Your first move is to quickly retrace your steps; you may have left your wallet or purse in a restroom or dropped it on a floor. Check with the lost and found department of your hotel or airport. If you’re out of luck, immediately call your bank to cancel your debit card, and then call your credit agency to cancel your credit card. If you’ve lost your cell phone, too, don’t despair: nearly every credit card and bank has a toll-free number to call. Next, you should file a police report in the jurisdiction where your belongings were stolen. This serves two purposes: first, the police may very well know where to look for your valuables; second, this will demonstrate your vigilance to creditors to protect your credit information. You can also call the three major credit report organisations —Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — to place a fraud alert on your name and social security number. Finally, you should alert your state’s department of motor vehicles to flag your driver’s license number; this will help alleviate fraud.

It may be in your best interest to keep a list of credit card account numbers and toll-free numbers, driver’s license number, medical record number, etc. with a trusted friend or relative, who you can call in such an emergency. Fortunately, most credit card companies have easy-to-remember numbers like 1-800-VISA 911 or 1-800-MasterCard.

Handling a lost passport requires a slightly different route. According to the state department’s website, “If your passport with your I-94 are lost or stolen, you must get them replaced immediately.” If you are unable to contact the consular section or consul general at the embassy abroad by phone or through the Internet, you must visit them personally at the embassy. You will be asked to provide your full name, date of birth, address, and e-mail address. The embassy will track down your original passport application to identify you. In most circumstances, you cannot leave a foreign country (or enter your own) without your passport, so getting a new one is a top priority.

If the airport, hotel, or police are unable to track down your baggage, your only real option is to purchase the necessities you will need to get you safely back home or while you wait for your bank and creditors to issue you new cards. If all your money has been stolen, you can contact a friend or relative through Western Union to quickly wire money to you. Keep in mind that before you travel, you should have a contingency plan in place in the event your belongings are lost or stolen. Such a plan will give you peace or mind and help you to enjoy your time away from home.

(This is a guest post by Marina Salsbury)

(Image by bjearwicke, via stock.xchng)

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The Best

• Menara Airport, Marrakech, Morocco

This airport defies all those typical African stereotypes. It is beautifully designed and combines traditional designs and culture with 21^st Century technology and ingenuity. The airport is very clean and the staff are very helpful. Just make sure you have enough money or Dirhams with you to buy food and a magazine, otherwise you’ll be very bored.

• Seoul Incheon Airport, Seoul, South Korea.

This airport is widely regarded as one of the best. The striking design on the outside serves as a prelude to the cleanliness and efficiency inside. The airport also has various ‘Cultural Experience Centres’ where you can attend craft workshops or dress up in traditional clothing. And, it has several free internet cafés. This is no mere airport. It is a culmination of the entire Korean culture. If you ever need to go to Korea, make sure it is via this airport.

• Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

Recently voted as the Skytrax 2011 Airport of the Year, this is what sets the bench mark for all the other airports. It comes highly recommended by anyone who uses it. The airport even has a 4D cinema, various exhibitions and even a tea making class. Simply the best.

The Worst

• Beauvais Airport, France

This does not even deserve to be called an airport. It is mainly used by Ryanair, a low cost airline operating out of Dublin. It is a big tent with a few counters and bunch of people stuffed into it. Simple as that. Even worse is the fact that it closes as night, so if you miss your flight it would be wise to buy a nice tent and camp for the night. Do not go within 10 kilometres of this place.

• Queen Alia international Airport, Amman, Jordan

This airport is almost completely devoid of any services like play areas for kids, resting areas and Skytrax rates their bathrooms as some of the worst. Do not even go to this place as a last resort or you’ll be sorry.

• Moscow Sheremtyevo Airport Terminal, Russia

Are you fluent in Russian? No? Well then don’t go there. This airport is notorious for its lack of assistance in English. Sign boards only work in Russian and many of its relatively lax staff don’t speak a lick of English. They are also known to be very slow with the processing of passengers. If you need to go to Russia, rather go to Domodedovo Airport.

Adapted from source http://www.frommers.com/

(This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by Ever., CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

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• Raiatea & Taha’a, French Polynesia

These two beautiful islands, separated by a small lagoon, are among the most beautiful places in the South Seas. The islands are a short 45 minute flight away from nearby Bora Bora.

Raiatea is a tropical paradise that is untouched by western culture, and is the perfect getaway spot. Although the island doesn’t have any beaches it is still amazing. If you want to you can even rent your very own islet or ‘motu’ (a very, very small island), complete with its own beach and palm trees, all surrounded by turquoise water. You can spend the whole day relaxing or having a picnic, and be assured that someone will pick you up at the end of the day.

Taha’a lies to the north of Raiatea and is much more traditional than Raiatea. Taha’a is also known as the Vanilla Island because of the many vanilla plantations thre. Vanilla can be smelled all over the island during harvest times.

• Molokai, Hawaii

This is one of Hawaii’s best kept secrets. It is a small island situated 14km from West Maui, separated by the Pailolo Channel. It is an incredible island, and one of the last places where the original Hawaiian culture is still intact.

The island also has some of the highest sea cliffs in the world, some more than 900m above sea level. The island has no resorts or hotels, due to locals wishing to preserve their culture, rather than ‘selling-out’ and gaining lots of tourists.

• Corn Islands, Nicaragua

The Corn Islands are two islands (one big, one small) located roughly 80km from Nicaragua, a small coastal country in the Caribbean. They are the only way you can describe paradise: small, remote and untouched by the masses.

Although the island is remote there are a few small posadas (B&Bs) run by European expats. The islands also have beautiful little restaurants, although none of them luxurious.

This is a perfect getaway island that still has one or two of the luxuries of home.

• Caye Caulker, Belize

Take a mix of cultures, streets of sand, lush vegetation and family run guest houses and combine them. That is pretty much Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast of Belize.

It is an escapist’s dream, no fuss, just pure paradise. It is a wonderful place that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

All of these places are little pieces of paradise and are well worth every sent you pay to visit them.
Why are you still reading? Go and pack your bags and book your tickets. Paradise is waiting …

Adapted from source http://www.frommers.com/micro/2010/10-untouched-island-escapes/secret-slices-of-paradise.html

(This is a post by our intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by johanhrling, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

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Whitby holiday cottages seem to be the perfect answer for many reasons. They can be booked in a wide variety of locations, ranging from the town centre, though to remote coastal settings. What could be more romantic than walking hand in hand through the cobbled streets of Whitby on an evening, lit by the shops that hug the streets’ edges, the sound of music and people having fun coming from an open inn door and the cool sea breeze blowing gently across each other faces? The town settings also offer a wealth of dining options, meaning that you could enjoy a candle lit dinner in one of the acclaimed sea food restaurants, knowing that you’re only a minutes’ walk away from your accommodation.

During the day time, there’s certainly plenty of romantic activates to do in Whitby. The Abbey is a must see, and the view of the windswept ruins from the top of the steps can be very moving.  There are also many walks that can be enjoyed with spectacular sea views along the way. If you prefer spending time indoors, there is a great selection of bars and cafes where you can enjoy each other’s company, while enjoying a coffee blend or glass of wine, or order a takeaway to be enjoyed back at the cottage.

Whitby truly is a romantic setting and once you’ve been, you’ll want to return and add to the memories.

(Image by Anosmia, CC by 2.0, via Flickr)

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“How can they charge so much?!” I hear you ask. Well, the government of Bhutan said the reason for this is to ensure that tourists don’t flock to the country and spoil the pristine natural environment. Well that makes sense to me! They call this ‘high-end, low impact’ tourism.

The reason for this decision is the country follows a development programme known as “Gross National Happiness”. They measure the well-being of their nearly 700 000 citizens, before they measure the financial gain of any decision they make.

This beautiful country borders on Nepal, so they also have the amazing Himalayan mountain range going through a part of the country, but unlike Nepal, you aren’t allowed to go mountaineering, as all the peaks in the country are considered sacred.

Tourists also pay a royalty of $65 or 35% of their tour cost to the Bhutanese government. According to a statement, this money then goes to improving the quality of life of the Bhutanese people by funding their free education and health care systems.

The travel agencies also offer various trekking tours throughout the country, where you will be accompanied by a guide, who will teach you about the beautiful country.

One of the must see places in the country is the Taktsang Monastery, otherwise known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. It is a beautiful cliff-side monastery built 1692, and is sacred to the Bhutanese people, most of whom are Buddhists, with Hinduism and other religions in the minority.

Several high profile Hollywood celebrities have been to Bhutan, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore.

Bhutan is one of the most beautiful and best preserved countries in the world. If you can afford to go, do so. You will definitely not be disappointed.

Adapted from source: http://travel.iafrica.com/destin/asia/750773.html

(This is a post by our new intern Kristian Meijer)

(Image by jmhullot, CC by SA 2.0, via Flickr)

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Niseko is home to five prime ski areas. One lift pass connects four of these five resorts. The fifth resort, Moiwa, is located on the western side of Annapuri and has its own accommodation. There is a 38 chair lift service that covers a span of approximately three and a half miles at its longest run. All lifts are within a ten-minute walk of all snow areas. Take a 20-minute hike up to the summit, after disembarking from the top lift and you will be able ski or ride your board in the humongous powder fields off the peak. There are also special parks, with both natural and special features offered for freestylers.

If you are daredevil enough to prefer night skiing or snowboarding, Niseko is the place to go. Niseko is reputed to have the largest lighted area in Japan for quality night skiing or snowboarding. The lifts are open until 9pm, seven nights a week. The lighting even reaches the trees, just in case you are up for a challenge on your skis or snowboard.

Niseko’s silky soft powder is a snowboarder’s dream. Glide around the open bowls at the top or zip through the widely spaced tree groves. There is so much snowboarding powder accessible near the lifts, hiking to find a suitable place to ride will not be necessary – unless you choose to.

There are certain back country areas in Niseko that permit snowboarder entry by special rules called Niseko Local Rules Policy. This policy allows snow riders entry to unmanaged, unpatrolled areas and gives access to an exhilarating vertical drop of around 1000m or 3,280 feet. The access gates are closed when weather conditions are not favorable or there is danger of an avalanche. Be sure to carry the proper safety equipment and ensure you are familiar with avalanche dangers and safety before going through those open gates. If you are in the least unsure, take a guide and the proper equipment or do not go out into the back country. Always tell someone when and where you are going and how long you plan to be gone. Then if you get lost, someone will come looking for you.

There are special deals available for skiing and snowboarding in Niseko. One example is kids under 12 ski free (free lift passes) during the month of March. Those under six always ski free.

(Image from Natasha)

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Due to the ethnic war between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority, which ended as recently as 2009, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is still largely developing. The south western part of Sri Lanka is said to be the safest part of the country for tourists, while the north and eastern areas along with the Jaffna Peninsula should be avoided as there is still tension between ethnic nationalities and the threat of violent crime.

1.     Adam’s Peak

Adam’s Peak is Sri Lanka’s most sacred site and a popular pilgrimage destination among Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and Christians. It is considered to be the first place where Adam stepped foot on earth when he was cast down from Heaven. With 4,800 steps to the top, it is a great spiritual journey and one of the top things to do in Sri Lanka.

2.     Yala National Park

Yala National Park is home to the world’s highest density of leopards. There is an abundance of wildlife, such as elephants, monkeys, and jackals, as well as a scenic landscape. Prices are reasonable so if you don’t get to see a leopard the first time round you can always go again.

3.     Surfer’s Paradise

Sri Lanka is perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers. Hikkaduwa is situated on Sri Lanka’s south west coast and is just right for beginners with its sandy breaks cushioning your falls. Other impressive surfing spots include Midigama and Arugan Bay. The best time to go surfing is January and February.

4.     Tea Plantations

Sri Lanka is one of the best and most important tea producers in the world. Take a trip to Nuwara Eliya hill station and sip on some of the finest tea in the world while you explore the lush tea plantations and inhale the delicious aromas wafting through the Victorian-era tea factories.

5.     Visit a Turtle Hatchery

Visiting a turtle hatchery is a right of passage in Sri Lanka. Turtles are under great threat due to pollution, fishing, habitat loss and hunting, and turtle hatcheries are doing their best to save the turtles and keep them healthy.

6.     Pigeon Island

This pristine island was declared a marine sanctuary in 1963 and is situated off the north eastern shore of Sri Lanka. It is a must-see not only for divers but also for all travellers. The island is surrounded by a limestone reef which nurtures 100 species of coral and more than 300 different types of fish.

7.     Ancient Capital of Anuradhapura

If you want to see what ancient civilization in Sri Lanka looked like then the ancient capital of Anuradhapura will take you back thousands of years to the extraordinary remains of an advanced city. Here you will find stunning ancient palaces, temples, and giant stupas, from where the magnificent civilization of Anuradhapura ruled.

(Post by Ivelina Dineva)

(Image by geteye1, stock.xchng)

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The financial impact

Payment to make use of the Télépéage lanes is made through an automated debit from your account.  This must be set up when you order the transponder that sends the signal to tell the barrier to open.  In the past such services were only available to those with a French bank account.  However, operators are now offering access in various foreign countries.  One such company is Sanef Tolling; which requires a deposit of €20 for the transponder and a €10 admin fee.  In addition there is a €6 annual management fee and a charge of €5 for every month that you use the transponder, up to a maximum of two months per calendar year or €10.

Length of trip

The first factor you need to consider when deciding whether to go for the automated payment method is how long your journey is.  If you are travelling the length of the country and are likely to pass through many toll booths then making use of the Télépéage lanes could save you quite a bit of time.  Also, every toll booth that you use brings down the average cost of using the system and so delivers better value for money.  Where you are likely to only pass through a few toll stations or may travel off the Autoroute it may be wiser to stick to manual payment methods.

Travel companions

Another benefit provided by Télépéage is that your journey from one destination to another is much less disrupted.  There is no need to wind down the window and let cold air into the car, lean across the passenger to pay or even to get out and run round to the payment window.  This means that anyone who is travelling in your car can get some valuable rest while you concentrate on getting safely to your destination.  This can be a massive plus when travelling with children; who you would prefer to sleep for as much of the journey as is possible.

Holiday type

The kind of holiday you are on is the final factor you need to consider.  If you are on an extended break where there is no rush then you may decide that you can handle the delays of manual toll payments.  However, if you are on a short break for a few days then every minute can count.  A great example of such an instance is if you are on a long ski weekend with friends and want to hit the slopes as soon as you possibly can.  In such a case the extra cost to use Télépéage, which can be spread around everyone in the car, is well worth it.

(Post by Andrew Jackson)

(Image supplied by author)

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This transformation can be attributed to the drop in water levels which allows the sun to warm the colonies of moss and algae on the bottom of the river, and grow and multiply in the craters.  The warmth allows for an explosion of blooming multi-hued algal and moss streaks upon the riverbed, with surrounding colourful flora which add to this spectacular sight. The colours are further enhanced by the eccentric waterfalls which spill into the neon-coloured tide pools.

The river is situated in Colombia’s Sierra de la Macarena, a large national park which contains a mountain range as well as exotic plant and animal species.  Caňo Cristales flows from the south plateau and stretches 100km in length and 20m in width. It is also commonly known as ‘the most beautiful river in the world,’ ‘the river that ran away to paradise,’ and ‘the river of five colours’. The road to the nature reserve starts from the nearby town of La Macarena; however, it is a harsh road to get through. You can either go by horseback or fly in as part of a tour group.

If you want to see this unique site then make sure that you are there from the end of September, because as the water levels become deeper and the currents start moving faster so does the amount of sunlight reaching the bottom of the river’s algae and moss decrease.  In the dry season the river dries up and all you will find is a cracked up river bed.

Due to terrorist activity in the area, as well as concerns about the environmental impact of tourism, visitors were not allowed access to the river up until 2009. Even now that it is open to visitors there are relatively few people who experience the majestic beauty of this hidden treasure, so be sure to take this opportunity to marvel at this meandering aquatic landscape before it becomes a popular destination with tourists.

(Post by Ivelina Dineva)

(Image by Managementboy at de.wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], from Wikimedia Commons)

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The Apple App Store — a marketplace for iPad, iPod, and iPhone devices –is filled with useful travel apps. Here are five must-have travel apps for iPad tablet users. For best results, users need a good mobile broadband connection and a little extra time to explore.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a free translation app that is great to have when travelling internationally. The app translates words and phrases for more than 60 different languages. For about a quarter of those languages, users can translate by speaking rather texting words and phrases. They can also hear some of the translations read back to them.

Non-Latin scripts, such as Chinese and Japanese, are spelled out in Latin characters to enable users to read the translation phonetically. Favorite translations can be stored and retrieved for future reference.
Kayak

People who have yet to make holiday travel plans will need a world of luck and a very wide wallet to implement their last-minute plans. Flexibility is essential, too. For their iPad tablet, they need Kayak.

Kayak is a top-rated website for finding great air fares and hotel accommodations. In fact, it is the largest aggregator of flights and lodging on the Internet. The iPad app solidly extends the Kayak web service to tablet computers.

In addition to locating flights and hotels, users can also book tickets and reservations, search for rental cars, organise itineraries, and track flight statuses. A free app version is available, but users can opt out of the advertisements for a nominal fee.
Skype

Skype for iPad brings Skype contacts up-close and personal with full-screen video. Users can call, video-call, or instant message (IM) any of their contacts right from their fingertips on their iPads.

This app enables travellers to talk face-to-face with their friends and relatives, while en route to their destination. l can also show their contacts exactly what they are seeing along the way with front- and back-facing cameras.

The initial download and installation is free, but adding just a little money opens up numerous other Skype features. This includes cheap calls to mobile and landline phones right from the tablet. An online number allows other people to call travellers directly on iPad.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is the Internet’s largest travel community. The tablet app, optimised for the iPad, may be the essential download for travellers. Travel reviews, maps, photographs, forums, and opinions answer almost any question for the traveller on the go.

This free travel app enables users to search for millions of restaurants, hotels, and attractions around the world. Travellers can even create and upload their own reviews. The latest version fixes minor bugs so travellers can fully enjoy the many unique features: virtual tours, live views, cheap flights, hotel discounts, saved pages, and more.

WiFi Finder

WiFi Finder is another great travel app for iPad, and it is free to download and install. Using the iPad’s built-in GPS system, WiFi finder tells travellers exactly where to find the closest WiFi hotspots.

The app works closely with all the top free and paid services to provide accurate and current information. Users can filter the locator by service provider or location type. When the app locates a hotspot, it provides a telephone number and directions for that location.

Tablet owners have discovered numerous uses for their iPads. Tablet computers make great e-readers, movie viewers, netbook replacements, and gaming devices. They are also the ultimate travel companion, whether someone is venturing across the city or across the world. Along with a good mobile broadband connection, these five travel apps are good to have along for the ride — or flight, as the case may be.

This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Broadband Expert where you can find internet service providers in your area and compare prices on different deals for your mobile broadband needs.

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