Best Time to Travel to Europe

Places in Europe will not all have the same weather forecast as the ones in the other continents. The Northern Europe's spring season may be a bit wet and cooler than the spring in Italy or Spain. And there is less rain in England, Scotland and Ireland this season as compared to the other European countries.

Summer will be a lot hot and humid to some parts like in Italy and Spain. However, summer in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark may be a lot cooler than the ones in Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain. So, avoid going there on summer if you can since most travelers coming from all parts of the globe and even the Europeans take their summer vacation and flock to the seaside areas in Europe. This can drive up the accommodation and transportation rates high.

Schedule your travels to Europe on spring where it is not yet that crowded and the weather is still manageable. I have traveled during the autumn season as well (late August - mid October) in Europe and the weather was a bit cold already, dipping to a low of 5-10 degrees Celcius at night. But noon time temperature was acceptable. The accommodations are cheaper because of lesser occupancy rate and the tourist spots are not that crowded. 

How to Save for a Trip

Want to leave the country? If you're thinking “yes, but my wallet might feel it,” then you need a plan! Any vacation is going to be a drain on your finances, especially if you leave the country. You will usually need at least two weeks to enjoy the sights, and that means time off from work. So, how do you pay for the trip and your expenses, knowing you’re looking at a loss down the road? The solution is saving, and here’s how it's done.

Interest Accounts

Begin with a good interest bearing savings account where you can place your money. This should be separate from your usual bank accounts, and difficult to move money from. That way, you're not tempted to spend. Interest is typically calculated based on an annual percentage yield, or APY. Putting even small amounts into this account will grow your money within a year. Within two, you'll be ready to book something for sure.

Installments

Whenever you can, use installment plans to try and pay for things related to your trip as a form of saving. For example, book a plane ticket on your credit card for 6 months in advance and pay it off bit by bit. You will pay interest on that debt, but you'll also pay it down slowly and avoid the shock of the upfront fee.

If you set goals for your trip and find some dollar amounts that are real, you can easily do the math and figure out what you need to save in order to achieve your goal of vacationing. Then, you can enjoy your guilt free trip.

This article was written by Samuel Phineas Upham

About the Author:   Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Samuel Phineas Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Samuel Phineas Upham on his Facebook page.

All In Your Hands

Photo credit: yahoo images

Budget airlines and low cost fares have made travel much more accessible. There was a time, not so long ago, when the cost of air travel was so expensive that only the well-off, or those able to save, were able to jet off to destinations that couldn’t be reached by car. Luckily, nowadays we can head off on a jaunt to a European city, or a beach break on the Med for often less than the cost of a holiday in the UK!

Whilst air travel costs are now lower, I’ve recently found that the cost of adding on baggage bumps up the price considerably. It’s important to note that the price you see on searching for bargain flights, is often not the price you will end up paying. Add on baggage, occasionally insurance (although I’d certainly be arranging that myself!), taxes, check-in fees, and the cost goes from ‘ooh that’s cheap’, to ‘ooh that’s not so good’.

It’s through many of these occurrences I decided to try travelling on the light side, and foregoing expensive baggage fees. Now, I am a girl that generally doesn’t know how to travel light, so this was somewhat of a challenge, but it was surprisingly easy once I got my head around it!

Hand luggage allowance is generally free, and although the weight restriction and size varies from airline to airline, there are several companies offering a little more in the way of cabin luggage. Monarch, Jet 2 and Easy Jet all offer more than the standard 5kg allowances with the likes of Thomas Cook and Thomson. I recently travelled with Turkish Airlines, and was offered 8kg hand luggage, and then Monarch and Jet 2 came in at 10kg. It doesn’t sound a lot, but if you’re willing to buy your toiletries at the airport, it is possible to cram a week’s worth of clothes and accessories into a 10kg case. Surprising, but true!

This challenge turned out to be a difficult one in terms of what to take, but once I cracked it, it saved me around £40, not to mention time as I didn’t have to wait for my case at the packed carousel – straight onto my transfer, and onto my destination!

Whilst we’re on the subject of saving money through baggage, let’s look at saving even more money, meaning more to spend whilst you’re in resort, or even at duty free, which is certainly one of my favourite perks.

Getting to the airport can often be a costly business, especially if you’re booking taxis, trains and coaches, not to mention the inconvenience of it all. The last time I took a coach to the airport it took five hours, when the airport is literally a two hour drive away. It’s through this I decided to pre-book Luton Airport parking for my holiday last year, and since then I’ve been hooked. The cost was lower, the service was fantastic, and I was chilled-out and raring to go by the time I arrived at the airport. I would highly recommend this service for anyone who is able to drive, and no matter where you’re flying from, you’ll find a service to suit. I’ve also used Stansted parking in the past, whilst taking advantage of a very cheap flight from the capital, and again, I can’t rave enough about it.

A little packing planning and a few sneaky extras can mean a considerable amount of money saved on your holiday. Consider it a challenge – see how much you can cram into 10kg!

Tips For Women Who Are Traveling Alone

Traveling is a fun activity whether you're married, a couple, in a group, or a solo flight. However, being a solo traveler does not mean you can not have fun as much as others who are traveling in a group or with a company.

Being a solo traveler and a woman at that poses higher risks than other people who are in a group. For starters, the world is not a very safe place anymore. There are plenty of places to visit though that are still safe considering the news we hear but being a tourist in those places still make you an easy target of petty crimes.

It can't be helped that you will sometimes have to travel on your own for whatever reason it is. Just read on for tips on how to stay safe while abroad and alone.

1. Don't be too obvious by carrying maps, camera and looking lost. People might be observing you and you don't want to be the attention of something not good.

2. Don't wear flashy jewelries or don't wear any at all.  Unless you are going to a gala, ball or a formal event then do so but try to subdue your jewelry so it won't get too much attention. And if you have to,  rent a car so you don't have to commute going to your destination.

3. Do not accept any assistance or a ride from a stranger. If there is an emergency, you can always dial help or call the police. In this case, you have to familiarize yourself with the important numbers of the country you are visiting.

4. Do not accept any invitation to go out from someone you hardly know. That's a no brainer!

5. If you're being adventurous, try to stick to the usual touristy area where there are plenty of people. Do not wander off from your hotel or go to secluded areas whether it is day or  night.

6. Never disclose that you are traveling alone. If people ask, tell them your husband is waiting at the bar or you are to meet in a certain place or you're in a group of travelers.

7. Obtain a seat in your flight or train coach where there are plenty of families around you.

8. Try to avoid shady budget accommodations. A few splurges when it comes to safety is better that being sorry.

9. Avoid getting a room in high floors or in ground floors. Avoid rooms with plenty of windows especially in the lower floors where it can be accessed. Avoid rooms at the far end of the hotel or somewhere in the darkened corner. Get a room near the elevator.

10. Inform the hotel to never give out your information to anyone.

11. Do not call for room service very late at night.

12. Do not open your hotel room door for any maintenance if someone comes at your door and claims they are from maintenance. Tell them to wait and call the concierge or the hotel manager and ask for the identity of the person sent to your room.

13.  Always take photocopies of your travel documents and cards and keep them safe in your locked luggage.

14. Do use a cross-body kind of bag so you don't have to keep worrying if the bag will fall off your shoulder. This kind of bag frees both of your hands and arms and can easily give a blow to someone who is aiming to harm you.

15. Do not open door when you hear noises in the hallway or near your room to check. Call the security when you hear suspicious sounds.

16. Check the lift before you go in if you suspect you're being followed. Or better yet, go straight to the concierge and ask for any staff or security personnel to escort you. I would certainly suggest that a lady staff and a security personnel escort you.

17. Always check the doors and windows of your hotel room are locked before you sleep.

18. Try not to switch all the lights off. Leave a lamp on to illuminate the whole room.

19. If you need to get a rental car, do not park far from the entrance of the building or somewhere dense and dark. Always park where there are plenty of cars and traffic and well-lit.

20. Do not take a hitch-hiker to ride with you at any cost.

21. Keep your car doors and windows closed and locked at all times.

22. Avoid driving at night.

23. If your car breaks down. Do not get out or accept help from others. Dial assistance or the police. Although I discourage the use of rental car if it can be helped simply because there is so much potential risk when a lone lady driver ventures out to unfamiliar places. It does not make it very safe.

24. Always keep a spare mobile battery should you have an emergency.

Remember to be alert at all times and always join group tours if you have too. Try to not stay long in a foreign place when you are alone. There's really nothing wrong when traveling solo but it is best to practice common sense and caution at all times.

Back From Singapore

The Singapore vacation is over! I cannot believe it came and went so fast, right when we were having so much fun. I cannot believe I will say this but Singapore is starting to grow on me. I am not a big fan of Singapore and no offense meant. It is just that there are certain places in the world that I am more attracted to than this tiny Asian country. However, that changed on this recent trip. Singapore is simply amazing!

The city has changed a lot since we last visited the country last 2008. Now there are more attractions to visit like the Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts World Sentosa, The Flyer, Marina Bay Sands and the recently opened Gardens By The Bay. Back then, these were still being constructed and now that they are all finished, Singapore has become more interesting and a go-to place in Asia.

My daughter and I enjoyed the short vacation. It was refreshing and meeting with friends added more excitement and color to the vacation. Although the weather was not as cooperative as I would like it to be, we still had fun and enjoyed every minute of the stay in amazing Singapore. We will be back for sure!

Istanbul - The City in Two Continents

Photo credit: copyright www.riatravelbug.blogspot.com

Istanbul is a beautiful city in Turkey. It lies on the Bosphorus Strait and stretches on both the European (Thrace) and Asian (Anatolia) side of this strait. It is the only city in the world that lies in two continents.

We visited Istanbul in October 2002. It was actually our first European trip. We applied directly at the Turkish Consulate in Dubai at The World Trade Center. The visa application was not a tedious process unlike the Schengen and US visa we have applied for in the past. We went in the morning to submit our documents and the interviewer only asked us one question. I forgot what the staff asked but I vividly recall what he said next. He told us to collect our passports the next day. That was it. We were given a week-long visa validity to enter Turkey.

We only stayed for 3 days and 2 nights and booked our accommodation in Madison Hotel in Istanbul. It is a 4-star property located in Taksim area close to Taksim Square, Topkapi Palace and other tourist attractions.

I got a good deal on the hotel because of my travel agent status then. My husband and I flew to Istanbul via Singapore Airlines (and I loved their service! The flight attendants made us feel very special even if we were in economy class) during the airline's promotional travel deals. Since I was an assigned staff in the Singapore Airlines counter, our ticketing head office left a message to the tour operators in Istanbul to give me and my husband a free return airport transfer. The airline fare was also a steal because I only paid around US$160 for both of us and that was Dubai-Istanbul-Dubai! Talk about the perks of being a travel agent!

I'll talk about the hotel and other places of interest on my other blog post later on. Meanwhile, here are some of the few photos we had in Istanbul. Unfortunately, we only had few snaps because our very unreliable digital camera had to malfunction during our trip.

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

My hubby posing in Taksim Square near the tram track

Why It's Good to Travel during Recession

I once posted an article in my It's My Party blog about taking advantage of the weak dollar. That was more than 3 years ago, even before the onset of the great recession we are all experiencing now. Although some countries' economy picked up a notch, the US and Europe are still in a downhill with their battle to save their currency's value.

For those who have saved enough for the rainy season, you may wonder why I am telling you that this is the right time to use part of your saving. Most countries who are trying to encourage money flow inward will do everything to attract people. And one of the leading industry to mobilize this plan is the travel industry.

Plenty of tour agents and airlines will cut down their fees to accommodate the stingiest of travelers to bring in the money. There are fierce competition on vacation tour packages and airline fares so, whoever has the cheapest price will get most of the customers.

I am not telling you to squander all the savings you have but do consider taking that old dream of seeing other countries aside from yours. Pick a country where you don't require visa if you want to save money because applying for a visa is another major process you have to consider when making a budget for an international trip.

Scour the internet for great deals of budget accommodation. You may even treat yourself  to a fancy accommodation because some 5-stars hotels are offering value for your money if you stay more nights. They will even throw one night or several nights for free!

Try to go on a group tour. This incentive always get the nice and affordable fares from airlines to hotels to land tour arrangements. So, ask your family or friends to join you in this expedition to explore the world.

If you have relatives in other countries, now is the time to reconnect! Ask if you can bunk in their place for few days. That will save you a chunk of money on accommodation. The money you can save can be used for land tours, cruises and other tour-add ons.

If you don't have that much money to spare for travel but would still like to take advantage of the low fares and price-cuts in accommodations, then go to South East Asia where everything is affordable, from hotels to airfare to land tours to cruises to food and shopping.

Well, I am not trying to convince you to withdraw your money just yet. Do consider this time to fulfill your much awaited dream. You don't have to spend a fortune. You can even go to the US and Europe in a budget as long as you check the airfare, hotels and tours and add them all up.

I hope you travel this season and make the most of the weak currencies around the world.