important to keep those priceless memories last longer.

A big part of traveling as well is shopping. No matter where you are in the world, math is always the same in all languages and races. It is advisable that you bring your calculator with you at all times. Bargains are not always what you think they are especially if you are shopping at thrift stores where the sellers are more knowledgeable about the real cost of the goods. Even your trustee shopping mall may not offer you the proper discount that you deserve.

Lastly, the travel essential that you should never ever forget is your reason for traveling. Wherever you go, make sure that you have a goal whether it’s to have fun or for business. Keeping your goal in mind will make you save a lot of time. Plus, it will keep you guided on the things that you should and should not do during your trip. If you have your goal in mind, then you are sure that everything will go smoothly and according to the way you planned.

Travel Tips

The Seven Lucky Charms of Travelers

18 04 2008

Travelers have a lot at hand when they go from one place to another. Yet, there are things that travelers should have all the time to ensure a smooth flow of their trip whether it is for business, leisure or both.

The first in the line of the top 7 things you should not travel without is the CELLPHONE, probably it is the first ever thing that we cannot forget. The mobile phone has become a necessity for us especially during meet ups, dating and most especially, emergencies. Make sure that you have all the essential phone numbers that you will need during your stay. It is helpful to know the numbers of the Police, the hospital, your hotel, a number of a familiar face in the place you’re visiting, the office of the airline you’re riding and of course, the number of the people back at home.

The second thing you should not travel without is your WALLET, of course you won’t get anywhere without it. It serves as your fuel for you to do everything that’s in your itinerary. Be on the lookout at stores and even bargain centers for traveler’s wallets that have multiple pockets that can hold almost everything of value. Yet, make sure to opt for a wallet that is secure. Choose the ones who close completely with zippers instead of those fold-up open wallets. You can also buy a chain to prevent wallet theft. The third one is an IPOD or a book or just about anything that can kill your boredom. Whenever you travel, make it a point to not spend your time staring into nothingness s unless the view you’re seeing is worth your time.

Another thing you should not travel without is your SANITARY KIT, what’s inside are the things you need to keep your hygiene, including your deodorant, toothbrush, soap, tissue or in the case of females, tampons and sanitary napkins. Lastly, the thing that travelers should not travel without is your camera. Wherever you go, it is essential to keep a snapshot of the places and the sights that you see to keep your trip a part of the memory that you could share to your family, friends and loved ones in the future. It can also be your reference just in case you would want to return to the place that you’ve just visited.

Another addition to the things that you should not travel without, and probably the most important thing that travelers should keep in mind is PRAYER. In whatever you do, make sure that you have divine intervention by your side all the time. You’ll never know when you’ll need extra strength and guidance in all the endeavors that you will undertake in your scheduled trip. Also include your loved ones and precious belongings in your prayer so that you are sure that you will go back to a safe and harmonious environment, the place you will step foot on and know that you’re finally home.

Travel Tips

What Your Travel Agent Won’t Tell You

18 04 2008

Hiring a travel agency can save you a lot of time and effort in planning your trip. However, little do people know that travel agencies have their own tricks up their sleeve that not every vacation or business trip package is worth venturing at. Here are three things that travel agencies don’t want you to know.

First, they give you un-haggled prices. It is a rule of thumb for every buyer to always haggle for the best price. Take airlines for example, the ticket that they get are usually for massive booking. So when travel agents say that you are on the waitlist, it often means that they still don’t have enough customers to book for them to get a better deal. Before saying yes to your travel agent, make sure that you exhaust all means possible like checking flight rates online or going directly to booking offices. There easier ways now of purchasing flights with the mergence of Paypal and other online payment systems. All you need is your credit card but be sure that you only share you card details at secured sights.

Another thing that travel agencies don’t want you to know is that they have a treasure of gift certificates. Because their business are usually done by packages, they get free services or rooms from hotels and even flights from the miles that they get from paying for multiple flights with one card. Don’t be too naïve in believing that you’ve haggled the best price for the most premium vacation package. More often than not, the travel agent just told you that they put down the price when in reality, they just sold you gift certificates and free flights that they didn’t even spend a dime on. With this note, it is highly encouraged to make full use of all the gift certificates that you acquire with whatever means and not to sell those that you have to prevent sneaky travel agencies from fooling innocent customers into buying zero capital packages from them.

The last thing that travel agencies don’t want you to know is that you can actually create a customized package on your own. It will just take more time, patience and effort but unlike before when long lines are the only trend in booking flights and rooms, the ever dependent internet makes it easy for travelers to create the kind of vacation or business trip that they want. As much as possible, plan your trip at least 2 months in advance to get the best deals. The saying “the early bird gets the worm” is highly applicable to traveling. Look for sites that are solely for destinations and airlines only. Be on the lookout for special packages to get the best deal. Also, keep in mind the schedule of peak and non-peak seasons to at least get a valid reason for the price that you pay. It is one thing to have someone do the job for you, like having travel agencies plan your trip but it is way too different when you put your money on something more worthy of your hard-earned resources.

Travel Tips

Don’t Be Too Foreign When You’Re A Foreigner

16 04 2008

Traveling to a foreign land is always exciting as you experience sights, sound and events for the first time. There is also the feeling of standing out in every crowd especially if you’re a Caucasian visiting a country with Asian or African roots and vice versa. Yet, as a foreigner, it is helpful to keep some points in mind before venturing into an out of country experience. Here are some things that you should know when you’re in a foreign country.

To make sure that you are equipped with all the pieces of information that you will need for your visit, set your goals and note the details and procedures that you will follow in achieving them whether it will be for leisure or business purposes. Have complete paper works at hand like permits, certificates, contracts and others.

Before packing, make sure you have a general background of the place that you’re going to visit. Check international channels or newspapers for weather conditions to know what clothing and things to bring. Know the exchange rates well to ensure that you will have enough resources and to make sure that you will be able to shop for the things that you will need for reasonable prices especially when dealing with hagglers. Take note of social or political concerns as well to be safe.

Some countries have laws and policies that are so unique that there are some foreigners who end up in jail for the simplest acts. There are also times when political issues affect the time of departure and arrival of trips that there are chances of getting stranded if you are not aware of what’s happening in the land you are visiting. Know that when you’re in a foreign country, you should be the one to adjust to their environment, laws and social standing and not the other way around.

When traveling to a foreign land, it also very helpful to know some words of the native language of the country you’re visiting. It is often the case that sellers jack up the prices of their goods when they know that they are dealing with a foreigner. Speaking to them in their native language will definitely help in giving you better deals. Learn how to ask questions as well like “where is the bathroom?” or “where is the nearest bank?” This will save you a lot of time in getting and doing the things you need. Having a map at hand will also make your trip more leisurely as you can just point out the location of the place that you want to visit to the driver of the means of transportation that you wish to take. Language barrier is often the problem of foreigners when traveling. Yet, by having the initiative to learn the native language of the country you’re visiting, this challenge can definitely be lessened. Never push through with a trip to a foreign land with zero knowledge about where you are going. What you know when you’re in a foreign country is very important because your knowledge might be the very thing that can ensure your safety and stress – free trip.

EuroTravelPages.com

Travel Tips

Plan Ahead To Have The Best Trip In The End

16 04 2008

Planning your trip abroad can be a total challenge especially if it is your first time. There is the option of hiring a travel agency to do the dirty work for you but then again, only you can determine what your real goals are in taking your first trip out of the country. Here are some tips to consider on how to effectively plan your first trip abroad. Other than the difference in distance, going abroad is far more different than your usual visit to the province. There are several important points to consider like border issues, documents to submit, and most importantly, the places and locations that you can and cannot go to.

To effectively plan your first trip abroad, it is advisable to listen to stories and to do some research on the country you wish to go to. There is no better teacher than experience so knowing about what other people have to say about visiting your country of choice can aid you a lot in learning how to go about things in terms of making the most out of your scheduled trip. This will also help you jumpstart your plan. Make sure to start planning at least two months in advance to get the best deals on airfares and accommodations. Search the internet for special online deals. Make sure that you place the correct information.

Also, don’t forget to confirm your reservation. It is better if you could do your confirmation over the phone and have the confirmation on e-mail as well so you have proof of your purchase. Plus, this lead time will be necessary for you to prepare the requirements for overseas trips such as passports, visas, certificates and the like. Another thing to consider in order to effectively plan your first trip abroad is to make a checklist of your goals and the tasks and procedures that you need to take to achieve them. This checklist will go a long way since it will guide you from doing your itinerary, to packing, to enjoying the duration of your trip up to the time you go home. Having this checklist on hand will also help you make sure that you don’t miss out on the things that you want to do and the places that you want to see. Don’t forget to document each successful task by taking snapshots or having your own memorabilia of the country you visited.

It is one thing to take a picture of beautiful and another to document a whole experience. Going abroad for the first time can be stressful especially when you are going alone. In effectively planning your first trip abroad, just relax and try to be as realistic as possible. There is no room for hurrying up nor having fear of doing things. To ensure that you effectively plan your first trip abroad, be in the right disposition first before jumping into conclusions in deciding on what you will do to fulfill your desire to go out of the country.

EuroTravelPages.com

Travel Tips

Be Secure to be Sure How to secure your things when traveling

16 04 2008

There is a higher risk of losing your things when traveling especially when you’re going from one place to another. There are also times when no matter how careful you are, you lose your things because of theft or plain forgetfulness. Here are ways on how to secure your things when traveling.

The security of your things starts with the kind of luggage that you will use. The more secure your luggage is, the more you are sure that you’ll have all your valuables safe with you. Opt for luggage that has zippers instead of buttons or magnetic locks. There is also luggage that have built in locks in them for added security but these are not as advisable since combination locks can be opened easily. To secure your things when traveling, be sure that you have all your things inside as organized as possible as well. By doing this, you won’t have to keep on removing the things that you don’t need just to find what you’re looking for way down at the bottom of your bag. Zip lock bags and shoe bags are also useful in organizing your things and it also helps in preventing dirt from getting into your clean belongings.

Another way of how to secure your things when traveling is to put unique marks on your valuables. A bright ribbon or a bag tag or even a stamp can serve to be useful especially when you’re waiting for you bag at the airport carousel. Don’t’ forget to ask for fragile stickers before checking your luggage to let the porters know that your luggage has delicate things inside even if it is just a bunch of your clothes. More often than not, the luggage without a fragile sticker only ends up being thrown back and forth during transport. There are also chains available in the market today to keep your valuables literally attached to you. These can be useful for wallets, mobile phones, GPS devices and other highly-priced and important belongings. It is important to keep in mind that no matter how careful you are about what you bring, there is still unpredictable danger in all your whereabouts. Be on the lookout for suspicious looking characters especially when in a foreign land. Foreigners are often the victims of pickpockets and thieves since they have a common notion that foreigners have little idea on how and where to get help. Be aware of emergency numbers and police checkpoints as well just in case you end up as a victim.

Lastly, never leave your room unlocked when no one is inside. Always entrust your key at the concierge and no one else. There are cases when tourists leave their keys just to anyone or a bar maid or bell boy just to find out that the person that they gave their key too didn’t even work for the hotel at all. Avoid leaving precious belongings in your hotel except if they are bulky like that of laptops and the like. If you have no choice but to leave those things in your room, make sure that you keep them in discrete areas.

EuroTravelPages.com

Travel Tips

A Traveler’s Guide To Packing A Mobile Closet

16 04 2008

Every traveler needs stylish and effective clothing not only to look good but to make every trip as enjoyable and as comfortable as possible. Yet, the task of picking the right clothes for the right trip can sometimes be a drag especially if you are one of the people who have one too many clothes and items in their closet. Packing your clothes can be made simple if these tips on how to effectively pack your travel clothes are followed.

Before anything else, make sure that you have a sturdy yet efficient luggage at hand. Opt for luggage that has a lot of pockets and a lot of support. There are also pieces of luggage available that already have organizers and dividers inside that help you effectively pack your travel clothes. After getting the luggage of your choice, make sure that you have a list of your itinerary with you before packing. The list of activities that you will do will serve as your guide to what to wear. Find similarities in each activity that you will do. You will be surprised on how one piece of clothing can serve to be useful in all your scheduled happenings. Make a list of all the clothes that you will need to wear as based from your itinerary. It does not necessarily have to start from head to foot. A lot of visualization will be very helpful. Try to imagine yourself doing your said activity in the outfit that you wish to wear. Basic and monochromatic colors of bottoms and tops usually do the trick for you to have the outfit that you will need. Keep in mind that simple is always better in choosing the right clothes for any occasion. It is also helpful to know what hotels and resorts provide their guests in terms of bathrobes, footwear and sleepwear so that you won’t have to bring them along with you. You might also want to stage a mini-fashion show first before organizing everything just to make sure that you don’t only look good, but you also feel great in what you wear.

Place everything on your list on the bed or on any place where you can see all the pieces of clothing that you wish to pack. To effectively pack your travel clothes, make sure that you have the necessary protective tools like zip – lock bags, shoe bags, vanity kits and others to prevent stressful and unsightly events like spillage, wear, and tear. For light-weight clothes, such as cotton shirts, sleep wear, swimsuits and the like, it is advisable to roll them rather than fold them to prevent creases and to save space as well. For bulk clothing like suits, gowns and other clothes with delicate materials place them inside plastic jackets and lay them flat on your suitcase to avoid damage and more creases. Put everything in your luggage pack according to the order on which you will wear each outfit throughout your trip so you won’t end up having a messy suitcase by the time you go home.

Eurotravelpages.com

Travel Tips

First Things: What To Do When You Go Out Of The Country

16 04 2008

Traveling abroad can be a real challenge especially if it is your first time. There are so many steps to take that even travel agents and experts have a hard time explaining the whole process of traveling abroad. Here is a quick guide on the first few things to do when you travel abroad.

First, set a goal for your trip. Whether your trip will be for business or leisure or just to visit an old friend, setting your goals will help you a lot in taking the right directions during your trip. After setting your goal, make an itinerary of all the things and events that you wish to do and to go to. Your itinerary will serve as the blueprint of your whole trip. Make sure to include as much detail as possible, especially your arrival and departure details. Your itinerary will also help you keep track of time just so you won’t be late for important meetings ad most especially, to make sure that you are on board by the time your airplane is scheduled to run across the airport ramp.

The next thing to do when you travel abroad is to pack your things. Your itinerary will guide you accordingly as to what you will need. Whether your trip is for business or leisure, the activities that you will do during the duration of your trip will make sure that you have everything you need. Yet, whatever your itinerary is, make sure that you pack a jacket, extra money, passports, important documents and communication devices for emergency purposes.

When you have packed everything, make sure that you also prepared for your flight to your destination. If possible, know your flight details by heart to make sure that you won’t get left behind. Arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight to get the best seats. Also, be ready for turbulence and other natural disturbances as they can be unpredictable as well. Bring the necessary medicines if you get airsick or if you have bad cases of travel connected illnesses. Upon arrival, make sure to check if you have all your baggage with you before leaving the airport. Keep your eyes open on the airport carousel as there are very rampant instances when other tourists tend to get bags that don’t belong to them.

Lastly, the most important thing to do when you travel abroad is to enjoy your trip. Sometimes, going abroad can eat up too much effort and strength from travelers that some cut their trip short and some even don’t want to go abroad ever again. No matter what you do on your trip, take time to relax and enjoy the scenery no matter how full your itinerary may be. Going abroad is a chance that is not given to everyone. Make the most out of the opportunities of seeing different parts of the world. Keep in mind these few tasks and procedures to make sure that you don’t miss out on the chance to make your rare out of country experience a fruitful and memorable one

Eurotravelpages.com