Pete's Wicked Travels

Some travelers tend to go way overboard with their packing: packing enough to last them two weeks when they go away for a weekend. While others go to the other extreme, forgetting important items like passports or medicine. It is important to try to strike the perfect balance, bringing only what you need.

First off, important items that you should find room for in your luggage. A guidebook to your destination or to the region you are visiting will end up being your saving grace. It is your best resource for finding important information regarding accommodations, food, customs, and transportation. So make sure to pick one up and pack it along with the rest of your things. Along with the guidebook, another essential item is a Swiss army knife. This multi-tool is the fantastic and easily packs into any backpack since it is so compact. It has so many uses that it will take the place of many other tools that you may have packed separately.

When packing your clothes, the packing method you use is important as clothes will take up the majority of space in your luggage. You want to refrain from neatly folding them individually as you would in your drawers at home. If you do, you will find that they get wrinkled when compressed. Folding your clothes is also not the best space saving method. Rolling your clothes is a very effective method that seasoned travelers swear by. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves, and then roll from bottom to top. You can then put your rolled up clothes into different zip lock bags categorized by type of item. For instance, put all your underwear in one zip lock bag, and your t-shirts in another. This makes it a lot easier to navigate between your items without having to repack everything.

If you are traveling by plane, remember the extra security restrictions with regards to your carry on. You are not allowed to pack any liquid or gel substance; they will need to be packed away in your checked luggage. Also take into account restrictions on bag weight and number of bags you are allowed to travel with. Many airlines now charge a fee for every checked bag, and some charge for your carry on as well. Some airlines have also lowered the maximum permitted weight for checked luggage. Before packing, check with your airline to make sure you won’t be hit with any extra fees.

When it comes to packing toiletries, less is more. Take only half a tube of toothpaste and roll up the end tight. Store shampoos in travel sized containers and only take half a roll of toilet paper, crushing it so the middle is folded. In order to get past the no liquid ban for carry-ons, look into solid shampoo bars and tooth powder. You can find them easily on the internet and they will make it possible for you to get through security and have some toiletries in case of emergency.

admin Travel Tips packing, travel, travel gear, Travel Tips

When it comes to a traveler’s dream destination, China has got to come close. With over 5,000 years worth of culturally rich history and a vast expanse of land spanning thousands of miles, what would a traveler not love? With so much to see in do in this large land, it is hard to come up with a list of the top things to do, however, here is my attempt.

No list would be complete without mentioning walking along the Great Wall of China. It is of course one of the most popular things to do in China, as it is the quintessential Chinese landmark. You can climb the wall at a number of locations throughout the countryside. Try to find a remote passage, as you can wander within the guard towers with significantly less interruptions from fellow travelers.

The Terracotta Warriors, first discovered in 1974, were buried in 210 BC. The thousands of life-size figures have individually unique faces and hair and armor styles which are appropriate to their rank.

The Wolong Nature Preserve is located 3 hours outside of Chengdu, and houses the largest panda reserve in China. The center works to ensure the Giant Panda species will continue to exist. Tourists can observe pandas in their natural habitat and can even help researchers feed and play with these beautiful and threatened animals. Another great animal attraction is the Beijing Zoo. It is the largest zoo in China, and used to be a private garden owned by a royal Qing aristocrat before being converted into a zoo in 1901. The zoo holds approximately 6000 animals of different species from all over the country.

In terms of important historic landmarks, Tiananmen Square is it. Forever synonymous with protest and freedom, Tiananmen Square is imbued with a certain quiet power that is essential to any stop in Beijing.

Make a stopover in Tibet to see the Potala Palace, the former seat of the Dalai Lama. It is now a Chinese museum, but is still famous for its imposing white walls surrounding the inner red palace that sits at over 12,000 feet. Also while in Tibet, visit Jiuzhaigou Valley – a nature reserve located in China’s Sichuan Province. It is a beautiful example of China’s varied landscape, as it is famous for its crystal blue lakes and multi-level waterfalls. It is populated by a number of Tibetan villages so it is a superb place to see and experience local Tibetan culture as well.

A trip down the Li River will not disappoint. Starting at the Mao’er Mountain, the Li River flows southeast for about 437km. This area is the largest and most beautiful river scenes in China which attracts millions of visitors each year. The Karst Mountains make this stretch of water the most beautiful scenic area in China. The 50 mile long expanse from Guilin to Yangshuo is the finest section of the river because it is blossoming with rolling hills, limestone cliffs, and mysterious caves.

This list has just scratched the surface of things that you can do while in China, however, these are some of our favorites.

admin Asia Asia, china, things to do, travel, travel lists

If you have spent the last few months saving up for your big trip but still find your budget to be rather tight, don’t fear. It is possible to travel on a tight budget; it is just a matter of knowing where you can save.

When booking your flight, study up on airline fare cycles and alternate routes to save a lot of money. Knowing the seasons that airfares change and not reserving a flight during peak travel times will be much cheaper. When searching for flights, be inventive with the routes and don’t be afraid of layovers and stopovers. Even though they may be inconvenient, they can save you a lot on your flight. Also try searching for dates that are somewhat flexible as this will help you to find better deals.

Your accommodations don’t have to be in three or four star hotels. As you will probably be spending most of your time out of your hotel room, this shouldn’t be an important aspect of your trip. Look into renting an apartment or a house-swap as great ways to save on your lodging. House swapping can be fun if you are comfortable with another family being in your home. This way your accommodations are virtually free and you will be able to experience local living during your stay.

For souvenir shopping, get creative and stay away from the overpriced touristy stuff. Remember that pictures you take during your vacation will last forever and are the ultimate souvenir of your experience. But if you want to purchase some items, focus on smaller local shops and rural communities. This way, not only will you end up with a souvenir that is authentic but they will also be budget friendly as well. Use your credit card to pay for merchandise in a foreign country and use a debit card rather than traveler’s checks to get local currency. This will give you the best exchange rate and save you fees.

When getting around, utilize public transportation over cabs. Better yet, walk when you have the chance. You can purchase rail, metro, and bus passes designed specifically for tourists that will save you money and get you to wear you are going easily, quickly, and cheaply. No matter where in the world you are traveling, there tend to be well-run public transportation systems. Even if you are in a city that has a poor bus system, chances are they will have a much better train system. Look into public transportation before you leave, especially if you are buying a pass, as these tend to be cheaper when purchased in advance.

Look out for free entertainment and attractions. You can find free concerts, lights and music shows, nature trips to parks, beaches and conservation areas, as well as other known free attractions. Some museums are free to get into, while others may have free entrance during specific times in the week. Again, it pays to research into the sites, attractions, and entertainment before you arrive so you know of fun and cheap things to do that will keep you on your budget.

admin Travel Tips saving money, travel, travel advice, travel hints, Travel Tips

Planning a holiday in the Caribbean? Or maybe the Far East or the Orient? Well, imagine a holiday that took you across an entire region in your 14 days rather than to just one place. A conventional holiday to the Caribbean might indeed take you to a superb hotel and a gorgeous beach. But why stay in one island when you could experience several? Opting for Caribbean cruises rather than straightforward Caribbean holidays means you might spend your first night in Cuba before setting sail the following afternoon to the gorgeous beaches and unspoiled rain forests of the Dominican Republic. A day or two later, you’ll be wafting onwards across glorious Caribbean seas to Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua, where you could indulge in a little scuba diving and some fabulous Caribbean cuisine. To round things off, you could stay for a day or two in a Caribbean Amsterdam ñ Curacao, with its ancient windmills, red-roofed houses and stunning beaches.

This itinerary is typical of the many Caribbean cruise holidays offered by industry leaders such as Thomson Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and P&O Cruises. But you can experience similar versatility in many other cruise holidays. Far East cruises, Baltic cruises, Red Sea cruises, and Mediterranean cruises – and many others – offer the history and culture of a region, not just a resort. And with innumerable cruise deals on offer, now is a good time to begin exploring (last minute cruises can be especially economical). Why not balance a week of luxurious sea travel with a week of relaxed recuperation on the beach by choosing one of the many cruise and stay holidays on offer? Look for cruise offers that give you a choice of destinations so you get the very most out of your holiday and experience many different locations and cultures.

Choose cruise today!

admin Travel Tips cruises, travel

It is hardly surprising that Manchester has become such a sought after destination for weekend breaks. Whether you are looking for a relaxing and cultural weekend, some wild partying with a group of friends or an exciting shopping escape, this city will easily cater to your needs.

There are many different corners of Manchester that highlight its cultural diversity. Chinatown is usually a must-visit for most visitors to the city and although it has lost its once vibrant market atmosphere, the area has become increasingly popular for young partygoers at the weekends. The Gay Village ñ sometimes simply referred to as the Village is home to one of the most prominent European gay communities, but is filled with clubs and bars that appeal to all tastes. Of course, Manchester is well known for being one of the most musically active cities in the world and no matter what time of year you travel, there will be plenty of performances in the local venues.

And for shopaholics, this city will truly have you spoiled with choice. As well as all the biggest high street store names around Deansgate and the Millennium Quarter, vintage clothes fans will love the variety of the retro outfitters around Market Street.

Another reason that this city is so popular for short escapes is that cheap flights to Manchester are always easy to find. Flights from Manchester to Edinburgh as well as flights to London and numerous other UK destinations operate several times a day from the city’s international airport. Budget airlines will also cover flights from Manchester to Aberdeen, Dublin and various locations across Europe.

admin Europe england, Europe, travel