Travelogger

All Inclusives – Busting Myths



As early as it may sound, I am already starting to plan for a trip in December. I have actually been thinking of this since we got back from our trip to Thailand. Though I have not decided on the specific place yet, I encountered all inclusive offers in almost every web site I visited.

That prompted me to consider going all inclusive for our next trip. Yet being the skeptical person that I am, I did some research on the nature of all inclusive offers and realized that not all such offers are that great. For one, they could be surrounded by such hype that one can be blinded by it.

One …

How To Handle Flight Changes, Part 2


After booking your flight:

• Check your flights regularly - while flight cancellations or delays are beyond your control, it still helps to be prepared. Always check your flight’s status 48 hours before your flight for domestic flights, and 72 hours for international flights. Most major carriers now notify passengers through email if the flight is delayed or cancelled, but this isn’t always the case. For the most up-to-date info, check the airline’s website about your flight status. Rearranging your schedule and travel plans would be difficult (and you’ll find less seats available) if you do it at the last minute.
• Do some research – Check the available alternate flights (or have your travel agent check …

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Budget


Here are more ideas on how you can stretch your budget for a family vacation.

Go straight to the source
I am sure you’ve heard this saying when it comes to information. It can not be more applicable to travel plans! Travel agencies and their agents sure make planning (and execution of the plan) easier. However, it does not do much good for your pocket. Visit airline web sites for the cheapest rates – especially for budget airlines. Call up hotels and resorts to negotiate a better deal for your family. Again, research is an inherent part of this process. You need to know the rates of your potential resort and then see which one …

Welcome to the Hobbit House


Can you imagine a place more welcoming than the Hobbit House? Even someone who has never read or watched any of the Lord of the Rings series should have probably heard of it. A Hobbit House is where Hobbits (the little creatures that they are) reside. It’s quite small for the average human but supposedly quite charming. While the Hobbit House is purely fictional, somebody actually asked an architect to build him his very own Hobbit House. The client is a major Lord of the Rings fan and wanted a place to store all of his LOTR memorabilia. A personal museum of sorts. And what better place to store them than in a structure that’s out of the novel itself. …

How To Handle Flight Changes, Part 1


In my last post, I gave several scenarios or horror stories about airline schedule changes. I also promised I would give some tips next time I wrote about what to do in case it happens to you (and sooner or later, it probably would!). Here are some general ideas about what to do in case of cancellations or delays. I’ll give you more specific tips and discuss Rule 240 with you on a later post.

Before booking your flight:

•Book the first flight out in the morning. Chances of flight delays are smaller compared to later flights.
• Although it may cost more, try to take an non-stop flight.
• Try to find out the weather conditions on your flight …

Flying with a Wheelchair: Other Reminders


disabled-flying.jpgIf you have read my previous posts on Flying with a Wheelchair (Airline and Booking Issues) the you are probably more confident about going on a trip now despite having to take your your (family member’s) wheelchair along. Before I end this series of posts here are some more reminders to help make sure your wheelchair survives the flight and that you enjoy th flight as much as possible.

1. Packing - Make sure the wheelchair is packed well. Though you might be able to oversee the loading, if your wheelchair isn’t packed properly and there are rattling parts inside then you might end up with a damaged wheelchair. This is the one thing you …

Has This Happened To You?


If you’re a frequent traveller, or even somebody who’s flown more than twice, chances are you’ve experienced an airline schedule change. What’s that, you ask? That’s an airline euphemism for having your flight times changed. It can range from a couple of minutes, to hours, and some passengers have even experienced having their flight days changed. Or, worse, some have had their flights cancelled. An airline schedule change can also cover having your flight numbers, the type of aircraft, or even your airport changed. Needless to say, while some changes may be negligible, such as time changes in minutes, others can be so disruptive to your travel plans. It doesn’t help matters any …

Make the Most Out of Your Travel Budget



One of the main things that hold families back when it comes to going on trips is money. We have to face it – though we have many alternatives that do not cost as much, there are still certain places that we would go to if only we had the financial means to do so. Here are some tips that would stretch out your vacation budget and help you can go the distance.

Be informed. More often than not, the main reason travelers end up paying more than they should is because they do not research all the options available to them. If you are already on a tight budget, then the least you …

Traveling Da Vinci


Planning an unforgettable adventure can be pretty difficult, especially when we’re not exactly willing to put our lives on the line or risk injuring ourselves. However, we all want to go home with silent smiles and a sense of incomparable fulfillment as if we had just cracked the greatest mystery in the history of humankind. Well, thanks to the erupting trend of theme tours and travel, having such an experience is possible.

I am a huge Dan Brown fan. Perhaps it’s because he appeals to the conspiracy theorist in me. Along with millions, I enjoyed every chapter of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons immensely. For those who wish to relive the whole thrill and excitement of the …

Flying in a Wheelchair: Booking Reminders


Airline TicketsAfter you have chosen an airline it is time to book your flight. As always the number one tip when booking a flight is to book it early! Booking early is important if you want to get all the options you want including the schedule and seats you desire. Here are some reminders when booking a flight.

1. Schedule - Book flights wherein the airline expects the least number of passengers. If you are going on a trip during the holiday season this will probably not apply to you since almost all flights are always full but if you’re going on a trip on a regular month then …