8-Tips for Packing and Traveling Lite

How-to Pack and Travel Lite

In this day and age of traveling cephalalgia, there are a few packing tactics to employ. To cut out an extra thirty to forty minutes at the arriving airport, start with packing small luggage. Since carry-ons can not exceed a linear dimension of 45 inches, you can escape the fiasco of the baggage terminal by simply packing and traveling light. To learn how to pack all your needs into one suitcase, read more.

Use the following pithy packing tips to make your travel light:

Make a list. Compose a pack list. Be sure to coordinate shirts and blouses with bottoms. To maximize your traveling wardrobe fashion savoir faire, stick with solids and versatile basics. Rule-out any clothes that do not match other items.

Roll ‘em up please. The best way to fit all your clothes is by rolling pants and shirts. First fold each item in half. Then simply roll. To try to maintain any creases, start on the bulkiest end of the article of clothing.

Gear up. How to make an awe-inspiring impression out of a basic or mundane outfit? For the most glam appeal, accessorize with a vibrant tie (for him) or a florid scarf (for her). Multihued accessories can liven up just about any attire.

Minimize bulk. After you check for space, edit outfits – ruthlessly. Try to pack microfibers with wrinkle and stain free comfort. With most of your attire, stay in the same color scheme – in case you have to layer up for warmth.

Employ shoe smarts. For men, any leather rubber-soled shoes can make the day and night transition, easy. For woman, a pair of flip-flops, strappy sandals and comfy wedges can serve all casual – chic dressing needs.

Put under garments on the top. To reduce the embarrassment of under garments becoming the side show attraction of the open luggage scan, place all panties in a plastic bag free of any clippers, lighters or other questionable paraphernalia. For expedient security review, place the transparent bag on top of your other items so security can access the bag without ruining your efficient packing method.

Lose Extra Baggage. Leave the heavy travel guide at home. Duplicate important resources to keep your luggage free of extra pounds. Since most hotels and resorts provide irons and blow-dryers --leave yours at home for light travel.

Leave restricted items at home. If you want to make it through security extra fast, avoid any firearms, weapons, box-cutters, scissors, razors, lighters and any other item that may be used in a terrorist situation.

About the Author
Freelance writer, Holly Bentz is the owner of a media boutique, www.fruitionMedia.net. From subliminal e-sales letters, informative articles to powerfully persuasive web content, Bentz takes pride in providing awe-inspiring copy.

5 Ways to Choose Your Hotel

You are planning a holiday abroad for your family, and want everyone to have a good time. You surf the internet for hotel descriptions, but from the pictures that you see and what you read, all hotels project a perfect image of themselves. How can you tell which ones are better? You have never been there and know no one at your destination. At the same time, you don't want a hotel room that will bust your budget. How do you choose?

1. Check Independent Hotel Ratings
   Well, the first step you can take is to visit hotel search engines for guest ratings for hotels represented by the search engines. In addition to pre-negotiated rates with individual hotels, most agents ask for ratings and comments from previous guests. Reading their comments will give you a fair idea on what to expect from the hotels located in your destination. Be sure to read a few comments in order to get a fair overview. Certain incidences described may only be rare occurrences that may already have been corrected.
2. Hotel Chains and Facilities
   Are they part of an international hotel chain? Most international chains have stringent standards that are adhered to as well as a standard theme across all chains. They may have similar facilities (health clubs, spas, business centers, etc) which are important to maintain the hotel's high standards. Other things you can look out for include concierge, shuttle services to the city, airport transfers as well as good laundry services.
3. Location
   Perhaps one of the most critical things when selecting a hotel is its location. Hotels that are near to shopping areas, train stations or the city center charge higher rates as compared to those located elsewhere. Analyze a map of the area before you book to determine the nearest shopping areas or access to trains which will give you much convenience in moving around. Also, check with the hotel if they have any large tour groups coming in at the same time. Hotels charge higher rates during high occupancy periods and do not have the flexibility of late check-outs. These are important aspects which, if overlooked, may affect your tour schedule as well as your impression of the hotel's level of hospitality.
4. Rates and Discounts
   Hotel rates are a huge factor when it comes to choosing a hotel. However, paying more does not necessarily mean that you will receive an equivalent level of service and standards. One of the ways to maximize on prices would be check if they are part of an alliance with flights or car rental companies, which offer discounts to customers of their allies. Sometimes, credit card companies offer their cardholders exclusive rates to special hotels which can be pretty attractive. Additionally, if it's possible to use your frequent flyer points to redeem hotel discounts, this could help reduce hotel costs as well.
5. Boutique Hotels
   Finally, apart from chain hotels, boutique hotels may are great alternatives for romantic getaways for couples or families seeking hotels of a more distinctive theme. Many boutique hotels have fewer rooms but offer more value added services such as spas within the bedroom, breakfasts in bed or even in-room massages. In the end, your choice of hotel really depends on what you want out of your holiday.
   

You may visit Hotels Search EU PTY LTD to find the most trusted hotels at top destinations across the world.

About the Author
Both Erica Johnson & her husband David love to travel, ski and meet people from different cultures. They have traveled all continents to experience hospitality, adventure, sports, exotic foods, learn new languages and understand history.

16 Tips to Prevent Passport Problems

Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged.

What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your passport? Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition.

Before You Leave On Your Trip

1. Check to see if you even need a passport.
   Countries can, and often do, change foreign entry requirements. If you arrive at the airport without the required documents, you'll be denied boarding privileges. And, of course, This isn't covered by travel insurance. Currently, more than 80% of the world's countries require a valid passport for entrance. It's important to verify the foreign entry requirements for the country you plan to visit as early as possible.
2. Apply for your passport early.
   You should apply for a new passport at least 90 days before your departure date. For a renewal, begin the process 8 to 11 months before your passport expires. Why so early? Many countries require that your passport have six to eight months of validity remaining before they will issue a visa.
3. Fill out the correct form correctly.
   Each type of passport service has specific criteria that must be met. Make sure you get the right application form, and then fill it in carefully. Double-check each entry. Ask a friend or relative to verify it as well. Errors made on the application form can lead to delays, or even rejection of your passport request.
4. Follow the specifications for the required documents exactly.
   When applying for a new passport, the most frequently used documents are a certified birth certificate for proof of citizenship along with a valid driver's license for proof of your identity. Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with a registrar's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrar's signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. No photocopies are accepted. Your driver's license must be more than six months old. For a passport renewal, your previous passport serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. To be valid, it cannot be mutilated, altered, or damaged in any way. You must send two identical passport photos taken within the last 6 months. These passport photos must be 2 x2 with a plain white or off-white background. They have to be a full-face view with the head being from 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the chin to the top of the head. The photos can be either color or black and white.
5. Sign both the passport application form and your check.
   Surprisingly, many people forget to sign either the passport application form or their check to Passport Services. Once again, check everything twice, or even three times.
6. Request additional pages.
   Are you a frequent flyer? Request a 48-page passport (at no additional cost). It will allow you to travel longer before having to replace it.
7. Sign your passport and fill out the emergency information.
   When your passport arrives, check to see that all the information contained in it is correct. If it is, sign it and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency. If not, return it to the State Department for correction.
8. Make two copies of your passport and photos.
   Give one copy of your passport to a friend or relative who can be easily contacted in case of an emergency. Take the other copy and the extra photos with you on your trip. If you use an online document storage service, you can scan your passport and upload a copy. That way, you can access it from almost anywhere in the world. While You're Away
9. Always keep your passport in a safe place!
   Never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.
10. Never lay your passport down anywhere.
    Passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.
11. If you travel as a family or as part of a group, don't let one person carry all the passports.
    The odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.
12. Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport.
    When you're checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them. Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for unlawful entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. You would be pretty embarrassed if your name were associated with illegal activities.
13. Immediately report the loss of your passport.
    If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldn't have any problem with the loss of your passport. If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to the United States. After You Return
14. Schedule your passport renewal.
    Check the expiration date and make a reminder to renew your passport at the proper time. Remember, you should begin the process 8 to 11 months prior to the expiration date. Put the reminder somewhere where it won't be forgotten.
15. Check the number of blank pages remaining.
    Some countries require a blank page for their visa. If you plan a future trip on which you will visit various countries, you might need the same number of pages as countries to be visited. If you do not have an adequate number of pages but your passport is not due for renewal, you can request additional pages.
16. Store your passport in a safe place.
    If you have a safe in your home, keep your passport there. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your local bank.
    

Follow the practical tips above and you can easily avoid passport problems and more fully enjoy your international travels. William Manor is the owner of U.S. Passport Service Guide, a very useful and com prehensive resource for U.S. citizens who travel internationally.

10 Thoughts On Picking a Cruise Ship Cabin

The best advice is to be informed about cabins and pick the right cabin for you among the thousands available on a cruise ship.

1. One of the most difficult parts of planning for a cruise is choosing the right cabin. Everyone has different tastes, and what is not important to one person might well be important to you.

2. Look at the cruise ship layout and decks online or in brochures. Know that there are different types of cabins on different cruise ships. The biggest differences between cruise lines--mainstream and luxury--ships are the quality of accommodations.

3. Sometimes there are over 20 different categories on a ship! So it is important to know the different cabin categories. One reason is that thanks to modern shipbuilding, most inside and
outside staterooms are standard in size and amenities. Comparing one vessel's cabins against another is daunting task, so keep your eye on the square footage as the most important criteria.

4. Know your budget and what you can afford. The price of a cruise ship cabin or stateroom (the terms are interchangeable) is dependent on its size, layout, and location. The cabins on large cruise ships come in standard, ocean view, balcony, and suite. A luxury line's smallest cabins are much larger than those on large cruise lines and are either ocean view or balconied.

5. Know your lifestyle. Price is certainly a consideration, but if your vacation time is limited, you might be willing to pay more to get a cabin better suited to your lifestyle. It's a personal decision, much like deciding where to cruise and which ship to cruise on. How about an outside cabin with a window, or better yet a balcony? How about sitting on the balcony with a good book or using it to catch a breathe of sea air?

6. The right cabin is a retreat house after a busy day ashore, or just to get away. A long cruise will have you wanting to spend a relaxing time in your room, watching a TV-movie, or taking a nap.

7. Lots of people recommend the cheapest inside cabin, because you won't be spending much time in there anyway. This might be true for short trips, but are you prepared for an inside cabin
on the lowest level.

8. Know your location. Cabin, balcony size, and cabin location vary significantly within the same price range on any ship.

9. There's lot of cruise industry jargon you have to decipher.

10. Yes, there are the obvious questions you should ask: Will I located below the water line? Will I hear the roar of the ships engines from my cabin? Will I have enough room to turn around in
my cabin? Will it be the size of a walk-in closet, with no windows, a tiny bath, and bunk beds? Will I not be able to tell if it's day or night without going up several decks?

Explore what the different types of cabins are, which locations are the most desirable, and which locations you should avoid if possible. Pick the right accommodations and you'll have a wonderful time, and get hooked on cruising.

About the Author
is dedicated to offering news, articles, and instruction on cheap cruise travel. You have a definite choice of cruise deals. Save big on cruises now.

10 Special Tips for Your Romantic Getaways

Taking a break by going for romantic getaways with your loved one is a precious moment. So all the things needed for the trips has to be prepared carefully especially when you travel abroad. Each country has its own requirement for visitors to visit the country. Here are the tips for preparing your romantic getaways that really could help you especially when it is your first time to travel abroad:

1. Research romantic getaways places
   Research the romantic getaways places or honeymoon places that you want to go. You should discuss places to go for your romantic getaways with your partner to make sure that both of you will enjoy the trip. Discuss the budget that you both have in order to pick the best place to enjoy your honeymoon or romantic getaways within the budget.
2. Check the weather
   When you travel to the tropical country, actually any time of the year is perfect because the tropical countries mostly have a stable weather all year long. The weather in the tropical countries is mostly warm and humid. When you want to travel to any four-season countries, you should check the weather on the country. Also, you need to check the weather of the time when you visit the country so that it will help you to decide either to bring thick clothes, t-shirts, short-pants or tank-tops.
3. Credit Card Frequent Flyer Program
   Check whether your credit card has a frequent flyer program so you could get a discount or points for traveling. You could save a lot if you have a frequent flyer program credit card which eventually will grant you a free ticket after you reach a certain points. Especially if you are a frequent traveler or your job requires you to travel a lot then you definitely need to have that kind of credit card.
4. Book an airline ticket
   There are a lot of airfare deals out there for you to choose. Usually the deals that most airlines offer are for a short time only, so whenever you are sure about your destination then you need to book it right a way. The other thing about the online travel deal is that you have to make sure that the date and the time of travel before you purchase the ticket because most of the good deals are usually non-refundable.
5. Rent a Car
   One thing about renting a car, you might want to consider getting car insurance. That is usually also offered at the rental car place when you want to do one. The reason why you need this is because you don't know that something will come up when you travel and you might find the liability insurance is really helpful and save you a lot.
6. International Driving Permit
   Applying an international driving permit is one thing that you need to be considered when you are planning to rent a car during your romantic getaways. Especially when you are traveling abroad, international driving permit can really come in handy. You can get your international driver permit by applying from AAA.
7. Reserve a hotel
   A good tip for couple who usually go on their honeymoon is that when you arrive at the hotel, you could tell the front desk that you are on your honeymoon. You don't know something good might surprise you two just because you let the people know that you are on your honeymoon. Some hotels might prepare a bottle of wine in your room of maybe a bouquet of flowers. Just don't forget to mention that you are on your honeymoon.
8. Apply for Passport and Visa
   If you are going for international trips, then you should check the visa necessities and your passport whether it is still valid. It is best to apply for your passport at least eight weeks before you plan to leave. This will allow the time for processing and any possible complications.
9. Write up your honeymoon packing list
   Write a list of things that you need to bring during your honeymoon. Most of the small general necessities like toothpaste, toothbrush, underwear and condom you could get it at the hotel. If you are traveling on your honeymoon, do not forget to bring lingerie, candles, bubble bath, sunscreen and motion sickness medicine.
10. Find out the easiest way to use money/credit
    You might want to purchase Travelers Checks or get a "Travel Money" card from your local bank or currency exchange office. It is better to carry traveler's check instead of large amounts of cash.
    

About the Author
Yochention and his wife love to travel and they love to share their knowledge of travelling to couples. Visit their site at http://www.Romantic-Escape.com to get ideas for your next romantic getaways.

Travel Secrets of 2008

By: www.KomailNoori.com

Pop quiz: You've been planning a dream trip for six months. Everything is booked and paid for, but a last-minute work emergency crops up and derails your plans. How can you recover your money?

Here's another question: You're flying from Barcelona to Madrid and want the least expensive fare. Sure, there's a good price on Kayak.com, but there's an even better fare on another Web site. What is it?

Secrets like these can often make our travel experience easier—or bring our vacations back from the brink of disaster. So over the past year, Travel + Leisure editors and correspondents have scoured the globe to unearth the best undiscovered tips and tools for traveling smarter, faster, safer, and more affordably.

We've broken down our secrets into three easy-to-navigate categories:

- Air Travel Secrets: Learn how to scout out the best seats on board and get discounts on business class air fare.

- General Travel Secrets: Here's how to get free spa treatments at your hotel and snag a table at the hottest restaurants, like French Laundry in Napa Valley.

- City Travel Secrets: Find out how to score cheap Broadway tickets in New York and get into Berlin museums for free.

This year's list is a handbook of insider advice. Whether you're trying to extend the hold on your airline reservations, steer clear of traffic on the road, or avoid unnecessary ATM fees abroad, you'll find all the right solutions.

And as this is the second time we've published a comprehensive list of travel secrets, we have even more advice to add to your suitcase.

We'd also love to hear your travel secrets. Last year, we issued a similar request and received all sorts of great submissions, like how to make sure all your possessions are covered if the airline loses your bag and the best way to dine like a local. And we named some runner-ups: these readers told us the best time to book flights and where to go to pick up authentic souvenirs.

So we're asking again for your favorite secrets—those under-the-radar nuggets of advice that you've amassed from your experiences. As with last year, we'll publish the best ones.

So take our advice and share some of your own. Most importantly, get out there and explore—it's the only way to use travel secrets and the best way to unearth new ones.

Article Source: http://www.freeforallarticles.com

On Top of Tretes

This photo was taken on Tretes, Pasuruan. On a private villa complex, Villa Kumala. This is the best view on top of main balcony.

You can see 180 degrees of beautiful scenery, and on the edge of fences is a valley with a river background. Here is the best place for relax, hear a blowing wind and bird chirps.

Your mind can easily drifted away and encounter the beautiful art form by our almighty God.