Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Ten IPod Applications: A Must For All Travelers

Do you love to travel? Are you an IPod fan? If yes, then this post is for you. IPod is almost a must for all travelers. According to many fellow travelers (including me), an IPod is the best means of entertainment while traveling. You can listen to your favorite music, watch a music video, a movie, and organize your trip and so on. Besides music and movies, your IPod can also be a travel guide for you while traveling. You heard it right, a travel guide. How? Well it’s not a tough job and it’s not expensive at all. All you have to do is, download these really amazing software’s and install in your IPod and make your IPod your travel guide.

Here are the ten IPod applications that are a must have for travelers:

1. Washington Metro Subway: Visiting Washington DC? This application will make your trip to Washington not only hassle free but also budget friendly. Washington Metro Subway offers detail information on Washington DC Subway such as map of Washington subway, location of each station on the map, travel time and so on.
2. ACT Currency: A universal currency converted; with this application you can covert currencies of more than 150countries in the planet.
3. WeatherX: Who wants to get caught in a bad weather while traveling? WeatherX is the answer to all your weather related queries while traveling. This application offers up-to-date and accurate information on hurricanes, Storms, Airport Delays, Heat, Temperature, Forest Fires, Snow, Air Quality and so on.
4. Taxi Magic: Need a cab? Just tap a button, book your cab and have it pick you up at your desired destinations. This application covers over 500 destinations United States of America.
5. MobileFly: Flying somewhere? Check your flight’s status, baggage claim, gate, departure, or arrival information. With this application you will have access to thousands of airlines.
6. Vegas Mobile: A must for everyone planning to Vegas. With Vegas Mobile you will have detailed information on almost every hotel in Las Vegas, list of shows and tours and more.
7. London Travel Guide: Now explore London on your own. London Travel Guide has everything you need to know about London, from attractions to activities, from shopping to dining, nightlife and more.
8. Talking iPhone Translator: Visiting a complete foreign country. This application will help you blend with the locals perfectly. The Talking iPhone Translator provides both text and audio translations in six different languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Italian).
9. Road Helper: Based on a user location, with this application you can find emergency or helper services such as hospitals, gas stations, hotels and much more.
10. WorldView: Now traveling without spending a penny is possible, WorldView allows users to access real time webcams across the globe.

Best part is, these applications are dirt cheap and most of them are for free. Go on and make your IPod your traveler guide

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Europe For Sweet Tooth; A Must For All Visiting Europe

Are you a foodie planning to visit Europe? You will amaze at the variety of heavenly, lip smacking dishes and specialty that await you in Europe. Europe has so much to offer from history, art, music and fashion to technology and much much more but what stand out are its culinary delights. Travelers this time when you travel to Europe, do visit all the historic sights, museums and art galleries, shop and party but try to take out some time and treat your taste buds with some of the world most special culinary delights as you visit the various cities and tours of Europe:

Apple Cake in Noordermarket, Amsterdam: Am sure you won’t be visiting Amsterdam for apple cake, if you are traveling to Amsterdam, don’t leave without tasting a slice of Noordermarkt apple cake. Noordermarket is an organic market that opens only on Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm and its here where you taste this amazing delight

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Chocolate Cake in Salzburg, Austria: Who does not desire for chocolate cakes, but did you ever wonder where it came from? Well, the first chocolate cake was invented here in Salzburg, Austria by famous confectioner Franz Sacher. So if you are in Salzburg, Austria, forget the sightseeing for a while and try one of Salzburg chocolate cakes. Am sure you will love it.





Lokum in Istanbul, Turkey: After you are through visiting all the sights, take a break and head to Ali Muhiddin's shop in EminönĂ¼ and try their Lokum. Why this shop? Well the shop was opened some 250 years back and many consider their Lokum as the best. But if you can’t make it there, worry not, you will Lokum in almost every Confectionery shops.


Well these were the three delights that you must not miss while exploring Europe. If you have a favorite European delight, do share with fellow travelers by posting it as a comment.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

How to Avoid to avoid jet lag

Air travel is a part of our life and it is becoming almost unavoidable. No doubt it is the fastest, the easiest, the most comfortable and the safest way to travel but taking a flight can be a task, right from booking your airline tickets to flying and much more. One of the most common set back of air travel is jet lag, which is caused by sudden change in temperature, shift work, daylight saving time and so on. Here are some tips on how you can avoid jet lag.

• If you are visiting a destination with a different only for a day or a two, brush aside the difference in the time zone and maintain the same schedule as according to the time back home. But if you are visiting for a longer period, start adjusting your schedule in advance, like, adjust the time on your watch to the time at your destination, going to bed and waking up an hour or a two earlier each day.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages on the flight and sleep during the daytime. Take some medicine if you are prone to motion sickness. Get enough sleep right before the date of your flight.
• If your flight reaches, in the morning, afternoon or early evening, head for your hotel and instead of heading straight to the bed, take a shower and go out, visit some of the sights or just explore the city, get some fresh air, then grab an early dinner and try get some sound sleep.
• Bring along some sleeping pill, in case if you can sleep in the new time zone. You may also carry one of those medicines to prevent jet lag. But consult a doctor before purchasing.

Follow these tips, nest time while you are flying to a different time zone. With these tip you will surely reduce the risk of jet lag. Please fell free to share your tips by posting it as a comment. Your tip can help other fellow travelers to enjoy a more comfortable travel!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Online Travel Sites To the Rescue

Even if you are a die hard traveler, you may think twice before going on a vacation at this current economic status. For the more budget conscious travelers, it’s almost impossible. Does that mean that our glorious days of traveling, vacations are over? No, we can still relive those days. It’s not that easy but it’s not impossible.

Am sure many fellow travelers must be using the hundreds of online travel sites out there in the web to book their travel plans. But if you haven’t, I would suggest you better start using these sites such as CheapOair, Expedia, OneTravel, Tripadvisor, Orbitz and so. Online travel sites are a great way to save while traveling. But if you are not careful, you could land yourself in serious mess. So here are some tips to help you get that best travel plan yet excluding the hazards while booking your travel deals on online travel sites.

• Hook up with a well known, reputed online travel site, which offers secure booking page. Check out the site terms and conditions; read the cancellation policy and browse the FAQ section, if you have any doubts.

• Booking in advance is undeniably the best way to get the cheapest deal, but this does not mean that you have to book months in advance. The best time to book is 21 days before the day of your journey. Incase if you could not, book 7 to 8 days ahead of your travel dates.

• Never end your quest by just visiting one site. Do a research on multiple-sites. If you don’t know the address of such travel sites, use search engines such as Google, yahoo search and so on.

• Sign up for fare alerts like Fares newsletters and RSS fares that the many travel sites offers. Most of the online travel sites allow visitors to sign up free for fare alerts, by which one can get all the latest updates of airfares, hotel deals and so on of a destination through emails.

• Always inquire about extra-charges or any hidden cost before finalizing your deal. Do not give up the PIN number of your credit card besides the three-digit security number on the back of your credit card.

• Once you complete the process of booking, you should receive an email confirming all the details, print it and keep it safe and handy as you will need it while check in at the airport or at the car rental office, if you have booked a rental car.

Next time while buying your travel plans online, follow these simple tips. If you have any tip or experience, feel free to share by posting it as a comment.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Swapping your Home? Here are some Tips

Planning to take a vacation but worried about all those hotel and restaurant bills. Why don’t you swap your home? Started in Europe, home swapping is a fast spreading trend, allowing vacationers to enjoy the comfort of a home while away from home. Home swapping has myriads of advantages, right from, you get to save on your accommodations; you experience local cultures and traditions at its best, and so on. Just as its advantages, home swapping also has its own downfall, but we can avoid such pitfalls by planning wisely. Here are some tips and tricks that you need to know before and while you swap your home.

1. The most important of all is, don’t rush. Give plenty of time to find the best suitable swap partner. Use a well known established home swapping agency. Before you agree to swap your home, spend time corresponding with your swap partner, this will help you feel more comfortable in entrusting your home to your partner.
2. Ask your partner to leave instructions for using the home appliances such as, washing machine, TV, music system, dryer, and so on. Be extra sure to inquire where the keys will be and nearest food store.
3. If you are traveling with a baby or a toddler, try you best to sway your home with someone who has children of similar age. Ask your swap partner whether they have a regular babysitter or where you can arrange one.
4. Don’t forget to get a list of emergency numbers from your partner. Inquire about nearby attractions, dining areas, neighborhood parks and so on.
5. If your swap includes cars, be sure to check whether your car insurance policy will allow you to add a named driver. If not, then get a policy from a company which understands your needs.
6. Before you depart from your home, be sure that your home is clean and tidy; leave instructions on how to operate your home appliances.