Tagged With "Travel Savings Account"
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Re: Buddy, Can You Spare 5.3 Million Dimes?
This is a no brainer. The money was left behind by frustrated travelers. It should be used to minimize some of the frustration and indignity imposed on travelers at the TSA checkpoints. Little things would make a big difference in the "reassembly area" : + Buy easy-to-clean sturdy benches for the re-assembly area. + Put footstools in front of benches to help with putting on shoes. + Put baskets under the benches so people can place their small backpacks, purses, shoes, and belts out of the...
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Re: Hotels.com: Most mobile bookings are last-minute
That actually makes a lot of sense. The beauty of smartphones and the like is their ability to let you get things done at the last minute -- complete with price comparisons, etc. I know that a lot of hotels offer deep discounts the last day if they have a lot of spare inventory, but you're taking a risk at a busy time in a busy place. I tend to be more of a planner and to save my travel time for traveling and not looking for hotels. But to each his own.
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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
Thanks, PortMoresby. No, I'm not worried about seeing a doctor. I'm more worried about getting my cousins off my back. Someone else told me that there's an organization that puts out a list of English-speaking doctors all over the world--do you know anything about that? Thanks again...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
SueZee, I'm sure there is but, as I mentioned, I just don't think you need to worry about it. As a last resort you can call the embassy if the first line of defense, hotels & pharmacies, can't help. Very unlikely. Tell your cousins only rank beginners and sick people spend time worrying that could be enjoyed planning their trip.
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Hi SueZee, I agree with PortMoresby. Embassies, pharmacies, hotel concierges, etc are a great help. I think that would be your first line of advice, if needed. There is a website that might be helpful, featuring English speaking physicians abroad. I know nothing about this organization, so it's not a recommendation -- just a resource. Here's that link.
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Here's another resource that might help you: The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. It's a non-profit, it's been around a long time, and you can join for free. IAMAT provides a directory of doctors around the world who speak fluent English and have been checked out by the organization for standards and certification. You can read more about them and join here: http://www.iamat.org/
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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
Like you say PortM, it is all about "right for me" choices. I generally insure us 2 adults on an annual basis - covers all our trips - and costs about USD 300 p.a. It's a choice thing
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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: 1000's Drawn to North Dakota
I have not done that, Rob, but I do have some friends in North Dakota. The wages are good, but before anyone makes the jump there, be sure you understand the cost of housing and such. Apartments and homes are in short supply and expensive. But as you pointed out, so is labor. So if you can share an apartment with someone and are willing to work more than 40 hours a week, you can save a nice stash of cash. Don't just go. Educate yourself. There are excellent job opportunities in the Dakotas,...
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Re: "Doggie-Door" makes lockers easier to use
It is a good and useful idea. Kudos to the Doggy Travel locker door.
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Re: Is there Danger in frequent, long-distance travel?
I read about this in the Daily Mail and while I believe there are some medical reasons frequent flying can be dangerous, it failed to show the positives about travel. I too was not convinced about their emotional claims . I found the opposite in my life. "The researchers discovered that new friendships and romantic relationships forged through mobility have a tendency to be situational, expendable and short-lived" "The study found that loneliness and isolation are common among frequent...
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Re: Is there Danger in frequent, long-distance travel?
And I knew I remembered the health positives of travel being posted on TG ! https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo...-longer-be-healthier
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Re: Is there Danger in frequent, long-distance travel?
I think this study focused on the frequent long distant travelers -- say those who travel to and from Europe and North America every week. That intensity of traveling and disruption of biorhythm can definitely take its toll. The vacation traveler, who goes on a few trips a year, is not the focus of this study.
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
Interesting thoughts on a constantly recycled debate. I certainly tried to prise the tourist out of the people in the groups I led, but not all were willing victims. Part of it surely is the time allocated to holidays - the tourist tries to see as much as possible in that time, but a traveller would be as happy poking around local markets - it's TOO easy to get sight-sore !
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
AmateurEmigrant, you've just added a word to my vocabulary, and if it's not too late, I nominate it for 2017 Word of the Year: 'Sight-sore'
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
I think it may not be all that easy to divide the world into 'tourists' and 'travelers;' the world is not really that binary, and there are many shades between them. And many of those we meet are on the path to deeper experiences as they experience more and travel more. I think of the many new travelers who used to post on the Frommer forums about their desire to 'see as much as possible' and 'do as many countries as possible' in impossibly short time allowances. Some of us who were regulars...
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Re: Is your airport bin clean enough? Maybe not.
Is anyone surprised that airports are a health hazard? How about those rubber gloves all the security people wear for protection - protecting themselves from us and passing it all along with every touch to our passports, our belongings and (save me!) a pat-down. And PHeymont felt duty-bound to remind us. The only thing worse is not going.
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Re: Tips for Traveling in an RV with Your Pet
I found this an informative post. We had an old dog that could have used one of those doggie wheelchair devices in the past, whom we had to put down because he couldn't walk anymore. This would helped out a lot, so I'm glad to know the product is out there.
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Re: HOW YOU CAN SAVE THE ASIAN ELEPHANT
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Elephants are highly intelligent animals, probably smarter than dogs for example. Wild elephants in Asia are having a hard time because of loss of habitat and conversion of their normal range to agricultural land. Most do not have ivory tusks so unlike their African cousins, they are not slaughtered for their teeth. In Sri Lanka I visited the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala a number of times, which I've previously written about on TravelGumbo at this link .
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Re: The Reason To Love Cambodia
So often people travel without real contact with the ordinary people around them...makes moments like yours very special! thanks!
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Re: The Reason To Love Cambodia
Somehow I have no difficulty imagining the scene...it seems to fit your nature perfectly, TravelwithLamb. A nice travel moment, thanks!
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Re: What To Do In Miami When It Rains
Great blog idea! I remember when my kids were young (they're all in 30s and 40s now, bad weather was always one of the issues on vacation, and we had to scramble for things to do that would keep them occupied and happy. Some of your ideas here look great for adults and kids!
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Re: What To Do In Miami When It Rains
That bookstore really looks appealing to me....always one of my favorite destinations on a rainy day. That, and a library. I love visiting libraries in cities when I visit. The quality of a town's libraries tells me a lot of that city's priorities.
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Re: Gallery: The Worst Train in the World Redux
This is the true Orient Express.. Thanks for the great pictures, and the chance to "be" somewhere truly special.
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Re: TSA Fee Hike Set to Begin Next Week
Some good news .Congress capped TSA fees to $11.20 per round-trip .The legislation passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday and is waiting to be signed by the President.This is estimated to save consumers 60 million a year. Read More- http://www.usatoday.com/story/...rlines-a4a/19942045/
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Re: New Eurostar Service, London - Provence
Aside from a chance to take another jab at Heathrow, my point was that if you wanted to visit both London and Provence, you might save a bit by making London last, rather than first.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
It's really amazing because the US dollar has done so well in 2014 compared to most currencies . I'm not surprised at all that Japanese tourists to the US decreased after the hit the Yen been taking, but i guess thats been more than made up in increased travel from travelers from Brazil,Mexico and China
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
Actually, what surprises me is that overseas tourists keep coming, despite the terrible attitude so many of them encounter from airport Customs and Immigration people, and the whole visa issue.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
The post indicates the biggest growth comes from China and Brazil. Folks in those countries are used to their governments treating them poorly. The TSA/Immigration probably seems like business as usual to them. Just my humble opinion.
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Re: Americans Leaving Half Their Paid Vacations Ununsed
Sadly, they do translate widely. Among the factors I'm aware of listening to students, parents and friends: 1. People with very little vacation (only a week in many cases) either choose to work for needed extra money, or are trying to save it to take more next year. 2. Job pressure keeps some people working; some are afraid they'll lose jobs by taking what they've earned, while others are promised other compensation. 3. Biggest reason of all: Not enough money to go anywhere!
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Re: Twitter Changing it's Website
And if you have a Twitter account and would to connect with us, please do so by clicking on the blue Twitter button just to the right of this comment on our social media toolbar. Or connect with us using any of our other Social Media platforms like Pinterest and Facebook. We also have a new YouTube channel. Not that much uploaded yet, and it's not Best Picture Academy award quality, but it's intended to give you a feel for travel to different places from they eye of a fellow traveler. Want...
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Re: The Reason To Love Cambodia
Very cool! I love the sights and the food but it's meeting people that is my favorite part of travel
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Re: Hiking Sani Pass, Lesotho, on a Budget
That sure looks like an amazing (and very difficult) hike, Travel with Lamb! I wished I'd been using trekking poles starting with my teens. They take tremendous strain off your knees, especially when carrying a heavy load like you were. My knees sadly show the effect of decades of hiking and backpacking. Given how far this is from home and such, I know I'll never do this hike, but you've taken me there so I thank you for that!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Apr. 27, 2014: Painted Ladies in San Francisco
Many Victorian buildings that survived the 1906 earthquake were destroyed in the fires that followed. Those, like these, that escaped both were largely located west of Van Ness Ave, the line at which fire fighters dynamited buildings, creating a fire line to save at least part of the city. I'm glad these were saved, PHeymont, or the City would be a very different place, wouldn't it. Thanks.
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Re: Prague's Jerusalem Synagogue: Where Gumbo Was (#129)
My apologies to the three Guessers who correctly identified Where Gumbo Was...when I wrote the blog, the guesses were not in yet. When I updated it with the congratulatory paragraph, I apparently failed to save it, and the older version went "live" this morning. Again, my apologies to Jonathan L, TravelingCanuck and PortMoresby, all regular (and often successful) participants. .....PHeymont
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Re: New York Taxis Debut App to Compete with Uber
Anything that pushes back at Uber is generally fine with me, but there are a few side issues here...starting with the "aging taxi fleet," which is actually newer than it's been in many years. The NV2000 boondoggle (and that's what it is) started with the previous mayor, Bloomberg, who decided that all owners should be forced to use the same cab..and then chose the NV2000, which does not, and cannot, meet ADA standards. For it to be wheelchair accessible requires an aftermarket conversion...
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Re: 13 Year Old Boy Starts Travel Charity
Good on Eli for starting this! I've had a similar idea for starting a travel charity in the future and this gives me more inspiration to do it.
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Re: Travel Times Listed on South Central Pennsylvania's Electronic Message Signs
This is good news. For years a lot of the Electronic Message signs were not showing road conditions but rather community information.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 15, 2015: Pit Lane, Mdina Grand Prix
I was having lunch in Mdina. Our waiter was a boy about 8 years old. He asked if I'd ever seen a train. "Of course I have. Maybe 4 a day" "When I save enough to leave Malta I want to see a train" he said. Then he asked my Mother in Law if she was my sister. She slipped him a few dollars. He'll soon have enough - I thought - to see a train - even at 8.
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
A nice introduction to Bulgaria! Like many Americans, I've never really thought of visiting Bulgaria, and have mainly traveled in other parts of Europe, but not the Balkans. And after reading your blog I'm thinking...why didn't I think of this? and when will I go? I'm looking forward to learning more about your country from your blogs!
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
Thanks for telling us! I've been to Bulgaria a few times and was unaware of so much. I need to go back! Bulgarians really appreciate travelers. For budget travelers wanting to experience Europe, it really is a great country to spend some time and stay within budget.
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
LOL @ coz HuffPost says so. I just did the Baltics, I need to do the Balkans next. I worked with a Bulgarian guy in Boston and for years he would passionately talk about his country. Since then I have always wanted to visit and after reading this you've definitely encouraged me to hurry up and get there! I'd like to go before the mass tourists do
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
Thank you very much for this introduction to your very interesting country, Travelling Buzz! Like PHeymont said, we in the Americas need to take a closer look at this region. I don't like to travel to Europe during the months of July and August as it's just too busy. When would be a good time to visit Bulgaria? Weather doesn't have to be perfectly warm, I don't mind wearing a jacket. Is it a Mediterranean climate? Also, is there a good guidebook or reference you'd recommend?