
Many people are looking at price when searching for a discount travel agency, however, there are some other things you need to watch out for that can save you time, money and headaches when using a travel agency to plan your trip.
1) Check to see if the agency is a member of ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). Agencies who are members must follow strict rules of conduct. If you should have a problem with your agency, it will be easier for you to file a complaint.
2) Make sure their offer isn’t too good to be true. The travel industry is very competitive and some agencies will promise you the moon. Make sure they can deliver what they promise before signing up.
3) The agency should disclose their full contact information. You should easily be able to find their name, address, phone number and email address. Call the phone number and see if a real person answers. If their contact information isn’t readily available, you should take your business elsewhere.
4) Some discount agencies will promise you low rates to get your business, then hit you with hidden fees. Since you are budgeting for your trip, you don’t want to be hit with a larger bill than you planned on. Be sure to get all agency rates and fees on paper to avoid surprises.
5) Respectable travel agencies will bend over backwards to make sure you are well taken care of, especially if you have medical needs while traveling. An agency out for a quick buck will not provide you with great customer service, so ask questions about how they will accommodate your special requests before signing.
6) A good travel agency will be there to help you during and after your trip to make sure everything is going smoothly. If you have a problem during your trip, the agency will be available to assist you. Fly by night services will disappear after you’ve handed over your money. Check out the agency’s reputation before you commit to a deal.
7) A good travel agency will have access to all kinds of information about the city and/or country you are visiting. They are one of the best insider travel tip resources around whether you need a business travel tip, family travel tip, an air travel tip, or a travel packing tip.
Help answer the question about travel tips
Pamplona's running of the bulls travel tips?Hi -
I was wondering if anyone can share some tips (travel, budgeting and running) for participation in Pamplona's annual running of the bulls. I really want to participate this year.
Thanks.
About Author
Cruise the beautiful Hawaiian Islands – even if you’re on a budget
http://www.last-minute-hawaii-cruise.com
Incoming search terms for the article:
- wordpress blogs
- http://www tnsela org/travel-tips/smart-travel-tip-7-things-to-look-out-for-when-dealing-with-a-travel-agency html
- smart travel customer service
- what to look out for when using travel agents
Related posts:
- Using a Travel Agency or Purchasing a Ticket From the Airline When you want to go on a vacation that...
- Travel Tips for Packing Smart Vacations are great, aren’t they? It’s a chance to...
- Travel Tips for the Efficient Traveler from a Brooklyn Travel Agency! While some people could really care less about wasted...
- Dealing With Airline Ticket Prices Airline ticket costs have been rising in the last...
- Chicago travel agency: most popular travel destinations There are so many great things to do and...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Here is a website where you can learn from other people's travels. It works really well, there are pictures, places to eat, and things to do in many countries and cities. You can even book hotels directly from the site.
http://www.gusto.com/
Sounds like fun. With a TV and DVD, all that I can think to add to entertain your son would be some books and small toys. I might plan on making a few extra stops so he gets to actually see some of the sights along the way. It will give you things to discuss with him during the drive and also long after your vacation has ended.
I always crate my dogs in the car. If they get sick or go to the bathroom before the next stop it is contained.
A favorite toy.
Always walk on a leash
Make sure tags are current.
Make sure the hotel you are staying in allows pets before you leave. Or sneak them in the room, If he is a quiet dog and you don't have to leave for any length of time.
If he is use to traveling in cars you should have no problems. I have taken several of my dogs on road trips.
Hi there, I am just back from Shanghai, it’s a good place worth to go. These travel tips are useful and helpful you can take a look. (http://tourguide.sinotour.com/shanghai/5/)
I just found some information about Shanghai Tourism Festival. Shanghai Tourism Festival will start from September 19th to October 6th this year. Besides International Music Fireworks, there are series activities, Shanghai Shopping Festival, Yuyuan Chinese Day, Rose Wedding Ceremony, and Germany Week, etc.
If you need more information about Shanghai, you can link on the page http://tourguide.sinotour.com/shanghai/
Have a nice trip in Shanghai.
Sounds like fun! Not sure if you arranged your travel yet, so I'll include a few tips for that as well:
* Shop around for airfare to Chicago if you're traveling. I usually check a site like Expedia.com for relative comparisons of airfare. Once you've found the cheapest option, check that airline's website. Usually the fare is a bit cheaper there.
* However, if you buy a package of airfare + hotel, sites like Expedia will usually give you a discount, so check the package price vs. the individual costs for airfare + hotel.
* Do some research on the basics — activities, sights, restaurants. You might find discounts online, or realize that you need a reservation to try a famous restaurant. You might also want to buy a guidebook to carry around. Try these websites for research:
http://www.timeout.com/chicago/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/chicago/
http://www.chicagotraveler.com/
* Check the weather forecast, and pack accordingly. It helps to pack as lightly as possible to make travel more efficient. Knowing the weather helps you focus your packing. Also, it's generally best to pack layers. For example, include a few t-shirts and a sweater so you can go from hot to cold.
* Learn how the transportation works — Chicago has the "L" or elevated train, which is easy to use. You can also take the train to/from the airport.
* Consider if you want to do a day trip or not. That will help you decide if you need a car. If you're going to be staying downtown with no side trips, you won't need a car.
* Things I like about Chicago:
— Millenium Park — definitely worth a stroll
— walking along the lake
— eating sandwiches at Potbelly's
— climb Sears Tower Skydeck
Good luck and have fun!!
Unless you go into the mountains, it is unlikely that you will see snow.
On a cold night it may well be below freezing, during the day it will be up to about 10 degrees, which will still feel very cold to you.
Best bring layers.
For trousers, jeans or alike with underneath an extra layer or two.
A friend advices people from your part of the world to bring silk pajamas, you can wear up to five of them before it shows, she claims.
If you do not go for silk, still bring something you can wear under your jeans, leggings, thin training trousers, sports thights, maybe even long underwear if you can get it.
Same layer principle for your top half, T-shirt, shirt with long sleeves, sweater and a fleece jacket, and over all of it, a rain and wind proof jacket. If you can not get a fleece jacket at home, shop as soon as you arrive, Czech republic will have some for sale that time of the year, or invest in a winter coat. Be careful about the prices, a decent wintercoat can cost you as much as a week in the country.
If you have mountain boots, bring them, otherwise, bring the shoes which are pretty good waterproof.
And bring plenty socks. (If you get wet feet in the cold, change your socks and you will feel a bit less cold.)
If you want to experience snow, ask when in Czech republic where to go to find it, it might even be that you will have to leave the country, as the mountains in Czech republic are not the highest.
Prague is well known, but much more in Czech republic is worth visiting.
If you have never been in an European county, you should also visit a village or maybe an open air museum.
I have used the Lonely Planet Czech and Slovak republics edition, but due to other plans did not have much time in Czech republic.
I do approve of the guide though.
But there are other guidebooks too.
About food?
I think you should just walk past the restaurants, reading the menus, till you find one that attract you. I liked the traditional Czech cuisine, but there is a wider choice. All main cuisines in Europe are to be found in Prague, the smaller towns will have some choice but maybe not as much.
Many places, specially in the bigger towns, have a menu in English, but if you can, bring a language guide with a list of popular foods, as not all places can help you in English.
Czech republic is a fairly safe country, but as a tourist you need always to be aware of possible dangers.
There is a real risk of pick pockets, as everywhere in the world, so keep your passport, a credit or bank card, your tickets and some money in a pouch under your clothes, I think the kind that fits like a belt in the top of your jeans is the best.
And for the rest, behave as you would in a big town near home:
If you do not trust a person or a place, go an other way.
Do not go into the park or the small alleys at night.
Do not go home with people/men you have just met.
And if you like drinking, do not get drunk unless you know you can trust the people you are with.
(If you want to ask more, I have my e-mail option open.)
- learn the language
-learn the culture
-learn about the worshiped gods [at the time you're going because different gods were worshiped at different periods]
-learn about who's ruling, which pharoah
-check out which clothing and jewrly and make up people wore, again at the time, [
-check out ancient egyptian cleaning methods, because back then, people were paranoid about keeping themselves ship-shap and clean, men and women would shave their heads to keep off lice and then wear natural hair-wigs
-find out what foods they ate [mostly fish] and wild game
???????????????????
There is a 8.25% tax on items in LA County. In Orange County, it's 7.75 %.
Tip for public transit: Avoid it if you can. It's slow and inefficient. There are rare exceptions, like the Metro Red Line that runs from Downtown LA to North Hollywood.
There are literally hundreds of things to do here in LA. Here is my top ten list:
Disneyland: The Happiest Place on Earth. Half a billion visitors can’t be wrong. (Sometimes it seems all at once)
Universal Studios: A theme park that grew out of a studio tour. And Universal City Walk is a fun place to hang out in the evening after your day inside the park.
Hollywood: Hollywood Boulevard is ready for its close-up, thanks to years of urban renewal and renovation. Enjoy the Walk of Fame, Entertainment Museum, Chinese Theatre and more. You can see a lot for free. The Hollywood & Highland complex has lots of shops and restaurants, and the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards). I also like the El Capitan theater, because it has been restored to its former glory.
Rodeo Drive, 90210: Packed with exclusive shops, full of gawkers. They all came to enjoy the excess. Free, unless you intend to buy something.
Venice Beach: Los Angeles kitsch and over-the-top culture at its best. Here you'll find Muscle Beach, street performers and tacky shops galore. Fun, VERY interesting, but I avoid it after dark, when it gets a little TOO interesting for my taste. And it's a short bike ride from Santa Monica Pier.
Santa Monica Beach and Pier: Great beach scene and a classic seaside amusement park, complete with antique carousel that has been in a lot of TV and movies. (The Sting and "Three's Company" come immediately to mind). After visiting the pier, you can ride a bike south a couple miles to Venice Beach.
Santa Monica Third Street Promenade – Downtown Santa Monica's shopping promenade is often the scene of movie star-sightings. Just a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier.
Sunset Boulevard: Perhaps one of the world's most famous streets, it began as a route between the stars' posh neighborhoods and the Hollywood studios. It runs from downtown to the ocean, passing through the "Sunset Strip" on its way. It makes for a fun drive. Along the way, you see a lot of different neighborhoods: Hollywood, West Hollywood, Bel Air, and Pacific Palisades. When you get to the ocean, stop at Gladstone's for Fish.
Queen Mary: Once the largest ship afloat, she's been docked in Long Beach for longer than she sailed, and her elegance never fails to impress. Free to visit. You can actually stay on board, for a price.
Farmers Market and The Grove – A new shopping complex right next to a Los Angeles landmark, The Grove and Farmers Market coexist. Enjoy a movie or shopping, and then take the trolley to the Farmers Market for lunch or dinner. It is right next to CBS, so walk across the lot to see if they are taping "The Price is Right". You might even get in.
Griffith Park – Home of the Los Angeles Zoo, Griffith Park Observatory, Travel Town, the Greek Theatre, and Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.
Getty Museum – The Getty's architecture is so beautiful that it keeps me fascinated. No matter whether you like their art or architecture better (or maybe you'll just enjoy the view), the Getty is sure to please. Free.
Attend a TV taping – You can get free tickets at audiencesunlimited.com, tvtix.com, or see the booth at Universal City walk. It's very interesting to see a show being taped. The most popular, by far, is the Tonight show with Jay Leno. Check the NBC web site for all the details there.
Places to eat:
In-N-Out Burger: Multiple locations, best burger in LA, ask anyone.
Pink’s Hot Dogs: 709 N. La Brea, just north of Melrose. You might even see a celebrity. Maybe.
Tommy’s Chili Burgers: Look for the shack, an LA tradition. The original location is at Beverly & Rampart, a couple miles west of downtown.
Canter’s Deli: 419 N. Fairfax, between Beverly & Melrose. Near CBS, you might spot a celebrity.
Phillippe’s: 1001 N. Alameda. Great roast beef sandwiches. Near Union Station and Olvera Street. Watch the mustard, it’s hot.
The Pantry: Corner of Figueroa and 9th, downtown. Huge portions, they never close, (I NEVER eat there after dark), GREAT steak and eggs.
Places to Stay:
In Hollywood, I recommend the Renaissance Hotel at Hollywood and Highland, the Best Western Sunset Plaza, or the Holiday Inn Walk of Fame.
In Anaheim, I recommend the HoJo Anaheim, and the Candy Cane Inn. If you want to splurge and make this a most memorable trip, stay at Disney’s Grand Californian. You get the full Disney experience.
In Santa Monica, the Holiday Inn Santa Monica is close to the pier and reasonably priced.
Places to Shop:
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Beverly Center, Los Angeles
Citadel Outlets, Commerce
Brea Mall, Brea
The Block at Orange, Orange
South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa
Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Eastern Europe is cheaper than Western Europe. Bus travel is cheapest, but it is boring and slow! Take twice the money and half the clothes you originally think you'll need. Use ATM machines. Don't carry your money in your wallet. Wear a condom whenever you're…. Buy your food in a shop and don't eat in restaurants all the time. Don't you dare eat American food either! You're in another country for crying outside. Try the local stuff.
Don't be shy but don't obnoxious, either. Have fun! Stay loose.
Leave a Reply
- Advantages And Disadvantages Of ...
- Choosing an Asian Travel Destina...
- Looking For Cheap Flight Tickets
- Baby on Board: Travel Tips for W...
- Travel Destinations – Top Ten ...
- Amsterdam – A Unique Trave...
- Travel Tips to Vadodara or Barod...
- Travel Tips for the Efficient Tr...
- Prague Travel Tips – 5 Gre...
- My Best Business Travel Tips
Gobananas - With complete information and cool ideas for designing stag party, hen party, birthdays and corporate events. Best Travel Guide
Luxury Travel
Travel Hotels
Travel to Bolivia
Travel Hotels Deals
Last Minutes Hotel deals
Travel Hotel Deals
Travel Guide
Leisure and Travel
Euro Travel
MocoSpace, the mobile social networking
Get the lates USA News Today