Vision Travel

Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

All of us have heard the stories about travellers who have drunk the tap water whilst abroad and ended up seriously ill.  Sometimes this can be life threatening and so being prepared with water filters is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the multitude of problems that come with drinking unfiltered water.

If you live in a western country like the US or UK, you should also know that your water has been treated so much that anything that hasn’t been treated to such a high level can cause you problems when drunk even if it doesn’t cause problems for the locals as your body has not had time to build up a resistance to the organisms in the water.

Of course dirty water is worse, and when hiking or travelling off the beaten track it may not be possible to buy bottled water.  There are numerous illnesses that come from drinking dirty water with cysts being the most common.  These can only be removed through filtration and not by using chlorine or water purification tablets like some people say.  So if you really want to ensure your safety on holiday, make sure you purchase some portable water filters to take with you.

Seasoned shoppers in Cape Town will tip you to buy diamonds. This is diamond country if you don’t realize it yet, and also the biggest diamond of 7,000 carats was discovered in Nigeria. But well, you can dream on. However for diamonds, South Africa is the place for you, and the diamonds have wound their method to Cape Town. So get your share when you perform the shopping rounds.

Diamonds and more

Hard-nosed shoppers know where to do their Cape Town shopping. They are fully aware where you’ll get handcrafted jewelry, masks, wines, intricate beadwork, precious stones and diamonds. Well, the area is teeming with shops, trendy malls, flea markets, souvenir shops, and streetside stalls open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If shopping is your pleasure, you will find Cape Town hotels within walking distance towards the shops and specialty stores for great finds. Staying near the shopping district will save you time and avert the strain that comes with shopping. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer will be here before we know it, and families will be planning their vacations. To some, this is often a frightening experience; the hassle of booking trips, reservations, hiring a car or making flight plans. Don’t let everything you have experienced within the movies scare your family out of your dream vacation.

There are some steps you can take to make that trip on the highway or perhaps in the environment a bit more bearable. Here are a few ideas to
keep your sanity while you are visiting the ideal destination.

For those who have children, whether or not they are toddlers or teen-agers, there are a few necessities that you need to bring to result in the trip pleasant for everybody.

If you’re traveling with a teen, you are aware how important it is to allow them to have their cell phones. A cell phone is a teen’s life line. Ensure that you pack the wall charger and the car charger. You may want to slip a set of ear buds into your bag, just incase your teen’s phone is capable of playing music, this way it’s not necessary to listen to their music.

If you are planning to become traveling with toddlers, be sure to pack their favorite blanket. For those who have a pre-teen, remember a common hand held game, just like a game boy or play station. Long road trips get boring which awesome little devices will keep them busy and occupied when you are concentrating on the street. Read the rest of this entry »

Maybe you have taken a vacation and located other families vacationing with their dogs? Many people now include their dogs on holidays, and perhaps you can too! Here are a few things to consider before you bring your dog:

Does your pet wish to travel? Plenty of dogs are more than happy to embark on a new adventure… but that is not true for each dog. To visit safely and comfortably, dogs ought to be healthy, calm in new situations and around, house-trained, and should enjoy traveling. A stressed-out dog will consequently cause stressed-out people. A happy and well-mannered dog, however, can make them a joy to have around on holidays.

Give me an idea to do during your vacation? We are so attached to our dogs that sometimes it’s difficult to depart them behind, even if it’s within their needs. However, if you are planning to complete things during the holidays that don’t include your pet – such as visiting attractions that don’t allow pets – it might be best to call up a dependable friend or family member to be careful about your dog, or hire a trusted pet-sitter or boarding kennel. It’s just not fair to bring your dog along, then immediately leave him alone within an unfamiliar accommodation simply by himself for most of the day (that’s assuming that the hotel even allows pets to become left alone within the guest room). But if you will be relaxing through the lake or going through the local
parks and trails, then a holiday with your dog is a superb option. Read the rest of this entry »

Everyone knows packing for a long trip, or even sometimes a short one, can be very difficult. Condensing all you might possibly need into one suitcase that matches the airline regulation’s for suitcases can be a daunting task that can take days, as well as an ample quantity of thought and energy.

And then there’s the destination. When I studied abroad in Germany, I was told to not bring heels because they would drive me nuts attempting to gracefully maneuver within the uneven cobblestoned streets. That helped significantly, because I was in a position to reduce to about three pairs of shoes. However, there were those girls on I met along the way who made the mistake of bringing heels, often even multiple pairs, and located themselves stuck with shoes that they spent the entire semester not wearing…shoes that only used weight in their suitcase on their hop over the Atlantic.

That’s one example. I feel many people over pack for trips, whether they are venturing to Europe or perhaps a few states away. We all know how frustrating it’s when the overhead bins fill up in airplanes, particularly using the ridiculous amount of money they charge to check bags now. Maybe it is the airplane filling, or maybe it’s most people’s inability to truly pack lightly.

Finding travel clothing that is also chic, trendy and appropriate no matter what your destination can also be a daunting task. Good travel clothing is multi-functional, versatile garments that may be worn multiple ways. Picking colors that may be mixed and matched easily creates maximum versatility. Read the rest of this entry »

Vacationing in a way cruise may be an alternative if you are bored with ordinary vacation. Cruises can be fun and it’s your way of enjoying the great life. But how to choose the goal, with whom you go and when. There are so many choices with respect to cruising nowadays That it can be very confusing. Here are A Few tips to Consider Helping you Decide the which cruise is right for you.

The following list gives some examples of a cruise types who can you take:

1. Alaskan cruise
2. Caribbean cruise
3. Mediterranean cruise
4. South Pacific or Hawaiian Island cruise
5. New Zealand or Australia
6. Galapagos Island cruises
7.a Transatlantic ocean crossing
8. a cruise down the Amazon or Panama Canal
9. Russian waterways cruises
10.Polar cruises to see the penguins in the Antarctic
11. River cruises (the fjords in Norway, the Danube in Europe, the Nile in Egypt, the Mississippi in United States)

Everything is interesting but different.

First you must choose the term length you want. Options are usually 7-night cruise, but you can take cruises from 3-4 nights to over a month in length, or more. If for the first time better grab a 3-4 night cruise, to see if you enjoy the cruise. For consideration, whether you seasick?, You like to visit different ports, Do you like the busy atmosphere of the many activities on a ship? Your experience can make the next time you decide if you want to take a longer time Read the rest of this entry »

Do you need some inspiration to amuse the kids during the holidays? The Summer holidays can be an expensive time for parents as many theme parks, zoos and play area charge a hefty sum for a day’s entertainment. The following information gives some cheap, accessible ideas for a fun filled Summer holiday.

1.Hit the beach. The North east is blessed with some fantastic beaches. Its all about timing, though, so when the sun appears there is no time for dawdling. Grab your buckets and spade and go! Seaton Beach in Hartlepool is a long sandy beach with sand dunes just made for hide and seek. It has achieved blue flag status and is a clean environment to play on. There are traditional seaside amenities : fish and chips, a joke shop, souvenirs and a few family friendly bars.

2.Lindesfarne. This is guaranteed to amuse the little ones. Get them to plan the crossing to Holy Island but warn the kid that you may get stuck if the tide comes in! Its a beautiful setting and with a picnic in the car, a guaranteed fun day out.

3. The Baltic Art Gallery. Introduce your offspring to modern art. The Baltic is housed in a former flour mill and the glass elevator itself is worth the trip with fabulous views of the Tyne. There is a floor dedicated to children where they can create their own masterpieces or grab a book to read. Entry to the Baltic is free.

4.Hartlepool Historic Quay. Whilst this is a fabulous day out, the museum that is attached to the Historic Quay is a hidden gem. With no entry fee the museum makes for a cheap and cheerful day out. There are various exhibitions which encourage hands on participation from the children and it even has a boat for the little ones to climb on.

5.Saltholme Bird sanctuary. This award winning RSPB property is designed for both amateur and professional twitchers, young and old alike. It has extensive grounds, a playground, various walks and a cafe. Inside there are telescopes to use and a book section with child friendly seating where they are encouraged to read. Its a truly great, yet free, day out.

If you have to go to those awesome outing places by plane, don’t  forget to look at flight comparison.