The Traveler Guide

Are you preparing for a trip, namely a trip that requires air travel? If you are, you may be looking to start packing your bags soon. Of course, this is a great thing to do, but there is a step that you may first want to take. That step involves familiarizing yourself with all airport rules and restrictions. As nice as it is to hear that you should take the time to familiarize yourself with all airport rules and restrictions, you may be wondering what is so important about doing so. In actuality, you will find a lot. Familiarizing yourself with all airport security rules and restrictions can have a significant impact on your travels.

One of the most common mistakes made by air travelers is bringing items that are prohibited. These items may include a pocket knife, scissors, or other sharp objects. Although you may find a few small exceptions, it is generally best to leave all sharp objects at home or at least pack them in your checked luggage. In fact, do you know what will happen if you are caught at airport security with a prohibited item that looks dangerous? Chances are, you will find yourself detained. You will be asked to give up the item, like your pocket knife, but you may also be asked a series of other questions, to ensure that you are not a danger to other travelers.

As previously stated, you may be asked to give up any items that you have in your bags that are actually prohibited. This not only includes sharp objects, but many everyday items as well. For example, the TSA has strict rules on liquids being in carry-on luggage. As for drinks, you are advised not to bring anything with you to the airport. There are some exceptions to this rule, like small bottle of juice or formula for your children. Everything else should be purchased at the airport, past a security checkpoint. As for health and beauty products, only small travel sizes are allowed and they must be kept separate. If not, you may be required to throw away your things, which can result in wasted money.

Another one of the many reasons why you are urged to familiarize yourself with airport security rules and restrictions before leaving for your flight is because of the dire consequences. As previously stated, you may be detained and asked questions if you are traveling with anything out of the ordinary or you may be required to throw away prohibited items. Another consequence of not knowing and following all airport security rules is missing your flight. In fact, that is why all travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport well before their flight leaves, to account for security problems and other delays. If you miss your flight due to a misunderstanding at a security checkpoint, your airline should help you make other arrangements.

Now that you know the importance of familiarizing yourself with all airport security rules and restrictions, you may be curious as to how you can go about doing so. The good news is that it is relatively easy to do so online. Your best source of information, perhaps, is the online website for the TSA. Their online websites is located at http://www.tsa.gov. There, you will find a large amount of information, including a detailed list of prohibited items, other airport rules and restrictions, as well as general travel tips for air travelers.

Another great way to familiarize yourself with airport security rules and restrictions is by visiting the online website of your departing airport. Most will follow the same rules set in place by the TSA, but you may also find other rules and restriction in place for that specific airport, such as with parking. These rules and restrictions, should they exist, should be clearly outlined on an airport's online website. All airport websites can easily be found online, with a standard internet search.

The Office for National Statistics states that, in 2007, Heathrow airport was home to almost 68 million travelers, making it the most frequently used airport in Britain. Gatwick came in second with 35 million travelers, no small feat in itself. For the past decade or so, people have been using it for international travel mostly. If you want to travel abroad in the near future, you should figure out your alternatives for foreign exchange currency.

From British pounds to Argentinean pesos, the real value of currency can be as diverse as destinations. Though fewer people are traveling now than before, it is predicted that by the year 2030, we will see a resurgence in travel, with 363 million passengers traveling that year alone. Try to plan ahead as much as possible and look into how your funds will be managed. You could intend to save up as much as you can, so you can spend it on a holiday that will rejuvenate you. In this recession, a penny saved is a penny earned, and travelers should be penny-wise to avoid becoming pound foolish.

Travelers can offset the impact of the recession on global travel by conducting online market research. Just investigate the markets and find out how to convert your pounds to whatever currency is in the country you are traveling to. There are nonprofit organizations and online businesses that have done the research already.

In March 2010, The Office for National Statistics released a tourism report that stated that Europe was the primary destination for UK citizens when traveling internationally. People would visit these countries for business, holiday, meeting family and friends, and what have you. Spain and France were the primary destinations.

You can find many ways to get francs or pesos out of pounds. As you plan your travel budget, look into prepaid exchange cards, converting cash for cash, and travelers cheques. But first, travelers should understand basic money exchange market terminology.

Some terms you have to deal with in this business are buyback, commission fee, currency exchange rates, delivery cost, consumer ratings, among others. The currency rates offered are either a buy rate or a sell rate. When a company gives you a price for your foreign currency in order to give you their local currency, that is a buy rate. The sell rate is the reverse, with companies offering local currency rates to exchange a traveler's foreign currency. 

For example, when bound for France from the UK, you would exchange pounds for francs at the sell rate. Some service providers charge commission, require minimum purchase amounts, institute purchase maximums, and delivery charges. You might be able to find companies that will give you a better deal provided you check out landmarks and tourist attractions. An ample number of online consumer sites cross compare companies offering currency conversion services.

In previous years, people would prefer traveler's cheques if they wanted to travel internationally, providing the peace of mind that travelers so often crave. You can easily convert your cheques that you didn't use into the pounds equivalent. However, they are useless if you do not have your ID, and many vendors will just not accept them in the first place. Now travelers can include cheques, cash machines, retail currency exchange bureaus, online exchange services and prepaid currency cards in their travel funding strategy.

Bank and charge cards might charge you quite the large fee in exchange for their use. ATM fees are insanely large when your card is used out of its network, not to mention internationally, which can be a problem. As a result, travelers have a hard time keeping track of their own finances, due to the fact that they can't anticipate when the fees will actually show up, as they might take a few days. What's more, you might just spend all of your money checking up on your account in the first place, which is a tragic waste. Basically, it may be more secure, but you will spend a lot more money. Then again, just taking a portion of your funds at once might be foolhardy as well, as it might get stolen. You have two choices, none of which are particularly foolproof or even extraordinarily safe. What's more, finding a cash machine that they can actually withdraw from might be a hassle to deal with.

However, with the help of currency cards, you can get the benefits inherent in both options. A prepaid travel card allows a traveler to use a specified amount of money in their travels. As you look around for the best exchange company, you might want to find out which one will provide the best advantage. Exchange services are online, retail, or a combination.

Travelers who plan ahead with home delivery, or opt for airport pickup for services purchased online, can lock in best rates with convenience. According to the money market, you have to "buy on rumor, sell on fact," and the currency rates are locked in at London's rates, since it leads the market, giving the changes in rates every day at noon. If you don't wait until the last minute to figure out your financial situation, you might come out of that trip far better financially that you could have ever expected.

You have seen pictures of the lavish new luxury resorts; private islands in the shape of palms and Continents of the world. You've heard about the recreation parks for indoor skiing and man made beaches for surfing. You have probably imagined the all out partying that goes on inside all those glitzy skyscrapers. Am I right? Well, you had better think again!

Once again Dubai has shocked Western cultures by jailing visitors for minuscule quantities of banned substances, and sentenced these unsuspecting travelers to four years (YES, FOUR YEARS!) in jail. A growing number of Western tourists who are unaware of the strict, no tolerance policy in the United Arab Emirates, for possession of banned substances, end up in jail when highly sophisticated screening equipment finds traces of drugs on their clothes, bags or shoes. 

A British man was sentenced last week to 4 years of imprisonment after screening agents found a speck of marijuana in the tread of his sneaker (so small it would be virtually invisible to the naked eye, less than one grain of sugar). And you do not need to enter the country to be targeted for search. Several unsuspecting travelers were merely transiting through Dubai with a change of plane on their way to another destination.

As reported by the Times Online, "A mere speck of a drug forgotten in a trouser pocket can bring a four-year jail term. Since January 2006, possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs has resulted in four-year jail terms for foreigners in transit through Dubai.The presence of drugs in the body is counted as possession, the Foreign Office cautions. In other words,Travelers can be jailed even if they have no drugs on them: a trace in the blood-stream of a drug consumed before entering the UAE is enough to secure a jail term. Painkillers that are available with a doctors prescription or are even available over the counter in Europe or the United States can be illegal in Dubai."

Even more shocking is the classification of poppy seeds as a prohibited drug. One very unfortunate fellow hastily ate a roll at Heathrow Airport before boarding his plane. You guessed it, three poppy seeds fell into his clothing, and that was enough to get him arrested at the airport in Dubai. Apparently poppy seed possession can bring a jail term of 15 years. Are you kidding me!!! The Daily Mail reports, "Meanwhile a Big Brother TV executive has so far been held without charge for five days after being arrested for possessing the health supplement melatonin." Melatonin is an over-the-counter remedy used by thousands of Westerners to help relieve the symptoms of jet lag. Travelers should also be aware that many common prescription drugs are banned in the UAE whether you have a doctors prescription with you or not.

To be on the safe side, take a look at the US State Department's travel advisory site for the United Arab Emirates. You have no idea just how restrictive it is over there! Individuals are required to possess a personal liquor license, even in their own homes, to enjoy a beer or glass of wine. Tourist hotels certainly serve alcohol in their restaurants and bars, but the consumption of alcohol anywhere else is strictly prohibited.

And you had better not find fault with your hotel bill or restaurant tab either. You guessed right, your passport will be confiscated and you will be detained until the matter is resolved to their satisfaction. So the next time you see one of those glitzy television specials about how wonderful it is in Dubai, think again, and spend your money in a country with a reasonable judicial system.

When traveling it is a crucial task to store all proper travel documents in the right manner to avoid any problems related to losing some of them later on. Travel documents should never be left unguarded for obtaining new sets of these would require much time and effort. This article will be giving travel advice necessary for the basic guarding of one's travel documents wherever and whenever. Events such as the twin tower blast have made it extremely difficult to obtain proper travel documentation. 

It is a common fact that passports and boarding passes cannot be easily placed in a regular wallet nor is it easy to carry. Travel advice for documents such as these is relevant for theft is a lingering concern as documents like these score rather high in the black market. Travel advice warns against thieves as these papers can be targeted mainly for their value. There are several ways by which a traveler can keep his or her travel papers usually determined by the nature of his or her trip. A traveler can decide among the different protection tactics to apply for travel documents by being aware of which are available per trip.

Travel advice for the home is to have a safe place to store documents yet have an easy grasp for when they are needed. A traveler is good when equipped with a fireproof safe bolted down to the floor for extra security. It is a regular tactic of thieves to simply steal safes and take them back to their bases for destroying. Travel advice for when in a hotel is that a traveler could choose between the safe in his or her room or the safety deposit boxes in the front desk. It is easier to simple place the items in the room safes but safety can be jeopardized because of staff members who have easy access to the rooms.

There are some areas which may ask for proper documentation to be presented at any moment making it important to take documents whenever leaving a hotel. Hostels would have travelers share rooms so the travel advice is to guard luggage with a reliable safety lock. Travelers still should consider using personal locks for hostels who offer private locker options. Chaining the bag to the bed may provide added security for travel documents and the like. When a traveler goes out on the streets, travel advice would be to have a small bag for storing travel documents close to the body.

There are different choices that a traveler can decide among for when he or she chooses a travel pouch to use. Remember to be aware of where documents are placed and avoid fanny packs or backpacks considering that these are not as protective. There are alternatives available for travelers and one new concept is the online document storage. There is still the need to develop a form of technology that hackers cannot manipulate but for now high security online storage websites for documents are available providing maximum security for important papers. It would probably be easier for the traveler if he or she follows the travel advice of trying out online document databases as the documents stored here are as good as the actual travel documents he or she would be bringing along.

Countless opportunities for travel document safety have been made available to all travelers alike but the difference among travelers exist in their action of choosing a particular available option or their ignorance for such a convenient way of managing things. Travel advice teaches people basically to keep travel documents where they can easily attain them and by easy does not mean vulnerable more so pertaining to a storage area that is easily accessible to the traveler but not as easily accessible for thieves and the like. People should always secure important documents and there are different options for different purposes.

For people wishing to experience the world on a luxury vacation, a large concern can be natural disasters. The number one feared natural disasters for travelers today are hurricanes. So concerning are hurricanes, that there is a foretold "hurricane season." Many travelers will postpone or cancel a trip simply because it falls in this season. Others will not even go if there if there is a slight chance that a hurricane could hit. But with so many myths and baseless fears, it can be difficult to plan a trip. Let us dispel some of these myths and uncover some common sense advice on how to deal with fears and the worst-case scenario.

When is "Hurricane Season"?

This is one of the number one questions asked by luxury world cruise travelers and other tourists who plan to be near or on an ocean for their vacation. Depending on who you ask, the answer is usually different. Some will say that for the Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific, it is from August until October, while others say June to November. Some say the South Pacific is prone to hurricanes from November to May, while others say it is year round. Basically, there is no certain way to predict any type of weather, and these seasons are mostly based on past year's data. The problem is, each year is different, and sometimes drastically so. The reality is a hurricane can happen at any time in any month at any destination! For the latest luxury travel deals check out http://www.amtvacations.com/american-express-vacations.html.

Don't Panic

Hurricanes could happen in any costal region in the world at any time of the year. Without trying to sound harsh, there is no way to be able to avoid a hurricane other than traveling to a land locked destination. This does not mean you should never travel. You could step outside your door tomorrow and be struck by lightning, but that does not mean you should become a recluse. Fear should not drive decisions you must make in life. If you want to take a luxury travel vacation to a costal region during one of the supposed hurricane seasons, simply do it. Find American Express Travel Exclusives at http://www450.pair.com/amtfrank/american-express-exclusives.html.

Protect Yourself

What if, of all the 365 days out of the year, out of all the islands and coastal regions in the world, a hurricane hits your destination during your luxury vacation? Take actions to protect yourself. When you purchase your vacation, simply purchase travelers insurance. Most insurance protects you in case of a natural disaster, and the better traveler's insurance will protect the cost of your vacation as well as your person. The best recommendation is to book your trip through American Express Vacations and add "American Express" Cancel For Any Reason Insurance.

This insurance runs from $89.00 to $129.00 per person, and must be purchased at the time of deposit. It covers the complete cost of your trip, including air, plus medical protection, baggage loss and emergency evacuation costs. You can cancel for any reason, so if a hurricane hit the week before and your reconsider, you will not be stuck with the bill. Seize the day, but protect yourself just in case! For help on planning your next luxury travel vacation go to http://www.amtvacations.com.

There is no reason to get into a fuss about hurricanes. Your travel could be affected by the break out of wars, famine, illness, terrorism and other natural disasters. The fact is, these variables can suddenly come into play at any time. This is the same as with hurricanes. The best you can do is not panic. Do not let fear of the "what ifs" dictate they way you live or travel. Purchase travelers insurance for those what if situations, take a deep breath and enjoy the delights of your luxury travel vacation.

They say you've never been to Europe, unless you've been to London. The largest and most populous city in the European Union, London is both a vast, urbanized metropolis and a city rich in heritage sites, among them Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower Bridge. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, the country that gave birth to such legends as the Beatles, Charles Dickens, and William Shakespeare.

London's Bridge to the World
London is both a historical and business hub, so it comes as no surprise that the city plays host to millions of visitors each year. In fact, London is almost never without tourists. Travelers from different points of the globe pay homage to this magnificent city all year round. While the elite indulge in luxurious accommodations in London's many posh hotels, backpackers and students frequent very cheap hotels in London, also known as hostels. And because backpackers and serious travelers make up the bulk of the city's visitors, there are thousands of very cheap hotels in London.

Go Cheap in London
Of all the very cheap hotels in London, the most famous is the Generator London Hostel in Bloomsbury. Its proximity to some of London's great sites and train stations makes it ideal for the traveler on the move. The Generator is the only hostel in London that provides organized entertainment every night, and is a great place to meet people from all over the world. At only £12.50 a night, the Generator is indeed one of the very cheap hotels in London.

Astor Hostels London Group boasts of having five very cheap hotels in London. Astor's famous Hyde Park hostel is located right next to must-see trendy places like Notting Hill, Portobello Road, and Oxford Street. Also in the vicinity is the slightly pricier Astor Quest Hostel. Unlike the Hyde Park hostel, Astor Quest has en suite facilities. Located south of the river Thames, Astor's Victoria Hostel is perfect if you intend to do a lot of sightseeing. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the House of Parliament are within walking distance of Victoria Hostel. You can find Astor's Museum Inn Hostel only less than three minutes away from London's tube stations. It is also within walking distance of Covent Garden.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a little peace and quiet in the middle of the city, Astor's Leinster Inn Hostel is perfect because it is found in a quiet, leafy square in central London. Its location makes a popular choice among the very cheap hotels in London.

Another very cheap hotels in London is the Piccadilly Backpackers hostel. It is located in the heart of SoHo, just a few steps from the famous Piccadilly Circus. The London House Hotel near the Kensington Gardens is recommended for the traveler on a budget who desires a bit of privacy. Its location is central enough without being too crowded.

There are many very cheap hotels in London for young travelers. Most of these very cheap hotels in London are clean and comfortable, and they come with basic amenities. If you are in London for sightseeing and experience the city's pace and culture, be kind to your purse strings by staying at very cheap hotels in London.