PRIDE Travel Blog

hetero friendly™…. because expert advice should not be limited to just Fabulous people!

Archive for category TripTips

Putting Non-Liquid Toiletries to the Test : Alternatives For Easy Transit Through Airport Security

Jan 27

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | 6 Comments

By Christine Sarkis, Reprinted from SmarterTravel, Jan 27,2009

Looking to travel light without going without? With 3-1-1 liquid restrictions still in place at airports, finding alternatives to liquid toiletries is a key part of packing a carry-on with all the face, hair, and body products you need on vacation.

Our intrepid testers put four alternatives to liquid toiletries to the test to see how easy they are to use and what results these products deliver. From solid shampoo to sheets of soap that dissolve with water, carrying on toiletries that bypass liquid restrictions has never been so easy, or smelled so good.

The Results

Lush

Uses: Shampoo and conditioner

If there was a favorite in the bunch, the Lush Karma Komba solid shampoo was it. Every tester loved the scent. One said, “The smell of the shampoo in particular is truly amazing. Not only did my hair smell and feel exceptionally clean, but I kept imagining that I was in a rainforest.” Other points in its favor were the “excellent foaming and clean rinse” and “not a lot of buildup.” Hair was “soft and shiny even on the second day.” The shampoo worked for a variety of hair types, as well. Testers said, “Left my super-curly hair shiny,” and “I am a black woman with a relaxer, so there are a lot of products that I do not use because of the texture of my hair. But I was impressed with this product because I used it on my hair at a time when I needed a touch-up and it left my hair feeling really clean, and it did not dry my hair out either.” Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: airport security, friendly, liquid, shampoo, Toiletries, tsa

7 trips you should never book online

Jan 17

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

By Christopher Elliott, Tribune Media Services (syndicated on cnn.com)Travel Suitcase clip art
January 15, 2010 12:03 p.m. ESt

– Carolyn Fletcher’s honeymoon started heading south the moment she and her husband landed in Cancun. No one was there to pick up the newlyweds.It took an hour for her to convince a van service to deliver them to their hotel. But when they checked into their four-star resort in Akumal, they discovered it was “a two-star, at best,” she remembers. “The grounds were unkempt and there was trash everywhere,” she said. “Our room smelled of mildew. I sat down on the bed to cry, only to find the sheets and mattress wet from the moisture and mildew. There was mold growing on the curtains, the walls and the furniture.”

Why am I telling you about Fletcher’s post-nuptial nightmare? Because she booked it online. Some vacations should never be booked through anyone but a travel agent, and a honeymoon is arguably one of them. But there are others, too, as travelers like Fletcher are discovering.

A recent Forrester Research study suggests there’s something of a backlash when it comes to booking travel online. It concludes 15 percent fewer travelers will use the Web in 2009, compared with two years ago — a finding that comforts many travel agents who previously saw themselves on the endangered list. (People have gotten a little carried away with the Forrester study, though. One headline writer suggested online booking might be the “worst part” of the trip. Right. That would be the flight, actually.)

It’s little consolation to Fletcher and her husband. “While most people will remember their honeymoon with happy memories, ours are filled with disparagement, frustration and regret,” she adds.

In trying to figure out when you shouldn’t book online, I thought I’d ask someone who works for an online travel agency. I put the question to Ginny Mahl, Travelocity’s vice president of sales and customer service. “There is still a place for traditional travel agents, particularly those that have carved out a niche, like adventure travel,” she said. “Depending upon the traveler and their needs, a face-to-face meeting with such a consultant could be wise.” Of course, she adds, “higher fees will apply.” Of course.

So when should you not book on the Internet? Here are seven kinds of trips:

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: agent, travel, travel agent, why use

19 Tips for Better Travel Photos

Jan 12

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, TripClips, TripTips | 2 Comments

–originally published by: The Independent Traveler, Ed Hewitt

taj mahal photo photography camera taking a picture

It wasn’t that long ago that many travel photos were taken, developed and then dumped into boxes, rarely to be seen again — unless a basement flood forced someone to throw them all away. These days, things aren’t so different except that now the photos get dumped onto external hard drives, perhaps to await a hard drive crash instead of the proverbial basement flood.

But in most collections of vacation and travel photos, a precious few of the very best shots are often spared this fate — those photos that are somehow more enduring or more interesting, or (I think most importantly) that best capture the spirit and sensation of the trip. What is it that keeps these photos from the dustbin of our traveling history? Often they are simply better photographs. That is, the “keeper” photo isn’t of a favorite person, place or activity — it is better composed, better lit and thus simply more visually interesting than the run-of-the-mill vacation snapshot.

There are plenty of resources out there for folks with thousands of dollars of photographic equipment, but what about the rest of us — those of us with a point-and-shoot digital camera or even simply a smartphone? What can we do to get better, more lasting images from our travels? Following is a collection of low- and no-tech tips to help you improve your keeper count on your next trip.
Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: better, better photos, how to, how to take, how tos, photo, photos, picture, tips

Airport napping rooms let you sleep your layover away

Dec 10

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

By Roger Yu, USA TODAY
Tiny airport sleeping rooms — similar to the cubicles that Asian travelers use to catch a snooze in between flights — have arrived in America.

Atlanta, the world’s largest airport, opened five Minute Suites this month where tired passengers can doze for $30 an hour. The rooms — 7 feet by 8 feet, or about the size of two office cubicles put together — are equipped with a daybed sofa, pillows (with disposable covers), fresh blankets, a small desk, Internet access and a flat-screen 32-inch monitor with DirecTV and flight information. They have systems to mask noise.

San Francisco International plans to follow suit. It’s hired a California company to design 14 rooms of about 90 square feet for its international terminal. The rooms will have similar amenities. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: airport hotel, airport hotels, airport sleep, capsule hotel

How to get a duplicate US passport -Anderson Cooper AC360

Nov 11

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

Chris Guillebeau
AC360° Contributor

This post is relevant for readers with U.S. passports who travel frequently. If you don’t fit in that group, feel free to skip this one — or just read it for the entertainment value.

I’ve mentioned a few times that I have two U.S. passports, and each time at least one person asks me how that works. Well, I’ll tell you exactly how I got the second passport, and what you need to do if this would help you too.

First, the need for a second passport. Why bother?

U.S. passports are good for a number of reasons: notably, they are valid for 10 years, and when you fill up the pages with lots of stamps and visas, the State Department in Washington, D.C. or any embassy abroad will issue more pages at no charge. I’ve had three passport page extensions so far, and without that option I would have needed at least four passports by this point. No other major country of which I am aware offers a passport that includes both of these important features. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: duplicate, get, how to, passport, US passport

5 Ways To Stop Working On Your Vacation

Aug 30

Posted by Nathan, Owner/Manager & COO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

Vacation is the oasis in the midst of your occupational desert, if you will. It’s the respite from the daily grind that we look forward to all year, whether it comes during the summer or the winter holidays or a random long weekend. After all, even if you like your job, doesn’t everybody deserve a few days to themselves?

Apparently not.

Twenty-five percent of workers said they planned to stay in contact with work during their vacations, CareerBuilder.com’s annual survey found. Nine percent said their bosses expect them to work or check their voicemail and e-mail when vacationing.

Fifty percent of sales workers planned to check in with work on vacation, while IT workers and financial services workers followed behind with 37 percent of each doing the same. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: work vacation, workaholic, workation, working on vacation, working vacation

Eight Top-Secret Questions to Ask When Choosing A Travel Agent

Aug 27

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, TripTips | No Comments

You’ve decided to choose and hire a travel agent. How do you sift among the many companies locally and nationally? How do you choose between a large firm or a boutique service agency and know you’ve chosen the right person to entrust with your valued leisure time? You require information about the person who will be researching recommending and handling all your travel details in order to make an informed decision. Consider the following eight questions to assist you in your decision making process:

1. Major Industry Credentials: “What major industry certifications do you have, for example from The Travel Institute or CLIA?” You should expect your travel agent to hold at least one certification from either the Travel Institute, or the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA for short). Yes, it’s true here as in every field that not every person who holds a credential is really good, and not everyone who doesn’t is bad. However, if a professional is serious about what they do, they should have one or two of the following under their belt, the higher the better. This is especially true of those in the industry more than 5 years. Note that other minor certifications by product, brand companies, or destinations, while excellent, do not count as major industry credentials. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: agent, best agent, best travel agent, choosing, choosing agency, choosing agent, chose travel agent, consultant, counselor, how, how to, specialist, top travel agent, travel

New airline passenger rules to start Saturday

Aug 13

Posted by Nathan, Owner/Manager & COO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

By Mike M. Ahlers
CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Beginning Saturday, many air travelers will be asked their birth dates and genders when making airline reservations. It’s the latest “publicly visible” expansion of Secure Flight, a program that transfers responsibility for checking air passengers’ identities from the airlines to the federal government, the Transportation Security Administration said. The change keeps the agency on track to assume responsibility for ID checks on all domestic flights by early next year, according to the TSA.

Currently, the airlines check passenger identifications against lists of suspected terrorists. But the 9/11 Commission said the job was better suited for the federal government, which compiles the “terror watch lists.” Government control increases security, according to the TSA, while reducing the number of instances in which innocent people are mistakenly confused with possible terrorists having similar or identical names. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: air rules, airline, airline rules, faa, flight, flight rules, fly, flying, flying requirements, flying rules, homeland security, tsa

The Top Reasons Why YOU Should Use A Travel Agent

Aug 10

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

With all the recent research and dialogue about travelers returning to using travel agents more and more, we thought to remind ourselves… Why use a travel agent?

Here’s the “short list”:

  • Convenient One-Stop Shopping: Travel agents can handle every aspect of your trip from airline tickets to lodging, ground transportation, activities, tours and more.
  • Consumer Advocate: If you should have a problem during your trip, travel agents can act on your behalf to see that proper restitution is made.
  • Expert Guidance: Travel agents are experts in helping travelers get where they need to go and in helping to create possibilities most people never would have dreamed were possible.
  • Save Time: Avoid the headaches and let the travel agents call around and do all the time consuming work of planning a complex itinerary.
  • Choice: Travel agents offer you an array of options and price quotes from a variety of travel suppliers, giving you the upper hand when making your final travel decisions.
  • Less Stress: Planning a trip can be stressful. There are so many options and details to worry about. Travel agents do the work, resulting in less stress for you.
  • Updated Information: Travel agents are constantly communicating with the travel community, thus giving you the most up to date info on airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, travel visas, and other travel services to consider as you plan your trip.
  • Customer Service: Travel agents offer that “personal touch” to your travel planning experience- Offering help and advice that a website cannot provide.
  • Travel Documentation: Travel agents can help you to prepare and organize any necessary documents that you may need in order to travel outside of the country. They can direct you to your local passport office, and they know where you need a visa, as well as any other documentation that you might need along the way.
  • Travel Expertise: Many travel agents are considered experts in the area you are traveling to and have probably already been to your chosen destination.
  • Best Value for Your Money Spent: Travel agents can help you to make your dollars go farther while you are away. They have access to finding all sorts of deals, some that can only be booked by and through a travel agent! Read the rest of this entry »
  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: reason, reasons to use, top, travel agency, travel agent, use, why

Just Released Forrester Research Finds Frustration With Online Travel Websites

Aug 5

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

Forrester Research issued a new study, “Using Digital Channels to Calm the Angry Traveler,” by Henry Harteveldt, that reports there are 15 percent fewer travelers who enjoy using the web in 2009 than there were in 2007.

Just one in three online travelers in the U.S. feels that travel websites do a good job presenting travel choices, down from 39 percent in 2008. A greater percentage of travelers who are fed up with travel websites may be returning to use traditional travel agents.

According to Harteveldt, travelers feel that they, and their business, are taken for granted by travel websites. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: internet travel, online travel, research, study, travel, travel agency, web

Worst Part of a Trip May Be Booking It on the Web

Aug 3

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in *Hot*, TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

By SUSAN STELLIN
Copyright, NEW YORK TIMES
Published: August 3, 2009

If you dreaded sitting down at your computer the last time you made travel arrangements or felt frustrated by all the time and effort it took to sort through pages of results for flights and hotels, join the crowd.

A new report, to be released Tuesday by Forrester Research, found that far from embracing the do-it-yourself era, many consumers were fed up with the complicated process of planning and booking travel.

“What we’ve seen is growing frustration,” said Henry H. Harteveldt, a Forrester travel analyst. “Consumers see other Web sites becoming easier to use — retail Web sites, banking Web sites, media Web sites. But travel is treading water as a category. There are very few travel companies that are really looking to improve the planning and booking process.”

Instead, customers are forced to figure out extra fees, wade through fine print and understand industry terms like the difference between a deluxe and a standard room, in addition to educating themselves about destinations, flights and hotels, Mr. Harteveldt said. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: internet travel, online travel, research, study, travel, travel agency, web

Time for Vacation? Send Allergy, Asthma Symptoms Packing

Jul 29

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | 1 Comment

We continue our Healthy Travel motif this month with an excerpted article on Allergies…

Whether your summer vacation plans include the beach, a road trip or camping, one thing’s for sure — suffering from allergy and asthma symptoms can quickly interrupt a good time. If you’re among the millions of people with allergies or asthma, a little preparation will help make sure that sneezing and wheezing don’t derail your vacation fun. Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: allergy, asthma, health, hypoallergenic, travel, travel agency, Travel Health

Bed Bugs: Avoiding Unwanted Vacation Souvenirs

Jul 22

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

[Marc] To be taken with a grain of salt, as it is written on behalf of pest experts that tend to overstate the occurrence of such.

As the season turns and vacation travel picks up, vacationers should take care not to bring home unwanted souvenirs, like bed bugs.

Most of us know the phrase “Don’t let the bed bugs bite,” but doing so is more easily said than done. “Bed bugs are elusive, nocturnal pests that thrive on blood,” says Greg Baumann, senior scientist for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). “Vigilance is critical, especially as we know that a five-star resort can be as susceptible to bed bugs as a hostel.” Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: bed bug, bug, health, hotel, pest, safety, travel

Guard Against Blood Clots While Traveling

Jul 15

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

Air travel these days can be a challenge, with long security lines and flight delays. But many people may not know that traveling by plane can also increase your risk of developing a dangerous blood clot. The longer the trip, the more at risk you are for developing a clot.

What is a blood clot? When a blood vessel is injured, platelets and proteins in the blood stick together to form a plug (clot) over the site of the wound to prevent excessive bleeding. When blood flow is restricted, clots can sometimes form within the blood vessels, even if no injury exists. Prolonged immobility during long trips can lead to the formation of unnecessary blood clots in a major vein (commonly in the leg). This condition is called “deep-vein thrombosis” (DVT). Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: air travel, airplane, blood clot, flight, health, safety, travel

Travel Insurance – What it is, and why you should invest in it for every trip

Jun 16

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

What it is –travel insurance comes in three flavors:

  1. •By far the most grotesque nomenclature used in the industry, the so-called “Accidental Death &Dismemberment” or AD&D Coverage is a form of limited life insurance to cover your family, loved ones, or beneficiaries. in case of a severe accident or death.
  2. •Trip Interruption coverage begins from the moment your scheduled trip begins until it ends and covers all that can go wrong during the trip. Some of the core coverages include your or a family member’s illness, travel delays, baggage loss or delay, and expenses to catch up to your remaining trip due to interruptions.
  3. •Trip Cancellation covers the things that can go awry before your trip even begins, such as your or a family member’s illness, certain partner and family situations, some work related cancellations, job termination, or insolvency of the tour operator, among others.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: cancelation coverage, coverage, insurance, travel insurance, trip insurance, vacation, vacation insurance

Condo Units vs Hotel Rooms – Condo units mean larger accomodations with more features, amenities, and extras

Jun 14

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

When you’re traveling with a group of four or more, cramming into a single hotel room or trying to arrange adjoining rooms can be a challenge. Most of us don’t realize that Condo resort units are so much different than hotels and a great alternative. Even couples traveling along looking for the extra value of deluxe suite or villa at minimal costs will find condo rental a good option.

Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: condo rental, timeshare, timeshare rental, vacation rental, villa, villa rental

Vacation Villa and Condo Unit Rental Tips: Strategies to ensure your expectations are exceeded and your experience maximized

Jun 14

Posted by Marc, Owner & CEO in TripClips, TripTips | No Comments

Weigh the pros and cons of renting privately.

Independently renting a vacation may be slightly cheaper, since owners aren’t paying fees to real estate or property management firms. On the other hand, though, rental agencies pre-screen properties, have better access to unbiased information, provide alternative options, and can present you properties touting such concierge services local guides, housekeeping staff, chef, and other amenities.

Order your priorities

Decide on the kind of experience you want, Read the rest of this entry »

  • Share/Bookmark

Tags: condo rental, rental, timeshare, timeshare rental, villa, villa rental