Tagged With "fuel costs"
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Re: Boston in the fall - suggestions please!
Thank you Dr. F. - wise words we will keep 1-2 hotels booked ahead and be flexible beyond that. We are really looking forward to this new 'slice' of America, I never realised that the Pilgrim fathers just named every new town after their old home towns - I'm going to be quite confused!! Thanks too Garry that looks lovely! I envy you being there ahead of us!! PS we are now on the verge of booking Cuba too and are horrified at the cost that Virgin Atlantic is trying to screw us for an upgrade...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Technically, it would be possible to create very large WiFi zones, whether free or paid. But since someone gets paid (either on the meter, or a fee for the project) and there is a cost to constructing/installing the equipment to broadcast that signal...it won't happen unless someone is paying. In the case of the hotel, picking up on rbciao's point about breakfast--have you noticed that the free WiFi and the free breakfast tend to come with the budget chains, while the high-end places charge...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Good discussion! WiFi has for me become an indispensable part of traveling. It allows me to stay in touch with family easily and cheaply (remember how hard it was even 25 years ago -- a phone call could run you $5 a minute? And there was no email). It lets me spend evening hours clearing out a hefty email que, and doing research on what I am going to see tomorrow and the next day. And with "Gumbo on the Go", it lets me share my travels as they happen with fellow Gumboites! I echo PHeymont's...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Originally Posted by JohnT: Maybe it's the old capitalist coming out in me, but I think "should" is a strong word. Free access to wi-fi certainly helps me determine where I'll stay, just like free breakfast is...but if a hotel has enough other amenities so that people are willing to pay for it's wi-fi then so be it...although it is easy enough to get free somewhere, I don't value it enough to pay for it. I agree with you John, that market forces will drive this. But the demand for "free"...
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Staying in the UK is no more expensive than being a tourist in the USA. You wont get a month in London. Same as me travelling from the UK to New York. Silly Prices ! So decide on what you want to do over here and start planning, Have a look at the YHA web site. Youth Hostels Association. Forget the Youth reference. My Kids aren't Youths anymore. And I use them too! They are used by Travellers like yourself - and me - across Europe. They are Family groups and Ramblers ( Countryside Walkers)...
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
That's helpful too, Rob. So with your guys advice, I'm thinking of the following plan, which still has holes I need to fill. I actually like the idea of Paris more than Scotland for this trip, plus I worry about the cost of travel to Scotland back so unless I can get a really cheap plane ticket or train ticket to Edinburgh, I think I'll drop that and focus on eastern UK and then on to Paris. So this is where I'm at now: 1) Arrive in Manchester. Maybe ??2 days 2) Travel Liverpool. 3 days 3)...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Are you a worrier? Do you run to the doctor at the first sign of possible trouble? Are you particularly clumsy and break bones? If the answers are no, as it sounds like they might be, I'd say don't bother with the insurance. If you need an English speaking doctor in Italy you'll find one. Your hotel or any pharmacy will help. It won't cost an arm & a leg if rumor is true. I don't know precisely because even though I travel a lot I answered no to all my questions too, don't need doctors...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
SueZee, wherever you travel in the world your hotel will find you a suitable doctor who will speak enough English for your needs - just like Dr.F says - and Italy will have plenty. Don't bother with lists as they will always be out of date by the time you might want to use them, plus it will no doubt not list a great doc that the hotel knows is just around the corner! At the worst the hotel will have an English speaking staff member sit with you to help translate. Conversely, I do think that...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Mac says, a good travel insurance policy is an absolute requirement - The part he left off was "for me", for him. Insurance, any kind, is playing the odds. When you buy it you're betting you'll have a disaster. When you don't you're figuring the likelihood of a dire event is low. If you take an occasional trip of short duration and can afford insurance, sure, why not. When the number & length of trips begins to mount and the budget becomes more of an issue then maybe not. It's called...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
As with many things travel, insurance is a matter of choice. Travel Health Insurance seems to be a lot more expensive in the US than elsewhere. Policies in the US usually include trip cancellation and medical coverage and often run 5-6% the cost of a trip. Given the amount you travel, Mac, the investment of a few hundred dollars a year seems prudent to me. But when I was 30 the thought of insurance never crossed my mind. Not once. A few years ago I did start buying trip cancellation (and...
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Re: Air Miles vs Low Fare Airline
Amazing the way these calculations work out. We're going to England next spring, using American Airlines points. The flight selection offered us flights on British Airways and American. The AA flights cost the points plus government fees. The BA flights cost the points plus the government fees, plus enough surcharges to make a $1000+ difference. If I only had the BA flights, I'd certainly rather find a low-cost carrier! It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming year as Aer...
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
One more thought. Think long term. If you're likely to travel again and might need a phone again, buying one will be even more cost effective. And buying one after you arrive will be least expensive. Phone service in the US is notoriously expensive. People in developing countries all have mobile phones because of the lack of infrastructure for land lines. So low-income working people all over the world rely on cell service and it must be cheap. So doing as the locals do when you travel...
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
If you take a look at http://prepaidgsm.net, you’ll see the reason for PortMoresby’s recommendation. It’s not the cost of the phone, it’s the cost of every minute, often many times that of a local SIM. For example, the Mobal SIM comes with a rate for Morocco of $1.50 a minute outgoing and $1.50 a minute incoming. Meditel, one of the Moroccan carriers, charges (depending on plan) about 10c a minute up to 40c a minute, and no charge for incoming. Mobal will sell you data at $28.99 for ONE...
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
I have a Mobell (same company as Mobal) UK sim that I got years ago, very convenient, phone bills charged to my credit card, rather than having to keep track of the balance and "top up". However, calls are relatively expensive although I don't mind for the convenience and limited use when I'm in the UK. Knowing full well it would cost me, about a £ a minute because I was in Italy, I allowed a British friend who was meeting me in Italy to call me when she arrived using her UK phone and my UK...
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Re: London- multiple questions
You've gotten some great advice! I think that as a daytrip, Liverpool pushing the fringes of what you want to do because of the cost and travel time (total 5 hours). Maybe best to make an overnight of that one?
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Re: London- multiple questions
I can only help with one of the questions...but GarryRF, one of the TG Gurus, lives in Liverpool and can certainly help with that part. For Stonehenge without a car, there are really two main options. There are a number of tour operators who run coach tours from London to the site; or you can take a train from London to Salisbury and take a bus from the station to the Stonehenge visitor center. The visitor center is new since I was there; it's about 10 minutes by shuttle from the stones...
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Re: Four Days in Berlin
I'll be posting some Berlin blogs in the next few weeks, since we visited last month...but for the moment, I'll start with one of our best experiences—a food walking tour. It's a great way to meet other visitors and to experience local foods and their history. We started at a small cafe/sweetshop and ate our way through breads and meats and pastries and ended up at a beer garden run by a small artisanal brewery, where the owner/brewmaster sat with us and then took us on a tour of his...
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Re: Airbnb Questions
1. "...is payment for Airbnb places always processed in the US even for stays overseas?" Airbnb processes reservations for guests in their own currency, pays out in the currency of the host. So you, in the US, will always pay in US dollars, a UK resident will pay in £s, etc. The host posts prices in their home currency and when a guest in another country logs in and searches/books, the price is converted by the website at the current exchange rate and they always see the rate in their own...
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Re: A shout-out for Ryanair...no kidding!
Ireland's Ryanair has overtaken Lufthansa as Europe's biggest airline by passenger numbers. Lufthansa's 109.7 million passengers last year fell short of the 117 million passengers reported by low-cost carrier Ryanair last week, a 15% increase on the previous year, as Ryanair pulled in passengers with low prices. Any airline that gets me across Europe for $15 US (one way) can be as rude as they like. But Ryanair have always been a courteous and professional company to deal with. Delta and...
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Re: How do you buy your travel?
I never trusted travel agents before the freedom of the internet gave us access to cost information, and I would need a great excuse to trust them now. Online travel purchasing gives us the freedom to have price information come directly to us, rather than to a middle man who may or may not have our best interests in mind. So flights I'll buy either through Expedia or from the airline directly (esp if they are having a "sale"). Rooms I almost get through booking.com, my favorite site because...
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Re: How do you buy your travel?
Few more thoughts, following HistoryDigger and DrFumblefinger... 1. Definitely check all your affiliations on car rental; after years of getting better price through AAA than any other way I knew, I recently found that going to the same vendors through USAA (my car insurance) gets me even better. 2. Not only does Priceline have good pricing on cars, I've often found I can get 30-40% lower through their blind-bidding (Name Your Own Price) service. 3. RailEurope is something of a red flag for...
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Re: Neighborhoods in Santiago de Cuba
I'm not familiar with Santiago de Cuba. Casa particulares will provide you with meals and drinks. Stores and Restaurants are hard to find and most food is still rationed to the Cubans. Cuban water is safe for the locals but carries a high mineral content, which may cause gastro problems. Bottled "Montero" water is available and low cost. Quite nice too. Santiago de Cuba is not on the tourist lists for us Brits. Most Cuban food uses - Rice -Beans - Eggs - Chicken - Pork (No Beef) - Fish...
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Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
Well, I said so much about Iceland, I decided to leave the rest for another post. Getting from Barcelona (or Madrid) to Lisbon: the only practical way is to fly. Train takes too long for this one, and costs more! From Barcelona to Lisbon, flights on Vueling, Iberia, TAP, etc. run from $35 one-way to about $80 before you hit the high-priced ones. I just looked in May; Vueling and Iberia have $68 in the morning and $35 at 7:30 pm. Madrid-Lisbon, there's a $40 mid-day flight, but most other...
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Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
To add to Mac's suggestions, with the week you have I'd recommend either a combination of Fes & Chefchaouen OR Marrakech & Essaouira. The first gives you an interesting medina experience combined with a very pretty mountain town and the Roman ruins of Volubilis between. The second a large city with all it has to offer plus a much smaller and very beautiful seaside fishing town with good tourist infrastructure. For that time of year I'd recommend Marrakech/Essaouira. If you're passing...
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Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
February is probably not what I would have chosen, either, but it's when my wife has the time. PortMoresby, I'm not sure about arrival; I'm trying to balance the higher cost of flying right in with what seems to be multiple connections at cheaper rates. I haven't really looked to see what I could get in cheap Europe-Morocco fares if I can get an award flight to Europe. Casablanca looks cheapest so far, about $200 less than Marrakech, but that's not too important if Casablanca's the wrong...
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Re: RV rental for road trip
It is cost effective, but RV is not for everyone. I don't suggest you try it with 2 kids on a long trip for the first time. Rent one where you live for a weekend and see how much you like it. If you like it, rent one for the trip above. But if you end up hating it, you'll have a bad time from Denver to Cali.
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Re: Road Trip: The Movies and the Cars
Originally Posted by Dan Carter: So: I'm down to a bunch of questions. How real are the movie cars (obviously not talking about Batmobiles)? What's with the T-Bird? There is a lot of variation in how "real" cars are in movies. it depends on what the car must survive during filming and, sometimes, who is driving. In the James Bond flick "You Only Live Twice" Sean Connery drives a Toyota 2000 GT convertible. there were only 2 2000GT convertibles built, both for the movie. the primary reason...
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Re: Spain or Portugal?
That's very helpful. I'll give them a look and see what I find that suites me. Also, for getting around Portugal and spain, should I take the train? Bus? local planes? Any idea which works best (cost and efficiency both matter, but so does easy connections)
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Watch those search engines: the big ones are not always best!
I was just booking a one-way trip from Barcelona to Marseille for next summer hoping to use some points sitting on a bank-based (but not airline-affiliated) card. Imagine my shock when the ticket (which I knew should cost about $89) showed up as...
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Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
A number of you have helped me plan a trip to Portugal and Barcelona. I've decided to go on this trip next May when I'll have a few more days of vacation. Checking out different airline websites, I came across Icelandair, which flies...
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Is Pre-check or Global Entry worth it?
I keep seeing information about making airports easier, and I saw that even the government is setting up programs to let some people go in a fast lane without having to unpack everything or take everything off. But those programs that I read about,...
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Credit Card Car Rental Insurance Options
I know auto rental insurance is not usually a good deal if you purchase it at the car rental place at the time and different credit cards already include the coverage if you book the rental with the card. I was made aware of the American Express Premium Car insurance available for AMEX cardholders and a few features make me think it might be worth the cost over their free coverage. First, it's considered primary coverage and you won’t have to file a claim with your insurance company first if...
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Are We bored of Abroad? - Why UK holidays are the Next Big Thing
Millions of holidaymakers are abandoning the beaches of far flung climes and sticking with a staycation in the UK - and in bigger numbers than ever before. Good news for the domestic economy, holidaying Brits are choosing to spend their hard-earned cash and home. The figures make for great reading… In the first quarter of 2016, 10% more people were holidaying in England than at the same time in 2015, a Rise of some 7.3 million holidaymakers. But why? What has changed to prompt people to stay...
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5 Things You Must Tell A Limo Service Company While Hiring Them
Using a limousine service adds a sense of class and luxury to the person who is sitting in its back seat. Traveling in a limousine is an experience most people can only dream about. Most people hire limousine services for important life events, and therefore one needs to be careful in choosing the service. No matter what the event is, whether you want a luxury limousine service , a corporate event, or a wedding, there are a few things you must check with a limousine service company when you...
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Tips For A Perfect Summer season Tour
Summertime’s have struck one of the most of the plain areas with the intense warm days; every passing day is getting hotter. The heat is making is harder for everybody to head out specifically in day time. Summer season breaks in the schools all across the country are almost to start, that makes it an ideal time for the family trip to go for Berlin Wall Tour . This is the time when kids are already set for a daring summertime vacation and they anticipate you to plan a trip to some hill...
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6 Ways to Save Money on Food While on Vacation
Are you planning a trip to Monterey, California? You will want to make the most of your vacation and see all the sights. Eating out three meals a day can be a huge expense. Don't worry. There are ways you can save money and enjoy your trip while staying on budget. Here are a few tips that can help. Choose a Place with Cooking Facilities : Many hotels have kitchenettes or even full kitchens. Renting an apartment, a condo, or a vacation home will offer the benefit of a kitchen where you can...
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Experience the Magic of Unforgettable Hassle-free Trip and Rejuvenate your Senses
In recent times, the most promising and flourishing industry is the tourism industry which plays a vital role in the development of the country's economy by bringing revenues. Some people travel because they have a passion for exploring new places and some people travel because they want to get rid of their monotonous life and having a desire to bring rejuvenate their life. By exploring new places one can restore the childhood memories. With the tourism industry, many other aspects of our...
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Best Ways To Save Money During Your Travels
It’s definitely very possible to live life to the fullest. You can travel the world while you are young – don’t wait for you pension. You can see everywhere and everything you want to, following some intuitive money-saving tips. This article gives you the best advice, including some tips from experts! Talk to locals Locals have the best advice on what the best and most affordable attractions are in town. Making friends with locals is even better, as it secures connections across borders.
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Top 12 Attractions And Places to Visit in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, known as its historical and industrial identity, is also known as the 'heart of Gujarat'. The city is also known as Master Businessman in the world. Not only this, Gandhiji taught the lesson of Satyagraha and non-violence in this city. In this way, this city is a materialistic and self-sacrificial spirit city. Ahmedabad is full of sightseeing in terms of tourism. Tourists from all over India and abroad are visiting here. Ahmedabad is the economic capital of Gujarat. The city was...
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Things you should do in Singapore
Singapore is a tiny island and may be smaller than many major cities around the world, but this country has succeeded to create a high level of discipline among its people and is today being looked up upon across the world. However, don’t let the country’s inclination for law frighten you. Singapore can promise can extraordinary vacation, as long as you follow certain simple tips that will make your tour much more enjoyable. 1. Throw your litter into the bin Though this is quite a basic...
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How do you buy your travel?
There's a report on Skift, a travel industry news site, that says that a recent survey shows that about 2/3 of U.S. travelers think they can do better buying from the "brand" rather than an agency, and that only 15% trust online travel agencies to...
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How do you use the internet while traveling?
I've just finished a long trip and it's time for me to rethink how I use the internet on overseas trips. It actually ending up costing me a lot more by not buying a data plan and relying solely on Wi-Fi. This trip my plan was to use...
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Tax Delinquents Beware - the IRS Comes for Your Passport
Tax delinquency is not a new thing in the United States. But now, the delinquency is going to cost one dearly. The government of USA is aiming to have a debtors’ prison in the country. It has been known from trusted sources that very soon the Internal Revenue Service will begin to deny passport issuance to some American citizens, who have not paid their taxes. In many cases the passports of tax delinquent Americans might also be revoked. The government will play a pivotal role in making sure...
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Why Rent Cars With Drivers?
Are you planning a travel, either for leisure or for business? If yes, it’s essential to opt for Car Rental with Driver in Bali whenever you arrive there. There are many travel agencies that offer car rental facilities but it’s always better to opt for personal drivers as things become more convenient. There are many guidelines to hire a driver in Bali. Check out some of them. If you are hiring a car on rent with driver, ensure that you select simply the best. Always look out for options...
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7 Tips on how to eat street food in India without getting sick
India - a land of remarkable diversity is a much-loved tourist destination. The ancient traditions, artistic heritage, majestic landscapes and culinary creations prevailing in this country are sure to ignite your curiosity and warm your soul. Every state in the country has their own culinary delights, which have been passed from one generation to another. The variety found in Indian cuisine is unparalleled and unmatched by any other cuisine across the globe. Though the Indian food is widely...
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Popularity of POD hotels grows
Seems that demand for POD "rooms" is growing. These small modular sleeping units offer weary travelers the opportunity for a low cost nap or even night's sleep. If you aren't claustrophobic! Many airports are looking at adding these...
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A look at JetBlue's new Premium Class cabin
Conde Nast Traveler has posted a nice piece on JetBlue's new premium class cabin being rolled out on its NYC to LAX route. Worth taking a look at and definitely a change for this previously "low cost" single class carrier. Here's...
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Here’s How Uber Customers are charged extra money that goes into the company’s pocket
The company has recently introduced ‘Upfront fares’ after suspending ‘Surge pricing’. Previously the app used to show the surge multiplier(something like 1.6x, 2.2x which means the customer has to pay 1.6 times of the actual charge) for a trip the customer is about to book which in turn varies according to the demand of the taxis in that locality. This has led to the cause of many distressful customers to give up using the app immediately they see the surge sign. By introducing ‘Upfront...
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Getting travel insurance is really important
I want to tell a tale about what happened on our recent cruise. On our first day at sea my wife developed a very bad case of diahrrea. It was very bad and by the time we went to the doctor on the following morning she was dehydrated. The medical service was very good. They gave her iv fluid to rehydrate and drew blood to make sure that it wasn't norovirus. They gave her antibiotics and anti diahrreal meds. They checked up her, and followed up the next day with a second iv. They even sent a...
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5 tips for travelling abroad with your iphone
Almost anywhere you travel in the world these days—especially to any First World country or popular tourist destination—a strong cellular signal and Wi-Fi hotspots in hotels, restaurants, Internet cafes, shopping centers, and airports are readily available. So even though you may be on the opposite side of the world from where you live, your iPhone or iPad can still serve as a powerful communication, organization, and productivity tool, as well as an interactive entertainment device. The...