Travel Health Tips: Recover From Jet Lag Advice

That's circadian, not cicadas. Circadian rhythms are basically the daily cycle everyone goes through. Wikipedia calls them; "a roughly-24-hour cycle in the biochemical, physiological or behavioural processes of living beings". These tend to get all out of whack when jet lag kicks in and makes you fall asleep on your keyboard at work, the day after returning from that trip of a life time. Anyone whose experienced jet lag knows what a drag it can be. Though variable between individuals, the general recovery period for jet lag is supposed to be one day for each time-zone crossed during the flight. Lots of home remedies are out there, but none are deemed truly effective.

However, there are some things you can do to minimize the effects:

1. Go along with the local meal and bedtime schedules to get into a new daily routine.

2. Avoid over-eating, eat small meals more often and include lots of fruits and vegetables.

3. Get enough sleep before you leave.

4. Exercise as much as you can both while on vacation and when you get back.

5. If you do use, don't overuse sleep medications. 2 days usage max.

6. Avoid excessive drinking (we realize that this last one may be tough...but try.)

These won't stop jet lag, but they might help you recover a little quicker and prevent you from being face down, snoring at your desk upon your return.

Budget Travel Tips: Five Ways to Save on Your Next Holiday

Vacations should be a time to relax and enjoy yourself. But while you're having the time of your life, you might be burning a large hole in your pocket. Holidays can be expensive, but with a few handy hints you'll be able to get more for your moolah and not lose your lira.

1.Go off-season Traveling during non-peak periods is one of the easiest ways to save money. Arriving at prime time usually means paying heftier prices -- not to mention the crowds. The cost of hotels alone can drop by as much as 50% if you go off-peak. Seasons vary around the world, so check with local tourist bureaus to find when the best bargains can be had. The Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory can help you out there.

2. Avoid hidden hotel costs Delve into the fine print when you make a booking and research any extras you may be billed for during your stay. These can range from parking and internet access fees to billings for safe deposit boxes and automatic "resort fees" whether or not you use facilities. And in-room phones are convenient, but can add hefty charges when it's time to check out.

3. Use public transportation Public transportation is there for a reason. Grab a map, jump on with the locals, and cruise your way around the city without having to dip into your pocket for taxis or car rentals. Bonus: No parking worries! Here are some useful public transport links:

• Bangkok: Skytrain / Underground
• Singapore: : Transport in Singapore
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong public transport
• Phuket: Getting around Phuket
• Kuala Lumpur: Getting about in KL
• Tokyo: Tokyo transport
• Manila: Manila Metro
• London: Transport for London
• New York: New York subway

4. Fly on a Tuesday, Thursday, or national holiday As long as they aren't part of a long weekend, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the quietest times for airlines, and so you're likely to save a bit of money if you fly then. Busier days mean higher prices, so why not fly out on a national holiday? Most people will be in a rush to get home for a certain day, but very few will actually fly on that day.

5. Research your destination A painful way to waste money is to not know enough about where you are going. Most cities have programs to help tourists save money, such as travel passes for public transport or multiple-attraction passes. (These can be especially useful if you're traveling with a family.) The London Pass and New York Pass are two good examples of how to save money on attractions and restaurants. Do your homework and avoid paying top dollar for everything. There are numerous websites dedicated to easing the strain of travel. Travel.agoda.com is just one example of a website where users can pass their knowledge onto other travelers. Join in and contribute, and make travel better (and cheaper) for everyone.

With a bit of planning, you should be able to come home without worrying about how much you've racked up on your MasterCard. Bonus: You'll have more money in the kitty for your next trip!

Travel Health Tips: Malaria, Dengue and Tropical Travel

The greatest threat to your health in the jungle are not jaguars or caimans – you'll be lucky if you see one, but tiny organisms such as sand flies or mosquitoes that can transmit serious illnesses such as malaria or dengue fever. Consult with your doctor and get your immunizations and preventative medications if you travel to areas that are considered risky.

Keep in mind that even malaria pills are not 100% effective and nor are mosquito repellents. Cover up at dawn and dusk or whenever you go into the forest or swamps where you are likely to encounter bugs. The most effective preventative for sand flies is coconut oil – they drown in it. Use lavish applications if you are in an affected area.

Is your lodge screened? Make sure your lodge is fully screened or that mosquito nets are provided. If in doubt, bring your own mosquito net. DEET is deemed the most effective mosquito repellent, but it is also very toxic. If you use Permethrine based applications, be very careful as to how and where you use it and how you dispose of the bottle. Permethrine is highly toxic to fish and other small animals, so never dispose of it carelessly.

Travel Prepare Tips - Get Bargains on Currency Exchange

As we travel around the world to different destinations, our local currency might be accepted in some other places we went to but some would be not. So that’s why it’s better to learn something about currency exchange in part of our vacation planning. Remember that when traveling to a foreign country, currency movements can also affect the cost of your trip. Converting currency can be quite a hustling and often financially strapping proposition. How can you make a good of this issue??

Here are number of options for you:

1. US Dollar or Local Money: This is the option for cash holders. As everyone knows that US Dollars can be used in most of everywhere in this world. Therefore, apart from the local currency, US money can always be decent alternative to spend on your trip. Simple tip is that if you travel to some of the countries in South-east Asia region especially Laos and Cambodia or even Myanmar; let your main spending such as Hotel rental, Airfare etc. pay in US Dollar and to take a small amount of local currency for minor trip expenses. This will help you by not having too many local currency rates left in your pocket when converting back to your local currency at the end of your trip. Why?? Because US Dollar can be hold and used on your next vacation.

2. Travellers Cheques: This is good for security purposes, as each cheque is uniquely numbered, so if a cheque goes missing it can be quickly cancelled and replaced by the cheque issuer. However, most of the banks will always take an even greater premium on converting cheques to currency than currency to currency. Even black marketers (those who will convert on the street) will give less for travellers cheques than dollars, that is if you can find black marketers.

3. ATM Withdrawals: Another good for security purposes, but unless you have an account with the local ATM bank you will be charged a withdrawal fee. These tend to be significantly greater overseas than they are in your domestic locations. Also banks take a conversion premium off the top.

4. Visa/ Mastercard Credit: Credit cards are accepted virtually the world over, and may seem the best way of paying your way while abroad. Contact your Visa/Mastercard representators. Send a check to credit your account the amount of money you wish to spend on your trip. Withdraw freely from any ATM machine. Visa/ Mastercard withdrawals don't carry ATM fees, you get the true currency conversion rate, and you’ll also not be charged insane interest rates for cash advance because your account is pre-credited.

Travel Health Tips: Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Many travelers always prefer to book for one long-hour flight flying direct to their favorite holiday destinations across the world, because they want to save time with fewer stopovers or fewer flight changes which would believe to be more convenient. But being cramped in a small seat for over eight hours is indeed, grueling. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to make such trips more comfortable and less stressful on the body – here are some tips:

Dress Comfortably. Wear loose, and preferably, cotton clothes. You will be seated for an extended period of time in a confined space with temperatures fluctuating from hot to cold, so it’s best to be comfortable. Same goes for shoes. It’s common for our feet, hands and face to swell at high altitudes, so ladies, leave the heels behind.

Drink lots of water. Before the flight, and during your time in the air. The air is dry up there and dehydration is common. Try to abstain from alcoholic and diuretic beverages as these further dehydrate you.

Pack the right toiletries. Pack moisturizing lotion for your skin, bring balm for your lips and include eye drops in your carry-on bag. Moisturizing sleep masks are a popular choice for frequent flyers.

Stretch. Immobility combined with dehydration can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – the forming of blood clots in the deep veins of your lower legs – which is associated with long distance flights. That’s why it’s important to adopt some simple exercises and keep your legs moving when airborne. Rotate the ankles, pointing the heel and toe alternatively and lift your knees whilst seated every half hour for a few minutes. Tense your leg muscles too and take a regular walk down the aisle to help circulation.

Take other preventative measures against DVT. Pack compression socks or hosiery that has been designed especially to prevent DVT. Take a low-dose aspirin (100-150 mg) before the flight, during the flight (check the dosage limits) and for 3 days after. Aspirin helps prevent the blood from clotting.

Delay your snooze. Rather than taking a kip immediately after the first meal and movie, try and keep your mind active for a few more hours. Prolonging the time until sleep will ensure that when you finally get some shut eye, the sleep will be heavier and longer.

Budget Travel Tips: Proper Tipping Etiquette Advices

Originally, tips were optional and given to reward exceptional service. The term, ``TIP'', was considered to be an acronym for "To Insure Promptness" or "To Improve Performance". Nowadays, tips are more or less expected. Many service workers are paid minimum wage, and rely on tips to augment their earnings which are aimed to encourage their best performance on serving customer pleasures. But how much should be a “proper tipping” was sometimes a question mark for some travelers. Here are some proper tipping etiquette in different travel destinations:

1. Research where you are going. In some places like mainland China or Japan tipping can be considered insulting. So do a little reading, save your cash and don't get labeled a rude tourist. For general ideas on tipping in prospective countries we've put together a brief list:
- If you

travel in Australia: Generally tipping is not expected.
- If you travel in North America: 10–20% depending on level of service (15% is a generally a good guideline), but if the service is terrible, don't feel obliged to leave anything.
- If you travel in China: Tipping isn't required (outside of Hong Kong).
- If you travel in Egypt: Tipping is expected everywhere, so it's good to have small change available at all times. For restaurants/taxis 10–20% is the standard.
- If you travel in France: Service charges are automatically added to the bill, generally 15%.
- If you travel in Hong Kong: Read your bill, as a service charge (generally 10%) has probably already been added by restaurants and hotels. For taxis, just round up to the next Hong Kong Dollar.
- If you travel in Japan: Don't tip. Some places will actually find it insulting if you do.
- If you travel in Malaysia: tipping generally isn't expected.
- If you travel in Philippines: Tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that already include a 10% service charge.
- If you travel in Thailand: Traditionally tipping hasn't been expected, but it is becoming more prevalent. Many restaurants/hotels have already applied a 10% service charge, so check your bill. For taxis, provided you are using a meter, 3–5 Baht is plenty, 10 Baht if the total is over 100.
- If you travel in Mexico: similar to Egypt as tipping is expected everywhere, so it is best to have some small change on you.

2. Remember to read the bill. As previously noted many restaurants and hotels will automatically add a gratuity and should be giving the tips to the staff.

3. If you're unsure what to tip, just ask. Most people will give you an honest answer and let you know what is adequate.

Remember that the amount of the tip is up to you. The above information is just general gratuity amounts which can be general guidelines for contributing your pleasure from the services being served along your trip to different destinations in different cultures across the globe. But, “TIP” will always be good thing because it’s the kindness you giving to other people and society which would only make everyone happy.

Travel Prepare Tips: Packing Your Bags Advices

Lot of tourists always find some problems when they are packing their stuffs for wonderful trips. Everything seems to be important to carry along the journey before going but most of the things turn to be heavy while traveling. Here are a few of best packing tips for making our life easier;

1. Make sure that all of your bags come with wheels. If you're thinking of lugging an old suitcase around with you, forget it! Trade it in for a new, sportier model, because you never know how far you're going to have to carry your luggage.

2. A bit of forward thinking will save you the hassle of trying to remember if you packed your toothbrush or where your deodorant is. There's nothing worse than having to uproot the contents of a bag to find out that, yes, you did already pack that underwater disposable camera. Make a thorough list and check everything off as it goes in the bag. The list will also be useful if your luggage is lost.

3. If you're part of a family, as a general rule, aim for one medium-sized bag for each family member and a large bag for other bits and pieces. Children can become bemused by the whole packing process and if left unsupervised they may bring jars of peanut butter rather than clothes. Make a list for all family members, and don't forget the favorite teddy!

4. Packing clothes is always a gamble. Sometimes you'll end up only wearing half of what you take, wasting valuable space, while other times you'll run out of clothes after two days. Don't pack clothes "just in case." Take what you'll need, with a change for each day if you won't have access to washing facilities. Making a loose itinerary for your holiday will help when it comes to planning what clothes to pack.

5. Bag everything up. It's frustrating when you have to dig through mounds of trousers to find a pair of socks. Keep similar items in separate bags (lingerie, toiletries, etc.) so that everything is easily accessible. Color coded and textured coded bags will help you locate items quickly. Also pack everything you might need handy at the end, so you can just reach in and grab those sunglasses when you need them.

6. Most likely, we're adamant that rolling clothes is better than folding. The debate has been going on since man first discovered the virtues of taking a holiday. Rolling is better because it takes up less space and avoids those annoying wrinkles and creases that come with folding. No matter how neatly you fold that T-shirt, it'll still require ironing. Here's a quick tip: when rolling a T-shirt, lay it down flat and fold the sleeves in first; then roll it from the bottom up.

7. Don't forget to make copies of all essential documents and keep them with you. Photocopy your passport, visas, insurance documents, credit cards, flight tickets and hotel info. Make a copy for a friend back home as well, so that all your bases are covered. Also make a note of important phone numbers, such as credit card providers and banks.

8. There's a reason why travel-sized toiletries were invented. There's no need to carry around large bottles of shampoo or shower gel – you'll never finish them – so buy those cute, miniature toothpastes and gels and creams. And remember to put them all in a plastic zip bag in case there’s spillage.

9. Be careful with your carry-on. Try to avoid taking lots of electrical items (these can set off screening machines) and sharp objects. Keep all medication in its original bottle. If you get singled out for a search you'll have to go through the process of packing your bag again, so try not to get caught out. If you overpack then you might have a job getting everything back in. There are lots of rules about what you can and cannot carry on. For example, liquids and gels must be taken on in less than 3 oz. containers in a clear, zip-sealed bag. Consult the TSA website if you’re traveling through the USA.

10. Many airlines will allow two bags, no more than 62 square inches and 50 lbs in weight, to be checked in. Carry-on luggage is often restricted to one bag of no more than 45 square inches and 40 lbs in weight. Check with your airline -- some allow far less than others.