Jan
16

New Travel Sites For Those Coveted Tips on How to Get There and What to Do

To me, there’s something special about searching to discover bits of secret travel and sightseeing tips about exotic places from all over the Internet and then anticipating a great vacation that will benefit from all of them. When I research the area of the world I plan on traveling to, I’ll frequently find little hidden treasures, secret restaurants, ignored little tourist gems and little-advertised local events that no one else knows about, and of course, I’ll find some of the best fares to everywhere. I’ve come by quite a few useful travel resources over my years trotting the globe; some of them are new, and some of them have seen many travel seasons. Information being power and all, here is my list of the best travel sites that I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Read the rest of this entry »

Jan
09

7 Things to Remember When Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad is exciting and makes a great vacation. There are a few tips and items to keep in mind when planning your trip abroad. Remember these eight things and you’ll have a happy, stress-free trip.

1. Medical Insurance – Medical insurance is also important. Check with your current health care provider, and consider your options for medical insurance so you can easily be treated in the event of accident or illness in a foreign country.

2. Copies at Home – Leave a copy of your passport, your contact information, and the places you will stay, with your family or a close friend. This allows them to contact you directly if there is a problem.

3. Directions – Check that you have adequate directions and know where you are going. It is not wise to travel to a foreign area that you have not researched before. You could be lost, or become the victim of a crime. Read the rest of this entry »

Jan
09

Is it Better to Use Google Or MapQuest For Driving Directions?

Getting directions from one place to another has become much easier in the last few years. Gone are the days of having to dig out an outdated paper map and attempt to find an approximate location somewhere between two city blocks. Now you can simply type in a starting address and end point on your favorite navigation assistance website and get detailed instructions free of charge to almost any location on the planet. When most people think of driving directions these days, either Google Maps or MapQuest.com comes to mind. Both websites offer a user friendly interface that can quickly help you find your way to your next destination.

Which service is better? Finding the answer to this question requires a quick comparison of MapQuest.com and Google Maps. While both services may seem very similar in function on the surface, they are actually quite different. In a side by side comparison, Google Maps seems to come out ahead when you dig below the root function and examine some of the more advanced features. It is true that both sites will provide you with turn by turn instructions, distance estimates, and an approximate travel time; the similarities end there for the most part. Google stands out on a number of levels with one of the more useful features being visual images of your destination and points along the way. Not only can you see landmarks and nearby businesses, you can actually zoom in on certain key locations all the way down to street level as if you were actually standing there! Read the rest of this entry »