Smart Travel

In 1965 Paul C. Fisher, president of Fisher Space Pen Co., sent his pen to Houston Space Center and NASA began testing it. Astronauts had been using pencils for note taking, but the graphite used in pencils could break off and float around the cabin. This lead could become lodged in electrical switches and jeopardize their personal safety as well as the mission. The pen was put through 18 months of rigorous testing subsequently approving it for use on a trial mission in outer space. By 1968 the Fisher Space Pen was issued to astronauts for all manned space flights. It is still in use today on all American and Russian flights. Many of us were first introduced to this pen on a Seinfeld episode, "The Pen." It has also been on The Tonight Show, when Carl Reiner presented the pen on-air to Johnny Carson. It's been featured on a segment of the Travel Channel's popular series "John Ratzenberger's Made in America." The Bullet pen has been part of the permanent c...

It was nonrandom that this volcanic island, located in the southern part of the Pacific ocean got such a name: those were the Dutchmen who landed here on the first day of the Easter week, in 1722. The Easter Island, or Rapa Nui how local people call it, was discovered by the Dutch seaman Jacob Roggeveen 280 years ago and is by right named the most secluded island on our planer – the closest neighbours live 2000 km away from here. To get to Chile or Tahiti, you will have to overpass almost 4000 km while the distance between the island and the Antarctic is 6000 km. It is no wonder that there are no fences or gates here, and the Chile patrol ship comes here only twice a year: if a criminal gets to this place, he’s got nowhere to run. This triangular-shaped island covers a 171 sq.meters area. There is not a single river or a stream here, the rain-water is accumulated in three small lakes that were formed in volcano craters. The Easter Island is located in subtropical area, so the “tourist ...

For less than the cost of staying at a good hotel in Bali you can now enjoy the luxury of a beautiful private Bali Villa with air-conditioned bedrooms and tropical bathrooms to dream about, spacious living and dining areas and spacious terraces, a lush tropical garden with your own private swimming pool, and well-trained butler to take care of everything around the clock. In addition to modern amenities, any villa you rent will reflect Balinese lifestyle throughout: floors and walls are made from local wood and natural stone, high roofs cover airy living and dining areas, and large garden bathrooms are full of flowers and plants. And you'll appreciate the comfort and informality you can only experience in a private home. Instead of staying in hotel rooms (bed, two chairs, dressing table, TV set and telephone, wardrobe, small bathroom), your family will enjoy this truly Balinese experience. And you have much more space, more informality, more privacy, and more personal service than...

In the modern age, travel is such a large part of people's everyday lives. In fact, given today’s fast-paced lifestyle, it's hard to imagine that not so long ago, the idea of going on vacation was a rare luxury rather than a growing necessity. And, as the travel industry across the world has boomed, so too have the number of different types of vacations people in America are taking. These days, holidays often revolve around a theme: skiing holidays in Lake Tahoe or Colorado are common, as are shopping holidays to some of America's most famous malls. But, if you really want a travel experience with a difference, why not take a food tour of the United States – you'll find a range of culinary delights available to tickle your taste-buds! Take a trip to the Deep South on a food travel excursion and you'll find a wealth of fine foods to sample and enjoy on your vacation. The culinary landscape of America's southern states has always formed a large part of the lifesty...

The island of Bali is literally a very beautiful island situated under the equator in Indonesian Archipelago, is one of the most interesting and ultimate tourist destination in Asia. Since the first decade of the 20th century visitors have given to it several nicknames "Island of Gods" - "Island of thousand Temples" – "The Last Paradise" – and also often called "Island of Artist". The spirit of creativity pervades everything in Balinese life, from the cultivation of the steeply-terraced rice field to the elaborate temple offerings of flowers and foods given to the gods at times of celebration. Dancing, playing the gamelan, painting and carving is as much a part of an ordinary day as working in the offices, in the fields or feeding livestock. In ancient times, the people of the Indonesian Archipelago followed the ways of animism and ancestor worship. By around A.D. 600 however, Indian ideas and beliefs began to spread throughout Southeast Asia. Bo...

Indonesia, a Country of thousands of beautiful and exotic Islands, that spark off your imagination with thoughts of fine sandy beaches, huge temple complexes, great diving and the giant dragons of Komodo. The islands of Indonesia are spread over a vast expanse of ocean and technically speaking is divided by two Continents. Some parts of the Country can be as different from each other as black is from white. The hustle and bustle of the modern capital Jakarta is like another planet when compared to the traditional Papuan tribes of the Baliem Valley. Jakarta - Not only is it the largest City in the Country, Jakarta is also the heartbeat. Indonesian's from all over the archipelago come to the City to try and find their fortune or just to survive. The face of the City is constantly changing due to the construction of new skyscrapers, shopping malls and hotels. Jakarta is mainly a business and political City and not really a tourist destination, but the older colonial parts of the Ci...

Richard Chapo Traveling is a great way to experience new places and meet people with a different view of things. That being said, there are some common sense steps you should take to make sure your trip goes okay. Traveling is one of those areas where euphoria can be so high you do things you would never imagine doing at home. In this case, I am talking about taking risks that can lead to disaster. I am not, in any way, suggesting you don't explore destinations and cultures, but keep in mind there is good and bad everywhere just as there is in your home town. To avoid problems, there are some basic guidelines you should follow: 1. Before jumping on that plane to exoticlandia, make sure you let someone know where you are going to be and for how long. This person should typically be a family member. Most people tell you to leave an itinerary, but I think this is a mistake. Unless you are on a tour, you will never stick to it. Instead, leave a list of countrie...

Who would not love to go on along vacation in the Bahamas? After all the Bahamas is one of the most attractive destinations and the very idea behind taking a vacation is to rest, relax and enjoy and spend some time with the beautiful nature. Tour and travel companies come up with different holiday packages that can be taken by an individual depending on his need. Cheap Bahamas vacation is a tour and travel offer given by tour operators for those individuals who are a little low on finances. Well just because some people are a little low on finances does not mean that they cannot go on vacation and enjoy. The main attraction of the Bahamas is the beaches and in fact many tourists who have been to that place say that they are willing to go back again year after year just to enjoy the wonderful beaches. The white sand that is free of any litter and the unending stretch of beach give a very peaceful and serene environment to any one who goes there to rest and relax. To find the best offers...

Most travelers spend more time in airline ticket reservations and bargains but less time in choosing the right accommodations. Thus they may end up on the wrong side of the bed during their stay. To get the most out of your hotel accommodations, remember to book as early as possible and make your dates more flexible. Hotels that specialize business people will consider weekends as off season. Family vacationers could tap into these special packages during weekends. Primarily, you should choose your hotel based on name, amenities, features, price, packages and location. Here are some considerations in choosing your best travel accommodations: 1. Accommodations should be family-friendly. Always ask if your hotel offers children activity areas with educational and fun activities supervised by duly-trained care-givers. 2. Your hotel should provide a swimming pool for children, daycare service, crib rental and child-proof electrical outlets. 3. Stay in a hotel that has electronic room-key c...

The world s largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef which composes of roughly 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands. The reef is located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland s in the northeast of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the wonders of the natural world it is the world s largest coral reef ecosystem. It was declared a World Heritage in 1981. More than two million people visit the reef each year generating more than 2 billion Austailian Dollors in tourism dollars. Most of the visitors come to go out on the reef. A scourge of the reef is bleaching where the corals have died in large numbers. This phenomenon is not exclusive to Queensland s Great Barrier Reef, but has been observed on reefs throughout the world. It is thought the bleaching has been caused by rises in water temperature, although the evidence is not conclusive. Another one of the dangers to the habitat is the Crown of Thorns starfish. Since the 1960s the Crown of Thorns have been destroying t...

No matter which cruise line you sail on, you can find a luxury cruise experience. Most cruise lines offer some luxuries for just about any budget, so you don't necessarily have to spend millions of dollars or be rich to enjoy one. Of course, every cruise has various pricing packages and if you want a larger stateroom rather than a cabin, you're going to pay more. The same goes for amenities. Some cruise lines offer an around the world luxury cruise. Now, these can cost twenty thousand dollars or more, but for many people who've saved up all their lives for the experience of a lifetime, money's no object. Several different cruise lines offer more luxurious appointments than others, and cost will also depend on your departure and destination points, as well as your length of journey options. The Carnival Cruise luxury cruise line has very nicely appointed and offers fine services for the budget minded traveler, though some of their cruises aren't much cheaper than th...

Going on African safari would be the adventure of a lifetime for many. Africa, despite it's political unrest and problems over the last century is still a mysterious and beautiful part of the planet and to see it once will provide lifetime memories. But what part of Africa do you want to see? The great thing about African safaris is you can choose from either a limited number of destinations to visit or depending on your budget, can see it all from top to bottom. So what are the most popular African safari destinations? Serengeti The Serengeti is a great year round destination. Tanzania has plenty of attractions but it's the Serengeti which provides Africa in all it's glory. Big cat lovers won't be disappointed whether it's lions, leopards or cheetahs you want to see but there is a multitude of wildlife on offer in this special part of the world. Okavango Delta Remember the "Jungle Jim" adventures. When you visit the Okavango Delta you'll feel like you...

Hawaii is one of the best and most unique places on the planet earth. Getting a great price for a cruise to paradise is even better. Armed with a little information, you should be able to get the best price to the best place: Hawaii. First you have to decide what port you want to sail from. Cruises leave from Vancouver often at the end of the Alaskan cruise season, and from Mexico at the beginning of cruise season. The cruise lines want the ships to be full as they make this necessary journey. Other ports are Los Angeles and San Diego. Or you can fly to the islands and then depart from Honolulu and return there. You need to know what cruise lines provide cruises and when. They all vary. Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises sail year round. Carnival and Royal Caribbean provide cruises in April, September and October as they change cruise routes. Celebrity sails in March, April, and September to December. Holland American cruises are available January through April and then again...

Sometimes you just want to have fun! If there’s any place on earth that can guarantee you fun (24/7), it’s a Carnival cruise. Imagine boarding a floating resort decked out with amenities designed purely to bring a smile to your face. You will surrender immediately to relaxation, laughter and excitement. Whatever your pleasure, a Carnival cruise will not disappoint you. Even the most die-hard clubber will relish the range of venues on board. Not only can you party hard until the wee hours of the morning, but you don’t have to worry about being pulled over and breathalyzed on your way home. And don’t stick to your Cosmopolitans and Manhattans or your favorite beer; venture into a world of elaborately garnished, fruity concoctions and a range of imported beers that will tempt even the most jaded taste buds. Dance the night away at costume parties on a Carnival cruise, where you will need to come up with some kind of disguise using whatever you’ve brought in your suitcase. Play ‘guess who’...

By Fred Tutwiler It’s a shame to lay out $250 - $2,500 on a dreamy cruise vacation only to encounter unnecessary mishaps and inconveniences. So, in an effort to minimize the likelihood of a bump in the road to your perfect vacation, here are some common potholes that you can avoid. Mistake #1: Not Making Your Luggage Distinctive. At the end of your cruise, your luggage will be placed in a huge room with THOUSANDS of pieces of luggage, probably in some designated area based on the color of a luggage tag provided by the ship. No matter how familiar you think you are with your own luggage, it’s amazing how well your bags will blend in with the mass of cargo surrounding them. Having a quick, easy way to identify your luggage will be a major relief, especially if it gets misplaced. BUT, that isn’t the main reason to make your luggage stand out. You will be entering this cavernous room with a couple thousand other people, some of whom stayed up all night partying. They are going to be impat...