Blair Stover Travels

When preparing for an upcoming trip, don’t forget the most essential item – a healthy you. It’s an absolute must to take all steps to safeguard your health before travelling, especially when venturing overseas.

Your pre-trip health preparation should include making medical appointments for you and your family, or anyone else travelling with you, especially if you or any of your family members have suffered recent injury or illness, or suffer from a chronic condition. Aim to set your appointments about six weeks before departure so you have plenty of time to take care of anything that should come up during your appointment.

If you are travelling internationally, be sure to consult your physician, as well as a travel clinic, on any immunizations you should receive or medications you should take with you on your travels. Travel clinics are helpful in that they take a full assessment of your health history and needs and compare the assessment to your destination to deduce what’s required to safeguard your health during your trip. Most travel clinics can help you make emergency arrangements should you become ill while travelling.

It’s also a good idea to purchase travel insurance ahead of your trip. Be sure to stock up on medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, as you may not be able to purchase needed medications while travelling. Pack your medications in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage, in case your luggage is delayed or lost. Finally, plan ahead and know where you’d be able to find medical attention nearest your destination.

Among the entertaining stories of flight crew meltdowns, lost bags and flight delays, travel by air actually improved last year. Two professors once a year publish a private academic study and this year’s study implies that airlines showed an improvement in keeping fliers content during 2011. The study takes into account flight delays, frequency of lost baggage and customer service throughout the year.

With these indicators, the study shows the industry, as a whole, has improved over the previous year in overall quality. This is not the only great news. Airline performance, as an industry, superseded performance scores of the past, making 2011 the best since the Airline Quality Rating Industry began the annual study 21 years ago. Two-thirds of the airlines rated in both 2010 and 2011 showed improvement in their scores of the latter year.

Ratings on the large fifteen airlines are derived from the U.S. Department of Transportation database. These airlines include US Airways, SkyWest, JetBlue, Frontier, Continental, American Eagle, AirTran, Alaska, American, Atlantic Souteast, Delta, Hawaiian, Mesa, Southwest, and United.

In conclusion, the percentage of on-time arrival improved overall from 79.8 percent in 2010 to 80 percent in 2011. Per one thousand customers, the mishandled baggage rate also improved during this year from 3.49 to 3.35. The biggest improvement was found in the number of passengers who were ‘bumped’, or denied boarding due to overbooked flights. This number went from 1.08 to 0.78, per ten-thousand passengers.

Spring is upon us, as is spring break! As winter continues to lift around the world, and nature awakens,
consider these top travel destinations ideal for springtime. This is an ideal time to travel to places that
prove popular to tourists during the June to September travel season.

One popular destination is China. Springtime average temperatures vary dependent upon the region you
select to travel. If weather is a big consideration for you as a traveler, however, spring is the time you
will want to visit China, especially as this is the time to find amazing deals to the Far East.

Additionally, travel to Ecuador in the spring will find you with great savings. Home of the Galapagos
Islands, tourists can find peace on the gorgeous beaches, venture into rain forests or view the Andes
mountain range. Tourism and prices are kept low during this time of year as rains could linger in some
areas. Peak season begins in May.

If you are looking for easy travel to the closest beach paradise, consider Puerto Rico. This is a destination
easily traveled to from the United States. Puerto Rico has everything any tourist would want, contained
in one small land mass. Here you can find rainforests, history, art, active city life, pristine beaches, and
ongoing nightlife. Numerous fantastic all-inclusive deals can be found this time of year.

Barcelona is ideal in the springtime. Spring is a beautiful time of year to experience cobblestone roads,
historical buildings, vibrant cultural center points and seaside vistas. Due to current economic struggles
in Barcelona, amazing deals can be found as the country is focused on attracting tourists. One can
lounge on the perfect beaches affordably this year in Barcelona.

It is a great time to start planning your summer vacations. There are usually ways to save money while making your vacation plans and a big key in saving money while traveling is to plan ahead. If you wait for the last minute deals, finding properties will be more difficult.

One money-saving tip you should always take is to book your hotel and airfare at the same time, as a package. You will always get the most for your money by doing so. Also, consider all-inclusive resorts or cruises, because your food will be included.

Also, look for other packages. Airfare-and-hotel packages are fabulous, but hotel-and-extras packages can also save you money. Many of these are offered year-round but some destinations only have these during parts of the year, depending on the location. The majority of hotels will also offer add-ons to your package. Look for such things as entertainment tickets, meals, attractions, or welcome bags at check-in.

Rather than spending hours searching hotel websites individually, try social media websites, like Facebook and Twitter. Also, travel company websites will often have current promotions posted and organized by locations so it is easy for you to do some comparison shopping.

Lastly, try to book during non-peak times, if you can. Departing on a Monday rather than a Sunday will save you on hotel rates, and sometimes airfare. Consider school calendars when planning your next trip. Travel peaks during school breaks. Booking travel before or after these school breaks will give you more options and cheaper rates.

Experienced travelers tend to seek luxury travel vacations and this year is shaping up to be an exciting and exotic one in travel trends! Exotic locales house luxurious resorts in undiscovered locales such as Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Albania, Serbia, Greenland, Cambodia, Thailand, South Africa, Vietnam and Malaysia. Such locations offer a unique getaway with all the comforts expected from a luxury resort.

Such travelers are skipping the guided trips and tours this year, in hope of the more authentic experience. Spiritual growth trips or specifically designed personal development trips are topping the list of experiences this year. One-on-one trips or personal expert guides are also being lined up during travel planning.

Luxury travel is finding some of the most exhilarating locations in the BRICS. Brazil, Russia, India and China (the BRICS) are attracting luxury travelers due to their large geographical reach, quickly developing economies, diverse populations and rich histories with strong cultural legacies. Untouched travel paths can be expected and some travelers could have adventures that prove life-changing.

Another luxury travel trend is avoiding the crowds. Traveling when everyone else is not is becoming quite popular. This will decrease your times spent waiting at popular tourist attractions. Additionally, traveling ahead of the crowds means you can plan a distinct trip that few other travelers have experienced. With a large budget, visitors can take more time to soak up the local culture and friends along the way.

Finally, a big trend we will see this year in luxury travelers is the renewing of their wedding vows. This is especially true as those landmark anniversaries are reached by baby boomers, such as ruby, pearl or silver. An exotic location makes for an extra-special experience.

Try these helpful tips when traveling during the holiday season to make your experience easier. Firstly, don’t give up hope if you have not gotten your tickets yet. Getting decent airfare may still be possible. Check often, it does not take long and may save you money. Secondly, check new laws require airlines to report names, gender and birthdates of passengers. Tickets purchased way in advance, may not have required you to provide this information.

Packing light, will save you a lot of time and money. Passengers are now often charged for checking baggage and checked baggage can be lost. One way to help you pack light is to leave gifts unwrapped. This saves space.

Arrive at the airport early. Holiday flights are known to be overbooked; Do not run the risk of being bumped because you were the last to arrive. Additionally, be aware of new security measures. Body scanners have been implemented at many airports this season. If you are uncomfortable with this new technology, remember that you have the right to request a physical ‘pat-down’ instead.

Use your handy cell phone to store important phone numbers, addresses and other notes. Therefore, it will be at hand and easy to locate whenever you need it. Check up on weather and road conditions before your departure. Look ahead at forecasting to plan the best travel days.

While planning your travels, plan out your route. If you will be traveling on toll roads, you may want to get an EZPass transponder for your windshield. Even better, leave your car at home or skip the airport altogether. Check out Amtrack or local bus or tour companies. Using one of these travel formats may save you time and unnecessary stress.

Thanksgiving travel season is fast approaching so you need to think about your travel plans. Because it is one of the busiest travel times of the year we offer five tips to a less hassle-filled trip. You should research travel deals early to get the best flight times and airfare. Buying your tickets early can save you hundreds of dollars.

If you’re flying to your Thanksgiving destination, leave as early in the day as you can just in case you experience delays. When you’re coming back from your trip you might want to make the flight later in the day so you can spend as much time with your family as you can and so you don’t have to rush to the airport early in the morning.

Before you leave your house to head to the airport make certain you check with the airport to see if your flight is on time. It’s better to wait at home for a delayed flight rather than to cool your heels at the airport – especially if you have children with you. It’s easier to entertain everyone at home rather than in an airport.

Pack an emergency survival kit for the flight that includes a pillow and some snacks. It’s always better to dress in layers for a flight because it could get warm when you’re dashing from gate to gate but you might find yourself chilled when sitting for hours on an airplane.

With proper pre-planning you can have your Thanksgiving flight be one that is relaxing and leads to an enjoyable visit with your family for the holidays.

If you’re considering a vacation, why not consider Bora bora? This island was discovered in 1722 and is steeped in history, romance and mystery and is a destination spot for honeymooning couples. If you’re looking for a vacation spot that offers an escape from the cares of the world, Bora Bora is it. The island is one of the most well known of the French Polynesian spots – the most famous and largest is Tahiti.

A jewel in the Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora has always been thought of as being a bit mysterious with its lagoons and secluded beach spots. The island’s waters are abundant with tropical fish, manta and sting rays, and an array of aquatic flora. Imagine sitting in your bungalow, that is perched over the clear blue waters, and watching the aquatic wildlife through a glass bottom in the floor? Could anything be more exotic?

The attractions of the island can be enjoyed by boat, canoe or on a scuba diving excursion if you’re into up close and personal encounters. While you’re exploring, you will be treated to the natural coral reefs and the white, sandy beaches that wrap around the island.

Attractions around the island, once described as an “emerald in a sea of turquoise amid a sheltering necklace of pearls,” include the mountainous region which were formed as a result of volcanic activity more than three million years in the past. The long dormant volcanoes rise from the mist and offer visitors a breathtaking view.

The island can be covered from end to end in about one hour by car. There is a natural underwater park that is home to fish and coral in the Coral Garden located on the southeast end of the island.

Americans have always been drawn to Europe as a vacation destination. With its rich and varied culture, to its historical authority and imprint on the United States, to fine cuisine and glamorous shopping – its no wonder thousands travel there each year. Because of Europe’s complex history and geographical size, knowing exactly where to go, what to see, and what to expect can get even the most knowledgeably traveler uneasy.

Travel to London, Paris and Barcelona if you’re on the western side of Europe. London is enormous in size but condensed to a physically small city. It’s dotted with Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, and whether you spend two days or 200 days there, you’ll never run out of activities to do in London. Meanwhile Paris, though heavily populated has several monuments to visit, from the Eiffel Tower to the Moulin Rouge to the Arc de Triomphe. If monuments aren’t what you are looking for though, there is incredible shopping, and two of the worlds most famous art museums. Meanwhile Barcelona has a rich nightlife, alongside fine architecture, and Catalan cooking.

Moving toward more central Europe, Rome, Vienna and Budapest all top places to visit. Rome offers a lifetime of sites to see, such as the Colosseum or Vatican City, as well as fine Italian food. Meanwhile Vienna will provide visitors with a quiet, deeper vacation. Expect to visit several coffee shops, get some quiet shopping done and only leave after attending a Staatsoper performance. Budapest is similar to Vienna’s quiet vacationing approach with locals who are very friendly. The new and old merge here with cafes illustrating both. Visiting Castle Hill prior to leaving is worth it.

Those seeking a powerful history lesson need to just head further east to Berlin, Dubrovnik, and Athens. Berlin offers a variety of well run public transpiration, as well as unique gallerias dedicated to the Berlin Wall and was once a torn city. The night life is known to attract everyone, and the more alternative folks go to Kreuzberg, while Prenzlauer brings an more sophisticated crowd. Dubrovnik has dazzling streets made of marble, alongside precious views to the sea. Athens, the capital to all things Greek offers ancient ruins mixed with modern Athenian life.

On the farther east side of Europe, is the beloved city of Istanbul, probably one of the most important cities for American fun seekers who are historians at heart to visit. Known for its endless nightclubs as well as its Blue Mosque and the Topkap Palace, Istanbul has not just a little of everything, but a ton of everything. If looking to see the city at its finest hour, take a boat ride along the Bosphorus just as the sun is setting, and watch the entire city come to life.