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This is a shiny chrome text that is bulky looking. I also used a fancy font style to set the text off. I used the Ariston font style. If you do not have this font style and want to use it, you can download it for free from UrbanFonts.com. This chrome text effect is created using different effects. I created this text effect in Fireworks MX 2004. In this Fireworks tutorial I will show you how to create the shiny bulky chrome text.

You will first need to create a canvas to work on. You can create it larger than you need so that you will have space to work. Then you can crop it before exporting your text. After creating your canvas, select the text tool. Draw a large text box on the canvas and type what you want in the text box.

Change the font style to Ariston. The size of the text is up to you. I set my text size to 96 but you may want to make yours smaller or larger. Change the color fill color to #666666 and the stroke color to white. Now we will apply all of the effects to the text to get the chrome look.

Inner Shadow Effect
Effects > Shadow and Glow > Inner Shadow

The first effect is the Inner Shadow effect. You can get to this effect by clicking the above links. When the box opens, you will need to enter the following into the fields. If you are not sure which field is which, hover your mouse over them and the name of the box will show.

The Distance of the shadow will be 8. The color of the inner shadow will be black. Set the opacity to 65% and the contrast to 5. The angle will need to be changed to 90. You can just type 90 in the angle field instead of trying to turn it to 90. It's a little quicker and easier to just type it. Once you have finished, click off the box and it will close.

Curves Effect
Effects > Adjust Color > Curves

The Curves Effect is really difficult to explain in words. So, I took a screen capture of the Curves panel so that you can see how the curves are suppose to be. So take a look at the Curves Screen Capture image to see how to set your curves up.

Drop Shadow Effect
Effects > Shadow and Glow > Drop Shadow

Apply the drop shadow and change the properties to the following. The Distance of the drop shadow needs to be set to 4. Set the color of the drop shadow to black. Change the opacity to 65% and the contrast to 2. The angle of the drop shadow will need to be set to 239. Click your canvas to close the box and apply the drop shadow settings.

Brightness/Contrast
Effects > Adjust Color > Brightness/Contrast

The brightness bar will need to be set to 8 and the contrast bar will need to be set to 35. After you have moved the two bars, click the OK button to apply it and to close the box.

Hue/Saturation
Effects > Adjust Color > Hue/Saturation

The last effect that we will apply to the shiny bulky chrome text is the Hue/Saturation. The Hue needs to be set to negative 165. The Saturation needs to be set to 12 and the Lightness to 0. Click OK on the box to apply the settings and close it.

That's it, now you can crop your text and export it. You can make adjustments to the text if you need too.

 

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Students often have a limited budget but a strong desire to return home for winter break. Over the past month the price of airline tickets have been steadily climbing but there are still travel deals available and other options besides flying to allow a student to return home. Here is a brief guide with cheap travel options for students on a budget.

1) Many airlines offer student discounts. Be sure to search out these deals. Even a small savings is worth the effort. Here are several links that offer ways to find cheap flights for a student.

a. Student Universe
This site allows a student to search for cheap airline tickets, rail fares, and hotels.

b. STA Services
This is a large student travel agency. You can search for the best airfares to various locations. You can also search cheap rail tickets, hotels, and hostels.

c. Travelosophy
This travel agency specializes in discount tickets for students to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They are a wonderful option for cheap travel if you must return home overseas during winter break.

2) Students should consider traveling by rail this winter season for added discounts. Amtrak offers wonderful rail services and they often have economical fares over the winter season. They also offer group discounts.

3) Through the years bus travel has often received a bad reputation but it really is an economical way to travel. Students should look into Greyhound tickets verses air fare for a considerable savings.

4) Students can consider carpooling with other students heading to the same town for winter travel. You could easily spent the expenses. Post an advertisement looking for other fellow students who live in the vicinity that you wish to travel too.

5) Do not overlook discount group travel options. If there are enough students returning to one area you can purchase discount tickets on many airlines, rail tickets, and even bus rides which will offer each student a sizable savings.

6) When traveling be sure to pack food so you do not have have the added expense of purchasing fast food. This is an ideal way to travel on a road trip. Simply head to the local grocery store to pick up various nutritional foods to store in your car for the long drive home.

7) If you are driving your own vehicle home make sure that its in the best condition that you can afford. Try to put a tune up on the car because this will help you receive better gas mileage.

If you decide that airline travel is your best choice be sure to be flexible about days, flight times, and flight length. This will give you a wider range of cheap tickets to choose from.

9) When traveling do not forget your student identification card because this will often get you a diverse range of discounts.

10) Remember to pack light on the airlines. Many airlines are now charging if you exceed two suitcases and a few airlines are charging extra if one suitcase exceeds a certain weight.

All of these travel idea's will help you save a little bit of money when you return home this winter season.

 

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The holiday travel season is heating up but holiday travel deals are not as plentiful this year. Moreover, last minute travel deals – an age old standby for cheapskates banking on travel agents working some holiday deals magic with partially empty planes – need to be crossed off your travel guide this year.

The airline industry has anticipated a decrease in travel agency business and fewer holiday packages are sold. Additionally, there is a slump in the sale of travel packages and of course firmly booked luxury travel overseas; subsequently there are fewer flights scheduled and cheap travel deals against the backdrop of planes filled to capacity are hard to find.

Book Holiday Travel with Spirit Air

Spirit Air is the company that offers the $2 fare deal to a variety of locations. Holiday travel deals are slated to take place either on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (for the ultra cheap travel deals), Mondays and Thursdays for somewhat higher airfare, and weekend days for the highest fairs.

Spirit Air travel packages need to be booked in advance, but if you make the time to shop around, you can find incredible deals like one-way from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles for $89 or from San Antonio to Fort Lauderdale for $59.

Take Advantage of Holiday Travel Packages

The Fare Compare site posts the cut off dates for cheap travel holiday packages. Knowing when the airline of your choice is ending their holiday deals can increase your savings – if you are able to plan and book ahead of time.

Alaska Airlines ends its Winter Escape Sale on November 24, while Delta Airlines' Holiday Sale ends November 26. There are still some great fares left!

Steer Clear Of Hidden Airline Costs during This Holiday Travel Season

Do not guess your carry on bag's size and weight. Checking that oversized bag costs $15 and if you were planning on already checking another bag, your second checked bag now runs $25. Rick Seaney posts various airlines' stated carry on rules.

For example, did you know that Air China will only permit a carry on bag that weighs 11 pounds, while Delta Airlines allows 40 pounds?

Travel Agency Holiday Packages the Open Jaw Way

MSNBC advises travelers who are visiting multiple locations to take advantage of open-jaw flights; this cuts down on one way fares – the most expensive travel deals known to man. Usually an open-jaw travel guide will involve the roundtrip ticket, but it will set the second airport at a nearby location.

For example, a flight might originate in Denver and head for Los Angeles. Yet the returning flight takes place from Orange County and from there heads back to Denver. If the cost of the car rental is cheap – or if you are able to hitch a ride with friends or family members while on holiday – you can save big.

Book Oversees Holiday Travel Deals by Dealing with International Discount Carriers

You know all about United States discount airlines, but did you know that there are also international discount airlines? Check out the Independent Traveler website for some amazing deals.

One caveat: other countries, other mores; some years ago we booked a flight with a Spanish discount airline and ended up seated in a small vessel where chickens and luggage were riding in the front. On the upside, the tickets were cheaper than you would believe. If you are an adventurous soul and believe that getting there is half the fun, this is a wonderful way to travel, meet new people, and get great prices.

Sources:http://marketing.spiritair.com/sales/current.php?p=1; http://www.farecompare.com/; http://rickseaney.com/airline-carry-on-baggage-chart/; http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27563516/; http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=561&category=13

 

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International Travel Insurance is usually suggested by your travel agent when you book vacations, but what does International Travel Insurance really cover? There are many different companies that you can book your International Travel Insurance through but your travel agent will most likely have one that they use. Remember that you can shop around for this coverage and you don't have to use the one they suggest. Ask your travel agent if you get a discount for using their preferred insurance. Most likely it is the travel agent that is getting the perks from you using that preferred insurance.

AIG Travel Guard is an International Travel Insurance that I have personally have used. I found that as it does cover if the traveler or immediate family is hospitalized or dies but for everyday occurrence it does not help. If you are unable to travel due to work related events or decide to just cancel for any reason it requires that you have purchased an additional coverage that the travel agent did not tell you about. It also does not cover if you miss the ship due to missing a flight or traffic. It will cover if you get into an auto accident on the way to your destination though or if your air travel delays are not at your own fault. An example of this would be delayed flights or missed connections due to a delayed flight. If you are just running late to the airport you can forget the coverage.

One of the positive aspects of International Travel Insurance is that if for any reason you are transported to a hospital or medical facility your expenses can be covered. Be fore warned though for maximum coverage this too may require additional insurance. If you do decide to purchase the cancel for any reason insurance it will only refund 50% of the travel cost. If you purchase the cancel for work trip insurance it will cover 100% of trip cost. The cost for additional insurance to cancel for work related is $24 per person and the cancel for any reason is 1.4 times the base cost of the insurance. For your average traveler between the age of 35-59 this cost would be $94 for a trip that cost you between $1,500 and $2,000 and that is just the additional coverage.

International Travel Insurance is not cheap with all the add-ons needed to insure that you will be covered. For the average adult age 35 to 59 basic coverage for a trip costing between $1,500 and $2,000 travel insurance will run you $94 per person. This is your basic plan. You are also at the liberty of the insurance company approving your claims. There is a lot of paper work involved in this process as well.

International Travel Insurance can be worth it while vacationing abroad. It will cover emergencies like hospitalizations and injuries. It will even cover if you have to fly back early in some instances. But if you are purchasing the insurance in case you are unable to make your travel plans than this is not the best option. I would suggest booking with a travel agency that allows refunds for cancellations. Usually this is on a time line. For example if you cancel before the 70th day prior to departure it would be 100% refund. 70- 40 days a 75% refund and finally they would refund you 50% if canceled before the 14th day before departure. This is the best option for those who fear the non medical unexpected should arise before they leave. This is also a free option to travel insurance.

If piece of mind is what you are looking for while traveling abroad I would suggest using AIG Travel Guard as they are comparable to other travel insurance agencies and are very polite and helpful on the phone.

 

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If you are attending on planning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa then you may be looking for some World Cup travel deals. Believe it or not, there are actually several different ways you can save money when attending this honorable tournament. One of the best deals you can get when traveling to the World Cup is in regards to your plane ticket. One mistake that many people make is that they wait until the last minute to purchase their plane tickets. Instead, it is a better idea to purchase your plane tickets a year in advance. By purchasing your World Cup plane tickets this early you will be able to get some great deals on them which will ultimately save you hundreds of dollars.

Another way that you can find World Cup travel deals is by shopping for a hotel room as early as 8 months in advance. Many soccer fans make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to purchase their World Cup hotel room. Hotels in South Africa are not stupid and they will charge you significantly more money per night if you wait until the last minute to make your hotel reservations. By reserving your hotel room 8 months in advance you will be able to avoid the increased World Cup hotel rates that exist.

Believe it or not, some people are choosing to take a cruise to the World Cup. Believe it or not there are several different World Cup cruises out there to choose from. Many soccer fans make the mistake of signing up for the first World Cup cruise that they see because they are so excited. If you want to save money on your World Cup cruise then you should shop around and look at several different cruise packages. This will allow you to get the best World Cup travel deal you possibly can.

Either way, shopping around is the best way to find World Cup travel deals. If you are looking for a way to learn how to find World Cup travel deals this should have helped you greatly. Just remember, patience is a virtue especially when it comes to saving money when attending the World Cup. Don't make the mistake of rushing into a purchase because you may regret it later if you find a deal for a cheaper price! Just remember the key to finding world cup travel deals is to be patient!

 

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The Following Story is sponsored by Travel

Vacationing with a family in New York City can be costly. These family travel deals will help travelers reduce the cost of a New York City vacation.

The New York City tourism board is currently sponsoring 4 promotions to entice vacationers to choose New York City. The promotion offering the most value for family travelers is called Summer in the City.

Summer in the City July 1-September 1, 2008

Summer in the City consists of savings passes to be used at New York City hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues. The savings passes and brochure showing where these Summer in the City passes can be used are downloadable from the New York City tourism board website.

Examples of savings available on New York City attractions include a $4 per person discount on Bronx Zoo tickets, $6 off admission to the popular Bodies exhibition at South Street Seaport, 2 for 1 admission to the Chelsea Art Museum, Staten Island Museum, and Staten Island Zoo, 15% off top of the Rock observation deck tickets, and $2 off admission at the South Street Seaport Museum. Several New York City tours offer discounts including A Taste of Harlem Food and Cultural Tour, CitySightsNY, Empire Tours, 1792 Wall Street Walks and Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises.

Specified New York City restaurants offer discounted meals, usually 15% off the bill, not including beverages.

Several New York City hotels offer 15% off “the best available rate” and throw in some amenities too, such as discounted room service or spa services, complimentary breakfast or complimentary parking. The hotels are rated according to price and include varieties priced from $$ to $$$$$.

Numerous retailers also offer discounts.

Since the brochure and coupons are free, they are worth checking out for every family with New York City travel plans.

Hilton Hotel Special Packages

The Hilton Hotel chain currently offers special packages at four New York City Hotels that include free amenities. The rates and amenities vary by hotel.

At the Millennium Hilton in New York City, for example, the room rates start at $229. Guests may choose free overnight parking for each night of their stay or free breakfast for 2 with the Parking or Breakfast package.

The MoMA VIP package offers a room plus 2 VIP passes to MoMA and 10% discount at Beacon Restaurant and Bar.

The Waterfalls package offers free water taxi tours of the New York City Waterfalls exhibitions for 2 and discounts for additional family members.

Among the other available packages that may be of interest to families are the Broadway Experience package, offering discounts on Broadway shows, and the Build-a-Bear Workshop package offering a trunk full of bear amenities for the little bear in the family.

Getting to New York City

Travelers coming to New York City by Amtrak can save 20% on full fare adult tickets through September 30, 2008 courtesy of the I Love NY state summer promotion. As always, up to 2 children may accompany each adult at half-fare.

The Bolt Bus sells cheap tickets to New York City from Washington, D.C. and Boston. The tickets start at $1 and increase in price as the bus fills. Using the Bolt Bus to achieve a serious reduction in the cost of getting to New York City expands the travel budget for activities on arrival.

 

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Why do we love to travel? Because travel excites our senses. Everything is fresh, we are experiencing wonderful new places and making intriguing new acquaintances at every turn. Every journey becomes a learning experience, teaching us about ourselves and the fascinating world in which we live. Travel makes us feel alive.

But as much as we love to travel – as much time as we spend dreaming about the wonderful journeys we would like to make – the reality is that it can be very expensive. And if you don't have a high-paying job or a trust fund, it's easy to feel discouraged. You might think you'd have to save for years to take one overseas vacation. Or you might think the excitement of world travel is not within your reach at all. But the truth is – almost anyone can afford worldtravel! There are a few shortcuts and some little-known resources which can open up endless possibilities for affordable international journeys. Following are some tips and resources which can help you become inspired. You may soon be able to start planning the trip that could change your life forever!

Your Choice of Destination:

Your ultimate choice of travel destination has a lot to do with how much you'll have to spend. Obviously, a trip to Paris can cost a bit more than a vacation in Guatemala. Some lesser developed countries lend themselves to budget travel, just because the cost of living there is so low to begin with. For example, it is possible to travel in Central America or Thailand very cheaply, without even really trying. Private hotel rooms with an in-room bath can be had for $8 per night, an entire day of bus travel can cost less than $5, and the price of a very filling hot dinner may average less than $4! So, consider this when calculating your total trip costs. If you're able to find a great bargain airfare to a very inexpensive destination, your trip is guaranteed to cost you very little.

Courier Flights:

Courier flights are one of the absolute best ways to travel cheaply. You can get spectacular deals on overseas flights – discounts of up to 85%, and sometimes even free! (And you can often rack up frequent flyer miles while doing it.) Most flights depart from larger cities such as New York, Miami, L.A., Chicago, etc., so you may have to factor in the cost of a bus or commuter flight – but at these fares, you'll still save a bundle! Flexibility in your travel plans comes in handy, as the closer you are to your planned departure date, the cheaper the fares. The one thing you will have to give up is checked baggage – you will be allowed only carry-on luggage. Here's the story:

Many companies need to transport their goods in the quickest way possible. When they are shipped as freight, the packages are often delayed in customs, sometimes as long as several

days. By hiring a courier to escort the packages (in place of checked baggage), they arrive quickly, safely, and without delay. Your only responsibility as a courier is to carry a document envelope with you on board the plane, which you will turn over to the company's representative on the arrival end of your flight.

Another drawback is that it is usually not possible to guarantee two courier flights at the same time, so traveling with a companion presents some difficulty. What some travelers regularly do is to book separate flights to the same destination, arriving within a few hours (or days) of each other.

It is possible to contact courier companies directly, but by far the easiest method is to join an organization which keeps track of hundreds of available courier options. You pay an annual fee, and are provided with continual access (by phone or Internet) to all available flights, to all destinations. The best part is that you'll have access to those last minute deals – flights departing within the week – which can go for less than $100 round trip, or possibly even free. It is possible to plan courier flights well in advance, but keep in mind that the closer you are to the departure date, the more money you'll save.

• International Association of Air Travel Couriers – www.courier.org

• Air Courier Association – www.aircourier.org

“Space Available” Flights:

There are two “stand-by services”, which can save you hundreds of dollars on flights to major cities in Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. This option works best for travelers who are flexible as far as exact travel dates, and exact destination cities. You purchase a flight pass from the company, specifying your departure location, preferred destination city, and a window of time (a few days) during which you wish to fly. You then either call in, or log in online to check the available flight options. If none of them suit your needs, you can choose to wait – or if there is a suitable flight, you'll confirm, and proceed to the airport on that date. You'll register as stand-by for that flight, and if all goes well, you'll be on your way to an exciting destination! When it's time to come home, the system works the same way – there are contact numbers in the countries you'll be visiting. Both companies claim high success rates in finding flights for their customers – over 90% of customers complete satisfactory flights. If they are unable to match you with a suitable flight, they will offer you a refund.

• AirTech – www.airtech.com

• AirHitch – www.airhitch.org

Consolidators:

If your schedule isn't flexible enough for a stand-by or courier flight, you may want to buy an

airline ticket through a consolidator. You'll often still be able to save several hundred dollars over published fares. A consolidator is an organization which buys blocks of tickets at a time directly from the airline, at a considerable discount. They then re-sell the tickets at a lower price than the airlines would advertise. You can purchase consolidator tickets through most travel agents (though you'll have to ask for them specifically), or you can deal directly with the companies yourself. (You'll see their small ads in the travel section of your Sunday newspaper, and many have their own websites.) But bear in mind – it is best to get quotes from several different agencies, as prices can vary considerably. (And it is definitely worth contacting an airline directly, or consulting websites such as Travelocity or Expedia – sometimes “price wars” can drop prices below the consolidator fares!)

Frequent Flyer Programs:

It may seem like an obvious way to save money, but all too often travelers miss opportunities to earn and use air miles in frequent flyer programs.

Each day there are more and more opportunities to rack up miles. In addition to the obvious paid flights, you can now earn miles by using an airline-sponsored credit card (you can put everything on it, including groceries), by using rental car companies who have an affiliation with an airline, by staying in certain hotels, etc. Don't miss an opportunity to take advantage of these programs.

Also bear in mind that it is sometimes possible to buy extra miles from frequent flyer programs – for example, if you are only a thousand miles away from a free ticket, you might be able to pay just a few cents per mile for the ones you need – your ticket could end up costing you just $30 or so!

Hostels:

Almost every budget traveler will find himself making use of the world's extensive hostel network at some point. There are over 5000 hostels worldwide, in 70 countries, and rates are

undoubtedly cheap – often as low as $8 or $10 per night. Hostels offer dormitory-style lodging, usually (but not always!) with separate quarters for men and women. There can be as few as 2 beds per room, or as many as a dozen. Bathrooms are shared, and many hostels offer a shared kitchen area as well. You are usually required to provide your own towels, as well as linens or a “sleep sack” (sleeping bags are usually not allowed). Blankets are most often provided.

Hostels are commonly referred to as “youth” hostels, but they are no longer just for youths (with the exception of some hostels in the region of Bavaria, Germany.) You will encounter people of all ages – from families with children to senior citizens – while staying at hostels. An added bonus of hostel travel is meeting fellow travelers from all corners of the world. Ideas and information are exchanged, and often lifelong friendships are made. You'll find hostels to be an invaluable resource for travel information – and most have message boards for travelers to post information on tours, ride shares, and more.

The largest hostelling organization is called Hostelling International (which is affiliated with the International Youth Hostel Federation), and membership will afford you the cheapest rates in hostels worldwide, as well as discounts on many tours and other activities. You'll want to join this organization, which can provide you with information guides on hostels in the U.S.A., Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Not every hostel is a member, but a very large number are.

• Hostelling International – www.hihostels.com

• The Internet Guide to Hostelling www.hostels.com

Pensions & B&B's:

If the community environment of a hostel is not your cup of tea, you might consider a pension or bed and breakfast. Unlike bed and breakfast lodgings in the U.S. (which can be fairly pricey), they can be fairly inexpensive overseas. Rooms are private, but often have a shared bath. Breakfast is often included. Room rates vary considerably, but can start as low as $20-$25 in some areas. If you are traveling with a companion, pensions and B&B's can work out quite economically. The best bet for locating them is to check out a budget travel guide.

Hosting:

Believe it or not, there is a way to stay overnight – absolutely FREE – worldwide! It's called

“hosting”. There are organizations who match up travelers with people who wish to offer free lodging in their homes. The “hosts” are usually people who share your passion for travel, and by offering their hospitality, they are in return able to make use of the service during their own travels. Although most organizations require that you reciprocate and put yourself on the list of potential future hosts, not all services require even this small effort. Hosting is a great way to make new friends, learn more about a new country, and experience a foreign culture from the inside. Following are 3 hosting organizations:

• Hospitality Club – www.hospitalityclub.org

• Hospitality Exchange – http://www.hospex.net

• Servas – www.servas.org

Home Exchange:

Home Exchange is similar to hosting in that you enter into a reciprocal agreement to offer your home to others, but with one difference – you stay in each other's homes during the same time period. Obviously, this would only work if you're planning on staying in one location for a length of time, usually longer than one week. (Not that this is a negative – staying put allows you to really get to know a city and culture……) Often the exchange will include use of the family car, which can save you a good bit of money on transportation costs. There are organizations which arrange this sort of trade:

• Homelink – www.homelink.org

• Home Exchange – www.homeexchange.com

• Intervac – www.intervac.com

Tours:

Organized tours are almost never the cheapest method of travel, but they do have some important redeeming qualities. You are generally treated to the best an area has to offer, making use of the prior knowledge your guide has acquired. You'll spend less time doing research on an area, and you'll usually have a good idea of what type of trip it will be. You'll meet other travelers from all over the world, possibly creating lifelong friendships. And – last but not least – there are certain areas of the world which are more easily and safely traveled in an organized group (such as remote areas of Africa, South and Central America, the Middle East, etc.) There are several companies which are geared toward the budget traveler, offering overland travel options from one week to 37 weeks. (Remember, your overnight accommodation and daily transportation are included in their rates….) These tours generally involve camping or hostels, and the members of the group most often handle their own food arrangements, or contribute to a daily food kitty. These companies are able to offer tours in surprisingly remote areas of the world.

• Dragoman Adventure Travel – www.dragoman.co.uk

• Guerba World Travel – www.guerba.co.uk

• Green Tortoise – www.greentortoise.com

• Absolute Africa – www.absoluteafrica.com

Train Travel:

It may not always be the cheapest method of land travel, but you can't beat the convenience of passenger trains. They connect many areas of the globe, departing frequently from centrally located stations. They are usually comfortable, reasonably fast, and if you can plan some overnight travel you'll save on lodging costs. You can often purchase tickets at a cheaper second class fare (which is usually at least 30% cheaper than first class), or if you'll be doing extensive traveling, you might want to purchase a rail pass. Consult your guidebook for train availability and pricing in your country of destination.

Buses:

Buses are the budget traveler's best friend. They go to places which trains can and cannot reach – in fact many countries are better served by bus systems. You'll almost always find that bus travel is the cheapest option, no matter where in the world you find yourself. In third world countries, not only is it usually your only option, but it can be almost ridiculously cheap. (A full day of bus travel can cost less than $5.) Even in other, more developed countries, buses can be quite reasonable. In addition to purchasing bus tickets as you go, there are options in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for special passes and budget-priced bus tours:

• Busabout – www.busabout.com

• Oz Experience – www.ozexperience.com

• Kiwi Experience – www.kiwiexperience.com

Car Rental:

If you are traveling with a group of people, renting a car can be an economical option. You'll have to remember that that means dealing with insurance, international driver's licenses, fuel costs, and parking – but it does add freedom and flexibility to your itinerary. Shop around for the best rates, as they vary tremendously between companies.

Ride Shares:

It is often possible to locate fellow travelers who have a car and are looking for passengers to help share in the expenses. Message boards in hostels are great for this purpose – this is yet another way to meet people from around the world, and share in an adventure you would not have otherwise been a part of.

There are also organizations throughout Europe which can match up drivers with travelers who need a ride and will share in the travel costs along the way. They keep listings of desired departure dates and destinations to help the driver and the passenger find each other.

• Bug Ride – http://Europe.bugride.com

• Eurostop – www.eurostop.be

• Hitchhikers – www.hitchhikers.org

Having discussed the options for ride shares, it is also important to address the issue of safety. Even if a driver is found through an agency, you'll still have to rely on your own instincts to decide if you feel comfortable with the situation. When in doubt – spend the extra cash for a bus or train. It's worth the peace of mind.

Volunteer and Working Vacations:

If you have the time and inclination, there are several options out there for working and volunteering worldwide. It can be extremely rewarding to place yourself on the inside of a community, to work side by side with others, and live within a different culture. Following are some resources:

• Transitions Abroad – www.transitionsabroad.com

• Working Abroad – www.workingabroad.com

• Caretaker Gazette – www.caretaker.org

Cruise Ships:

Cruise ship employment is often available on a seasonal basis, as well as part time and full time. Cruises sail to such destinations as Mexico, the Caribbean, Alaska, Bermuda, Hawaii, and Europe, and as a crew member your food and accommodation are free. There are several books on this topic, as well as several websites (but beware of those which charge a high “application fee”):

• Cruise Job Finder – www.cruisejobfinder.com

Language Schools:

Another very affordable way to become immersed in another country's culture is to attend a language school. The most inexpensive courses are in Spanish, and schools can be located in almost every Central American country. Prices can start as low as $150 per week, which includes everything – lodging with a local family, all your meals, and four hours of one-on-one Spanish lessons every weekday. You can find numerous listings of schools on the Internet, and it is helpful to consult your guidebook for more detailed information on schools in a particular area – including evaluations and recommendations from other students.

Guidebooks:

You will find that your guidebook will become your best friend while traveling. It will tell you the best (and cheapest) places to stay, and how to locate them. It will tell you the local history of an area, as well as offer cultural information. It will point out attractions and landmarks which you may want to experience, and tell you about local markets and festivals. It will discuss the health and safety concerns in an area, and inform you about entry and exit requirements. It will teach you about local flora and fauna, and tell you about special tours in the region. It will include maps, and information on your best options for traveling around an area. It will become invaluable.

Different travelers are loyal to different guidebook series, and there are several out there to choose from. Before choosing a guide, visit your local bookstore and thumb through a few to see which is to your liking. Different guides tend to target different travel budgets, so keep that in mind as well. There are good budget guidebook companies which offer guides for every corner of the Earth. They include: Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Moon Travel Guides, and Let's Go. The Adventurous Traveler Bookstore (www.adventuroustraveler.com) is a good resource for guidebooks as well as maps.

Health and Safety:

When planning a trip to a foreign country, you'll want to be sure to check out the current political and health situation there, as well as entry and exit requirements (including visas). Vaccines are required or recommended before entering many regions, so you'll need to access this information in advance.

• The Center for Disease Control (CDC) – www.cdc.gov

• The US State Department – www.state.gov

Currency Exchange:

One of the most confusing things about world travel is currency exchange. It's a good idea to get comfortable with the exchange rate of the countries you're visiting before you go. When exchanging money upon arrival, the most expensive place to do so is usually the airport currency exchange booths – they generally charge a hefty fee. Your best bet is to use an ATM (if the country you are visiting has them – find this out in advance), or to exchange a only a small amount at the airport exchange booth in order to cover you for a day or two. (You then have time to make your way to a bank later to exchange a larger amount of cash or traveler's checks.)

Food:

It may seem like an unimportant topic to mention when discussing budget travel, but the cost of food can have a big impact on your overall travel costs. If you are eating out at every meal – even in a less-expensive travel destination, your daily meal costs can easily add up to $15 or more – which can be more than the cost of your overnight accommodations! By keeping a bottle of water with you, and eating out no more than once a day, you can cut down your expenses considerably. Some foods that travel well without needing refrigeration include: breads, hard cheeses, fruits, dried fruits, peanut butter, granola bars, crackers, cured meats such as beef jerky, and trail mix (you can mix your own, using nuts, seeds, dried fruits, semisweet chocolate, etc.) If you're staying in one place for a while, at a hostel or other lodging which provides access to a refrigerator, obviously you can expand your food supplies considerably.

Depending on what area of the world you're traveling in, you might also make use of the street vendors in cities or villages, or at local outdoor markets. Food sold at these stands tends to be quite reasonably priced, as well as giving you another opportunity to sample the native fare. (A word of caution – when traveling in 3rd world countries you'll have to make your own judgment call on the cleanliness of such operations. A stomach bug while traveling can be a miserable thing!)

Packing:

What you pack doesn't necessarily have much to do with saving money, but it sure does have a lot to do with how much you enjoy your trip! You no doubt already know this, but the key to avoiding luggage stress is this: PACK LIGHT! It takes some practice to really get good at it, but it makes such a big difference in the overall stress level of any trip. Not having to worry about storing and lugging around a big heavy suitcase frees you up to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Clothing tends to be the culprit when it comes to over packing, so that's the first place you'll want to cut back. You will have access to either laundry facilities or a sink throughout your travels, and it is simple to wash out shirts, pants, and undergarments as you go. If you're traveling to a destination which has cool weather, layering is the best option – leave the heavy, bulky clothing at home.

Everyone has his/her own luggage preference, but an excellent choice for budget travel is a soft bag which converts from a regular-looking travel bag with a handle and shoulder strap, into a full backpack with a padded hip belt. It's easier to use than a regular top-loading backpack, plus all the straps tuck safely away for checking on airplanes. It's very comfortable to carry, for those long walks from the train station to the hostel. Many types even have a zip-off daypack, which is convenient for day excursions. But whichever type of bag you choose, it should be comfortable to carry, not too large (5000 cubic inches or less), and have the ability to be locked with a small padlock.

With the information and resources above, you now have some very useful tools to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime – and to prevent you from going broke in the process. Remember – almost anyone can become a world traveler if he/she so desires. And consider the following advice from Mr. Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

 

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Favorite California Active Travel Destinations for Seniors – Whether newly retired and ready to go, or already been everywhere worth going, these four travel destinations for seniors are perfect centers of fun.

Palm Springs or Desert Hot Springs –

Golf, Birding, Hiking, and the Unusual Travel Destination for Seniors

[see photograph 1]

What I like best about Palm Springs is it has so much recreation to offer the active senior. We stayed at the Best Western Las Brisas. It provided affordable accommodations and had a small usable swimming pool in a location on the edge of town. California quail bobbed up the cliff and birds flew in for a drink of water. High winds at time make the many available golf courses a challenge beyond the usual traps.

Joshua Tree National Park with its many hiking trails, unusual plants and interesting rock formations and is a short trip away. [See photograph 2]

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is run by the California Bureau of Land Management and offers several levels of hiking trails with varying lengths and through a variety of habitats.

The Salton Sea is a birding mecca and has an annual birding festival. A trip there can involve an all day drive through agriculture land. [See photograph 3]

The Anza Borega Desert State Park is a favorite recreations center to take out your recreation vehicle and hit the dunes, providing much scenery, picnic grounds and a peak into desert ecology in case you go slow enough.

Nearby Desert Hot Springs is an alternate travel destination for seniors in the same area with several choices for accommodations. It offers several golf courses and another three star Best Western or the option to go upscale and stay at a the Hyatt Grand Championship Resort or of their other luxury hotels.

Death Valley National Park, CA/NV for Valentines—

Get Hot About Furnace Creek

[see photograph 4]

Death Valley National Park is comfortable in February and just might have the romantic coziness that the active senior prefers in a travel destination. You may be lucky enough to get some rain and tons of wildflowers or even snow in the hills. We stayed at Furnace Creek Cabins and were quite comfortable. There aren't many other choices of accommodations other than camping and the Furnace Creek Inn but the recreation opportunities make this a perfect travel destination for seniors.

If you get exhausted hiking through the many desert features in the National Park or play too many rounds of golf, you can always find alternative recreation activities in horseback riding, ghost stories around a fire, or just relax and enjoy the swimming pool.

Trinity National Forest -

Best Curvy Road for Motorcycles

Although there aren't many accommodations other than a campground, the road from Eureka to Redding in California on highway 299 through the Trinity National Forest is one of the most twisting, turning, exciting and interesting roads I've ever made the mistake of taking. It was truly fun and I was so jealous to not be there with everyone else, camping and fishing along the river. Motorcyclists would love it. Seniors can relax and have a pleasant time. There's also a museum in Weaverville and if you just continue on, you can get on to Reno, Nevada, another popular travel destination for seniors on a one day trip for an excellent selection of accommodations. See the web page for other recreation ideas.

It is an exhausting ride for anyone even active seniors, so if you have an recreation vehicle, cab over camper and spend some time, and take ever moment to enjoy your retirement at one of the camping grounds. They aren't the most luxurious accommodations but they do provide contact with nature. Driving along this route is a perfect extension to a visit to the Redwoods National and State Parks. If you go, be sure to check the Trinity National Park road conditions for forest fires and snow before you go.

 

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Booking your summer vacation yourself is one good way to pull off a vacation escapade different from the one you had last year. In just a few months it will be summer once again and you're quite tired with the idea of just spending another summer at the crowded local beach. In fact, the local beach seems to be getting fuller every year because everyone thinks that you have to spend a fortune just to travel.

By booking your summer vacation yourself, you can find ways to look for the cheapest options available. In fact you can plan on it this early, so you can start saving the money you'll need. On that note, let's start thinking of different ways of booking your summer vacation yourself.

With all of the available resources in the net, it's no longer impossible to come up with the cheapest options if you will be booking your summer vacation yourself. What are your options?

Booking your Summer Vacation Yourself: What are your Options for Cheap Travel Destinations?

Consider how much you can come up with in terms of transportation fares. There are a lot of cheap travel destinations you can go to and the first thing that you should do is to look for them in the net. Consider taking advantage of the dollar exchange rates where a US dollar can buy more commodities. Hence when booking your summer vacation yourself, what are your options of cheap travel destinations? They can be based on the location's proximity for lower fares and those with higher disparity in US dollar exchange rates for better buying power.

You can be anywhere as near as Vancouver, British Columbia where you can find hostels for as low as $9 a night. You can fly across the globe and find the most advantage in Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Philippines. Closer destinations are in Latin American countries like Brazil, Honduras and Costa Rica which you can reach by taking a cruise ship or by plane. Inexpensive hotel rates are equivalent to $13 to $18 dollars per night or stay in cheap but clean hostels where rates can be as low as low as $7 per night.

Booking your Summer Vacation Yourself: What are your Options for Lower Fares?

Booking your summer vacation early is like buying your plane tickets and making your reservations off season. In fact you will even have better choices of seating and lodging arrangements. You can check out information about cruise ships that reward passengers with discounts if the latter pay their cruise trips 6 months ahead of the scheduled trips. The earlier you can book your travel tickets, the earlier you can have your hotel accommodations booked for reservations as well.

Booking your Summer Vacation Yourself: What are your Options for Flexibility of Schedules

You can check other US airlines that offer lower airfares. Consider traveling by land for at least half an hour to save on cost of airfares by taking your flights at these airports. However, checkout the price differential, if it's worth the travel-time you'll be losing.

You can also check if there are other available airports you are not aware of at your travel destination. The Philippines for example has two International airports, one in Manila and another in Cebu. If you're bound for Boracay Island, it would be cheaper to get a US to Cebu flight, since Boracay Island is much nearer to Cebu than Manila. It follows that plane fares from Cebu to Boracay will be lower over airfares from Manila to Boracay.

You can get travel information from travel agencies on cost saving tips for travel fares. Asking direct from these agencies can save you time spent on researching different airline websites. Nevertheless, once you get the information you need, booking your summer vacation yourself directly with the airlines can cut down your airfare costs.

Booking your Summer Vacation Yourself: What are your Options for Travel Accommodation in Hostels or Inns

Book early, to make sure you'll have a place to stay once you get to your destination. Hostels or Inns are much cheaper over hotels. If you're staying in the city, make sure you're staying in hostels or inns near the city's main hub. This way you can have access to commercial areas like malls and restaurants by just walking. You can maximize your stay as well as your money especially if your destination country has poor traffic systems. You may end up spending most of your time sweating it out in heavily congested traffic areas particularly if you're taking a taxi. This will be to your taxi driver's advantage because it means you'll be paying more while riding his cab for longer hours.

Check your destination country if they have YMCA facilities. If you're not familiar with what a YMCA is, the acronym stands for Young Men's Christian Association. It's an organization founded by missionaries which evolved through the years and became open to other travelers as a means of providing affordable temporary accommodations.

You can checkout the YMCA International website where you can inquire about the availability of their facilities in your destination country. The organization does not require membership; hence, you can inquire about their hotel prices and availability so you can make your reservations directly and online at the YMCA website.

Booking your Summer Vacation Yourself: What are your Options for Your Activities?

Once you have finalized booking your travel and accommodation plans, visit your destination country's official tourism information website. Here you will have information about the tourist spots you can go to. Get help from the website for discount tour packages or available travel map if you'll plan your own activities. Checkout upcoming events like festival, some foreign or local artist's musical concert or arts and cultural exhibits. Book your tickets in advance if needed so you can get the best seats in the house.

There are a lot of ways for booking your summer vacation yourself; your options are all available in the net with just a click of the mouse. Plan early so you will know how much fund you have to raise by working a little extra or buy cutting down on some of your expenses. You'll find booking your summer vacation yourself a much more satisfying experience since you'll get the orientation you need right at the onset.

For more useful information, please visit our website: THE KNOWLEDGE BASE, and look for TRAVEL section.

 

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When planning a trip to Washington, DC with kids, don't forget the attractions with feathers and fur. Anything that moos, brays or thumps its tail is sure to be a big hit with the children in the family.

The National Zoo

The National Zoo is the most obvious choice for visiting a variety of zoo animals from around the world. The zoo is famous for its Chinese panda exhibit. It also displays cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, hippopotamuses, tigers, lions, sea lions, seals, gorillas, orangutans, flamingos, alligators, tortoises, and a variety of small animals such as meerkats, prairie dogs, naked mole rats, porcupines, and golden lion tamarins. The National Zoo has a petting farm where children can pet donkeys and sheep, an Amazonia exhibit with wildlife and plant species native to the Amazon, a Bird Trail with kookaburras, wattled cranes and other unusual birds, and its new Asia Trail with sloth bears, clouded leopards and a Japanese Giant salamander. On the O Line, children can watch Orangutans overhead play on their own version of “monkey bars.”

At three locations in the National Zoo, children can run through misters to keep cool.

The National Zoo has two restaurants; one by the Panda exhibit consists of outdoor seating and a food booth, while the one by Lion and Tiger Hill offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The public restrooms are located adjacent to the restaurants. Other concession booths in the zoo operate on a sporadic schedule and primarily serve treats. The restaurants and the gift stores at the National Zoo accept major credit cards.

The National Zoo is open every day except Christmas; admission is free. Parking is pricey but the red line metro Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stops are each within ¼ mile of the main zoo entrance.

3001 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008

www.fonz.org

Rock Creek Nature Center

The Rock Creek Nature Center has a variety of wildlife exhibits of species native to the area. These include turtles, snakes, and other small animals. There is an observation beehive where children can watch bees at work. The Nature Center also has self-guided walking trails where visitors can try to spot small animals and birds in the wild. Admission to the Rock Creek Nature Center is free. The Rock Creek Nature Center is open Wednesdays-Sundays 9 a.m.- 5.pm. and is located at: 5200 Glover Road, NW Washington, DC 20008

The National Aquarium

The National Aquarium in Washington, D.C. is located inside the United States Commerce Department, on 14th St., N.W. between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. and Constitution Avenue, N.W. This is a small aquarium, not be confused or compared with the National Aquarium in Baltimore. It's a cozy place to meet with seahorses, lionfish, turtles, lobsters, sharks, alligators and other creatures of the sea. General admission is $5, seniors and military personnel $4, and children ages 2-10, $2.

The National Aquarium is accessible from Federal Triangle Metro Station. An advantage of this aquarium is its convenient downtown location- not far from the Mall, where the monuments and major museums are located.

Nearby

Outside DC proper, there are a variety of options for visiting animals. The Discovery Creek Children's Museum, Stable at Glen Echo Park is located at 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD 20812. It offers public programs on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. that include visiting with live animals, searching for bugs under leaves in the Children's Garden, and exploring the Minnehaha Creek.

Other nearby places to meet interact with animals include the Wheaton Regional Park Nature Center in Wheaton, MD, Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville, MD, the Reston Animal Park in Vienna, VA (petting zoo), Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD (petting farm and pony rides), the Audubon Naturalist Society in Chevy Chase, MD (North American birds); and the National Aquarium in Baltimore (sea creatures).

 

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