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

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

Mike Myers used to have a sketch on SNL where he played a Scottish guy who used to say that if it wasn’t Scottish it was “shite.” Well, if it’s not Aberdeen, it’s shite! The third largest city in Scotland and an international hub that regularly sees cheap flights coming in and out on a daily basis, Aberdeen is the chief seaport on the north eastern coast of the country. Commonly referred to as The Granite City, the Silver City or the Flower of Scotland, due to the fact that it is packed full of parks, gardens and floral displays, Aberdeen is considered by many travelers coming into the city on cheap flights as one of the most beautiful cities in the UK.

While it is quite a bit smaller than Glasgow or Edinburgh, the harbor and beaches make for a distinctly different feeling than the central Scottish cities, and when considering the fact that it has some of the oldest university buildings in Europe, including King’s College, which was founded in 1495, it really does have quite a bit of history to boast about. It’s an amazing city that should really be visited when you are in Scotland.

What’s even better is that from Aberdeen you can get anywhere! As an international hub, visitors can easily book cheap flights to London, Belfast, Paris, as well as almost any other city around the world. Considering the fact that modern Aberdeen has been transformed into the new oil capital of Europe, thanks to the supply of crude oil from the North Sea wells, there are more people coming here to live than there are leaving to visit other destinations. While English is mostly spoken, it is important to understand that local dialects are an important part of the cultural history of Scotland and the chances are you are likely to encounter various dialects while touring the city, so be prepared for some strange sounding accents and unfamiliar words.

admin Europe aberdeen, Europe, london, scotland, Travel Tips

Just like a rainbow is filled up with seven distinct colors, similarly India has several mysterious cultures stored in it. We will here disclose to you some of the best places to visit in this beautiful country. India is a dream holiday that rewards every traveler with her endless tourist attractions. To explore India is to discover a land gifted with everything that makes up for a perfect travel package.

The rich cultural heritage which India offers us certainly keeps it in a different category. India, a platform of rich culture and tradition amidst a huge range of diversity and equality, is home to some of the excellent manifestations of art and architecture in various forms and shapes. These special forms and textures will attract you by their first appearance only and you will just not feel like moving from away from there.

A ride through the entire sphere of these architectural masterpieces will help you delve deeper into the country’s cultural bias. East to west, north to south – travel through the vast stretches of the nation to explore the various heritage destinations of India and peep into the range of intricate forms of art and architecture of India. So are you ready to explore it out here? Ok, we lets move further.

Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, this monument of pristine supremacy in terms of artistic connotations is viewed as an epitome of love and romance.

Knak temple, approved as a United Nations (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, this temple is solely dedicated to the Sun God and depicts Orissa’s medieval architecture.

Ajanta Ellora caves: One of the choicest travel destinations for tourists around the world, these caves, outside the city of Aurangabad, about 400km northeast of Mumbai, represent the evolution of Buddhism, from 200 BC to 650 AD. They proudly embody three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

There are still more destination like this which you can easily explore in India. This article might not allow me to list all of them right here. But you must not restrict your self, try to explore as much about it as possible because it will change your overall outlook. Go for it and have fun in style in a new and more loving place.

admin Asia Asia, india, south asia, Travel Tips

Amsterdam has always been a colorful destination for me. World famous Coffee Shops and a legal Red Light District may be Mecca for teenage boys but for their parents it means price checking breathalysers and chastity belts. So there I am with an invite to a potentially very lucrative business meeting in a city I imagined was as smoggy as a Los Angeles in the eighties.

The first thing to be noted about Amsterdam is how easy and cheap it is to get there. With so many good quality travel services available I almost considered not claiming on my companies account! There’s an international airport which is linked to central station by a train service which is modern, clean and very affordable.

After arriving at the station it is only a 2 minute walk to the Damrak (the central square) from which the whole city is a matter of minutes away. The first thing to notice is the bicycles. They are everywhere and with many of the towns streets closed to cars its probably not a bad idea to dust off the peddle pushers yourself.

I opted to take the tram to my hotel which allowed me to enjoy the city without worrying about obstructing cyclists. Amsterdam is beautiful. The canals thread water through the streets bringing a liquid serenity which I have never felt in a city. After alighting at my hotel I was instantly impressed. With over 40 per cent of hotels being 4-5 star, the fierce competition meant I was being treated like a king for the price of a pauper.

After chatting with locals in a bar across the road I caught a cab to the Leidseplein. The bright lights and stunning architecture left me dumbstruck. It’s just so beautiful here. For a moment I feel like to spend rest of my life in this unique city.

The next morning, I explored all the attractive spots of the city and it was really fun for me. I came to know about various secrets which I just can’t forget, even if I want to. It was certainly some thing spiritual which attract me towards the beautiful place.

admin Europe amsterdam, Europe, holland, Travel Tips