Bosnia and Herzegovina, or just Bosnia for short, is a fascinating tourist destination,
newly emerging as a country to visit after years of war. Signs of the war from
the 1990's are everywhere, with bullet holes remaining in many of the buildings
in Bosnia’s largest city of Sarajevo, as well as other cities where the
war took its toll. The airport area became a place of refuge as people tried to
flee, so the closer the tourist gets to the airport in Sarajevo, the less the
ravages of war. Tunnels remain for tourists to see where the local people tried
to transport goods to safety while they tried to live normally during the
Bosnian war.
The Smart Traveler: Travel Insurance
Travel
Insurance is a necessary evil, especially as you get older, or have less
people in your life who can help you in the event of an emergency. If you plan
a long trip with a complicated itinerary or travel on an organized tour, there
is plenty that can go wrong that could cost you money. So the question is not
really whether or not you should purchase the insurance. It is how to best
maximize that purchase so you will get a return on your money. If you travel
often enough, and if you are smart in the way you make your purchase, travel
insurance can actually pay for itself.
Travel Strategically During Troubled Times
When
times are difficult and world events make you wonder if things have really come
to an end, you may also be wondering where it’s safe to travel next. There is
no stock answer of course; it all depends on where the crises are in the world,
and type of crisis it is. Three primary types of crises come to mind: an
economic or financial crisis; a health crisis, and a geopolitical crisis.
An economic or financial crisis
 |
| Photos by Jann Segal |
An economic or financial crisis,
such as the Great Recession of 2008 which some are still feeling, can put a
damper on your travel plans. This may also include unemployment or the fear of
unemployment. There is however, no need to stop travelling. Inexpensive
countries, less expensive accommodations such as guest houses, inns and
hostels, or even camping are all options. If you are used to taking the high
road in your travels, taking that different path may open you up to experiences
you may have never encountered otherwise. For inexpensive destinations consider
Central America, South America, and parts of Asia. Less expensive
accommodations and even camp sites are available everywhere. And it truly
creates local color. Staying in the US can be a more expensive option, but if
you do local camping to state of national parks, it can cut back on travel
dollars.
A health crisis
Health crises may cause you to say
home and completely avoid airports until it is over or at least contained. But
if the wanderlust is still veering you overseas, try to avoid routing through
countries where there is the greatest problem. It is international travel that
helps spread illness of any kind. Travel with good hand sanitizers and avoid
budget accommodations. Spend a little more to be in clean and safe
accommodations. Consider it a form of insurance. If you have never stayed in
more upscale European hotels for instance, it can be an eye opener and a
completely different experience.
A geopolitical crisis
In a geopolitical crisis, you have
no choice in terms of what to avoid. After the September 11 terrorist attacks,
attendance at places like Mount Rushmore was up at least 15% from past years.
People avoid other trouble spots like the Middle East, but that does not mean
the entire Middle East. If Israel is having problems go to Egypt or Jordan, and
visa versa. Many second and third world countries have problems, but once the
problems have been taken care of, a new country is open for your travel
business at great prices. Columbia, El Salvador and several others in the
Americas are shining examples of this. A geopolitical crisis is also an
excellent opportunity to see more of the United States. Many people strive to
see all 50 states. If you have that desire, a crisis like this is a perfect
time to do so. National Parks and Presidential Libraries are perfect destinations.
Whatever events unfold and however
you decide to handle them, remember to travel strategically and watch the
national and world news. The BBC is excellent for world travelers and really
keeps you up to date. Follow world events on the internet as well. Wherever you
go in your travels, stay safe and healthy.
Visit North Dakota: Its Not Just Used for Storage!
Nobody
thinks there is much to see in North Dakota. In fact, many people
who have only seen 49 of the 50 states, have done so because they missed seeing
North Dakota when they had the chance on a South Dakota vacation. So if you
plan to go to South Dakota anyway, fly into Bismarck, North Dakota first and
stay at the Rough Riders Hotel in nearly Medora, about two hours away by car.
From there it is just steps to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Visit Vietnam's Rice Paper Village
On
a recent trip to Vietnam with Overseas
Adventure Travel, this author was exposed to one of the most unique and
extraordinary villages in the world, whose sole function is to produce rice
paper. This village is one of the largest in the country for the creation and
distribution of rice paper and rice noodles. The side trip to Tho Ha is an
optional excursion during the Inside Vietnam trip, and is part
of OAT's enhanced itineraries. The village is worth a visit for its uniqueness
and glimpse into rural life, since it is like no other a traveler will
experience anywhere else in the world. The buildings in the village itself are
also unique, with some going back as far as the late 1800's.
Visit Three Asian Markets
 |
| Photos by Jann Segal |
Visiting
markets in foreign countries can be a real awakening as to how the locals live.
Many open air and floating markets are fascinating and exist around the world.
Some of the most fascinating can be found in developing countries, but there
are certainly no limits. Here are three you might went to check out in your
travels to Asia.
Visit Pier 39 in San Francisco and See the Sea Lions
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
San Francisco is a
delight to visit any time of year. It is especially nice however, when the
weather is bright and sunny, and the many sights are available to enjoy. One
such sight is Pier 39 on
Fisherman’s’ Wharf, where the seals can be found all day long.
Visit Kuala Lampur and see the Petronas Towers
 |
| Photos by Jann Segal |
Visit Liverpool and See the Original Beatles Drum Kit
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
Planning
a trip to Liverpool can be fun, especially if you are a Beatles fan, where Liverpool now brings in over
two billion a year as the capital of Beatles tourism. Most people make the trip
as part of a longer trip to Europe in general or the United Kingdom in
particular. The Liverpool portion of this trip may be just a one or two day
stay, so you want to make the most of it.
Book
your Beatles tours on the Internet. There are many, and you want to find the
right one that fits your time frame and interest. Some, like the Magical Mystery Tour, is two hours long, and runs four times daily
from the Albert Dock. This “ticket to ride” costs approximately $30 US. The
tour concludes at the famed Cavern Club on Mathews Street. These tours sell out
quickly, so it’s best to book in advance.
There
are also half day and full day tours, which are much more expensive, and
include more in a single day if it’s more convenient to tour that way. Black
taxi drivers are also an option for a four hour tour, as well as expert Blue
Badge Beatles guides like Jackie Spencer, who is top ranking in Trip Advisor.
Book
the tours of Paul McCartney and John Lennon‘s childhood homes yourself online
if you want to save money. Tours depart from Liverpool City Center or Albert
Dock several times a day, depending on the times of year. Standard admission is
about $28 US for adults and $10 US for children. The childhood homes are now
the property of the National Trust, and are quite popular, so it’s best to
book in advance.
Buy
tickets to the Beatles
Story Museum once
you are there. The museum is open seven days a week except for December 25 and
26, and it’s open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last admission for the day
at 5:00 PM. The cost is approximately $25 US for adults and $15 for children,
with different family saver prices. They now have two different locations. The
original location is at Albert Dock, and once you have finished there a shuttle
bus takes you to the second location, Beatles Story Pier Head at the Mersey
Ferry Terminal.
Visit Nikko, Japan to Hear, See and Speak No Evil
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
The
Japanese flock to Nikko, Japan especially on weekends. Yet very few
American tours do. If planning a trip to Japan, this might just be the
highlight of your trip, in an already extraordinary country.
Three Reasons to go to Europe Now
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
With
so much happening in the the world today, it seems that Europe would not be a
safe bet for travel, right? Well, unless your personal safety is at risk (and
for the majority of tourists it is not), the decision not to go right now could
be a mistake. You can always avoid countries (or parts of countries) that are
politically inconvenient for you if that is an issue. Europe is large enough in
geography, cultural diversity, and scope to offer you the vacation you are
looking to have, and at a price you are willing to pay.
Enjoy Pomegranate Seed Oil From Turkey
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
Turkey
is known for many things and many kinds of wonderful foods that are typical of
the Middle East and Balkan countries. They have baklava, various types of
kabobs, and many wonderful teas and coffees. But a first time traveler there
will be surprised to learn about a secret that is a pure joy on salads: pomegranate seed oil.
Unraveling the Mystery of Higher Airfare
With
a government investigation currently underway about the alleged collusion in
airline pricing, this author felt it was tine to share some details on how to
find a better price in airfare.The results are alarming.
Visit Ljubljana, Slovenia and Take a Music Wakng Tour
If
planning a trip to any of the Eastern European capitals that were once part of
the former Yugoslavia, one must-see city is Ljubljana, Slovenia. It is charming beyond belief, everyone speaks
beautiful English, and it sits at the crossroads of more cultural influences
than most people are aware of. Besides the influence of the former Yugoslavia
and its the Russian, Slavic and formerly Communist influences that arose with
those historic relationships, it has also historically been linked to Austria,
Hungary, Italy, and Venice (which was not always part of Italy). So for this
reason, the food is a splendid combination of tastes and ethnicity, and the
musical heritage is outstanding.
Giving Back to the World in Which We Live
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
Many
people like to travel and give to the people in the countries on their journey.
It can be rewarding to lighten your suitcase as you go rather than fill it up
with souvenirs. Some tour companies allow you to do this as part of their
regularly planned activities. If you are traveling solo, you need to seek it
out.
Visit South Korea and Tour the DMZ in the North
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
A trip to South Korea is an exquisite
experience, filled with cherry blossoms, grand palaces, handicraft streets and
whole handicraft villages, as well as an amazing if not somewhat creepy availability
to the DMZ of North Korea just an hour outside
of Seoul. And a visit to the North Korean Demilitarized zone is indeed worth
the effort. No dramatic changing of the guard with the majestic pounding drums
and vibrant color guard as seen at the palaces in the South. Instead, it is an
active military area, with soldiers training on both sides for a possible
confrontation with each other. United Stated military escorts join the bus as
they tour the JSA, or Joint Security Area.
Visit Phoenix and see John Lennon's Piano
There
is so much to see and do in Phoenix that is cultural. You can mix
culture with a little Beatles tourism by visiting the Musical
Instrument Museum (MIM).The piano that John Lennon used to compose
"Imagine" is on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in
North Phoenix. It is not the white Baby Grand piano he used when making the
video. That piano is on display at the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool. This
more modest Steinway is part of a private collection and is in the Artists
Gallery at MIM.
Tricks for Purchasing Less Expensive Airline Tickets
 |
| Photo by Jann Segal |
There are many tricks for purchasing less expensive plane tickets, some I leaned from my travel agent mother. Its best not to book a flight
for travel during high season if you want to save money. Shoulder season
(spring and fall relative to hemisphere of course) are always the cheapest for
hotels and airfare. This is true for organized tours as well. As for booking air, well, I
was always taught to avoid Saturdays, Mondays and Fridays, since they have the
highest rates. I read recently that for some destinations Saturdays can be a
better time to book air, so it’s best to check around. And not all hotels or
airlines are created equal when it comes to price. Some carriers purchase
a great hedge contract on fuel and can offer much lower prices than the others.
. They all purchase hedge contracts on fuel, it just depends on who has gotten the
best one. It is typically reflected in the air fare.
Where to go? Deciding Where to Travel Next
How do you
decide where you want to travel? I am pretty much open to going anywhere it is
safe and where there will be no health issues for me. Those are my only two
criteria. In the US I intend to see all 50 states (only a handful left ...yay!!), but
for international destinations, safety and health calls it. I wanted to go to
Peru, but had to pass on Macchu Pichu because I get altitude sickness at about
9200 feet and would not be able to leave the higher attitudes to acclimate. So
since I didn’t feel like dealing with an extreme headache, I took an Amazon River trip instead. I would love to return to the Middle East, but well,
safety and political factors keep putting that trip on hold. Fortunately there is
a whole world out there, so I try to see what I can when the country becomes
available to visit if it was not before. Some Latin and Asian countries are now
open for travel where they were not before, and are getting safer all the time.
As for the rest of the US...I am a presidential library buff, and as luck would
have it, the states I have not yet seen, and which have little else to draw me,
have a presidential library or some other form of presidential history I have
not yet seen.
Mixing and Matching Travel Resources in Asia
I always said I would not write an article about how
I effectively combine hotel and airlines points to create great trips. I
figured that if I did, the travel industry would change how they do things to
make it much more difficult. Well, they have started making things difficult
anyway, so I figured there is no time like the present to share with travelers how
I created the most exotic and wonderful Asian trip
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)