The Wonderfull Land : China

Source : http://www.travelpod.com/photos/99/China.html

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Fodor : The Internet Travel Guide

Visit this site : www.fodors.com

Fodor’s is an excellent example of what an Internet travel guide can do for you. It contains not just information on destinations and sights but is a guide to hotels, restaurants, and much more. The Travel Wire (short travel articles) section alone would make this site worthwhile.

The travel guide (Destinations) part of the Fodor’s site is accessible either by clicking on the Destinations tab, or link, or by clicking on the map found on Fodor’s main page. You will be taken to a clear, straightforward directory of destinations arranged by continent, country, region or state, and city. In all, Fodor’s provides these “miniguides” for nearly 300 cities and regions (Figure 2.1), but the number of destinations is more than 300 if you count the Side Trips links provided for those destinations. For most countries, you will get a miniguide for several cities. For some smaller countries, such as Slovakia, the information focuses on the country itself. Expect to find miniguides for major cities, but not for the many smaller cities covered in the corresponding printed guide. Because Fodor’s does not publish printed travel guides for all countries, some are notably missing online, particularly some Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries.

For each city (or region), expect to find an Overview and sections for Sights & Activities, Restaurants, Hotels, Nightlife & the Arts, and Shopping. Click on any of the latter five categories to get a list of places or events with a brief description of basic details. Each of those sections also has an Overview subsection that is particularly useful for getting an overall feel for opportunities for hotels, sights, etc. A Smart Travel Tips section provides information on Arriving & Departing, Getting Around, and Contacts & Resources. You will also find links to suggested itineraries for various lengths of time. Additional Features links take you to information on When to Go, Fodor’s Choice, and side trips and special topics relevant to the particular city. For the unique flavor of a city, don’t pass up these special topics links—for example, for Sydney, Australia, you may find an article on “The Shocking Truth About Australian Wine,” and for Chicago, Illinois, one on “Chicago’s Gangster Past.” Also take advantage of links to Maps, Related Destinations, Weather, and Adventure Travel, provided by Fodor’s partner sites, such as Weather.com.

In the Hotels section for any destination, look first at the Lodging Overview link to get a feel for the overall lodging situation for the destination. On a Hotels page, you will find a list of hotels with a price range, a (Fodor’s) Guest Rating, and a Book It link. Click on the hotel name to get a more detailed description of the hotel, an address, and phone numbers. The details page may also provide individual ratings and tremendously useful comments from travelers themselves. In the Restaurants section, check out the Overview subsection first, which is designed just like the Hotels Overview section. From the Overview, use the Go to Restaurants Listings link to get to names and descriptions of restaurants.

Links on Fodor’s main page (and at the top of most Fodor’s pages) lead to sections for Hotels, Restaurants, Travel Wire, Talk, Booking, and Bookstore. Fodor’s does a good job of integrating this variety of content and provides multiple ways to get to a specific bit of information. If you start with the Destinations section for a particular city, you will find subsections for hotels, restaurants, etc. If you start with the Hotels link on the main page, you are then led to a choice of destinations, and so on. Whatever you choose as a starting point, in the end, you get to the same information.

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Discount Rates for Hotel Reservation

• There are several discount opportunities for the world traveler to exploit when seeking upscale accommodations, even during peak
  periods. No one strategy works every time, in every circumstance.
  If a hotel is not offering one type of discount, ask about another. And even another. Be persistent.

• The Web is a great place to start your search, as you can obtain information and check out standard rates.

• Naturally, use free nights you may have earned if the hotel rate would otherwise be expensive.

• Be sure to ask for at least four to five possible rates, including 50 percent discounts (such as the Entertainment Directory rate or Starwood half-off discount by redeeming 1,500 points for up to four nights), weekend or holiday rate, AAA or AARP rate, negotiated corporate rate/corporate discount, introductory or renovation rate for new or refurbished properties, and the convention rate if you will be attending a meeting for which hotel rooms have been assigned.

• When calling a hotel, never end the call before asking about any other special or promotional rates—you may be surprised what other discounts are forthcoming!

• Hyatt offers members of its Gold Passport program the options of
  using 3,000 or 6,000 points to upgrade to Regency Club or Suite, respectively, for up to four nights, when paying the rack rate.

• If you still cannot find a great rate, contact hotel consolidators. Potential disadvantages include discounts that are usually less than
  if you contact hotels direct, a focus on independent rather than chain hotels, no hotel loyalty program points, the possibility of getting one of the least attractive rooms, and the likelihood of stiff fees if you cancel or change.

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The Secret Of Low Cost Airlanes

‘‘Value’’ or low-cost airlines, such as Southwest, JetBlue, America West, America Trans Air (ATA), AirTran (different from ATA despite similar yet confusing names!), Frontier, and Spirit have made it possible for the traveling public to save billions of dollars. Currently, 75 percent of Americans have the option of flying on a low-cost airline, although some travelers may need to drive as much as two hours from their home to the airport or from their destination airport. Southwest has trailblazed this market niche for over two decades, with its impeccable safety record and consistently profitable operations serving to enhance the reputation of low-cost airlines.

JetBlue, the best-funded airline startup ever, took the concept one step further, positioning itself as the low-cost airline with select frills, offering
satellite television for every passenger and more leg room at most seats—but no meals (even on cross-country trips) or first-class cabin. Still, it’s much easier to pack a gourmet lunch than a multichannel TV set! Low-cost airlines are now recognized as the single biggest threat to the survival of the ‘‘big boys.’’ Recognizing this, most major airlines have at some point in time set up value subsidiaries—including Continental Airlines with its short-lived ‘‘Continental Lite,’’ United Shuttle on the West Coast, and US Air MetroJet on the East Coast. But none was able to replicate the operational prowess of Southwest, and each one was disbanded.

Nevertheless, several major airlines are vowing to try setting up low-cost
subsidiaries all over again, with Delta’s Song and United’s Ted the first of several attempts by major airlines to address the growth of low-cost airlines!

The average amount of revenue major and low-cost airlines earn per mile transporting passengers is quite similar, typically being slightly higher for major airlines that also include first-class cabins. However, the biggest advantage low-cost airlines have over major airlines is significantly lower labor costs. Additional cost-saving benefits for low-cost airlines include factors such as purchasing new fuel-efficient aircraft, never providing meals, and using secondary airports which have cheaper landing fees and which are often less congested, thereby significantly decreasing operating expenses.

After the September 11 tragedies, which coincided with a slumping economy, business travelers were forced to scale back on high-priced fares, and major airlines came under relentless attack from low-cost airlines, resulting in the bankruptcies of US Airways and United Airlines in 2002, followed by Hawaiian Airlines in 2003. American Airlines came within hours of declaring bankruptcy in 2003. There is widespread agreement that the major airlines will have to restructure their entire business model if they are to survive the onslaught they face from low-cost airlines such as Southwest, JetBlue, and Frontier.

There are some drawbacks to flying low-cost airlines. If any of the following are important to you, you might want to steer clear of the low-cost carriers:

• Some do not have preassigned seating. This has been Southwest Airlines’ most significant weakness.

• In many instances, they fly into minor airports that can require significant travel time from central locations, for example, Jet Blue
  (Long Beach rather than Los Angeles) and Southwest (Baltimore rather than Washington, D.C.; Providence or Manchester rather than Boston; Oakland rather than San Francisco). Several European carriers fly out of Stansted or Luton rather than Gatwick or Heathrow in London.

• Meal service is the exception (peanuts and pretzels are typically as
  good as it gets!), even when flying five or more hours cross-country.

• Some do not have frequent flyer programs, or the limited network
  of cities served reduces award redemption opportunities. (Hey—
  Southwest and JetBlue do not fly anywhere outside the U.S. mainland,so not even Hawaii is an option!)

• Few fly long distances—from one major airport to another— without at least one stop, although Southwest, JetBlue, and America West do have nonstops on a few of their cross-country routes.

• Southwest passengers who have purchased cheaper nonrefundable tickets must pay extra to go standby.

• Most do not have large fleets or extensive maintenance crews at all airports served, which can be a setback when an aircraft experiences a maintenance problem. Since tickets on low-cost airlines have limited transferability to other airlines, you may want to be cautious and plan for possible delays or cancellations by building in at least a two- to four-hour buffer between your scheduled arrival and a subsequent appointment.

• If your flight on a low-cost airline is canceled, you will almost always have to wait for another flight on the same airline or get a refund—but then you’re left trying to find a last-minute purchase on another carrier, which could be expensive. Conversely, major airlines do have agreements with competitor airlines, meaning that a major airline can validate your ticket to an alternative carrier in the event of cancellation. Major carriers may pay for a hotel room if the cancellation strands you overnight, whereas most low-cost airlines will not. Finally, if delay or cancellation of your low-cost airline flight results in a missed connection with another airline (such as when connecting to a cross-Atlantic flight), the responsible airline will owe you nothing. However, a missed connection when transferring flights within the same major airline will get you rescheduled to the next available flight at no extra charge.

• In Europe, low-cost airlines charge significant amounts for excess baggage. For example, Ryanair levies $6 per kilo for anything over 33 pounds. This restriction could mean that U.S. travelers, who are accustomed to a two-suitcase allowance, could incur a hefty baggage charge!

• With the exception of Southwest and JetBlue, low-cost airlines have been known to operate with precarious financial support. Names that disappeared around the turn of the century include ValueJet, Sun, Pro-Air, Kiwi, Tower, Vanguard, National, People Express, and Eastwind Airlines. Make sure you pay only with a credit card for travel within sixty days or less, so that you can dispute the transaction with your credit card company if the airline should suspend or discontinue service

ALERT : If a low-cost airline should disrupt service shortly before you travel, the cost of purchasing a last-minute fare on another airline may be prohibitive. Occasionally, a price break is given by another carrier to those who are victims of unusual circumstances, or there may be a law requiring other carriers who service the same route to pick up the slack, usually with some administrative fee tacked on. But don’t count on much sympathy from the major airlines!

Given the disadvantages described above, don’t blindly accept that a low-cost airline offers you the overall best deal. Before you go the value route, first compare prices and perks with your favorite large carrier(s). Where the prices are equivalent to the value carriers, we recommend you choose to fly on major airlines, such as United, American, Delta, Northwest, Continental, Midwest Express, or Alaska Airlines. The exceptions would be Southwest and JetBlue, which have managed to consistently combine excellent fares and on-time performance with financial stability.

Source From The Book : Guerrilla travel tactics : hundreds of simple strategies guaranteed to save road warriors time and money by Jay Conrad Levinson, Theo Brandt-Sarif.
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General Tips For Using Credit Card

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/CreditCardTips2.shtml

Keep details of your credit card, the number, security number, date of expiration etc. somewhere safe and separate from your wallet, and keep a copy of this information when you travel. Also make a note of the emergency telephone numbers that credit card companies offer in case your card is lost or stolen, check if they have a local office in the destination you are travelling to. If your card is lost or stolen call the company immediately to report it.

When using the credit card online, always ensure that the website is reputable, and that the website uses some form of SSL security which is normally visible by a little padlock appearing in the bottom right of Internet Explorer, the page may also start with https:// instead of the regular http://

Safe guard receipts and destroy carbon copies. This may seem over the top but we actually recommend keeping the receipts in a safe place so you can accurately compare them with the statements you receive and shred the rest. Shredders now are affordable and help to ensure that any confidential information is quite literally shredded. People committing credit card fraud and identity theft often rummage through dustbins and letter boxes.

Don’t give out any details about anything to anyone who has called you. If you know the company, ring them back on the general number to make sure that the person calling truly does work for that company.

Always check the amount twice when signing, anyone can make a mistake be it intentionally or by accident.

Always check your billing statement promptly to check there are no suspicious charges. If there is, report it immediately to the credit card company.

Only allow people to use a machine you recognise on your card, skimmers are available that allow people to copy all your card details in seconds. If in doubt use cash, and happy travelling!

These stories of using your credit cards and ATM cards are not meant to scare you from using them we just hope they encourage you to use them more carefully.

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Using Visa Credit Card

http://www.visa.ca/en/personal/travelling/

Before You Go:

• Check your cards. Know the expiry dates, account balance and amount of credit available to you. By doing this, you won’t be caught short with a card that expires while you’re away, or not have enough credit to cover your trip expenses.

• Know your financial institution’s restrictions on daily withdrawal limits. All financial institutions have them, but they shouldn’t be a problem if you use ATMs for pocket money and charge major expenses, such as hotels, to your Visa card.

• Make a copy of everything in your wallet. Keep a record of credit card account numbers and telephone numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards in a safe place.

• Purchase your tickets using your Visa card. If tickets are lost, or your trip is cancelled, you’ll have the receipt as proof of purchase.

• Get in touch with your financial institution. Tell them where and when you’ll be travelling – this can help ensure that your card isn’t flagged for unusual activity.

During Your Trip:

• An easy way to get local currency. With your Visa card you can access the Visa/PLUS ATM network. When landing in a foreign country, check the arrival and baggage claim areas at the airport for Visa/PLUS ATM signs for quick, easy access to local currency.

• Use the security box or safe provided by the hotel. When sightseeing or going to the pool or beach, don’t carry all your valuables with you. Never leave cards unattended in the hotel room, at the pool, or in a vehicle – locked or unlocked.

• Contact Visa immediately if your card is lost or stolen.

• Remember, Visa is only a phone call away. Simply call the toll-free telephone number Visa provides in each country and you’ll be linked to Visa Customer Care Services, 24/7.

• If your card carries the emergency replacement feature, Visa will help replace a lost card while you travel, normally within one working day.

• Keep sales slips as proof of purchase for customs or in case of a dispute, and for reconciling your account when you get home.

• Shop with your Visa card. Visa cardholders receive a foreign exchange rate that is typically better than that used to convert cash by a local currency dealer.

When you get home:

• Keep your receipts and read your monthly statements carefully.

• Contact your credit card issuer right away if you see a charge you don’t recognize or if you notice any inconsistencies.

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Travel Tips for People With Diabetes

Source : http://www.diabetes.ca/Section_About/travelkit.asp

Planning ahead
Diabetes shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you want to do. If you want to travel, and you have diabetes, you must plan ahead carefully. There are many disaster stories such as lost luggage or encountering a hurricane. Although you can’t avoid the odd surprise, preparing before you leave can help avoid undue stress.

Consider telling your travel agent that you have diabetes and explaining some of the particular requirements that travelling with diabetes entails. That way, a suitable itinerary can be planned to meet your needs. A missed connection or illness can ruin the best-laid holiday plans.

Visit your doctor or diabetes educator
It is a good idea to visit your doctor for a check-up several weeks before you leave for a holiday. Discuss your itinerary with your healthcare team and work out plans for your meals and medication, especially if you are travelling through different time zones. Be sure to get any required vaccinations at least four weeks before you travel, so you have time to deal with any possible side effects.

Ask for a list of your medications (including the generic names and their dosages) from your pharmacist – particularly oral medications for diabetes and insulin. If you take insulin, record the types of insulin and whether the insulin is rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate or long-acting. Be sure to carry a copy with you at all times.

Some countries require you to have written documents from your doctor stating that you are allowed to carry medicines or supplies. Syringes and needles in particular can present a problem when entering some countries.

Illness management tips
Ask your doctor or diabetes educator what to do if you get sick on your holiday. Generally, if you experience motion sickness while travelling, take carbohydrate in the form of fluids (e.g. juice or soft drinks). If you are not sure how to convert carbohydrate to fluids, ask your diabetes educator.

Here are some basic illness management tips:

• Test your blood glucose levels every two to four hours around the clock.

• If you have type 1 diabetes, test your urine for ketones every four hours around the clock. If your blood glucose is high and you have ketones in your urine, you will need to take more short-acting insulin.

• Never stop taking your insulin or oral medications when you are ill, even if you are unable to eat. If your blood glucose levels are low you may need to reduce the dose.

• Drink lots of fluids, as illness can cause dehydration.
  If you are able to eat follow your regular meal plan and drink one cup of sugar-free fluid per hour (e.g. water or diet pop).

• If you are unable to eat drink sugar-containing fluids (e.g. regular pop or tea with sugar). Try to take one carbohydrate choice (15 g of carbohydrate) per hour. See the Canadian Diabetes Association’s Beyond the Basics: Meal Planning for Healthy Eating, Diabetes Prevention and Management food lists for more suggestions. In addition, drink sugar-free fluids. Try to drink one cup of fluid per hour.

• Rest.

• Seek medical attention if you vomit more than twice.
  If you use insulin to manage your diabetes, you should also ask your doctor or diabetes educator about Glucagon. Glucagon is given by injection, and is used to treat severe low blood glucose, a condition that can cause seizures or a loss of consciousness. If you are travelling to a remote spot that does not have ambulance service, it is important that your travel companion learn how to give Glucagon. See your doctor or diabetes educator if you are unfamiliar with its use.

Identification
Take identification with you that explains your condition in case you are unable to give instructions yourself. Consider getting a MedicAlert™ bracelet or necklace that indicates you have diabetes. (For more information on how to contact the Canadian Diabetes Association or the MedicAlert™ Foundation, see below).

Travel Insurance
Some insurance plans do not cover pre-existing medical conditions, which includes diabetes. The Canadian Diabetes Association partners with Ingle Insurance to offer travel insurance.

Packing
Divide your medications and diabetes supplies, and pack them in more than one place, in case you lose one of your bags. Most importantly, make sure that you have a portion of medications and supplies in your carry-on luggage. Take extra supplies and medication in case of loss, theft or accidental destruction. Also consider other supplies you may need, including treatment for hypoglycemia, food, drinking water, walking shoes, sunblock and medication for nausea and diarrhea.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Tips for different types of travel

• By Air. Most airlines are more than happy to help with passengers with special needs . Be sure to allow yourself extra time to check in before your flight, should your items be thoroughly searched by airport screening officers. Airlines usually offer special meals for people with diabetes, but most often the regular airline meals can fit into your meal plan with some planning. Always have appropriate snacks with you in case your flight or in-flight meal is delayed, or the meal provided does not have enough carbohydrate. Be aware of time zone changes, and schedule your meals and medication accordingly. If you choose to sleep while on travelling by air, use a travel alarm clock or ask the flight attendant to wake you at meal or medication time.

  If you take insulin, be sure to carry it with you at all times. Manufacturers indicate that, ideally, insulin should not be exposed to x-rays during travel and that it be inspected manually whenever possible. However, the security scanners used at check-in will not normally damage your insulin or blood glucose meter. If baggage remains in the path of the x-ray for longer than normal, or if the baggage is repeatedly x-rayed, the insulin may lose potency. Insulin is affected by extreme temperatures and should never be stored in the unpressurized baggage area of the aircraft. As always, it is important to inspect your insulin before injecting each dose. If you notice anything unusual about the appearance of your insulin, or notice that your insulin needs are changing, contact your doctor.

  Notify the screening officer in advance if you use an insulin pump. The walk-through metal detector and the hand-held metal detector may affect the functioning of an insulin pump, so you can ask the screening officer to perform a physical search in a private location.

  Try to do some form activity during your journey: walk around in the terminal before boarding, consider doing simple stretching exercises in your seat, or move your ankles in circles and raise your legs occasionally.

  If you are planning to travel by air, review the latest Transport Canada and Canadian Air Transport Security information about packing your supplies and what is permitted in carry-on and checked baggage. It’s important to have any prescription medicine with you and know how to use it, when to use it and any common side effects you might have. This will better prepare you to let air attendants know what to do.

• By Car. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, checking your blood glucose regularly is very important. Check it before you leave home and then again every four hours during your journey. Stop every few hours to stretch your legs and do some physical activity. This will help improve blood circulation. At the first sign of low blood glucose or hypoglycemia, pull over to the side of the road and take a form of fast-acting sugar, such as three glucose tablets or 175 mL of fruit juice. Follow this with a longer-acting carbohydrate such as a sandwich. Do not start driving again until the symptoms have disappeared and glucose values are above 6 mmol/L. If you take insulin, avoid driving in the time between your injection and your next meal. Limit your driving to a maximum of 12 hours per day, or six hours between any two meals. Keep your medication, meal, and snack times as regular as possible. You may not always be able to get to a restaurant on time, so bring supplies with you to treat low blood glucose (e.g. three glucose tablets, four to six Lifesavers™ or 125 mL of fruit juice or regular pop) in case of traffic jams, car trouble, or wrong directions.

• By Sea. Cruise holidays are known for all-you-can-eat buffets. With a wide array of mouth-watering foods available, it’s easy to overindulge. Talk to your diabetes educator before you leave about how to fit some of these foods into your meal plan. When possible, obtain a sample menu from the cruise line, so you’ll have an idea of the types of foods served; then you can plan your meals accordingly.

  Keep active to compensate for any extra food you eat. Cruise ships offer some great activities; try an aerobics class, go for a swim, or stroll the deck at sunset.

  It’s a good idea to make the cruise staff aware of your diabetes in case any problems arise. Have all of your medications well documented.

• On Foot. A vacation in the great outdoors can make for an excellent retreat from the pressures of everyday life, but there are a few things to consider before you go. Most importantly, there is safety in numbers – avoid going camping or hiking alone. Tell someone where you will be and when you expect to return, so you can be found in case of an emergency. Bring along a first aid kit and if you use insulin, a Glucagon* Emergency Kit. Teach your travel companion when and how to use Glucagon. For more information about the Glucagon Emergency Kit, talk to your diabetes educator.

  The key to enjoying a camping trip is to avoid things that severely alter blood glucose levels, such as significantly more intense physical activity than usual. Also try to avoid getting cuts, bruises, sunburns, blisters, or insect bites.

  Be sure that your food and water are not contaminated. Of course, make sure you eat and drink enough to meet your needs – bring extra food, water, medication and sugar. If you are extremely active you may need to decrease your diabetes medication, so be sure to discuss this with your diabetes educator or physician.

  *Glucagon is administered when a person has severe hypoglycemia

Insulin Storage and Use
Insulin must be stored properly, as it will spoil if left in temperatures that are too hot or too cold. Insulin retains its potency at room temperature for thirty days.

If you are travelling in hot temperatures, store your insulin in an insulated bag or cooled thermos. In extremely hot conditions, you can freeze water in plastic bottles and keep these in your insulated bag along with your insulin and food supplies. When melted, the water can then serve as drinking water.

If you are skiing, camping or working in a cold climate, keep your insulin close to your body or an insulated bag to keep it from freezing.

If your trip is short, you may want to keep your needles and sharps and dispose of them on your return home. For longer trips, you can purchase small containers that store or disintegrate needles and syringes.

If you use insulin pens, take a spare one with you. Also, pack some syringes as they can be used in an emergency to withdraw insulin from an insulin cartridge. Remember not to insert air into the cartridge when doing so.

Keeping Blood Glucose Levels Under Control
While on vacation, test your blood glucose regularly. Regular testing is the only way you’ll know whether your blood glucose levels are in their target range. It is also a good idea to bring the instruction manual for your meter as well as extra batteries and test strips with you.

Carry alcohol swabs or moist towelettes to wipe your fingers prior to testing when necessary. Keep a daily record of injections, medications and test results. If you have trouble with your blood glucose levels, follow the adjustment guidelines as discussed with your doctor or diabetes educator and/or contact your doctor or diabetes educator or contact a hospital in the area for advice. Be sure to have your documented list of medications handy to help the doctor provide appropriate care.

If you have opted for travel medical insurance, take your documents to the hospital with you. Insulins have different names and are supplied in different strengths in some countries. Make sure that the insulin and syringe concentrations are the same as those you use at home. Consider using your own supplies of medications and syringes in third world countries. Avoid using local syringes if not sterile.

Time Zone Changes for insulin users
Long journeys often cross several time zones, so a regular 24-hour day can be extended or shortened, depending on the direction of travel. Either way, you’ll have to adjust your insulin schedule accordingly. Blood glucose control can be upset by a change in time, altered activity, or disturbance of body rhythm and sleep patterns.

While travelling, keeping your blood glucose close to target levels can be a challenge. Here are some guidelines:

• When travelling east, your travel day will be shorter. If you lose more than two hours, you may need to take fewer units of intermediate or long-acting insulin.

• When travelling west, your travel day will be longer. If you gain more than two hours, you may need to take extra units of short-acting insulin and more food.

• You can change the time of your injections and meals by up to two hours in a day without adjusting your insulin dose or your meal plan.

• Follow your usual meal plan as closely as possible.

• If you are crossing more than two time zones, you will need to prepare a meal and insulin schedule with your doctor or diabetes educator.

• Time Zone Changes for people taking oral diabetes medications
  If the time difference is less than three hours, you can move the time you take your oral agents by one to one-and-a-half hours. If the time difference is more than three hours, ask your doctor or diabetes educator for advice.

Eating Well, Away from Home
It is probably more difficult to follow your meal plan on the road than it is when you’re at home, but it can be done with a little extra planning. Fortunately, a typical diabetes meal plan consists of foods that are generally available in most restaurants.

People with diabetes can fit virtually anything into their meal plan, in moderation. Managing your food intake away from home involves estimating appropriate amounts of these foods. It is a good idea to visit a registered dietitian to learn how to estimate serving sizes. It’s also important to eat a balanced diet while you’re away from home. Try to keep your calorie intake close to your typical level unless you are more active than usual. With the help of a dietitian, you can vary the types of food you eat. For example, you can try different sources of carbohydrate. Monitoring these changes can help you keep your meal plan on track and may help ward off potential problems.

Always have some snacks with you in case your blood glucose level drops or you’re unable to eat your next scheduled meal on time. Cheese and crackers, fresh or dried fruit, granola bars and sandwiches are all healthy choices that are easy to bring along in a carry-on bag, picnic basket or cooler. Also bring some quick-acting sugar with you, such as glucose tablets or juice. Learn more about eating well away from home.

Alcohol
Like everyone else, people with diabetes can enjoy alcohol – again, the key is moderation. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind if your choose to drink:

• Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Blood glucose levels are at their lowest levels overnight and drinking without eating may cause you to experience delayed low blood glucose during the night.

• Do not drink if you do not have someone with you who can assist in case of an emergency.
  Limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks per day and remember that when flying, altitude can increase the effect of alcohol on your body.

• Alcohol and alcoholic mixers contain calories and must be counted as part of your daily allowance. Use low-calorie sodas or diet mixers with your drinks. Avoid fortified beverages such as brandy, port, ice wine and liqueurs, which all have a high sugar content. In a social situation, it is a good idea to alternate alcoholic drinks with diet soda or water. Sip drinks slowly to avoid a rapid rise in your blood glucose level.

• Keep in mind that if you plan carefully, discuss any potential risks with your doctor or diabetes educator, and monitor your blood glucose regularly, you can look forward to a fun, safe and rewarding vacation. Bon Voyage!

The Traveler’s Checklist
Before you leave, remember to get:

• a medical check-up

• travel health insurance from Canadian Diabetes Association
  an identification card and MedicAlert ™ bracelet or necklace
  information on the local foods and drinking water

• a list of your medications

• a letter from your doctor

• any needed vaccinations

• information on local medical facilities or organizations

Ask your doctor or health care team about:

• illness management

• hypoglycemia management (glucagon for insulin users)

• adjustments for meals, insulin and medications in different time zones

• avoiding illness caused by contaminated food and water

Tips for adjusting your medication if required Packing list:

• extra supply of insulin or oral agent for diabetes

• extra supply of syringes, needles and an extra insulin pen if used

• blood glucose testing kit and record book

• fast-acting insulin for high blood glucose and ketones *

• fast-acting sugar to treat low blood glucose

• extra food to cover delayed meals such as a box of cookies or crackers and fruit juice

• urine ketone-testing strips *

• anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea pills

• pain medication

• sunblock

• insect repellent

• large amounts of bottled water, if necessary

• comfortable walking shoes

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Cheap Flight Ticket

Source : http://cheap-airfare-flight-ticket.blogspot.com/

Tips on saving big on airfare:

1. Book online instead of offline; you’ll save money from the paper processing fee.
2. Be ready and open to have different departure and return dates. Mark "anytime" in the search window.
3. Buy flight tickets during the off-season periods; flight tickets are usually cheaper.
4. Buy flight tickets in advance; you can save a lot.
5. Buy from an air courier service; these are companies that will buy your luggage space in exchange for lower-priced tickets.
6. If you fly a lot, join a frequent flyer program; such a program offers long-term discounts.
7. Buy a round-trp ticket; it is cheaper than a one-way ticket.
8. Fly midweek: Flights that leave during midweek are generally cheaper because of the decreased demand; do not fly on Fridays or Sundays.
9. Fly early mornings or late evenings; these are less busy and often can be less expensive.
10. Use a wholesaler: a wholesaler buys airfare tickets at extremely low rates and pass on the ticket price difference onto the consumer.

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15 Packaging Tips

Source : http://www.thestreet.com/

Here are a lot of ways you can minimize how much stuff you take on trips — and possibly even avoid the fees. Airport security won’t let you carry on containers bigger than about 3 ounces of liquids or gels, so that’s a start. Here are 15 more things you can do to lighten your load.

1. Don’t overpack. Yes, this sounds simple. But the reality is that most people do overpack. When you’re throwing stuff into your suitcase for that two-day business trip, ask yourself, "Do I really need this, or can I live without it till I get back?"

2. Leave the towels at home. If you’re staying at a hotel, your room will be stocked with towels. And those things take up a lot of space.

3. Limit your shoes. Shoes don’t just take up a lot of room; they’re also heavy. Remember, you’re going to have to hoist this suitcase into the overhead container, carry it up airport stairs and the like. Try to limit yourself to a few pairs, and wear your bulkiest pair on the plane.

4. Leave the laptop. Not only are laptops a pain to get through security, but other Internet-access options might be just as good. This goes for electronics in general. You may want to take a noise-canceling headset and an iPod, but consider whether you really need the GameBoy and all that other stuff you might be inclined to toss into the suitcase.

5. Pack versatile clothing. If you’ve got a black dress or a khaki/shirt combo that’s suitable for both the business meeting and the evening party, pack it. If your wardrobe plan involves lots of changes, you’ll use a lot more space.

   "Bring outfits that go with everything, and strip it down to the absolute essentials," says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. "Pack separates, and look for wrinkle-free clothing." Places such as TravelSmith offer lots of wrinkle-free options.

6. Think twice about gifts. Will Uncle Ken really want that huge bust of Lenin you bought for him? Possibly, but sometimes gifts just end up as clutter, and you’d do better just to send a postcard. At any rate, consider space-saving options when you’re purchasing presents for the folks back home.

7. Ditch the reading material. How many times have you taken books and magazines on a plane trip, only to fall asleep midflight and find yourself no farther along when you return? They take up space and are also heavy. You’ve already packed your iPod, so why not download a book on tape and listen to your fiction instead? Or, maybe pack an Amazon(AMZN – Cramer’s Take – Stockpickr) Kindle.

8. Get a pill container. If you’ve got prescription drugs, save some space by using a pill container rather than packing each individual bottle.

   A caveat: Some security people may want to check on the legitimacy of the prescriptions.

   "It’s helpful if you bring the prescription and/or packaging," Banas of SmarterTravel.com says. So, instead of all the bottles, you could perhaps bring a pharmacy page that describes the medication and its purpose, in case the security people ask about it.

9. Use a smaller suitcase. People tend to pack the suitcase full, so just try using one that will have less room. You’re more likely to be able to carry it on the plane (airlines have limits to carry-on size), and the smaller it is, the easier it will be to cram it into an overhead bin.

   If you must check luggage, use suitcases that don’t weigh very much to reduce the risk of being charged for overweight luggage.

10. Wear your biggest and heaviest clothes. Even if it’ll be a bit warm, wear your jacket on the flight so you don’t have to pack it. Planes tend to get cold midflight anyway, so you might need your coat along the journey.

11. Stuff stuff into shoes. Shoes have empty space in them, which is perfect for socks, underwear and the like. Use other hollow spaces, too.

12. Limit toiletries and makeup. Hotels will have shampoo, soap and other basic items. Unless you need your own special stuff, consider leaving it behind. Use two-in-one shampoo and conditioner combos, and keep the makeup to a minimum.

13. Roll up your clothes. The simple act of rolling up clothes makes them more compact and helps prevent wrinkles.

14. Get compression bags. You can put your clothes into bags that help compress them down into a manageable space.

15. Send a package in advance. This can save you money and headaches, depending on your situation. It’s a particularly good idea if you want to send presents already wrapped, or if you don’t want the hassle of checking a bag or risk it getting lost by the airline.

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PISA

Source : http://wikitravel.org/en/Pisa

Pisa is best known for the world famous Leaning Tower, but those who come here with their mind already made up that the Tower is the only thing to see may miss the rest of the architectural and artistic marvels of this beautiful city. The long walk from the Campo dei Miracoli to the train station is run through a pedestrian mall with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants. Pisa is a safe city, you do not need to worry about your property or person. However you should take the obvious precautions (like, if you stay in a very cheap hotel, take your valuables with you) and watch out for pickpockets in the touristy areas.

Pisa has regular trains to and from Florence (usually three per hour), toand from Lucca (usually every hour) and is also accessible by bus, and has an international airport. Pisa Airport "Galileo Galilei" is the main airport of Tuscany and is served by several airlines operating hundreds of weekly flights to national and international destinations. Numerous companies offer charter flights to and from a number of European and non-European destinations. Flying to Pisa is really cheap and easy: the most important low-cost companies reach Pisa. The airport is close to the city centre – it takes only a few minutes to reach the centre by bus, train or taxi. It is even possible to walk to the centre, this takes around 30 minutes.

You can purchase bus and train tickets from the information office in the arrivals hall. The trains are the fastest way to get to the city. The tickets cost €1,10 and the ride takes only about five minutes. However, the trains are not very frequent. There are only two per hour. The bus has a regular service every 15 minutes and it takes about 15 minutes to get to the city. The bus runs to Piazza dei Miracoli and the central station. Tickets are best bought at the information desk, since the ticket machine at the bus terminal is often out of service. Tickets cost €0.95, but if you buy them from the driver on the bus, you pay double. The bus terminal is directly in front of the airport, on the right side when coming out of the terminal building. Once in the city, its main sights are easy to locate and are all within walking distance.

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