Uncle Sam Wants to Know Where You Are Going!

Filed under: Travel Insurance — travel at 1:03 am on Thursday, June 19, 2008

It is no secret that US International Travelers are at risk in the world today. However this cannot be a major factor in your decision to travel. Travel for many people including myself, is a chosen addiction. For some of us, we feel that a small part of us would be lost if we were not able to travel. It’s not easy to explain, it’s like a calling to go to the airport, or to embark on a mega cruise ship, or catch greyhound if our monies are low. Most of us pay our rent or mortgage before we leave town, however, if comes down to our 401K plan and our quarterly travel plans, you guessed it, the 401K will either be robbed or put on hold.

At a later time I will explain our general thoughts on how we plan to live once we retire)

However, for now, I shall attempt to explain the US State Department’s Travel Registration. ‘Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate’

The Federal Government is very nice about the reason that they want you to register. And we realize that most people, including myself are not completely happy with the idea of telling Uncle Sam where we are going, when and for how long. BUT, in light of world events, especially the events that ARE NOT in the news we strongly suggest that you register you foreign travel.

The Federal Government puts it like this ” Millions of Americans travel abroad every year and encounter no difficulties. However, U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. When an emergency happens, or if natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can be your source of assistance and information. By registering your trip, you help the embassy or consulate locate you when you might need them the most. Registration is voluntary and costs nothing, but it should be a big part of your travel planning and security”

The keywords in the above paragraph are ‘terrorism or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel’ Things are happening. You can read the Current Travel Warnings & the State Department’s Public Announcements and get a summary of what is really happening in the world today. “The State Department issues Public Announcements about terrorist threats and other conditions that pose significant risks to Americans. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country” In most cases Americans are given free will, however after reading some of the Warnings in detail, you more then likely will agree with the State Department.

For the sake of research so that you have a better understanding, listen to the world news or the local news. Then click on Public Announcement or Current Travel Warnings on the http://www.travel360degrees.com Home Page and compare the Travel Announcements or Warnings with news that WAS NOT mentioned in the e-media. Our government has a responsibility to tell us as much as they can about a foreign country before we depart the US. And they do an excellent job with the Travel Warnings.

Travel is a multi-bullion dollar industry, no country wants to end up on the “US Current Travel Warning’s Page” so I image that a great effort is made to maintain a positive relationship with countries that end up on “the sheet” So read between the lines. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Educate yourself before you purchase your ticket and check back often before your departure. Things change, as you can see by the list of Countries listed in the Travel Warnings. To protect yourself, purchase Travel Insurance that has a civil unrest and or a terrorism clause in it. And of course get a quote from the travel360degrees.com site for your Business Class and International Flights.

Cassandra Ingraham is the webmaster for travel360degrees.com. Sign up today for free e-Travel Alerts, Travel Security Tips and International Airfare Consolidator quotes.

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Stop the Car! I Need to go to the Bathroom! or Water When Traveling

Filed under: Travel Insurance — travel at 3:03 am on Wednesday, June 18, 2008

When traveling, most people are inclined to cut back on their water consumption. After all, they’re a little embarrassed at having to stop every hour or so (on a car trip) to use the bathroom. Or if they’re on a plane, they hate having to climb over everyone else to get to the toilets.

Well, I hope you can get over your embarrassment. Because water is the best thing to solve a number of travel related problems.

Here’s some logistics. In the first place, I recommend that everyone carry a water bottle with them. Our family does, and not only is it healthier, it stops the endless pleading for soft drinks that children are sometimes inclined to do. Drinking water also cuts back on your false hunger pangs, and prevents you from eating as much.

And while you may have to stop more frequently to use the bathroom, that’s actually better for you. Most people are more alert and better drivers when they stop every hour or so, and walk around, even if it’s only for a minute or so. When you’re hopping to the bathroom, take some deep breaths, and you’ll not only feel better, you’ll be a better, safer driver.

If you’re on an airplane, water is even more important. In the first place, there have been several cases of travelers dying from an embolus (a blood clot in the vein) on airplanes. Water helps this out in two ways. In the first place, the extra fluid keeps the blood circulating. In the second, the extra water forces you to get up and move around (by going to the bathroom) and this helps to prevent a blood clot from forming.

As more and more people are traveling, airlines are having to cram more and more people into planes. This means that you will have very little space. It’s simply not a good idea to remain in a cramped space for hours on end without walking around — even if the movie’s a good one! You might want to get a seat on the aisle, so you can get up and down without disturbing anyone. Even better is a seat on the bulkhead, which is the first row of seats in the cabin. You’ll have more room there. (Even better is flying in first class! But since I’m guessing that most people are not able to afford that luxury, maybe water can make up for it a little bit!)

The interior of an airplane is also dry. The air is about as humid as that of a desert, which is not very humid. Your mouth and throat are likely to become dry, even with liberal intakes of water. You should probably avoid most of the alcohol that’s offered to you, because alcohol will serve to dry your body out even more. Just get on good terms with the flight attendants, accept a big glass of water whenever they offer you something to drink, and enjoy your trip.

Jim Huffman, RN specializes in natural and alternative healing therapies. His first book is ‘Dare to Be Free: How to Get Control of Your Time, Your Life, and Your Nursing Career,’ and is aimed at helping other nurses find satisfying, dynamic careers. His website is http://www.NetworkForNurses.com and his health blog is at http://www.shababa.blogspot.com

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The Lowdown on China Travel

Filed under: Travel Insurance — travel at 1:01 am on Tuesday, June 17, 2008

The fragrance of fish, lobsters, the sturdy Great Wall, the broken hush of winds by the Martial Arts, the grand museums and unpretentious down to earth peoplewelcome you to the third largest country on the globe-China. China is universally known not just for any single reason. The country has earned remarkable name not just in electronics and technology but it also surpasses many countries in its receiving tourists’ attention. The charisma of China is such that people from all over the world endeavor to bask at least once in the Chinese glory.

China is the land of rich history and has contributed a lot in sphere of philosophy. However, demographically China is the most populous country that we have today followed by India. The commonplace life and activity of the place can be enjoyed by taking on to the streets of the Chinese cities.

A Brush with the Chinese Cities

Like nay other country, China too has its own network of cities. But unlike many other cities, the Chinese metropolises are swarming with people. This is because the place has an exclusive charm and unique assets that lure the people all over the world. The first city that hogs limelight besides Hong Kong is the capital city Beijing.

Beijing is one of the wonderful cities that can keep all its visitors glued to it. Once you decide to step in this city, scores of attractions await your encounter. The pleasant weather of Beijing is a good reason to go for a stroll and water and other games in the Beijing Amusement Park. As soon as you enter the place, get ready to discover the child in you for the rides like roller coaster, bumper cars, paddle boats etc. will not at any cost let you to ignore them. Beijing also hosts a recreation center popularly known as The Beijing Recreation Center. This center invites people of all age groups for there are multitude of games like poker, bowling, electronic golf, squash, tennis and billiards. The discotheque, fitness room, sauna and mah-iong room are added pulls. The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) at Beijing with its archaic temples, pavilions, huge mansions, lakes etc. make a superb picnic spot. Your vacation can be an experience of fun with learning when you enter the eminent Beijing Museum of Natural History. Also to behold is the China Aviation Museum that lies nearly on the outskirts of Beijing. This museum has about 200 planes and the aircrafts etc. used during the World War II. Finally shopping in Beijing can be enjoyed once you take on to the Wangfujing Business Street of Beijing. From here you can take home books, amazing handicraft items, medicines, electronic gadgets and almost everything you require in your routine life.

Are you trying to make your way through the bustling population? Walking down the street have you encountered the world’s third tallest TV tower i.e. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower? And do you think there is no end to the place you are in…You have entered the by far the largest metropolis of the world-Shanghai. Along with these magnets, The Tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang-Xian where this foremost emperor of China is believed to be yet lying in a single piece is a site that summons many visitors. The Shanghai Museum is worth visiting to view some distinctive relics of China. The place can be a center for a thrilling nightlife. There are beautiful night clubs and bars, Caribe Bar being a frequently budding one. Some vibrant streets of Shanghai are a perfect place to shop. From sparkling glass items to exclusive china-ware, everything is at hand.

The glorious city oh Hong Kong needs no introduction. It has already established itself as the Asia’s world city. Many attractions of the place also include the Hong Kong Space Museum that is one amongst the largest planetariums in the world. It is an educational site for kids as well as adults that reveal some of the baffling facts of the universe. When it comes to food, generally eight cuisines are found in China- Shandong, Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hunan and Anhui. Few restaurants in Hong Kong serve ‘vegetarian pork’ and ‘vegetarian chicken’. The dishes made of Soyabean are difficult to be distinguished from the real ones. Hong Kong is an ideal place to shop. The Times Square is a recommendable venue that welcomes you with numerous shops. There is anything and everything from dazzling jewelry, garments and antiques to sports goods and toys.

The Sites Globally Known

The Great Wall of China speaks through itself. Besides the historical significance the site that makes through the wonders of the world, exerts a pull on each and every person that comes to China. The Grand Canal of China that has 60 bridges and 24 locks has always been a center of worldwide attention. Not to be forgotten is the Mt. Huangshan that is known for its deformed pine trees and springs. You can trek up the Mt. Huangshan or take a tram to have an exotic and breathtaking view of the mountain as well as the entire China.

Mansi aggarwal writes about china travel topics. Learn more at http://www.chinadestinations.com .

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