5 Luxury travel hacks

1. Rent a lux house

Grab your mates, your extended family or multiple families and rent out a luxury house. The initial price may seem huge, but when you split it per person, it will often end up cheaper than staying in a cramped hotel.
Now you’ll feel like the rich and famous; you can all throw in to share food costs, which means you can go a little more deluxe with your food choices – don’t forget the champers and morning mimosas!
We stayed in a luxury house on the waterfront on the Gold Coast with 14 of my friends for my 40th.

2. Luxury for less

We recently shared a new search aggregator by Travelex that helps you find luxury holidays for less and breaks it down into flight, accommodation and currency costs according to your budget. You’ll be surprised by how far your money can go.

3. All-inclusive holidays

There are plenty of travel destinations or experiences (like cruises) that offer all-inclusive deals, which can be a great way get more for your money. You know how much to budget before you go, your food, accommodation, and sometimes alcohol and activities are all included.
All inclusive holidays are suited to those type of holidays where you don’t want to do too much but relax and spend time with those you love, rather than exploring, adventuring and tasting the local life.

4. Repositioning cruises

Cruise ships often have to relocate to start a new itinerary or season. Instead of sailing the ship empty, they sell discounted tickets – on average up to 50% off. Repositioning cruises travelling to and from Australia frequently stop in Tahiti or travel via Hawaiian ports such as Honolulu, Lahaina, Kailua, and Kona. Other repositioning itineraries that journey to and from Asia include ports such as Singapore, Bali, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, and Puerto Princessa and Manila in the Philippines.
If you’re planning on a one way trip to a destination, this could be a cheap way to get yourself there, making the journey part of the travel adventure. I considered it as an option to get to Hawaii on our America Unplugged road trip, but couldn’t find anything to suit.

5. Chauffeur driven transfers

Travelling business or first? Top tier airlines such as Qantas and Emirates offer complimentary chauffeur driven transfers to and from the airport on selected major flights.
If you have a big travelling party, it might even be worth you investigating the price of this in comparison to other forms of transport. Go lux for less when you can!

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6 Travel Hacks to save money on accommodation

1. Use your points

We stayed in Denver, Colorado recently using hotel reward points, saving us around $300 a night. It’s beneficial to sign up to hotel chains loyalty programs. Get on their email list as they often have special deals come out for their members such as double points and free upgrades.
It doesn’t always have to be direct with that hotel chain. American Express Membership Rewards have two Hotel Guest Partners. You can transfer your points into your preferred program and book directly with the partner.

2. Access Club Lounges

Some hotel chains, like Ritz-Carlton and Sheraton, have Club Lounges. You may get access to these depending on your program status, or you can purchase a pass with your points.
These club lounges have free food and drinks. We saved a lot of money eating out when we stayed at the Ritz in Denver as we could eat in the Club lounge!

3. Ask for upgrades and best price

Don’t be shy to ask for an upgrade when you check in. We often get upgrades without even asking. Hotel chains will often upgrade you if they have space as they want their customers to have incredible experiences.
Golden Rule – be kind, courteous and friendly. It’s just karma baby!
Ask the accommodation what is the best price they can do. They can often reduce the rate for you if you book directly with them. On our road trip around Australia, we often asked the caravan parks/hotels upon check-in if that was their best price. We’d often get the kids thrown in for free! If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

4. Use Airbnb

Airbnb is my favourite way to book cheap accommodation. Plus, you get to live like a local and have the facilities to cook your food and save more money.
Apartment rentals often come with free Wi-Fi, are in good locations, and other perks, like tea and coffee, use of kayaks and bikes, and a local’s guide to the area.
I stayed in an Airbnb in LA, and the host even offered transfer services to the airport which were on par with Uber prices. She was also a wealth of inside knowledge, and it was way cheaper than staying in a hotel – by at least $1000 in total.

5. Find the deals

Two for the price of one, discounted rates, kids stay for free – there are multiple ways to find cheap accommodation. Travelling outside of peak times will give you the biggest chance.
Stay connected to your favourite hotel chains and search engine providers via email or social media to quickly grab the deals as they come through.

6. Book your travels with points

As outlined in this post, I used the American Express Travel booking service on their website to book flights, accommodation, car rental and even tours. I found their deals very comparable to other sites, if not better – they had some great discounted deals on accommodation!
You can book using points, or a combination of points + pay.  If you use up all your points, and still have more to book, you can pay for whatever’s left with your American Express Card and collect more points for travel!
With American Express Travel Online there are no restrictions, no blackout dates, and no fees. Simple.
For some eligible American Express Cards offer a complimentary Travel Credit, which can be used to book eligible prepaid flights, hotels or car hire when booking with American Express Travel Online.


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7 Beautiful Lakes

In this post we share 7 beautiful photos of Lakes. Check them out and then share your thoughts in the comments.

Lake Louise, Banff National Park

Emerald Lakes, Tongariro, New Zealand

Taal Crater Lake, Philippines

   

Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Lake McKenzie, Fraser Island, Australia

Lake Malawi, Africa

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe, California

                                                                 

What is your favourite lake? Share a link to a blog post featuring a lake and we will PIN it.

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10 Travel Tips for a Season Traveling

1. Airline Food. If you request a kosher meal you will probably be served before the other passengers. This may get you some grudging looks from the other passengers but at least it will give you time to actually eat something before the flight attendant comes back to take your tray. In addition some airlines offer a children’s menu. This is good to know just in case your son or daughter isn’t a great fan of steam leeks. It is a lesson I wish I had in advance and it particularly sinks in when the child in the next seat over is munching on chicken tenders rather than the aforementioned creamed leeks on your child’s tray (sorry girls).
2. Claim and Recheck Baggage. Much to my dismay, I learned upon my return to the United States that I needed to claim and recheck my luggage before I could make my connecting flight. If you don’t know this, then you don’t know to build an extra hour into the time you need to make your connecting flight and end up rushing about the terminal like a fool.
3. Travel Light. You may be able to expedite your entrance and departure from the airport by forgoing the use of checked baggage and using a carry-on only. In addition to the hassle of checking bags twice as mentioned in number 2, you save loads of time otherwise spent standing about the luggage carousel in the herd with the other travel beasts of burden, while you await the appearance of your luggage (which looks just like every other piece of luggage) then fighting your way to the front of the line before it disappears through to baggage handlers port of no return before your eyes.
4. Show Me the Money. Rather than exchanging for local currency before you begin your journey, you may wish to stop at an ATM in your network when you arrive for some walking around money. Large financial institutions get a better exchange rate than an individual can secure.
5. Protect Your Documentation. Scan copies of all your passports and travel documents. Then save them to a USB compatible storage device. I put mine on a lanyard around my neck. Wherever you put yours make sure it isn’t the same place as your passport. One of the things that make this so important is the brisk market for stolen travel documents. This is not a day in which you can easily explain how you indentification became involved in the commitment of some fraud on soil that is not your native home.
6. Share the Plan. Register with the U.S. State Department. This will provide a way for you to be contacted should there be a family emergency while you’re away. However, advise your family of what constitutes an emergency you should be contacted about. It may be callus but I tell my family, unless it is something I can do something about from 2,000 miles away don’t tell me until I get home. Another benefit of this service is that it provides a way for you to contact family if you encounter an emergency someone at home can help with while you are abroad. Plus, it’s free. I’m a big fan of free.
7. Are You Really in Good Hands? Advise your medical insurance providers that you will be traveling out of the country. You may need to purchase riders or supplemental coverage to protect you while you travel. There are also some quality policies you can purchase from independent providers who specialize in this type of protection.
8. Reach Out and Be Touched. Arrange for your airlines to email, text message (international travel cell phone required in some cases), call you with changes in your flight arrangements. This could have saved me several hours worried waiting when terrorists bombed a nearby airport on my trip.
9. Drink Bottled Water When Traveling. Request bottled beverages if you are not sure of the source of the water. Read this for more information on advices on water consumption.
10. Relax. You might as well. You’re traveling in a foreign country and your fate is in the hands of people you’ve never met before. There is absolutely nothing you can do about it so you might as well enjoy it. Life is about the journey, after all.


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24 Incredible Underground Attractions To Visit In Your Lifetime

Some of the world's most breathtaking travel destinations may be hidden in the ground beneath your feet.
While some are man-made constructions, others are fascinating natural wonders that have been formed over the course of thousands of years.
We've put together a list of 24 subterranean attractions to visit in your lifetime, from a 10,000-year-old cave in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to a town that built a library, church, bar, and homes underground.

Salina Turda, located in Turda, Romania, is home to an underground theme park inside one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Head 400 feet down to reach an amphitheater, bowling alley, mini golf course, ping pong courts, Ferris wheel, and an underground lake with row boats.

Salina Turda

St. Michael's Cave is a network of limestone caves situated in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve of Gibraltar. The cave has been used as a theater since the early '60s and has a seating capacity of 400.

Flickr/Royal Navy Media Archive

Bounce Below is a set of three giant trampolines nestled inside the Llechwedd Slate Caverns — a former Victorian slate mine in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales. It was created by Zip World, a company specializing in adventure activities.

Courtesy of Bounce Below

The company also built Zip World Caverns, which is also situated in what used to be mines near the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd. Guests are suspended up to 100 feet down into the slate cavern.

Facebook/Zip World

Bluegrass Underground is a monthly concert series inside the Volcano Room of the Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tennessee. Taking place more than 333 feet underground, the venue offers top-notch natural acoustics in a breathtaking cave setting.

AP/Mark Humphrey

Take a boat ride through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves of Waitomo, on the North Island of New Zealand. A large population of glowworms causes the cave to glitter.

Flickr/Donnie Ray Jones

The Alux Restaurant Bar & Lounge serves drinks and authentic Mexican cuisine in a 10,000-year-old cave in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Gorgeous stalactites and stalagmites surround private vaults, where guests can enjoy a delicious meal.

Flickr/Curtis & Renee

The Postojna Cave in Postojna, Slovenia, is known for its whimsical web of tunnels, passages, galleries, and halls, all of which have a stunning diversity of karst formations. The cave also has several entertainment options, including a concert hall and a train that operates through part of the cave.

Shutterstock/lapas77

Inside the Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is a 4,500-panel glass artwork by Narcissus Quangliata that is said to be the largest glass-work in the world. Thanks to the stunning kaleidoscope effects of the piece, the area has actually been used as a wedding venue.

Shutterstock/Lau Chun Kit

Hang Son Doong (or the Song Doong Cave) can be found in the Quảng Bình Province of Vietnam. Classified as the largest cave in the world, it has a width of about 300 feet, a height of 330 feet, and a length of more than 6,000 feet. It has huge skylights and caverns that are big enough to hold entire city streets.

Flickr/Nguyen Tan Tin

More than 90 of the subway stations in Stockholm, Sweden, have been decorated with sculptures, mosaics, and paintings. The Kungsträdgården metro station houses the relics of the old Stockholm Makalös palace and has an impressive industrial-looking design.

Shutterstock/Eastfjord Productions

Stretching nearly 800 feet, the Reed Flute Cave, located near Gulin, China, is filled with incredible stalactites, stone pillars, and rock formations that take on a breathtaking look when illuminated with colored lighting.

Flickr/Bernt Rostad

Thanks to temperatures that can reach as high as 104 degrees Fahrenheit, almost all of the residents of the South Australian town of Coober Pedy live underground. The town's residents have created a fascinating submerged world, where you'll find everything from an underground bookstore to a subterranean church.

Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The Puero Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the Philippines has an underground river that stretches more than 26,000 feet within a stunning limestone karst cave system. On underground guided raft trips, you’ll enter chambers that are as large as 390 feet in size.

Flickr/shankar s.

Iceland's Thrihnukagigur Volcano has been dormant for 4,000 years, but it has left behind breathtakingly colorful minerals that can be viewed on hikes through lava fields. On tours that take place from May through September, visitors are taken as far as 400 feet to the bottom of the crater in an open cable lift.

Flickr/Darren Mercer

The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, Colombia, sits 590 feet below the surface in the heart of a salt mine. Carved salt sculptures and a 16-foot cross adorn a cathedral that gets some 3,000 visitors each Sunday.

Shutterstock/Fotos593

Hidden beneath Paris, France, are the Catacombes de Paris — an eerie network of caves and tunnels housing the remains of nearly 6 million people. Considered the world's largest grave, the catacombs have attracted thousands of visitors, including King Charles X and Napoleon III.

Shutterstock/Skreidzeleu

The Batu Caves of Selangor, Malaysia, feature stunning temples and paintings that depict Hindu gods. Before entering the caves, marvel at the enormous statue of Lord Morugan in the entrance.

Shutterstock/VenkateshMurthy

The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey, was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The royal reservoir is said to be able to store up to 24 million gallons of water. Explore its stunning design as you admire its 336 marble columns and its two head of Medusa sculptures.

Shutterstock/S-F

In the deep salt mine of Wieliczka, Poland, altarpieces, chandeliers, and even the ornamented Chapel of St. Kinga were chiseled out of rock salt. According to Travel + Leisure, tours began in the 14th century and have included guests like Copernicus, Goethe, and President George H. W. Bush.

Shutterstock/Kanuman

The mine also hosts an underground sanatorium and curated events, including concerts, theater performances, galas, and fashion shows.

Shutterstock/wjarek

The Cango Caves are found near the town of Oudtshoorn, South Africa, at the head of the picturesque Cango Valley. Dripstone caverns are lined with vast halls and towering formations. Take the adventure tour, where you’ll be led trough hanging crystal gardens adorned with helictites, an active candle-wax column, and incredible cavern chambers.

Flickr/Crystian Cruz

The Dambulla Cave Temple (also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla) is the largest and best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Inside, there are Buddhist mural paintings covering entire walls and more than 150 statues dating back centuries.

Shutterstock/Jorg Hackemann

In Turkey's Cappadocia region, there's an array of fascinating subterranean safe houses that were carved from rocks of volcanic ash. Several historic underground cities have been discovered many levels below the surface, revealing networks of tunnels, inclined corridors, and stepped pits.

Shutterstock/Pakhnyushchy

Enter the sub-street basement corridors of London’s Cabinet War Rooms (also called the Churchill War Rooms) to see what life was like for Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the tense times of WWII. The rooms have remained exactly as they were in 1945, when Churchill and his War Cabinet would meet here to discuss strategy.

Flickr/Tim Adams

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Travel Lessons with My Family

Travel Lessons with My Family

In the past year or so I’ve traveled more than ever, for both work and family reasons:

• A tour of southern Europe with 5 of our kids
• NYC (with a vegan tour)
• Maui with all 6 kids
• Japan, on an awesome train trip and cherry blossom festivals with Tynan and some new friends
• NYC with all 6 kids, again sampling the vegan delights
• Portland & Eugene for the World Domination Summit and to visit family
• Los Angeles with all 6 kids

For me, a person who enjoys staying home and enjoying the simple pleasures, it’s been a bit crazy. I don’t normally think of myself as a traveler, but the evidence is against that. I’m a traveler now.
And during it all, I’ve been taking notes. I’d like to share them with you here — my lessons learned in the past year or so of traveling.

Traveling Lightly

For me, the traveling lightly philosophy isn’t just in what you pack (though that’s a good part of it), but in how you approach travel.
Here are some lessons learned:

• For most people, a backpack of 24-, 18- or even 16-liters is enough. I’ve traveled with a 16-liter backpack for weeks with no problems. I think we tend to bring more because of fear that we might need more.
• Wash clothes in the sink and hang them overnight. Bam. You just eliminated the need to bring a lot of clothes.
• My packing list: I wear jeans, underwear, a T-shirt, socks and shoes (of course), and then pack 2-3 more underwear, another T-shirt/workout shirt, workout shorts (that I can run and swim in), 2 more pairs of socks, minimalist running shoes (that don’t take up much space), a Macbook Air and iPhone (with Kindle app so I can read books), cords and some toiletries. If it might be cool, a sweater or jacket.
• I wear the same jeans over and over, and just wash them once every week, hanging them up at night to air out.
• Packing lightly means traveling more easily, not having to drag around a roller bag or luggage. Honestly, you don’t realize how much this costs you in energy and happiness until you go without all the weight. Trips become easier, packing and unpacking takes a few minutes, and you aren’t tired or grumpy.
• Traveling lightly also means you don’t plan out as many things to do, but instead just research possibilities. What do you do each day? You look at the possibilities, and explore. You might just walk around and see what there is to see. Don’t worry about a schedule.
• Traveling lightly also means avoiding the tourist traps. Some tourist attractions are genuinely worth seeing (great art and architecture), but otherwise, just see the city and people watch. You avoid the lines, and again you are lighter and happier.
• It also means resting. Built into each day: slowness and rest stops and picnics and lounging in parks and stopping to just be in a place.
• Walk a lot to explore, and try public transit. Also go for a run. These are the best ways to explore a city.
• Finally, let go of expectations. If you’re going to a great city like Rome for the first time, you probably have an idea of what it is like. You’re wrong, and because it won’t match your expectations, you might be disappointed or frustrated. Instead, go in with curiosity, to explore and to really see. You’ll enjoy every trip much more.

The Funnest Stuff

Here are some highlights that I’ve loved:

• In New York City, definitely don’t miss Hack the Museum. My friend recently started these super fun tours of the Met, and I took my whole family, not because I like tours (I usually hate them), but because they make a normal museum experience into an extraordinary one. Highly recommended.
• In Portland, go on a run in Forest Park. Really lovely, miles and miles of trails through a real forest, right within the city limits.
• In Japan, go during Cherry Blossom season, because it’s gorgeous. It gets crowded, but people watching is part of the fun. You also don’t need to go on the exact weekend when they have the festival, because Cherry Blossom viewing (hanami) seems to go on for weeks. Go with a few friends, lay down a blanket or tarp, bring Japanese picnic food and drinks, and have an amazing time.
• In Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica blew me away with its grandeur.
• The Cinque Terre in Italy — five towns tumbling down cliffsides into the Mediterranean, linked by a train and walking trails — were beautiful and worthwhile.
• Sunbathing on the beaches of Antibes (southern France) was very nice, and I loved the romance of being where Hemingway and Fitzgerald also played around with their hip friends.
• In NYC, we truly love Candle 79, Candle Cafe, Hangawi, Blossom, Dun-well Doughnuts, Babycakes and the Cinnamon Snail. Vegan heaven.
• People watching: Central Park in NYC, beaches at Antibes and Barcelona, Osaka Castle, Ueno Park in Tokyo, Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station in Tokyo, Williamsburg flea market.
• In Japan, you can buy a weeklong train pass and ride the bullet trains everywhere. Tokyo is amazing, but there are other great places, from Osaka to Kyoto and Uji to Miyajima to an organic tea farm outside of the town of Fujieda, that you should definitely see. Bullet trains (shinkasen) are amazing.
• Portland has amazing vegan food! My new friend Ami Baio, a Portland vegan, took me and some friends to some terrific places: Canteen, Portabella Vegan Trattoria, Blossoming Lotus, SweetPea bakery, and the vegan mini-mall! Oh my goodness. All are highly recommended.

Traveling with Kids

Traveling with kids isn’t always easy. But we love traveling with ours. Here’s what we’ve learned:

• Talk to them before the trip about mindset. We explained to them that things will go wrong, we’ll get tired, we’ll walk a lot, we’ll get lost. It’s all an adventure. If they have this adventure mindset, things will go much easier.
• Talk to them about complaining. Again, we’re on an adventure, and complaining isn’t a part of that. Instead, be grateful you’re in this new place, exploring and seeing amazing things.
• Bring sketchbooks. We brought sketchbooks to NYC and would take breaks in the park and draw. Lots of fun!
• Walk a lot at home, for training. Our kids walk a fair amount here in San Francisco, so when we travel and walk a lot to explore, they don’t tire so easily. They still tire, but at least they’re in decent shape.
• Rest. Kids need rest. Build that into the plan each day.
• Gelato — they’ll go anywhere if you reward them with gelato!
• Let them help with the planning. If you’re just dragging them to places you want to see, then it’s boring. But if they helped plan out the trip, including a list of places to see, they’ll be more interested.
• Be each other’s tour guides. When we went to MOMA, we each picked an artist, learned about it, and then had to explain the artist to the others, like a tour guide.
• Get an apartment. We used AirBnB to get apartments in each city. It’s more comfortable for a large family, and cheaper than getting several hotel rooms, plus we could get groceries and cook at home for some meals, rather than eating out all the time. Also, there’s often wireless internet and washer/dryer (if you choose well).
• Kids can travel light too. Our kids each brought a small backpack each, one that they could carry (our younger ones had really small backpacks). They’re responsible for their own stuff. We’ve experimented with this on several trips, and it works out well.
• Give the kids responsibilities. They’re not passengers sitting back enjoying the ride — they’re helping plan and find their way around public transit and pick restaurants and get us to trains on time, etc. They’re learning to travel, and as adults they’ll be really good at it.

These are just a handful of the lessons I’ve learned. I’ve loved every place we’ve visited, and have met some lovely readers in each city, and it’s been excellent. Thank you to everyone we’ve met.

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Hints for Safe and Healthy Travel

Tips on health and safety begin before leaving home, especially when going on an extended trip or to a third world country.

BEFORE LEAVING

• Make up your own first aid kit by filling a zippered plastic bag with the following: tweezers, scissors, band aids, disinfectant wipes, antibiotics, decongestion pills, antihistamine pills, lomotil, antacid, Aspirin, a laxative, cough drops, antiseptic ointment, eye-drop lotion, Vaseline, lip balm, and oil of cloves for toothache.
• If you depend on your eye glasses, pack a spare. If you wear partials or dentures take contact cement in case you break a tooth.
• If you are on medication, get an extra prescription from your physician. If you take shots like insulin, pack extra needles. Bring a letter from your doctor describing the reason for the pills and needles, especially if the pills are a narcotic. Some countries might consider your medication a drug.
• Leave irreplaceable jewelry at home. Besides attracting attention, why take a chance on losing it or having it stolen.
• Get medical insurance and make sure your belongings are covered with your home insurance.
• Check with a doctor who treats travel-related decease to see if you need shots or pills against malaria, tetanus, typhoid or hepatitis.
• Check with your own embassy to see if they have safety rules or advisories on your destination. Ask what places to avoid and how the country handles crime and foreigners who get in trouble.
• Leave an itinerary of your trip with relatives at home.

SAFETY AT YOUR DESTINATION

WHILE SIGHTSEEING

• Dress simply when exploring the sights, but keep in mind, local people will recognize you as a tourist no matter what you are wearing. Don't offend the country with your clothing styles.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Spray your clothing and bare skin with bug repellent and wear sunscreen when necessary.
• Don't wear heavy perfume. The odor attracts bugs and animals.
• Walk with purpose and don't dawdle even during the day.
• Keep your watch out of sight under your sleeve or in your pocket if you are wearing something sleeveless. Don't wear gold chains around your neck or gaudy rings on your fingers.
• Reverse your back pack so the zippered compartments are against your back and not ready to be unzipped. When you are sightseeing only carry in your back pack what you can easily replace -- water, extra film and maps and such.
• If you take pictures, carry your camera around your neck.
• If you need directions go into a shop to inquire and don't ask a stranger.
• If you take a taxi, note the number and look at the picture ID of the driver as you step in.

WHEN SHOPPING

• Carry cash and cards in a slim money clip in your front pocket. Keep small change and small bills in a change purse and use that when your paying for purchases.
• Don't feel you must barter. Determine what the item is worth to you and pay that amount. However, if you like bartering begin by offering half of the asking price.
• REGARDING FOOD
• Get in the habit of drinking bottled water when you are out of town and open it yourself.
• Have disinfectant tissues handy and wipe your hands frequently.
• Don't accept a pill from anyone nor a drink from a stranger.
• Don't eat any type of food where sanitation looks questionable, like at some road stands with no refrigeration.
• Eat only cooked food in restaurants unless your tour guide says otherwise.

BE STREET SMART

• Don't go out after dark unless the street is well lit and busy with pedestrians.
• Don't pet street animals.
• Use your own judgement whether to give beggars your spare change.
• Don't give children money. (If you must give something, give pens or pins in exchange for something the children have like gum or crafts.)
• Keep your passport and airline tickets in a money belt around your waist or in the hotels safe. Remember, when you are cashing even travelers checks at the bank they usually want to see your passport.
• Pay attention when someone on a bike is approaching. Don't walk close to the curb. Don't make eye contact with gangs. They'll try to intimidate you.
• Don't go into a stairwell (like into a subway or hallway or an underground tunnel), if there aren't at least two other people in sight.
• Follow your instincts, if you sense danger, leave.

BE FRIENDLY AND PRIVATE

• Don't give out your hotel or room number to people you just meet.
• Don't give out too much personal information like who you are traveling with.
• Learn to say thank you, please, hello, goodbye and how much, in the language of the country.
• Smile, relax, and enjoy yourself.

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Traveling Around the Globe

Just as I was about to board AA's flight from Dallas to Vancouver on September 11, 2001, a bright and sunny Tuesday morning, disaster struck and like the proverbial pebble tossed on the ocean, the ongoing ripple affects us all.

For the next four days, while waiting for the air embargo to be lifted, I reflected on how traveling around the globe will change for me. I say for me, because I don't have the right to encourage or discourage people to stay home.

We die by the thousands every day by wars, accidents, because of illness, abuse, neglect, by the hands of others. I read the statistics calmly, without too many tugs at my heart unless it relates to children. Yet, the images across my television screen this past week brought tears to my eyes, the words spoken squeezed at my heart and created a lump in my throat. The acts of courage by so many made me proud to be a human being. The acts of terrorism made me feel so ashamed.


Why am I affected so? Maybe it is because somehow I feel responsible. Or maybe it is because I am completely innocent. I don't know. I just know that when I was given a six-month death sentence (10 years ago) because of a life-threatening illness, I understood instantly how fragile our lives. I understood and understand that when I say "see you later" to anyone, anytime, anywhere, the words don't mean a thing.
I don't know enough to comment on the type of recourse the government should follow, except to say that rarely do the means justify the end. After all, the perpetrators felt this way when they used the innocent as a weapon. The families who lost loved ones, their lives will never go "back to normal"whatever action is taken; their lives will never just "go on".

Me? I will not stay home. Just like I will not stay out of schools, government buildings, cruise ships, busses, ferries or trains. Nor will I stay out of McDonald's because a crazed individual might start shooting blindly at whatever and whoever gets in the way. I will continue to marvel, absorb and drink in the different landscapes on this planet; I will continue to embrace, explore, examine and educate myself to the many customs and cultures of my vast human family. There is nothing else that I would rather do.

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Related Links:

Travel Tips on Cheap Airline Tickets

Traveling with School-Age Kids

BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

* Start the trip a couple weeks before you leave by marking the days off on a calendar. Waiting can be very exciting.

* At the same time, make a list of what to pack, You decide on the type of clothing, but let the children choose their favorite items. A week before departure day, go over the list and clothing choices with the kids to make sure everything fits and is in good repair.

* Let the children have their own bags, such as a back-pack or a small carry-on with rollers. A couple of days before the big day, let them pack their bags. Let them include a small favorite toy and book to read. In your carry-on bag, pack hard candies, gum and wet ones. Your bag will also include a surprise toy for each child in case of unexpected wait times at airports or train stations and a disposable camera for the kids.

* The night before departure, at bedtime, discuss safety and security rules, like where to meet if you get separated and who to call if the adults get sick.

* Decide on how much money the kids can spend each day for anything they want.

* Make an itinerary of each day's plans and include a couple of activities that are flexible and optional. Make time for free time. Also include hotel numbers, contact names, confirmation numbers and transportion information.

ON THE ROAD

* If you are traveling by car, bring pillows.

* Keep the kids occupied with the I-Spy game, or the game where everybody takes turns naming countries in alphabetical order until one by one they run out of countries. Let the children create a game. Like count how many red cars on the highway, or how many convertibles.

* Stop frequently at rest stops. Let the kids jump and stretch and run to burn energy.

* Have snacks handy, like dry cereal, pretzels and trail mix. Fill a cooler with ice and bottled water.

* To keep the kids from whining in restaurants and in stores, make rules ahead of time on how much junk food they can have and what the budget is for meal times in the restaurants. Decide before you go in what they can or can't order off the menu. For example, desserts might be more than your budget can handle, so agree to buy a chocolate bar in the gift shop and leave the $5 chocolate cake in the display case.

* If you're flying to your destination give the kids gum to chew and buy favorite magazines for everyone. See if your doctor will recommend an off-the-counter decongestion tablet if the kids have sinus problems. The change in air pressure can be painful. Ask for the bulk seats for more leg room and take advantage of pre-boarding. Chances are good that the pillows and the blankets won't be gone.

ONCE YOU ARE THERE

* Review your safety rules.

* Each day have your itinerary handy but be flexible with a few attractions. Let the kids decide whether to go see the dinosaur museum or science center, whether they want to go to the beach or to the zoo. If they disagree, find something else on the trip that they don't mind eliminating and do both the beach and the zoo.

* Save time each evening to relax in the pool.

* Have the children save stubs, tickets from theatres, programs and maps of sights and attractions to make a scrap when they get home.

ON THE WAY HOME

* Let the children review the trips activities in a journal and mark with a score board on the way home.

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For additional information:

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Travel to Santiago de Cuba

17 Tips for Flying with Kids

10 Amazing Zoos Around the World

Read our list of the world’s top zoos and find out where you can spot exotic animals in places that are not only kind to animals, but doing their part to help save endangered wildlife around the globe.

 

Dallas Zoo

 

This 106-acre zoo located in Dallas, Texas is known for its humane treatment of animals and is currently being run by the non-profit Dallas Zoological Society. The zoo’s exhibits are divided into two sections: Zoo North and Wilds of Africa. Zoo North is the oldest part of the zoo and includes exhibits like the Otter Outpost and Endangered Tiger Habitat. The Wilds of Africa section is where you’ll find animals like penguins, chimpanzees, and crocodiles. The Dallas Zoo is one of the few zoos in North America that is known for proper treatment of animals and is also highly involved in conservation projects, in conjunction with organizations like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.



Wildwood Discovery Park 


This 40-acre zoo near Kent, United Kingdom, houses over 200 species of animals. At this park, which sees over 100,000 visitors annually, you’ll get to observe animals like boars, beavers, lynxes, and badgers, as well as amphibians, reptiles and birds. These impressive animals are living in recreated version of their natural habitats, with ample room to roam freely. This zoo is also involved in breeding and conservation efforts, in addition to offering curriculums to schools to teach children more about wild animals and the preservation of endangered species.

 

Wellington Zoo
 
Located in North Island, New Zealand, the country’s first and largest zoo is home to more than 500 different animals, and 100 different species. Dedicated to wildlife conservation, Wellington Zoo’s breeding programs have successfully helped saved endangered animals like the Sun Bear and the Sumatran Tiger. If you make your way to this zoo, you’ll also find yourself face-to-face with otters, dingoes, capuchins, marmosets, hedgehogs, red pandas, porcupines, monkeys, and the country’s official bird, the kiwi. This animal-friendly zoo is also eco-friendly, equipped with solar heating and power.



Singapore Zoo
 
If fears of animal cruelty deter you from visiting zoos, you’ll be glad to know that Singapore Zoo is dedicated to conservation and education and works hand in hand with the Wildlife Healthcare & Research Center to ensure the safety of all animal species. One of the first open concept zoos in the world, Singapore Zoo allows patrons to experience viewing different animal species without compromising the animals’ basic needs for ample room and a habitat safe for their development. At this large and impressive zoo, you’ll see elephants, lemurs, polar bears, flamingos, kangaroos, and even mandrills. This collection of exotic animals, living in open space at a safe distance from visitors, surely makes it one of the best zoos in the world.



National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
 
As the largest zoo in South Africa, there isn’t much you won’t see at this amazing habitat for animals. While many of the animals have been bred and raised in the zoo, there is ample room in this vast park for the animals to roam freely. Here you’ll find African cheetah cubs (probably the most adorable thing you’ll ever see), lions, tigers, 93 different reptile species, hundreds of birds, the largest aquarium in the country, and the third largest collection of exotic trees in South Africa. If you’re looking for an adventure-packed day, with its magnificent animals in a cruelty-free environment, a trip to Pretoria, South Africa’s largest zoo may be your best bet.



Basel Zoological Garden
 
Located in Basel, Switzerland, Basel Zoo is a non-profit zoo that first opened up in 1874, making it one of the world’s oldest. Rated as one of the top zoos in the world by Forbes Traveler in 2008, Basel Zoo is an awe-inspiring sight to see. There are presently over 6,000 unique animal species housed there, including an Indian rhinoceros, pygmy hippopotamuses, okapis, monkeys, meerkats, elephants, sea lions, gorillas, and plenty more exotic animals from all around the world. Basel Zoo has also bred several endangered animals to keep their species alive, making it one of the most animal-friendly zoos, too. In the coming years, Basel Zoo has plans to replace the elephant house, originally built in 1953, and construct the largest aquarium Switzerland has ever seen.



Sao Paolo Zoo
 
If you're planning a trip to Brazil, make sure to squeeze a stop at the Sao Paolo Zoo into your itinerary. The state of Sao Paolo has strict laws about animal cruelty and can actually give out fines of up to $435,000 for animal testing, per animal. So it’s no surprise that the Sao Paolo Zoo, with its over 3,200 animals, is animal-friendly one. They also invest time in conservation efforts, focusing on Brazil’s own endangered animals. At this magnificent park, you’ll see wild and exotic animals like lion marmosets, jaguars, parrots, wild cats, various birds, and macaws. Just the stunning surroundings of the park alone are worth a visit.



Toronto Zoo
 
You may think you need to look far and wide for the best zoos in the world but there’s an impressive zoo right here in Canada. The Toronto Zoo is home to over 16,000 animals, including leopards, rhinos, hyenas, zebras, lions, and grizzly bears. The zoo also has an amazing gorilla habitat exhibit, and a Discovery Zone for children to learn more about the animals and their natural habitats. Another thing that makes this zoo worthy of a visit? Its conservation policy. The Toronto Zoo has helped in the effort to conserve endangered species from all around the world, and is presently one of the very few animal-friendly zoos in North America.

Helsinki Zoo

 

One of the only zoos in the world located on an island – the island of Korkeasaari in Helsinki, Finland – this is the country’s biggest zoo and houses amazing animals like baboons, otters, deer, guanacos, leopards, Siberian Tigers, and even bears. What adds to the beauty of this zoo is the natural wildlife that surrounds it on the island. From beautiful rainforests to mountainous peaks and numerous plant species, Helsinki Zoo is most certainly a destination you won’t regret visiting.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo
 
You’d never think a zoo located in a mall could be so large – but it is. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo houses over 33,000 marine animals, amid man-made coral reefs, all within the Dubai Mall. A walk through the shark tunnel alone is an impressive view. As one of the largest aquariums in the world, it is separated into three sections: the rainforest, rocky shore, and living ocean. This is to offer the marine animals the best possible quality of life, by simulating their natural habitats. A visit to this amazingly large and diverse aquarium is definitely a jaw-dropping experience – and probably the most interesting day you’ll ever have at a mall.

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