Travel Articles - Travel & Leisure Magazine  

Even the best luxurious five-star hotels and resorts can occasionally get an infestation of bed bugs.  This is sometimes unavoidable because many hundreds, or even thousands of travelers and tourists can be staying at a hotel or resort at any given time. These little blood drinking critters can easily hitch a ride on unsuspecting travelers or hide in their luggage.  Hotel and resort managers are very aware of this problem and do their best to prevent this from happening. 
 

What do these pests look like?
 

Bedbugs are very tiny, flat, wingless bugs.  Their size can vary from a head of a pin to about one-quarter of an inch in length when fully mature.  They have an oval shape and look like small watermelon seeds.  Their color can vary from a translucent yellow to a dark reddish brown.  If they have just dined on a person’s blood they may appear dark brown or black in color. 
 

How easy are they to detect?
 

Most travelers are not aware of bedbugs until they see the red bite marks on their bodies and start scratching their itchy wounds.  Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find if the infestation is light.  Their eggs are very tiny and about the size of a grains of rice which are even harder to see.  To make matters worse they tend to be nocturnal so they are waking up and looking for a blood breakfast when most vacationers are going to sleeping.
 

When you check into your room it is advisable to roll the bed sheets, blankets and comforters all the way down to see if you can find any bed bugs.  A tell tale sign that they are there are dark fecal spots or drops of dried blood on the linen, pillowcases, or in the seams around the mattress or box springs.  You may also find what appear to be shells of bed bugs which are in fact the skins that they shed as they mature.  If you find any sign of their presence, call down to the front desk and ask for another room.  You may be able to get a discount on your room for the upsetting experience and inconvenience.
 

However, bed bugs do not reflect on the cleanliness of hotels and resorts.  These insects do not eat crumbs or dirt, or anything we may associate with unsanitary hotel room conditions.  They only feed on blood. 
 

In terms of a vacationer’s health, current research indicates that these insects do not appear to spread disease even though they can harbor well over twenty-five different pathogens. 
 

Not everybody gets bitten by bed bugs.  Sometimes, if there are two travelers sleeping in the same bed, only one may get bitten.  However, bed bugs do not discriminate.  Given a chance they will gladly dine on anyone’s blood.  Bed bugs are attracted to the heat of our bodies and the carbon dioxide that we exhale when we breathe.  They also release chemicals to attract and find each other.  These night crawlers move fast and are excellent climbers.  They can quietly tag along in a traveler’s luggage or on their clothes. 
 

What can you do to avoid these pests when traveling on your holidays?
 

Unfortunately, apart from checking the bed linen, mattress, box springs, bed frames, behind the bed’s headboard, any upholstered furniture, and along the baseboards in your room, that’s about all you can do. 
 

Bed bugs are a universal problem and can be found in motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels, pod hotels, resorts, hospitals, airplanes, trains, buses, cabs, cruise ships, etc.  These little blood suckers can be found near any readily available sources of blood, like tired travelers.   Bed bugs can even hitch a ride home with you, turning your home sweet home into a living hell. 
 

What can you do to get rid of bed bugs?
 

You should leave the job to a professional pest control company as these pests are very difficult to get rid of.  It’s expensive and can take time treating an infestation of bed bugs which usually involves using steam and pesticides.  This process may have to be repeated a number of times before the very hot steam and pesticides kill all of them.  Keep in mind that the insects must come into direct contact with the hot steam and pesticides for these tactics to be totally effective.
 

As far as your home is concerned, prevention is a lot easier and far less costly than the cure.  In your home, you do not have to throw your mattress and box springs out.  You can easily cover your mattress and box springs with zippered plastic coverings which will prevent bedbugs from hiding in the cracks and crevices of your mattress.  There are also zippered plastic protectors that are just as effective for your pillows.  This will prevent any possible bedbugs that are inside from getting out.  At the same time it will prevent any new infestations from getting in, thus eliminating the bed as a problem.  However, this is only one part of the solution.  You will still need to apply steam and pesticides to any areas of the home where they could be hiding.
 

There is a new and exciting revolutionary product that looks very promising for monitoring and eliminating bed bugs.  It’s called the NightWatch Bedbug Trap designed by Bio Sensory, Inc..  This small, easy to use product has a kairomone, carbon dioxide, and heat lure that traps and
kills bed bugs.  Under a monitored field test this product captured and killed over a thousand bed bugs.  The company’s website is Biosensory.com.
 

 

 

Dorothy Yamich has a passion for travel. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as traveled in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.  She is a travel consultant and specializes in luxury cruises as well as vacation packages. If you are looking for information on cheap airfares, fabulous discounted luxury cruises and great holiday packages, visit: http://www.traveltipsguide.com

 

In this era of faster everything, including faster and larger commercial airliners where passengers are packed in like sardines, one thing seems to remain constant.  That is the wonderful, leisurely world of cruising.  For many years the airline industry has experienced numerous setbacks, while the cruise industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. There are many reasons why you should consider becoming a part of this amazing phenomenon.  Here are some of them.
 

According to recent research from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), ninety-five percent of cruisers give top marks to their cruising experience and more than seventy-five percent plan to cruise again within three years.
 

Contrary to what some people think, cruises are very affordable.  With most vacations you end up paying for air flights, hotels or resorts, restaurants, entertainment, and sometimes car rentals.  If you add all these costs up, cruises can be a real bargain.  When you book a cruise, in most cases you pay for the airfare and cruise.  However, if you live close enough to your cruise ship departure port, you may be able to drive there much cheaper than you can fly.  Even if you have to fly to the departure port you can always get a flight and cruise package deal which is usually less expensive than purchasing your flight and cruise separately.   
 

When you book a luxury cruise vacation, well over 85% of your holiday is prepaid and that includes all meals, night clubs, stage shows, movies, and entertainment, as well as numerous other activities and amenities.  In addition, most ships have onboard activities such as golf, rock climbing, dancing, swimming, scuba diving lessons which can lead to certification, Pilates, yoga, and fitness trainers.  You can also pamper yourself with wonderful spas and body massages. 
 

Another way to save big bucks on a cruise is to book an inside cabin.  If you do not need to have a cabin with a balcony or ocean view, then you will save a lot of money.  You have use of all the shared amenities that your fellow passengers have, but it’s costing you a lot less. 
 

You can also save a bundle on repositioning cruises.  A repositioning cruise is made possible at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall, when cruise lines relocate their ships from one part of the world to another.
 

There is a large variety of luxury cruise vacations to choose from, ranging from three day mini cruises to several month long cruises as well as an amazing around the world cruise odyssey.
 

When you cruise, you are traveling in the lap of luxury in a floating five-star hotel.  You will be pampered and feel you are living the life of a king or queen, not just for a day, but for the entire length of the cruise.  Gourmet dining, impeccable service and elegant surroundings are only a few of the superlatives that are used to describe cruising.
 

If you like delicious food you will absolutely love gourmet meals and scrumptious desserts created by great chefs and served in a variety of restaurants.  There are always wonderful buffets available throughout the day and even midnight buffets.  A number of themed lounges are located throughout the cruise ships for your convenience.
   

Love seeing Broadway style shows and theater performances without having to make reservations or pay outlandish prices for tickets?  Then taking a luxury cruise is the answer.  So many things are included on cruises which make them such a great value for your travel and entertainment dollar. From children to great grandparents, there is always something to interest everyone on a cruise.  You have the option to be as active as you like or you can just relax and experience magnificent sunrises and breathtaking sunsets while watching the world go by.  So many wonderful, precious memories and experiences will stay with you a lifetime when you take a luxury cruise. Want to party around the clock?  Not a problem.  Whether you are with a partner or single, it’s always party time.  You don’t even have to plan or clean up after the party, just have a lot of fun!

Businesses from around the world book conferences and seminars, team building get-togethers, new product launches and employee reward vacations on cruise ships.  Cruise lines do not charge extra for conference room facilities and use of audio and video equipment. Group cruises are not only for companies and business people.  Family reunions, honeymoons and weddings, sports groups and clubs, charities and fund raisers are only some of the many kinds of groups that have their events on cruises.

On cruises there is no hassle of having to pack and unpack again and again every time you travel to a new destination.  Another bonus is that there is no limit on the amount of luggage you can bring on a cruise.
 

People with disabilities should have no problem getting around on a cruise ship.  Cruise lines have made onboard accessibility a non-issue as their ships are equipped with ramps, elevators and easily accessible cabins and state rooms.
 

Modern cruise ships have dramatically reduced the problem of seasickness.  Today’s larger ships slice through the waves instead of riding on top of them.  Also, new innovative technologies like stabilizers and counterbalancing systems have greatly reduced the pitch and roll of cruise ships, all but neutralizing any problem of seasickness.
 

Cruising is also one of the safest forms of travel.  The cruise industry has an exceptional safety record.  And as far as assaults and robberies are concerned, they are over a hundred times less likely to occur on a cruise ship than in your own home town.
 

A physician and medical staff are never more than a few minutes away on a cruise ship should any passenger need to see doctor.  Most common passenger ailments and minor mishaps occur less on a cruise ship than on shore.
 

For those that have a fear of flying or don’t enjoy being crammed like sardines into commercial airplanes when traveling to their destinations, here is some great news.  The cruise lines in the United States are making terrific strides catering to cruise passengers needs.  They are opening up more ports of call on both the East and West coasts so more and more people who would love to go on a cruise but don’t like flying, can easily drive or take a bus or train to most departure ports.   
 

 

Dorothy Yamich has a passion for travel. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as traveled in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.  She is a travel consultant and specializes in luxury cruises as well as vacation packages.  If you are looking for information on cheap airfares, fabulous discounted luxury cruises and great holiday packages, visit:  http://www.traveltipsguide.com

 

 

 

In these difficult financial times most folks need vacations more than ever.  And people also want to save a lot of money if they can.  One economical solution is to take the family car and drive to and from your holiday destination instead of flying.
 

If you plan to drive, it may also make sense to take some steps to protect yourself and family from car theft.  Having some car thief steal your car, luggage, or other items of value from your trunk could really put a damper on what was supposed to be a fun-filled and enjoyable trip.

 

Even if you take all of the numerous precautions to prevent auto theft when you travel, very determined professional car thieves can still manage to steal any vehicle if they want it badly enough.  Can you remember the car theft action movie Gone In 60 Seconds starring Nicolas Cage?  However, you can still dramatically reduce the odds of becoming a victim of auto theft to almost zero. Most of these auto theft preventative measures are common sense and will you cost nothing to do.  So why not make it a habit of implementing them not only when you travel by car on your holidays, but also in your every day driving as well? 
 

To start with, you should never take for granted that you are immune from car thieves when traveling, or that your vehicle would not really be worth stealing. 
 

Keep in mind that sometimes these thieves might be after more than just your vehicle, luggage, or any valuables that might be inside your car or trunk.  They may only want an older car to joy ride in, or take it to sell its parts.
 

They may also be after your vehicle documents for identity theft purposes, or they could be thinking of robbing your home town residence while you are away on vacation.  Where would they get this important information?  From the vehicle registration and auto insurance papers which are usually conveniently located in the glove compartment.
 

The best way is to eliminate this problem is to keep these documents on your person at all times when traveling on your vacation.
 

The second best way to reduce this problem is to hide the documents really well in the trunk.  Some police forces in cities that have a high incidence of auto thefts recommend doing this.  Just remember to tell everyone who is traveling with you where these documents are squirreled away inside the trunk. 
 

Here are some more ways you can lessen the chance of having your holidays ruined by car thieves.  If you can manage to implement a number of these suggestions, you can dramatically lessen the odds of becoming another victim of auto theft when you travel.
 

Close all of your vehicle’s windows tightly and lock all the doors when you park it anywhere, even if it’s only for a minute or two.
A real invitation to lose your vehicle is to leave it idling while unattended.  Under no circumstance should you ever do this.  Don’t even think about it.
 

Similarly, you should not leave your vehicle’s keys in the ignition or hidden anywhere in car.  That  also includes a second set of keys.  Professional car thieves can easily find any keys hidden in the usual places very quickly.  Keep an extra set of keys on your person. 
 

Don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle, even if they can not be seen from the outside of your car.  If possible, take them with you.
 

However, if you have no choice but to leave valuables in your vehicle, at least make sure that they are locked inside your trunk.  When you do this, check first and look around to make sure that nobody is watching, or better still, stop, pull over, and put them in your trunk before you arrive at your intended destination.  Prying eyes can be anywhere.
 

When parking your vehicle in public areas, turn you front wheels either to the left or right before turning your ignition off.  This will engage the steering wheel locking mechanism in the steering column which can make your car a little more difficult to steal.
 

Engaging the emergency brake after you have parked and turned the motor off may also make your vehicle harder to tow away.
 

For front wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles you should park them differently when in an underground parking garage.  The front wheel drive autos should be parked with the nose in and rear wheel drives with the nose out.  Then turn your tires to the left or right.  Again, this may make your vehicle harder to tow away.
 

It’s always best to park in an attendant controlled parking lot rather than an unattended one.  If it is a  place where there is valet parking, only give the attendant your door and ignition key.  They don’t need any of the other keys on your key chain. 
 

In public places at dusk and at night, always park in a well lighted area that has a lot of pedestrian traffic.  Keep in mind that most auto thieves prefer to work under the cover of darkness. 
 

Try to avoid parking near or next to any obstruction, such as a fence, hedge, large truck, or anything that blocks a clear view of your vehicle to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
 

When you are staying in a place that has gated, secure parking, be sure that the gate has completely closed after entering or leaving so that a thief doesn’t sneak in to the parking area behind your vehicle.
 

If you happen to see any suspicious activity such as a person or group of people hanging around or near your vehicle you should call the police.
 

Here are some anti-theft devices that you can install for maximum protection.  You may already have a few of these products installed in your vehicle.
 

You should use a highly visible after-market steering wheel lock bar.  Most car thieves will likely move on to easier prey.  Other less visible after-market anti-theft products are gas pedal locks, brake pedal locks, and armored collars that fit around the steering column which protects the ignition.   And for the manual shift vehicles you can also use an after-market shifter lock.  These products are all effective but not as highly visible to prying eyes.
 

Another thing that you can easily do is to have your mechanic install a hood lock that will prevent easy access to your vehicle’s battery and security system.
 

A loud vehicle alarm system and a highly visible alarm sticker on your windshield is worth its weight in gold especially when it’s combined with the addition of some of the other anti-theft security options.
 

The best vehicle protection is a passive electronic immobilizer which disables the motor when you turn off the ignition.  It’s not an inexpensive device to have installed but it’s well worth it for your peace of mind.  There are other benefits you may receive when you install an electronic immobilizer in your car.  Some auto insurance companies will offer a discount on your policy if you can show documentation that you’ve had one installed.  You also could get more money for your vehicle if you decide to sell it down the road.
 

Last, but not least, check to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage on your vehicle including theft and damage before you travel by car on any vacation. 
 

  

Dorothy Yamich has a passion for travel. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as traveled in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.  She is a travel consultant and specializes in luxury cruises as well as vacation packages.  If you are looking for information on cheap airfares, fabulous discounted luxury cruises and great holiday packages, visit:  http://www.traveltipsguide.com

 

 

 

 

 A luxury cruise voyage can truly enrich your life.  Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love to cruise, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions. 
 

When you cruise you can travel to fabulous ports of call anywhere that cruise ships sail.  Not only are there mega cruise liners which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of different sizes and types of ships.  The medium, and particularly the smaller size cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways to cities and historic landmarks where larger ships could never go. 
 

The larger cruise ships usually have one or two organized shore excursions at each port of call.  If there are two sightseeing excursion events scheduled the same day, one may take place early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon.  Most morning shore excursions normally get back to the ship in time for the people to feast on a fantastic lunch buffet.
 

Sometimes, on a second excursion, you may arrive back at the cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening.  This may mean that you could be a bit late or possibly miss dinner if you have opted for the first sitting.  Not to worry, it’s only a minor inconvenience, as there is never a lack of delicious food on a cruise.
 

It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, island, or tourist attractions and landmarks on your own.  Just remember that you are responsible to get back on time or your cruise ship could sail without you.  However, if you book a shore excursion through the cruise ship, they will not depart the port until everyone is back on board. 
 

Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely.  Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights.  Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers.  If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet as it is usually open until mid afternoon.
 

When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide book or books that cover each of the destinations you know that you will be visiting.  Even if the weather is less than optimal for your shore excursion, always take your camera as the weather, if inclement, can improve very quickly.
 

And don’t judge a port by the dock and its surrounding area.  It is usually a freighter loading and unloading area and the major warehouse and industrial district of a city or town.  You may have to travel out of the port area and into the city or town to really see the unique tourist attractions and historical sites as well as experience the local culture.
 

What is the difference between a river cruise and a barge tour?
 

Although they have similarities, there are major differences between these two types of sightseeing tours.  Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can accommodate approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually only can accommodate five to twenty-five people.
The second big difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges travel on man-made canals from town to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week.  Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck.  The most popular river cruises and barging tours are located in Europe.
 

What is a luxury cruise tour package?
 

A cruise tour package is similar to a regular cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday all wrapped up in one.  The main differences between the two is that the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or luxury motor coach travel to a centrally located quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination.  You will be chaperoned by an expert tour guide for the land portion of your itinerary.  These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from ten days to three weeks or even a month or more.  On most cruise tours you can decide to take the land segment of your vacation either before or after your cruise.
 

Besides Europe, you can book a cruise tour for South America, Australia, Asia and the United States.  Alaska is one of the most popular cruise tour destinations in the world. 
 

If you would like to enjoy the best of both worlds - an incredible dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure - a luxury cruise tour is the ultimate vacation experience.
 

 

Dorothy Yamich has a passion for travel. She has lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as traveled in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.  She is a travel consultant and specializes in luxury cruises as well as vacation packages.  If you are looking for information on cheap airfares, fabulous discounted luxury cruises and great holiday packages, visit: http://www.traveltipsguide.com