Here is a scenario which no traveler wants to encounter.  You're finally on your way; you get to the airport, and OH NO…. you're getting bumped.  How did that happen?  You have a reservation.  How could they not have enough room for you?  Well, now we're into a whole new category of flight problem.  Not getting on the flight you wanted.  Has this ever happened to you?

The problem comes from the way airlines book their flights.  They routinely overbook their flights.  They do this because there is an amazingly large "no-show factor" even in this day and age of "non-refundable tickets". Read more

It’s that time of the year again…Time for some trip planning.  If you  know exactly where you want to go on your vacation… then congratulations!  Good for you!  Start planning.  But what if you have no idea where you want to go? I've got some tips if you are searching for good places to go.  Some of these may be helpful even if you know what you want… you still need to get information unless it's someplace you know well or return to often.

So where do you start?  Well, you need to take into account how many days you have and what your budget is…. then start talking to the people you will be traveling with.  The kids will probably say Disneyland or Disney World.  You could do that… again… or you could break out and do something you've always dreamed about. Read more

Finding a public toilet can be harder abroad than it is in the U.S., and it's something we never think about until "nature calls".  Here are some tips to bear in mind that can help you find public toilets quickly when traveling.

If you're out wandering the street, look for train stations or department stores.  If there is a U.S. style fast-food restaurant, you can find a toilet inside.  Big hotels will have one tucked away in the lobby somewhere, and they are reliable for having toilet paper (TP). 

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Toilet stories…. We all have some entertaining ( and perhaps embarrassing ) toilet stories we can share even though that’s a part of travel you might not like to think about.  If you're traveling in rich, "first world" countries, you probably don't need to worry too much about it.  But if you're traveling to lesser developed parts of the world, you're probably going to run into a surprise or two.  Talk to people who have been traveling internationally for a while, and they're bound to have one or two amusing toilet stories.

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1. Take off your shoes and jacket.  
2. Empty your pockets of loose change.  Cell phones and sometimes watches should go in the bin.  
3. Your "one quart/one liter clear plastic bag" of liquids (each 3 oz/100 ml or less!) must come out of your carry-on bag. (Remember, one bag per person,)

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ATMs around the world work pretty much like the ones you're used to at home, but there may be some extra steps…. like choosing the language you want to deal in.  You put your card and pin in… choose your language, then follow the prompts.  Read more

I will admit it.  Going through security lines is my least favorite part of the travel experience.  Thankfully, I have picked up quiet a few tips and  tricks along the way that has made it a lot more bearable and efficient.

So, with all this new found confidence… Let's address the security line.  You're packed and ready for your trip.  You need to start planning your strategy for getting through those security lines. 

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If you're a student, you may be able to travel for the summer as part of your summer vacation… good for you.  You won't find a better way to add to your education!  If you're retired, you can stay as long as your finances will allow… AND you can travel during shoulder seasons when there are fewer crowds.

If you only have one or two or three weeks, try for those shoulder seasons to maximize your experiences and minimize the lines.  Try to limit yourself to a country a week.  Even at that you'll just be getting an overview of the area you choose to visit. Read more