Photography Tips While Traveling

Whether you're embarking on a family vacation or your family reunion, it's going to be a special time. When we think of trips we've taken, we tend to remember them best with photographs. Here's some ideas to enhance your vacation as well as your memories of them.

Location Preparation

1) Since you know where you're going (that's a minimum requirement), doesn't it make sense to check out the location before you get there? Create a list of attractions, accommodations, special points of interest, amusement areas, shopping, etc. A good source to help you do this is: the Places and Travel section of msn.com ( [http://groups.msn.com/Browse?CatId=179])

2) Figure out the photo opportunities for each appropriate venue. Anyone can take a "that's nice" picture of the kids at an amusement park. Wouldn't you rather capture a "WOW" photo that could be hung over the mantle?

3) Depending on the location you're traveling to, you can see what books are written about them that highlight the best photo opportunities for the entire area

4) If you're cyber-savvy, start at http://www.google.com and search using different combinations of: your destination, best photography locations, for images of the location, scenic spots, etc. The options are endless.

5) If you're off to a non-big city area, scout out the national parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the scenery is usually so breathtaking, that a so-so shot looks
outstanding, just because of the subject. Once in http://www.nps.gov, do a search on photos and you will be presented with terrific shots of all the parks

Photography Preparation

OK, you're either traveling through or you're at a wonderful location full of photo opportunities. You began this leg of your trip at the crack of dawn and as you're pulling into the most scenic overlook for 400 miles, the sun is just starting to crack the horizon.

You instinctively pull the car over, grab your camera and your tripod, and look for the best spot to set up. Just one tiny little problem... YOU FORGOT YOUR TRIPOD! Rather than smack yourself on the forehead then, why not plan these things now, before you leave?

33 Travel Safety Tips

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

South of France Travelling Tips

Ahh the Wonderful Sounth of France.

Blue and red parasols, sailing ships, a light breeze and a cloudless blue sky - the Cote d'Azure, or Azure Coast as it is literally translated, lives up to its name.

It is a good idea to plan your trip to the South of France for early September to avoid the madness of the Cannes film festival in May, and the sweltering heat and the crowded coastal highways that besiege vacationers in July and August.

As the high season ends, the hoards clear out and you can truly appreciate the charm of these classy seaside resorts.

The Provence has a heavy Mediterranean influence so be sure to dine heartily in the early afternoon as most restaurants are closed from around three until seven.

The local Nicois cooking is Italianate in flavor and features delights like aioli, a yellow garlicky sauce served over everything from raw vegetables to fish, and ratatouille, a combination of fresh tomatoes, eggplant and squash stewed together with green peppers, garlic and various herbs. Also, don't miss the bouillabaisse, a magnificent fish stew.

In Cannes, make time for some world class window shopping and to engage in a favorite pastime in this glittering bastion of wealth, people watching along the Blvd. de la Croisette, probably the classiest seaside promenade in the world.

If that's not enough excitement for you, drive along the precipitous and tortuous coastal highways that Grace Kelly raced over in Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief to reach the small nation of Monaco. Here, visit the famed Monte Carlo Casino (think James Bond). This gambling resort is no Las Vegas. Ringed by Ferrari's and Rolls Royce's, it features a Private Salon into which only the properly clad (no shorts; jacket and tie required for men) may enter. Also, if the shopping in Cannes didn't exhaust you, Monaco's pricey haute couture will make you drop (at least that's the effect it had on my husband ):O

For those not enthralled by world class beaches, monstrous yachts, and movie stars, you can visit the charming region of the Haute Provence, an area featured in the literary classic The Three Musketeers. Envision moonlight, lavender fields, old abbeys and intimate villages, red wine, and fresh baguettes.

One thing worth doing while driving around the South of France, is stopping to try some fresh french bread accompanied by chevre or goat's cheese (one of the hundreds of delicious fresh cheeses to be found in France).

The Verdon Gorge, in the heart of Provence, is known as the Grand Canyon of Europe. It's 3000 ft. walls of chalky white limestone offer some of the best opportunities for rock climbing and other adventure sports anywhere in the world. While the kayaks bob and weave down the torrents far below, the tourists creep on all fours to the canyon edge to take in the awesome view and watch climbers ascend the sheer cliffs. Like Yosemite Valley, the Verdon Gorge offers experienced rock climbers a big wall experience, but without having to haul loads of gear as you can climb in shorts and rock shoes with a minimum of equipment.

The captivating Haute Provence, with it's blend of white limestone hills, rough stony pastures, and charming villages proved to be the highlight - but sadly also marked the end - of our trip.

The next day, as the plane banked away from the coastline with its piercing light, deep blue waters, and diamond like white caps, we realized that we had only experienced a small taste of the rich landscapes and peoples you will find in the South of France.

Airline Travel - Beating the New Regulations on Baggage

So what do you do now that you cannot take two bags with you without getting charged for the second one? How do you get your golf clubs to your vacation destination for no charge? The new regulations that the airlines have come up with makes you have to shove everything into one bag that you can check. Here is how to beat the airlines and get your airline travel for the right price.

First, you can use travel bags called space bags to pack with. These bags allow you to pack about 5 times the amount of clothing you can get in one suitcase. This will allow you to consolidate your clothing into your carry on or with another person that is traveling with you. This will free you up to check your golf clubs or another bag for travel.

Second, you can check with greyhound to see what the price would be to ship your golf clubs to your destination. Usually they can ship your clubs for a cheaper price than what the airlines want to charge for your extra bag. You can also check rates of other shipping companies as well to see who can offer you the best deal.

Last, you can pack your clothes in with your golf clubs and with your carry on. The airlines still allow you to carry on a small bag and a purse or laptop. This gives you a small suitcase that you could get 3-4 outfits into and, then you can put the rest of your clothing in with your golf clubs. This will save you money and space.

If airline travel continues to become more expensive we will have to go back to the horse and buggy route of travel. Maybe that is a bit out there, but you will need to become more creative so that you can beat the prices that the airlines are trying to charge.

Save a Bundle on Your Next Trip with Airline Travel Deals

Whether your flying to see family across the country or planning your dream vacation it's important to setup a budget. You likely have a destination your thinking of, how ever have you considered the costs of flying there? If finances are tight, which they are for so many, take the time to seek out the best airline travel deals. A lot of people don't realize that airline tickets can be booked eleven months in advance. By booking early often you save a lot of money rather then waiting until just a couple of weeks before your trip. The down side is that if you must cancel your trip for one reason or another, generally you're out the cost of the tickets.

Calling the airline directly can be a great way to get airline travel deals. Often the airlines have the best deals available for decent ticket prices. Also they sometimes have last minute seat saver sales to fill up a few seats left on planes. Something else airlines do is they may have unadvertised seat sales. These are deals you'll only get when calling the airline directly for a ticket.

Another good source for airline travel deals is travel agents. They work as brokers between you and all the airlines, so they can browse all the air travel options for your trip and get you the cheapest price. These days travel agents have lost a lot of business to online airfare websites, so you might find an offline travel agent fighting a little harder to get your business.

Don't forget about the Internet as a source for airline travel deals. The Internet allows you to source out your own tickets over a variety of websites. Don't just take one sites prices as gospel search around and compare options. Don't wait to long to book tickets online how ever because a deal you see this afternoon could be gone in a few hours and not be available that night. There are a few things you should watch with airline travel deals. One thing you always want to be sure you're getting what you're paying for. Read the fine print on all websites before making the purchase, also always double check your information so you don't get stuck with the wrong ticket for a great price.

When making your reservations with a travel agent or airline directly always ask them to read back the information you've requested. Things can get jumbled over the phone, and you don't want to end up in the wrong city or state. Also as soon as you receive your itinerary double check everything to ensure no mistakes. Nothing worse then assuming you got a great price, then the airline travel deal you through you got isn't for the right trip at all. If you catch errors quickly enough, most airlines are more then happy to try and rectify it for you

Tips to Get Airline Travel Discounts

We all need to get away. Our vacations are the one thing that we look forward to all year. Unfortunately what happens sometimes is that we tend to feel the stress of how am I going to afford the vacation that I've been dreaming about? Well I hope that with a few of my tips, you will be able to get some airline travel discounts.

Here are some tips to find the lowest fare air ticket:

• Buy tickets 3-5 months before your departure date

Some airlines offer discounts for early buyers. It's also best to buy your tickets at least 20 days in advance to ensure the best seating possible, most discounted tickets sell out fast. You should also know that Airline Tickets are subject to price increase, especially during Christmas season, so buying early avoids further ticket increase.

• Never fly on weekends

If you're planning a trip, plan to leave on weekdays, preferable Monday to Wednesday. Weekends are high traffic times, for travelers and would probably cost you an additional $25-$40 increase.

• Don't travel During Peak season

Airlines tend to increase ticket prices during Peak travel season due to the increase in demand. Traveling during low season is also advantageous if you want to avoid airport and tourist spot crowds. If you really have to travel during peak season, consider leaving home early and going home late to avoid the rush.

• How long to Stay

Yes your travel stay also affects airline ticket prices. Airlines give discounts if you stay at least a week at your destination and return within 90 days.

• Consider a Connecting Flight

Contrary to popular belief, direct flights aren't always the cheapest. Some people have saved up to $1000 dollars on booking connecting instead of Direct flights. If you don't have a lot of luggage, and aren't very particular with time, it is best, and a lot cheaper to book a connecting flight instead of direct.

• Use the senior citizen discount

Some Airlines offer the same senior Citizen discount for the companions of the Senior Citizen. Ask if it's available.

• The Early Bird gets the Airline Ticket

Call Airlines at 12:01 am on Wednesday mornings. This is when airlines release all the new fares and seat plans. You can be first and choose the best and cheapest tickets at this time.

• Shop on the Internet

The best feature of the internet is that you see all available Prices from a very convenient place, your home. You won't have to canvass travel agencies. Some internet sites even offer internet only discounts that you can benefit from if you use their services.

• When you do shop on the internet

Check first with travel agents regarding prices, Internet prices aren't always the cheapest, it's best to ask a good old travel agent. It won't hurt to look at news papers too, as some airlines publish discounts on print. If you're planning to buy more than 6 months in advance, it's probably best to ask a travel guide as internet sites don't usually have schedules for longer than six months.Airline travel discounts are everywhere; you just need to know how to find them! I hope that with these tips, that's exactly what you are going to be able to do. Now go out there and get that lowest fare air ticket! Happy travels.

Airline Travel and Air Line Travel

Airline travel has always been the most expedient way to take a trip. Air line travel offers some great advantages. If you have time constraints and need to get there quickly, airline travel is the way to go. If you find that a long journey in a cramped automobile holds no appeal, consider airline travel. If you want to be ready to go when you arrive at your destination, airline travel holds the key. Air line travel will get you where you are going in the least amount of time, in the best physical shape possible and ready to set out on your planned activities.

Some people find the thought of airline travel frightening. Statistics show that air line travel is one of the safest means of transportation. More people die annually from automobile accidents than die in air line travel accidents. The reason for that is that with an air line travel accident more people die at once so the media tends to sensationalize it. There may be 100 people or more killed in a single airline travel accident but compare that with the thousands of people who die each year from other types of accidents. Airline travel has a great safety record and the government tries to make sure it stays that way. Airplanes go through hundreds of government inspections each year to insure the safety of the public.

There are some really great air line travel deals available. A fast check of the Internet will produce thousands of offers for cheap tickets to just about anywhere. This can be a great way to take a weekend trip on the spur of the moment. Last minute air line travel tickets are often offered inexpensively. A fast trip to Las Vegas, New York City or any of the beach resorts is a great way to spend a long weekend. If you would like to plan a little in advance, you might try talking to a travel agent about airline travel. They have some great airline travel deals and can help with other arrangement like hotels and rental cars as well.

Airline travel is a great tool to use in fulfilling the Great Commission. Jesus said in Mark 16:15 "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." As Christians we have an obligation to share our faith not only at home but also in other parts of the world as well. Air line travel makes it less difficult to take mission trips and fly to other part of the world where the Gospel has never been heard. If you are planning a mission trip, make sure to consider airline travel as your means of transportation.