Travel vaccinations should not be viewed as a simple precaution, they should be looked at as vital protection for anyone travelling abroad. According to the NHS, one in four British travellers heading to parts of the world known for being home to infectious disease travels without having had vaccinations.

Some people assume that because they are not particularly prone to getting ill at home, they will more than likely be OK abroad. But places in Asia and Africa expose you to diseases you will not have had to deal with in the UK, and if the body is not prepared, you can fall ill quite easily. Having perhaps saved for months to be able to afford that dream holiday, it’s not worth risking having it spoiled by illness, which could then mean having to meet hefty medical bills or even pay for repatriation.

The first thing to consider is what type of vaccinations you will likely need. This handy interactive NHS guide allows you to isolate your destination(s) and find out what diseases you may be at risk of if you travel there. For example, if you select ‘Thailand’ it recommends looking into vaccinations for typhoid, diphtheria, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and cholera, as well as giving some brief information on each disease.

Another reason not to overlook vaccinations is the fact that many of them are available for free! Speak to your GP about what vaccinations are available to you on the NHS, but you can get an idea from this section of the health service’s website. Some immunisations will have to be paid for privately but don’t let this put you off; most are available from high-street chemists such as Lloyds pharmacy and are not expensive – especially when compared to the potential cost of getting treatment for the disease abroad.

Obviously, doing research about the vaccinations you’ll need and having them done can take a little time, so don’t wait until the last minute. Travel vaccinations should be part of your holiday preparations every time you go away, and bear in mind that some treatments must be taken over the course of a few weeks, or you might need a period of watching for adverse reactions to these shots before you travel anywhere.

So you wish to put your travel shoes on again? Want to globe-trot and see cultures, customs and traditions very different from your’s? Feel like meeting new people and exploring new landscapes that nature has to offer? Indeed, there is no better joy than travelling! Right from the planning stage to the actual travel experience leaves such a deep impression on one’s mind and teaches you a whole new things that it changes at times your very approach towards life.  This write-up will hopefully give you some insight on what needs to be done to fulfil this insatiable need that some of us have!

Very often if you are a lone traveller, you tend to feel a little homesick of unconnected with international calling costing a bomb.  However, with technology at your behest you can now stay connected at all times and give your folks back home some peace of mind. Try new calling cards and free calling options from your laptop. If you are a lady travelling or backpacking alone, this is a must as it ensures safety and connectivity while you are on your toes. If you are travelling in a group, safety is not much of a concern, nor is connectivity as long as one person in the group carries a cell phone or has a laptop with VOIP options. All you need to do is find an Internet hotspot close by and the rest is taken care of. Preparing an itinerary is a must when you think of travelling whether locally or even more so, internationally. You could search for all the information you need on lonely planet. Their website offers exhaustive information and so do their travel guides. It is essential to take into account the likes and dislikes of all, if you are moving in company. Have activities that all will enjoy and you must ensure some adventure if you have kids on board!

Once the destination is finalised, you need to put in place all travel documents and start making arrangements for that extra cash. Remember, when you are travelling, uncalled for expenses are very frequent and very often you will end yourself in a soup if you do not have suitable arrangements made to the effect. Take care of all the visa formalities much in advance so that it does not become a headache at the last minute. Prepare a check list of all the items to be taken with you and make sure you have all the shopping done with sufficient time left to pack.

A few things to remember while on your toes are – always carry your passports on you, even when you are sight-seeing as it is always safer to have them on you instead of leaving them at hotels. If you have not booked your accommodation in advance, go to the local municipal tourist office and they will provide you with all the information required in terms of places to visit, visiting hours for popular tourist destinations etc. You can also get maps and plan your travel whilst on the move. Sometimes, it is better to go for package travel deals if you are travelling in a sizeable number as you might avail yourself of a lot of discounts.

And last but not the least; do not forget to take your camera and batteries along! You must not let these moments go uncaptured as there is nothing better than having a sip of coffee and looking at your beautiful collections of memories together years and years later!

When traveling to Egypt, there are various sites that you must visit. In fact, it is possible that you will find the length of your trip to be inadequate; there is so much to see and do. There are many people who have been to Egypt once and find themselves going back time and time again.

Areas not to be missed

Once you begin your adventure in Egypt, it will never end. However, there are some sites such as the pyramid of Giza, Luxor west bank and Abu Simbel that you shouldn’t leave Egypt before visiting. There are many travelers to Egypt who prefer flying direct to the upper part of Egypt to see Aswan and Luxon while at the same time hoping to see the pyramids. However, they are surprised to learn that they need to travel another 720 kilometres to Cairo as this is where the pyramids are actually located. This ends up costing them an extra $400. Therefore, there is a need to plan the trip well before you can begin.

Areas to avoid

As you travel to Egypt, there are certain areas that you should avoid, particularly those located in the middle of Nile Valley. There was a time about two decades ago when there were cases where Islamic fundamentalists targeted tourists. If you must visit these areas, then you should be ready to be escorted by the police as they will not allow you on your own. If you book a luxury holiday to Egypt you won’t have to worry about where and where not to go as all of those details will be taken care of for you.

Tourist attractions

The best season for traveling to Egypt is between October and May. Even though this is the peak season, the temperatures are better particularly for those who aren’t used to the heat. It is necessary to book your hotel early particularly where you are traveling during Christmas and Easter holiday.

There are tourists who avoid traveling to the country during the month of Ramadan as food and alcohol are not available. However, this is not always the case as there are hotels that recognize that their guests are not necessarily Muslim. The greatest tourist attraction is Egypt is without doubt the pyramids of Giza. Here, there are 3 main pyramids, including the Ancient Egypt pyramids, which were built in 2550 B.C. These acted as the tombs for kings and queens. But there are as many as 93 other pyramids even though these are the most famous. Another popular tourist attraction is the Luxor temple. This is the most beautiful temple, and has a rich history. It was referred as Ipt-Rsyt meaning the shrine on the south.

Things to do

A visit to Egypt would be incomplete without a cruise in the River Nile. This includes a visit to the Edfu, Esna and Kom Ombo temples. You can also take a short cruise to Luxor, which includes a visit to the West Bank to have a view of the Kings and Queens valleys. Remember to have a tour guide with you during a cruise visit.

Most people find packing a bit of a nightmare, the fear is that you’ll take too little and inevitably you end up taking too much. In the stress and confusion that accompanies the packing ritual people often end forgetting the basics or the essentials. This post is to help remind you what five key items are essential on your travels wherever they may take you. These items are more necessary for the journey itself because you are almost always guaranteed to be able to find the things you need for your holiday on your holiday.

GPS system or map

The last thing you want or need is to take a wrong turn while on the road particularly at night. Having a GPS system whether it’s a fancy device or simply part of your smart phone can help you to stay on track on your journey. If you aren’t travelling by car then it’s equally important to make sure you have a map of the place you are visiting, even if it’s simply one you printed off the Internet. When traveling to foreign countries you never know what might happen, flights could be delayed and connections missed meaning you could arrive at your destination in the dead of night and have to navigate your way around an unfamiliar city.

A back up cell phone

Having a spare phone or at the least a spare battery can stop you being stranded without means of communication. These days smart phones are capable of getting us online, directing us to places and so much more but the downside is that the battery life is often much shorter than older phones. With two phones fully charged, you need never worry about your battery dying on you.

Money

This is an obvious one but making sure you have enough money on your travels is essential. It’s sensible to keep a secret stash of money on your person somewhere that is separate to your wallet, purse or handbag. That way if you are robbed or you lose your purse, you’ll have enough in reserve to tide you over until you can get help from your bank.

Audio books

Audio books are the perfect form of entertainment for travel because they don’t take up additional space in your luggage like books do and you won’t need to worry about poor lighting on planes and buses because rather then read you can simply sit back and listen.

Copies of your important documents

It’s not enough to have your important documents with you when you travel. Make sure you take scans of all of your documents such as your passport, drivers license, vaccinations certificates and then carry copies with you but also email the scans to your own email account or a friends so that you can access your detail in case of loss or theft. Also at some border crossings you are required to provide photocopies of your passport.

Tissues or wet wipes 

Many people think of babies when they see wet wipes but these are a lifesaver when it comes to travel essentials. Perfect for spilt food on the plane, sanitisation after using toilets, freshening up after a snooze in transit and so much more.

Carry these five essential items in your hand luggage and you’ll find your travels are much smoother and more comfortable for you.

For those people interested in a life of travel, putting money aside is certainly an issue. Keeping in mind that the travel part of the equation is the ultimate goal, finding jobs that offer the most return for the least commitment is generally a fundamental guideline. These are not long-term positions you are looking for. Although it would be nice to be welcomed back to a job in order to fill your pockets again, that should only be considered a bonus.

Finding the most hassle free jobs to help you save up for travelling is not terribly difficult. Know what your goal is, approach the situation with a positive attitude, put a smile on your face, and maintain a good work ethic, remembering to keep a picture in your mind of the adventures that await.

The world of food service

Being a bartender, or being part of the waiting staff at a restaurant or tavern, is the perfect solution for someone saving money for travel. Seasonal tourist locations are good spots to find short-term work. The hours are long, but the longer the better because the more money you can earn. If you can muster up the energy to be the best person you can be every day, the tips alone may finance your trip. Because the work is seasonal, you may be welcomed back the following season with open arms, and there will be no hard feelings when you have to leave.

Cashier jobs

Finding cashier jobs in your local area should be easy enough, supermarkets and shops are usually in need of cashier staff as it’s the kind of job that students do so turnaround can be high. If you live in a town or city you are guaranteed of a variety of stores that will at different times be offering cashier jobs. The great thing is that once you’ve worked in one shop as a cashier then you will be trusted to work in any shop in a similar role.

Delivery jobs

Delivering for restaurants is another short-term job that offers tips. Any work you can find that offers tips is going to help you achieve your goal faster. Whether it’s pizza or take-out from a full service restaurant, delivery jobs will keep you in the money. Again, this is a position that won’t disappoint your employer when you need to part ways as high turnaround is par for the course with this kind of job.

General labour

General labour positions, such as jobs on construction sites, are not for the faint of heart, but they will often pay well. If you plan on hiking or backpacking, they will also give you an opportunity to get into shape if you haven’t already done so. If you play your cards right, you may even find a labour position that offers you cash for a day or week’s worth of work. Never pass up cash!

Finding the most hassle free jobs to help you save up for travelling is simply a matter of getting out there and being the first in line. This is no time to be lazy. The harder you work the better off you will be when you start your trip. There will be plenty of time for relaxation when you’re sitting on a beach somewhere.

Keep a few simple things in mind. Never pass up jobs that pay cash. Jobs that offer tips are always a priority, and the more hours you can work the better. Temporary employment agencies are also another avenue to pursue. Don’t leave any stones unturned, and you’ll have a pocket full of cash to help you enjoy your latest adventure.

Finding a job abroad when travelling abroad is not difficult if the traveler knows how to go about it. This post shares top tips for finding a job whilst travelling abroad.

Teaching

The best paying job when travelling abroad is temporary teaching assignments. While it is possible to teach any subject of expertise, the most common opportunities are to teach English to non-English speakers, fine arts such as dancing, or some other skill. Websites such as craigslist, www.idealist.org and others that list volunteer and job opportunities worldwide is a good source to identify such job opportunities. Even when there are no direct positions available, the traveler seeking out jobs can email possible schools, agencies and others who may be interesting in the services of a special tutor from abroad. English teachers are much in demand all over the world, and in places like Thailand and Korea where English is not the native language, but people want to learn the language, such assignments actually pays enough money to live by and even save something.

Working for Keeps

In the olden days, many people paid for their trans-Atlantic journey by working their keep. This is possible even today, where the traveler can sign up for temporary positions in a cruise ship. This would not only allow the traveler to travel and dine free, but the remuneration may cover other expenses. The jobs on offer however would be the low-end jobs, such as cleaning jobs, personal assistants, guides, security guards, lifeguards, deck hands or any other job of a temporary nature. There have been instances of travelers even undertaking the Antarctic cruise, one of the most expensive cruises on earth, without spending a cent, this way.

Volunteer Jobs

Many not-for-profit organizations such as Volunteers for Peace (http://www.vfp.org/) and others offer short-term volunteer jobs across the globe. The range of job options mostly includes doing charity or relief work. These jobs do not pay much, but would invariably offer accommodation, and remain best suited for the traveler as the commitment required is only for a short duration.

Marketing and sales

Most small and medium business would love to expand their market, but would lack the resources and means to do so. The traveler can tie up with any business to promote their products at the destination. Emails and trade websites serve a limited functionality and do not ensure credibility upfront. A real person approaching the foreign sales partner to introduce the product is a sure way to close the deal initiated through ebay.com, alibaba.com or some other trade portal. The traveler can secure a commission from the business for finding stockist or sellers of their products at the destination. Finding online sales jobs is also easier than one might think.

Taking Up Seasonal Jobs

The traveler could cash in by being at the right place at the right time. Many businesses are seasonal in nature and do not employ full time permanent staff for all their requirements. They rather hire short-term seasonal labor. For instance, tourism is a seasonal business, and many hotels and resorts tend to hire temporary staff during the busy season. Similarly, many farms may require seasonal labor during the harvest season. The prospects brighten at places where there is shortage of seasonal labor to begin with.

However, many countries issue tourist visas that explicitly prohibit the visitor from taking up employment. The traveler looking to find a job when travelling abroad needs to be aware of such limitations, and also local labor regulations regarding temporary jobs.

In today’s climate, insurance is somewhat a vital necessity when it comes to ensuring our prized possessions are always in good hands. Unfortunately it’s impossible to predict what’s around the corner; and that long awaited and much needed holiday, could soon turn in to disaster when unpredictable factors spiral out of our control.

The decision to not take out a travel insurance policy for an upcoming holiday is often something people do in order to reduce costs. Travel insurance however, really doesn’t cost the earth; and could very well be the answer to your prayers in unforeseen circumstances.

There are many options on the market for travel insurance, some high and some very low. Neither of these should ever be an option for your personal policy as both have many flaws.

Insurance is an absolute must nowadays, though offers of low cost travel insurance can often prove to not even be worth the paper it’s written on.

When comparing travel insurance quotes, low priced offers can often appear more attractive, but saving a few pounds on your policy now could leave you footing larger medical bills if an accident was to happen overseas.

If you are thinking about buying your insurance through your travel agent, you know that these can sometimes be up to four times higher than a policy you can purchase yourself online. Albeit knowing this fact; the lowest price you can find still is not the right choice to make either.

Travel insurance in effect is no different than any other insurance you may have; and as a general rule you should never purchase a policy which offers less than £2 million for medical expenses, and £1 million for personal liability. These are the main priorities of your policy, and should never be overlooked simply because you can save a few pounds when purchasing it.

Secondly, you should always check the level of excess on your policy; as you could end up paying over the odds before your insurer even begins to pay out. Many budget travel insurance companies have high excess costs, so always check the small print before you commit to buy.

There are many travel insurance providers who don’t automatically offer cover for cancellations costs, or medical expenses; as the only legal requirement for a travel policy is that it provides a form of cover for personal belongings. Additionally, always ensure you check the wording on policies that are offered complimentary with bank accounts; as you could end up stuck overseas without a number to call in the event of an emergency.

The cost of travel insurance can often vary significantly, with a lot of companies refusing to insure people over the age of 50; or those with existing medical disorders. Always, always check before you buy, as it could end up costing you thousands.

Some companies such as Insure & Away, do allow travellers to customise their quotes to suit their needs. Don’t jeopardise your dream trip by not buying the right policy for you. When it comes to travel insurance, less is definitely not more.

You’re sitting at work on a Monday afternoon. You should be making copies of a report no one will read for a boss no one likes, but instead you’re staring out the window, daydreaming about kicking the copies and the boss to the curb to go travel. But you, like so many before you (and too many after,) are afraid. Because while you could easily bid farewell to your current employer and head off into the sunset, how will you explain to a prospective employer down the line why you did it?

That question’s not as difficult to answer as you think. Here’s how to not get hired despite having taken time off work to travel, but because of it.

A travel gap on a CV tends to look more like an ominous black hole than an accomplishment. But unless you spent the entire time taking shots in Ibiza – and even if you did – there were likely some milestone moments. Use your travel achievements as a way to illustrate your ability to be organized, responsible and curious. Whether you climbed mountains, crossed borders or sampled the world’s purported spiciest Pad Thai, the preparation and execution of said feats parallel the set of responsibilities you’d have working in an office. Only they’re a lot more interesting to read about.

It stands to reason that we travel to see people, places and things unfamiliar to us. If you wanted the familiar, you’d have just stayed at home. In any workplace an appreciation for diversity and the differences in others should be highly valued. Perhaps you learned a new language on a whole other continent, or navigated the difficulties of daily life in a third world country. The experience of travel enriches our appreciation for how other people live. And how they work. If you’ve learned how to help manually flush toilets in a country where you don’t speak the language, you can work respectfully with Frank even though he organizes budgets differently than you do.

While you may not want to wax too poetic to a potential employer about those toilets you were manually flushing, you may want to highlight the time it went terribly wrong. And what you learned. There are very few certainties in a traveler’s life, but one is undoubtedly misadventure. Weather turns cold when it’s supposed to be hot. Trains don’t show up. Then there was the time you got locked in a Moroccan hammam with a monkey (hypothetically.) Travelers are inevitably confronted with the need to be flexible and roll with the punches. Regardless of the disaster, use your misadventure anecdotes to illustrate how travel has developed your ability to think on your feet and adapt to whatever’s thrown at you. Even if it’s a monkey doing the throwing.

You may never know how things would’ve turned out if you’d stayed at that job. But you can know this for certain – they hired somebody else to replace you and make copies, and that person doesn’t really like your old boss either, and his or her CV will read like the CVs of countless other people. While they were making copies, you were learning lessons – about the world, the people in it, and yourself – that can’t be learned in an office. But they can be applied in an office. And they can make one hell of a CV.

For that matter, they can make one hell of a candidate.

Whatever the reason, if you’re travelling abroad, you’re bound to have a lot of fun, especially if you’re visiting a different country for the first time. However, there are a few risks involved, not least if you become injured or ill while staying in the country you’re visiting. If you need immediate medical attention in a country where you don’t speak the native language, then it can be hard to get the care needed to prevent your health from deteriorating, and there may be a number of different laws which make getting help more difficult.

This is where taking out a travel insurance policy will come in useful. It may be costly, especially if you travel a lot, but it can cover you in the event of an injury, to some extent. It also means that you have a safety net if something goes wrong during your trip, but if your insurance is insufficient to cover you if, say, you have to leave your job as the result of an accident abroad, what can you do? You could go to legal experts like personal injury claims, who can help you get compensation if you can prove you weren’t at fault for your injury.

By making a no win no fee compensation claim, you could get the money needed to cover lost working hours, medical bills and even have a little extra for emergencies. It might seem like a last resort, but it’s important to know what to do if the worst happens while you’re miles away from home. Knowing you can do this, even with different laws and red tape to contend with, means that you can enjoy your stay abroad without worrying about what to do if you get injured.

This post is brought to you by first4lawyers accident abroad specialists

Family travelling to a best destination
all over the world gives a maximum bonding that last for long. These destinations incorporate a lot of natural and multi-cultural and the age-appropriate programmes that entails total fun to kids and educational. These destinations also provide forums to which both parents if any and the guardians can reconnect with their families. The following are the most luxurious in the world and offer well above.

Ritz-Carlton, the Grand Cayman
Far away from home, Ritz-Calton is a number one choice for many families in the world. The place was coined after a legend Ritz-Cayman who worked with Jean-Michel to create fully entertaining programs for children. Kids with ages 4 to 18 years can fully explore natural jungle gym using a pontoon boat to dive up to 100 feet down the ocean surface instead of using a submarine. The resort also is unique it the sense that the kids can film their adventures and also the sea life. To ensure a total safety, the kids are superbly supervised by the well trained team and at the same time parents can supervise them.

Rio Beach Resort, Puerto Rico
Rio Beach resort has been overlooked for long time in the Caribbean. It does not only offer family holiday bit also for kids destinations. The resort is just some steps away from the El Yungue natural forest which is the only tropical forest in US forest system. the parents can take evening outs with their kids at the Iguana club and also take eco-walks through the floors of the forest and discover various species of wildlife in the forest.

Hotel San Pietro, Italy
Located in the Amalfi Coast, the hotel San Pietro is family owned five star hotel ideal resort for the travelers who would wish for a resort-style accommodation. As compared to other hotels in Amalfi coast, hotel San Pietro has its own beach, excursion boat and a tennis court. To boost the comfort of each family, the hotel manager usually accommodates each family with personal touches and specifications hence a customized family destination for travelers.

Four Seasons Aviara, California
This is a unique travelers’ destination which has various locations, diverse programmers, and facilities for kids, teenagers, toddlers, tweens, and families with babies. Travelers can make advance arrangements for meals with different specifications, and tour to nearby sea world and Lego land. During the afternoons, family walks around the conservancy to learn a lot about the endangered species and their conservation. Post lunch activities in the resort may include the kids’ soccer, kickball, Frisbee and kite flying. Kids will enjoy a lot.

Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton
The inn at Palmetto is home to the famous two multi-tiered house on a tree compounded with a lot of fishing activities. The resort staff can arrange for the family fishing, canoeing, crabbing, horse riding, kayaking, and shrimping. Accommodations at the resort are always customized to suite the family needs and sizes. To save on cost, families can be allocated rooms with kitchenettes supporting up to 3 to 5 family members. The resort is suitable for families who wish to enjoy fishing activities for the time they are on holiday. If you’re still unsure, consider family holidays with Mahlatini.com to make your travel plans with the kids, that little bit less stressful!