Free Travel Guides and Travel Brochures

The Internet is here to stay, and the digitization of information has suddenly called the future of print information into question. As newspapers and magazines struggle to make a profit, naturally we start thinking about what the future of travel guides will be for vacationers.

Right now, relying completely on digital technology while vacationing seems a little impractical. You can get to any destination via GPS easily enough. Most people probably print out directions using MapQuest or Google Maps, and that seems logical.

Once you get to a destination, it can be more difficult to navigate if you’re on foot, or in a crowded city where you can’t drive. Cell phones often have maps and digital navigation, but it can be hard to get your bearings on a small device. Maps and travel guides will always be valuable for this reason until they make digital foldable paper.

If you’re planning a vacation, you don’t want to have to print off all your material, especially when you can get free travel guides by mail just as easily as it would be to print them at home. When you’re on foot, you’re going to want the convenience of in-hand maps, diagrams, and tourist information. Why not get all of that for free.

Recently, the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning against any non-essential travel to Mexico in an effort to slow the spread of H1N1 (swine flu) in this country.

As the news media report about H1N1, many potential travelers may naturally question the safety of vacationing at this time. As recommended by the CDC, swine flu should not discourage people from traveling to or within the United States. The confirmed cases of H1N1 in the U.S. at this point are isolated. The best response is to be calm and educated about the issue.

Everyone, not just travelers, should take precautions to avoid coming in contact with everyday germs. Carrying antibacterial wipes with you is a good idea. They are useful to disinfect any surface that multiple hands have touched.  They are handy, for example, in sanitizing the handle of a shopping cart, disinfecting your kids’ toys, or can be useful in wiping down any of the equipment you use at your gym or health club.

A website that answers important questions about H1N1 can be found at MSNBC.com.

Please visit the site to learn about topics related to swine flu such as transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

We will update this article as new information becomes available.  Meanwhile, we’d like to hear your comments.

References:

U.S. State Department

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Time
California is in the Pacific Time Zone (GMT minus 8 hours). The state observes daylight saving time.

• In 2008, daylight time begins on March 9 and ends on November 2.

Taxes
The state sales tax is 7.25%. Local taxes may be as much as an additional 1.5%.

Directory Assistance
For local numbers, dial 411; long-distance, 1 plus area code plus 555-1212; toll-free, (800) 555-1212.

Area Codes
Many area codes have recently changed. Call directory assistance if the number you have doesn’t work.

Toll-Free Calls
Not all 800, 877, and 888 numbers work outside the U.S. Try a direct toll number or a fax.

Emergency Assistance
You can call 911 toll free from any public telephone to obtain police, fire, or medical assistance.

Liquor Laws
Alcohol is sold throughout California. Legal drinking age is 21.

Smoking Rules
You must be 18 to purchase tobacco products. Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings (including restaurants, bars and casinos) and enclosed spaces throughout California. It is illegal to smoke within 20 feet of doorways or windows of government buildings. Most large hotels have designated smoking rooms; if you smoke, request one – most hotels will fine guests who smoke inside a non-smoking room. Many cities in California (including half the cities in San Diego County) have passed ordinances prohibiting smoking in all public places. It is even illegal to smoke on certain beaches in Southern California – watch for signs!

Getting Around
Considering the fact that some of California’s finest attractions are inaccessible by public transportation, most visitors find driving the best way to see the state. That said, there’s plenty to see by public transportation and plenty of public transportation to get you between metropolitan areas.

See the Getting Around section of htt://www.visitcalifornia.com

Driving Regulations
By law, everyone in a vehicle must wear a seat-belt, and motorcyclists must wear a helmet.

Speed limits are posted in miles-per-hour (mph). Generally, the speed limit on multi-lane freeways is 65mph. On two-lane highways it is usually 55mph. The speed limit on city streets is usually 35mph. In residential areas, near schools and in areas with heavy foot traffic, the speed limit is almost always 25mph.

Along freeways with heavy traffic, car pool lanes (or “diamond lanes”) are identified by small black-and-white signs and by diamonds painted on the roadway. To drive in a car pool lane, you must usually have two people (including the driver) in the car. Some car pool lanes in the San Francisco Bay Area require three people (including the driver).

Roundabouts are uncommon in California. Most intersections are either signed by traffic lights or by stop signs. Unless signed otherwise, it is legal to make a right turn on a red light after you come to a complete stop.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) publishes an online version of its California Driver Handbook which thoroughly explains California road rules.

Best Times to Travel
California is a year-round travel destination, with weather that will please everyone from snowbirds to sun worshippers. The best time to visit really comes down to what you want to do and what you want to see.

Most people visit California between mid-June and August. It’s summertime! Summer in California is undeniably delicious, but there are some things to consider: The state’s top attractions and parks can be very crowded with visitors paying top dollar for lodging and waiting in long lines for popular sites. That said, it’s never hard to hop off the beaten path and have forests, fields and even beaches all to yourself. If you’re planning on visiting the Sierra Nevada high country, you have no choice but to wait until summer: roads above 8000ft (2450m) are often closed until late June or early July.

Spring (March through early May) is a marvelous time to visit California. Although it can still be cold at higher elevations, temperatures are comfortable throughout much of the state. The hillsides are green, the air is fresh, and wildflowers are blooming. During these months, you’ll also encounter shorter lines and better deals: Many of the state’s top tourist attractions are still operating at a slower pace, and hotels often charge low-season rates until June. California’s desert areas are much more pleasant during spring than they are during the scorching heat of summer.

Fall (September through November) is another good time to beat the crowds, and it can be an especially beautiful time to see Northern California and the state’s wine regions. San Francisco, often shrouded in fog all summer long, sees some of its sunniest days during its “Indian Summer,” which generally lasts from September through October.

If you plan to ski, visit between December and February, when the Sierra Nevada almost always has snow. It’s not uncommon for ski resorts to open by late October, but the snow is rarely as good as it will be later in the season. Lift lines are mobbed between mid December and the first week of January, when everyone hits the slopes during their holiday break.

This information was  brought to you by the California Travel & Tourism Commission

From Cambria in the south to Carmel in the north, runs California’s Highway one, a distance of about 90 miles which runs along the “Big Sur” coast.  The highway is a narrow two lane road that hugs the shoulder of the mountains.  It would be very hard to get lost along the highway as there are essentially no exits.

Driving along the the coastal highway is a slow-go as the highway is narrow, full of turns and visitors stopping to take pictures and simply enjoy the scenery.

Here are a few tips and ideas to make your drive its most pleasant:

• There is no gasoline available in the 40-mile stretch of highway south of Big Sur Center so be sure to check your gas gage.
• Allow plenty of time. You may make only about 30 miles per hour (45 kph) which means that a round trip between Hearst Castle and Big Sur can take most of a day.
• If you are driving only one way along the highway, try to drive from south to north. You will be driving on the insides of the curves and views are clearer toward the north.
• If you are driving both ways, try not crossing traffic to see things on the opposite side of the road. Save them for the return trip instead.
• If you are driving on the outside of the curves with a nervous passenger (and no cars coming toward you), drive on the “turtles” in the middle of the road. The noise they make will reassure your anxious rider that you are well away from the edge of the pavement.
• During rainy winters, CA Hwy 1 is prone to landslides. Check conditions by calling 800-427-7623 before you go.

It’s always good practice to normal safety tips, but even more so along this busy highway:

• Drive defensively
• Buckle up!
• Pull over if too many cars are following you (but only when you can do so safely)
• Don’t pass where there are double yellow lines

Whether the recession affects you or not, RVing requires a budget.  Traveling around and experiencing the greatest places in America is, after all, not free.  So how can you cut back on costs while still getting the most out of your experience?

Free travel guides and brochures are, of course, a great start.  Saving money with an RV is all about planning ahead and knowing your options, and a travel guide is your informational resource for making the most of any area.

Boondocking, or camping in remote areas such as deserts, deep woods or other remote locations without power, sewer or water hook-ups, is another great way to not only save money, but get away from crowded RV parks and enjoy the natural solitude and beauty of nature.  To find the best boondocking areas, ask veteran RVers for suggestions on great spots.

Annual Park Passes for National and State Parks are often good for more than one park, and can be a great incentive to return to a location you really enjoy.

Avoiding peak times can mean more than avoiding the rush.  Frequently, off-season prices are lower than during the peak months.

Steer clear of tourist traps and places that offer “special” tour pricing.  This usually means higher prices for things you may not have room for in an RV anyway.  Also, cut down on the extras like helicopter rides, the professionally taken photographs, or special videos of your adventure.  These can be fun and create memories, but remember that it means less money for other things that could be more rewarding.

Sometimes the best things in life are free.  Always take the time to watch sunsets or thunderstorms, visit a free museum, library or historic site.  Learn the names and details of plants, animals, geographical formations and architecture you encounter along your journeys.

The cheapest time to travel in the U.S. is usually the off-season. Hotels, restaurants and shops often drop their prices to entice vacationers to visit and boost business. But the question of when the off-season occurs varies for each destination. Always inquire about the off-season dates and rates of any vacation spot you are considering.

Timing in the U.S.

In the United States, the least expensive way to travel is to visit sun-shine spots during summer months. Many travelers migrate to places like Arizona or Florida in the winter when it’s cold and snowy at home, and leave for cooler places in the summer, such as Minnesota or Canada. Summertime in sunny areas can be uncomfortably warm if the thermometer hits 90 degrees or above. But, if you want to avoid the crowds and save some money, think about heading to a sunshiny vacation destination during the early or late summer. You could enjoy your outdoor activities early in the day or after sunset, and splash in the hotel pool, visit museums, or other air conditioned venues in the middle of the day when the sun is at its hottest.

During winter months, ski areas often have lower rates very early in the season when the snow isn’t at its deepest, and late in the season after it has experienced some melting. You’re likely to experience better parking opportunities and shorter lift lines.

Many small towns like Lanesboro, Minnesota and Galena, Illinois offer off-season rates during the colder months. Visitors can enjoy the towns’ festive decorations, quaint shops, and winter festivals. The popular summer bike paths are often traveled by cross-country skiers when conditions are right.

Best Time to Experience the Caribbean

A popular vacation destination outside the United State is the Caribbean. The off-season in that part of the world is generally between June and November—the cheapest time to travel there. Sound like a good time to go? There’s one catch—that’s hurricane season and your trip could come to an abrupt end. It’s a gamble thousands of people take each year because if they’re lucky, the weather can be fantastic. If you decide to take the risk and travel to that part of the world, purchasing vacation insurance is a great idea. You may wish to speak with your travel agent or search the Internet for additional information on insurance. Also, check with hotels in the area regarding their policy if the hotel should close due to a hurricane. Then get it in writing.

Let Us Know

Send us your suggestions or experiences for the cheapest time to travel. We welcome your comments on how to save money!

Back To Home Page

Have you ever stood in the middle of an airport with people scurrying around you like busy bees in a hive—going and coming, coming and going every which way? On a recent trip, I observed the activity around me and wondered how many people actually pass through airports each year. In case you’ve ever pondered this, here’s a look at the domestic and international fronts regarding how many passengers fly each year, and the busiest U.S. airlines and airports.
*Note: The information that follows relates to the first seven months of 2008.

Domestic Travel

Passengers. 392.6 million passengers took to the skies on U.S. carriers via 5.586 million flights. That’s 1.5% fewer travelers and 2.1% fewer flights than in the same time period in 2007.

Busiest U.S. Airports. The top ten list for busiest airports includes Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas / Ft. Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Orlando, Houston Bush, and Charlotte.

Busiest U.S. Airlines. Southwest, American, Delta, United, US Airways (includes merged US Airways and American West), Northwest, Continental, AirTran, JetBlue, and SkyWest make up the top 10 busiest U.S. airlines.

International Travel

Passengers. From January through July this year, 55.9 million people flew on 515,000 internationally scheduled U.S. carriers—up 4.5% and .9% respectively from last year.

Busiest U.S. Airports. The U.S. airports that held the busiest international schedule of flights were Miami, New York JFK, Atlanta, Newark, Houston Bush, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas / Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit Metro.

Busiest U.S. Airlines: American, Continental, Delta, United, Northwest, US Airways (includes merged US Airways and American West), ExpressJet, Executive, Spirit, and JetBlue made the top 10 list for flying the highest numbers of international passengers.

Remainder of 2008
Historically, the holidays are the busiest time of the year for air travel, but with the present economic conditions in the U.S, it will be interesting to see how many people choose flying as their mode of transportation. We’ll follow up this blog with air travel information covering August through December 2008 just as soon as those numbers are available. Stay tuned. In the meantime, we’d like to hear your comments.

Source:
U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics (www.bts.gov)

Back To Home Page

In our part of the country—the Midwest—we have seen gasoline prices drop $.26 per gallon from a week ago and drop $1.71 from six weeks ago, according to the Energy Information Administration website.

How long these lower prices will hang around is always an unknown. What I do know for sure is I improved my driving habits when fuel costs were at their highest mark. If you’re like me and made some changes, now is not the time to fall back into our old ways. So here are some reminders on how to raise your car’s gas efficiency. After all, we can sure put the money we’ll save to other good uses!

Gas Up. Purchasing gasoline during the coolest time of day can make a difference. The cooler it is outside, the denser the gasoline. Gas pumps measure volume of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You get more for your buck when the fuel concentration is at its greatest density.

Start your engine. Newer cars are made to run when cold. Thirty to 45 seconds is plenty of time to warm up your engine on cold mornings.

You’re off. Avoid quick starts when accelerating from a dead stop if you want your carburetor to operate at its best, resulting in better fuel economy.

Slow down. If you travel at or below the legal speed limit, your car will enjoy a better gas efficiency. Experiments have proven that for every mile above 55 mph, we lose 1% of our vehicle’s fuel economy.

Get in gear. Using a shift stick? If you travel in gears that are too low for your speed, your auto will consume much more fuel than necessary.

Windows. When traveling at high speeds, keeping windows closed will cut down on the air drag your car experiences.

Look ahead. Steady driving will help your fuel economy. Accelerating as you approach a red light or stop sign uses more gas and can shorten the life of your brakes.

Tune it. Your car will operate more efficiently with regular tune-ups. Remember timely oil changes and check air filters as well.

Lighten Up. If you’re carting around extra weight in your car or trunk, removing it will result in better gas mileage.

Tires matter. Check your owner’s manual for information on tire suggestions for your car. Inflating to the maximum psi will slightly increase your auto’s fuel efficiency.

In the pool. Join or form an office car pool or share rides when traveling to sports or social events. Sharing fuel expenses can be a big help to your budget.

Plan ahead. Plan trips and errands well to avoid unnecessary driving.

Sources:

www.fueleconomy.gov
www.edmunds.com

Back To Home Page

Because I will be flying during this year’s holiday season, I can’t help but wonder what kind of experience awaits me. The crowds are a given, but delays and cancellations are always anyone’s guess. The one thing I can control, however, is my own preparedness. Here are some tips to help you save time during the check in and security processes.

Don’t check bags. If you carry on your bags, you will avoid check-in lines, luggage fees, and be flexible if your flight changes at the last minute. You will also avoid baggage-claim hassles when you arrive at your destination. (One bag is allowed in the overhead compartment, as well as one under the seat in front of you.) Contact your airline carrier for carry-on baggage dimensions. (I travel with one suitcase and a full backpack.)

If you can’t travel light enough to carry on, ship luggage or gifts ahead. Try using UPS or Luggage Free , via their ground service to save money.

Avoid the check-in line. Twenty-four to 36 hours before leaving your home, check in at your airline’s website and print your boarding pass. If you don’t check bags, you can bypass the check-in counter entirely and proceed directly to the security area.

Arrive early. Whether you check luggage or not, it’s important to arrive at the airport in plenty of time to go through the check-in and security processes. Security wait times can sometimes be painfully slow. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Website provides estimated waiting times at major airports. A good rule of thumb is plan to be at your departing gate an hour early for domestic flights and 2 to 3 hours for international flights.

Passing smoothly through security. Your preparedness can really pay off in the security line. With your boarding pass and government-issued ID handy, slip your belt, keys, phone, coins, and jewelry into your carry-on before you reach the security area.

Your liquids must be visible and travel down the conveyor belt ahead of your other items. As many 3-ounces or less containers that can fit into a one-quart zip lock bag are allowed. Some liquids such as prescription medications and baby formula are allowed, but you should point them out to the screeners before you go through security.

Quickly place your shoes, jacket or sweater, and laptop, into a tub and onto the conveyor belt. Your carry-on bags can follow your tub. Check the TSA Website ahead of time for updated restrictions on toiletries (liquids), gadgets and other items.

Don’t wrap those holiday packages until after you arrive at your destination. Otherwise, they are subject to inspection and may be unwrapped.

Quickly gather all your items from the conveyor belt (double check that you have everything) and carry them to a nearby area.  There you can replace shoes and retrieve personal items from your bag, such as jewelry, watch, belt, etc.  Put your ID away and proceed to your gate with your boarding pass.

Source: Fodors 1,001 Smart Travel Tips, 2nd Edition, 2008.

Back To Home Page

If you live in an area of the U.S. that experiences cold weather, you have no doubt begun to pull warm weather clothes out of your closet. Lately, the nights are longer and colder than just a few weeks ago, and the days’ high temperatures reflect that winter weather could be just around the corner. So getting your wardrobe ready will help you be protected from the cold north wind.

Your automobile also needs protecting from any harsh winter weather that may lie ahead and should be done before freezing conditions arrive at your doorstep. Here are some suggestions for winterizing your auto so it’s in prime condition to get you where you want to be without experiencing any problems:

Tires. Since your tires come in contact with the road, it’s critical that they are in tip-top shape. The tread provides traction that keeps your car from getting out of control. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration advises a depth of at least 1/16 of an inch for safe driving. A lower measurement than that and the tires should be replaced immediately. Tire pressure goes hand-in-hand with traction, so keep them inflated to manufacturers’ suggested psi. Tires can lose pressure when it gets cold, so check it often in winter weather.

Battery. Many people pay no attention to their battery until something goes wrong. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. Scrape off any corrosion materials that may be built up and check that connections are tight. In extremely cold climates, having a battery charger on hand isn’t a bad idea.

Windshield Wipers. Check that front and rear windshield wipers are working properly, and make sure you have plenty of wiper fluid on hand (plain water will freeze). The ready-made fluid available in stores has a low freezing point and works well.

Heat. Check your heater and defroster ahead of time, and make sure your rear windshield defroster works as well. Good visibility during icy, snowy conditions may depend on them working properly.

Antifreeze Mix. Use an antifreeze tester (found in auto parts stores) to make certain the ratio of antifreeze to water is 50:50. The proper mixture should not freeze until extremely frigid temperatures.

Suggestions for Emergency Kit Essentials. Even if you never need these items, perhaps you will perform a “random act of kindness” for someone who is stranded:

• ice scraper
• flashlight
• jumper cables
• blanket
• warm jacket, boots, hat and gloves
• small shovel
• food and water
• flares
• tool kit
• first-aid kit
• sand or salt

You should always have a properly inflated spare tire and tire changing equipment, and a cell phone for emergency use can come in handy.

Note: Check your owner’s manual to learn what is suggested for your particular make of automobile or truck.

Sources:
Autorepair.about.com
Edmunds.com
Ehow.com

Back To Home Page