<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021</id><updated>2011-04-21T20:02:25.603-07:00</updated><category term='Dominican Republic Travel'/><category term='Business Travel'/><category term='Hawaii Vacation'/><category term='Rental Cars'/><category term='American Express'/><title type='text'>Travel for Dummies</title><subtitle type='html'>Need travel help? Travel advice? You've come to the right place!</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>9</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-8133266228812637766</id><published>2007-05-16T11:55:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-16T11:55:17.252-07:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>How To Survive A Hurricane&lt;br /&gt;Tips On How To Survive When Lost In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive The Wilderness With Very Few Supplies&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive When Lost In Another Country&lt;br /&gt;Tips On How To Survive When Caught In A Landslide&lt;br /&gt;3 Secrets To Survive In The Wilderness Without Bringing Any Food&lt;br /&gt;Tips On How To Survive In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive Cold Weather&lt;br /&gt;How To Start A Fire Without Matches&lt;br /&gt;How to Find Your Way Anywhere When There's No One to Ask for Directions&lt;br /&gt;How To Deal With Injuries When In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;How To Build A Shelter In The Wilderness Without Bringing Any Supplies&lt;br /&gt;How To Build A Fire When It's Wet&lt;br /&gt;How To Avoid Wild Animals In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;How To Avoid An Avalanche&lt;br /&gt;First Aid Tips In The Wilderness Without The Use Of A First Aid Kit&lt;br /&gt;How To Look For Water Sources And Make Sure It is Safe To Drink&lt;br /&gt;Emergency Food To Bring To Survive Wilderness Extremes&lt;br /&gt;Backpacking Survival Must Haves&lt;br /&gt;How To Avoid Thirst When Lost In The Desert&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;May 2007&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;How To Start A Fire Without Matches&lt;br /&gt;3 Secrets To Survive In The Wilderness Without Bringing Any Food&lt;br /&gt;Tips On How To Survive In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;Tips On How To Survive When Lost In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive A Hurricane&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive The Wilderness With Very Few Supplies&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive When Lost In Another Country&lt;br /&gt;How to Find Your Way Anywhere When There's No One to Ask for Directions&lt;br /&gt;Tips On How To Survive When Caught In A Landslide&lt;br /&gt;How To Survive Cold Weather&lt;br /&gt;How To Build A Shelter In The Wilderness Without Bringing Any Supplies&lt;br /&gt;How To Avoid Thirst When Lost In The Desert&lt;br /&gt;How To Avoid Wild Animals In The Wilderness&lt;br /&gt;Emergency Food To Bring To Survive Wilderness Extremes&lt;br /&gt;Backpacking Survival Must Haves&lt;br /&gt;How To Build A Fire When It's Wet&lt;br /&gt;First Aid Tips In The Wilderness Without The Use Of A First Aid Kit&lt;br /&gt;How To Look For Water Sources And Make Sure It is Safe To Drink&lt;br /&gt;How To Avoid An Avalanche&lt;br /&gt;How To Deal With Injuries When In The Wilderness&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-8133266228812637766?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/8133266228812637766/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=8133266228812637766' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/8133266228812637766'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/8133266228812637766'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-survive-hurricane-tips-on-how-to.html' title=''/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-5280672746000368673</id><published>2007-05-16T11:54:00.005-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-16T11:55:01.307-07:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>At 24,000 feet above sea level, with winds blasting at extreme velocity, the temperature plummets to 25 degrees Celsius or the wind blasts up to 40mph, no water, no food; totally left in an area where there is no one to ask for help, surviving in the wilderness is the most important and the only thing you can think about.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here are some practical tips on how to survive in the wilderness:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Temperature check&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the most important aspects of surviving in the wilderness is to maintain your body temperature. Statistical reports show that almost 80% of deaths in the wilderness are brought about by temperature deviations. These people suffer from either hyperthermia (extreme heat), or hypothermia (extreme cold).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So it is best to maintain body temperature at or close to 37 degrees Celsius. Start by looking for a temporary shelter. This will protect you from extreme cold or heat brought about the wilderness weather conditions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Do not panic&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The main point here is to preserve whatever energy you have left. Keep in mind that you do not have any food with you, so the only best or only way to survive is to allow your body to consume the available energy that you have in your body.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Panicking will only consume more energy so it is best to think before exhausting that energy. This will enable you to save energy before your body gets exhausted with no food available to replenish it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Lots of water&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are in a camping activity, always carry lots of water with you. You never know what could happen next while you are out in the wilderness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Most people are not aware of this but the body can survive for quite some time without food, but it can never survive without water.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are running out of water, retain the water in your body by curbing extreme sweating. Try to breath through your nose as much as possible just to help retain the water in your body.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If your body really needs water, do not hesitate to drink from any stream or river. Purified water is the last thing you can think about if you really want to survive in the wilderness.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As long as the water is clear, you can drink it. It is better to keep your body fully hydrated than to suffer the consequences because all you can think of is using only purified water.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Keep in mind that the key to survival in the wilderness depends on how you can maintain the basic aspects of your body.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-5280672746000368673?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/5280672746000368673/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=5280672746000368673' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/5280672746000368673'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/5280672746000368673'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/at-24000-feet-above-sea-level-with.html' title=''/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-4493972439157290803</id><published>2007-05-16T11:54:00.004-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-16T11:54:41.929-07:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>The untold instinct of man to survive his everyday life pervades the ultimate reality of existence. When threatened with an unpredicted event, it is almost second nature for man to find ways to prolong his life.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Even with the onslaught of modern technology, it is imperative that man learns survival basics and alleviate himself from the bondage of innovation and technological advancement.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The key is to survive life’s challenges without the tools.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Beating cold weather, for instance, is one of the most basic survival skills that man has to learn. You never know when extreme cold will hit you unless you are magically powerful.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you want to know how to survive cold weather without resorting to innovative devices such as heaters, here are some pointers:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Choose windows wisely&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The key to cold weather survival is to find products that will stimulate heat within the area. Getting a double-glazed window, for example, will trap the heat inside your home.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Consequently, you do not have to depend on your heater most of the time just to survive the cold weather. With double-glazed windows in your home, there will be very little heat that will escape your home.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Be wary when choosing clothes&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is not practical that you just wear layers of clothes to trap heat from your body. The key is to wear clothes especially designed to trap body heat. These clothes have special fabrics that can lock in heat so that it helps keep you warm.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Do not rely totally on materials that may seem to protect you from extreme cold weather. Many clothing manufacturers are now trying to cut back the cost of producing cold weather materials by replacing them with fake ones.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Take “fur coats” as an example. Most fake fur coats cannot effectively function in the same way as true fur coats.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Trap the heat from the top&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;What most people do not know is that body heat is usually emitted from the top—the head. So it makes sense to stop the heat from escaping from your body by covering your head with a good winter hat.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Keep in mind that it will be totally useless to wear winter clothes if your head is not protected from cold weather.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;These are just the basic ways to trap body heat and survive cold weather. By following this advice, you need not depend on heaters or other technological devices that require additional energy consumption.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-4493972439157290803?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/4493972439157290803/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=4493972439157290803' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/4493972439157290803'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/4493972439157290803'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/untold-instinct-of-man-to-survive-his.html' title=''/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-5806402097176288898</id><published>2007-05-16T11:54:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-16T11:54:22.657-07:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>Summer is usually the time when your kids or teenagers start going on camping trips. This is the time when they can practice their independence and gain knowledge of the basic survival skills.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the basic skills being taught for every camping activity is to learn how to start fire without matches. Of course, many people would be smart enough to take extra matches and fuel just to be sure that they can start cooking whenever, wherever.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One can never be too sure whether having a match can always guarantee a nice lit bonfire beside the shore or a fire for cooking.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So the best way to ensure the presence of fire is to learn how to start it even without matches. Generally, there are two ways to start a fire without a match. First, you have the stick method. The other method is known as the stone method.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;To know more about how to use these two methods of starting fire without a match, here are easy steps to follow:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;1. Find a good location&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;One of the main reasons some people find it difficult to start fire without a match is wrong location. What more can you expect in a place where there are the elements of nature?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Water and the wind are two of the greatest enemies of fire so it is best to try in a place away from these elements.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;2. Collect your materials&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Learning how to start a fire without a match is possible, but not without the other essentials such as dry leaves, twigs and dry wood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Collecting these things is the very first crucial step in learning the skill.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;3. Choose your means&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As mentioned earlier, there are two methods of starting a fire without a match. Either way, you can readily start fire because both the stick and the stone methods use the same principle of friction.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Briskly rubbing these two materials (either the sticks or the stones) will produce heat and after a series of rubbing motions, fire will be developed.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With stones, you need to rub them near your twigs or dry leaves. It is important that when a spark is created, the leaves are readily available to catch the flame.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It is easy to start a fire without a match. Just remember not to play with fire as this may cause serious accidents.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-5806402097176288898?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/5806402097176288898/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=5806402097176288898' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/5806402097176288898'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/5806402097176288898'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/summer-is-usually-time-when-your-kids.html' title=''/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-3923913008733109622</id><published>2007-05-16T11:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-16T11:54:06.596-07:00</updated><title type='text'>How to Find Your Way Anywhere When There's No One to Ask for Directions</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://www.freearticles.com/article/How-to-Find-Your-Way-Anywhere-When-Theres-No-One-to-Ask-for-Directions/1501"&gt;Free Articles -How to Find Your Way Anywhere When There's No One to Ask for Directions&lt;/a&gt;: "Being lost is one thing that really gets nerve-racking, especially if there is no one near to ask directions. But just as all problems have a solution, there are things you can do to make your ordeal easier and find your right way.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Technology&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With mobile phones, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices and portable Internet devices you can always determine where you are and find the way you are supposed to go. The mobile phone is the easiest way, just call your friends or someone who has access to a map or the Internet and ask them for directions. GPS on the other hand is free across the country and can easily locate road maps and famous landmarks and destinations. If you have devices that could access the Internet thru Wi-Fi then it's time to log on and search for directions with online map resources.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Old Way&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If in case you are not a 'technophile' and prefer the old way of doing things, there are still ways to get out of your situation. Like for instance a compass would be handy. Just look at where you are and start heading the direction you are supposed to go. If a compass is not available, just remember the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Road signs are also important; every highway or town has signs with arrows or directions on them. Just follow one sign until you find someone you can ask for directions.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Buying a map also does the trick before going to an unfamiliar place and familiarize yourself with the main highways and avenues. Also look for famous landmarks, stores, and malls and search for them when you get lost. The Internet is also a good way to do your research.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Foreign Land&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If you are lost in a place where people doesn’t speak English, then make sure have an English-Native Language translation dictionary or book. Learn the words that are associated with directions like right, left, straight ahead, I’m lost, etc. If the book is not available make sure you research and learn the place you are going before you go.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The best way really to find your way in any place is to ask people for directions; if there is no one around and you are really lost, then you will have to try to find anyone you can to ask so that you can reach your destination more easily.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-3923913008733109622?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='related' href='http://www.freearticles.com/article/How-to-Find-Your-Way-Anywhere-When-Theres-No-One-to-Ask-for-Directions/1501' title='How to Find Your Way Anywhere When There&apos;s No One to Ask for Directions'/><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/3923913008733109622/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=3923913008733109622' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/3923913008733109622'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/3923913008733109622'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-find-your-way-anywhere-when.html' title='How to Find Your Way Anywhere When There&apos;s No One to Ask for Directions'/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-6510138323364845930</id><published>2007-05-10T15:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-10T15:22:06.537-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dominican Republic Travel'/><title type='text'>Discover the Real Dominican Republic</title><content type='html'>Author: Douglas Scott&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Puerto Plata and Playa Dorada comprise the mass tourism capital of the Caribbean. The city of Puerto Plata is a vibrant Dominican town of 200,000 thats well worth exploring for its historic architecture and nightlife.  &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Its core, the Old City, borders the port to the east, a narrow grid of streets that was once the swankiest neighbourhood in the country.  &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Around the original town sprawls a patchwork maze of industrial zones and concrete barrios known as the New City, formed over the past century with the growth of the towns industry.  &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Most visitors, though, are here for package tours to Playa Dorada located a kilometre east of the city limits a walled off vacation factory that pulls in over a half million tourists each year. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Playa Dorada, just one km east of Puerto Plata on the C5 but truly a world away, is walled off from the outside universe. Inside its confines are fourteen separate massive resorts and meandering between them is one of the best golf courses in the country, designed by Robert Trent Jones.  &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Frequented by a half million package tourists per year. The majority from Canada and Europe. The main draw is obviously the beach, two km of impeccably white sand dominated by a variety of hotel run activities, including beach volleyball, parasailing, along with numerous local souvenir vendors and hair braiders. Even if youre not a guest, getting through the front gate is not a problem. Either sneak onto the beach via entries beside the Dorado Naco complex or just east of the Playa Dorada Hotel, or buy a day pass, available from each resort and entitling you to five hours on the grounds, including meals and drinks. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Enjoys an excellent sunshine record. Subject to heavy rainfalls at certain times of year, though holidaymakers need pack little more than light cotton summer casuals for their visit. If you do intend to explore the major cities, however, youll find a more conservative dress code. Please note that June to November is generally the Hurricane season for the Caribbean.  &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Activities and entertainment include white water rafting a ride of a lifetime, exhilaration guaranteed as you conquer the raging rapids. Horse Riding, ride western style into the local countryside and experience the beautiful lush nature of the island. Jeep Safari an adventure to the tropical rainforests, sugar cane plantations and rivers.  &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Discover the real Dominican Republic any time of year.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Source:  Submit Articles  at ArticlesBase.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;About the Author:&lt;br /&gt;Douglas Scott works for  The Rental Car Hire Specialist.  and is a free lance writer for  The Playa Dorada Rental Site&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-6510138323364845930?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/6510138323364845930/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=6510138323364845930' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/6510138323364845930'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/6510138323364845930'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/discover-real-dominican-republic.html' title='Discover the Real Dominican Republic'/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-7637541419582852265</id><published>2007-05-10T15:08:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-10T15:09:29.481-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='American Express'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hawaii Vacation'/><title type='text'>American Express Vacations To Hawaii</title><content type='html'>Author: Virginia Morgan&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hawaii is rated one of the most popular vacation destination for American travelers by Ask Doc Travel. This destination is also popular with American Express Vacations. But why? What makes this destination so wonderful? For those of us who have traveled to Hawaii, there are so many reasons to visit that we become muddled, answering only "What do you mean what's so great about Hawaii?" Well, here is some things to keep in mind when you speak of the many wonders which make Hawaii such a popular destination. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Hawaii is comprised of eight islands. These islands are natural wonders that were created in the middle of the ocean by underwater volcanoes. As the magma from these volcanoes cooled, they hardened into rocks. These rock formations became the Hawaiian Islands. The volcanic phenomenon created Hawaii's famous black sand beaches and the rich soil from which springs the islands lush vegetation. These main islands are Niihau, Kauai , Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii. The island Hawaii is the largest, and is sometimes called the "Big Island" or "Big Isle". This phenomenon created Hawaii's famous black sand beaches and the rich soil from which springs the islands lush vegetation. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;The climate of Hawaii is one more reason why these islands remain a popular vacation destination. The weather is more moderate than typical tropical areas because of the cooling effect of the surrounding ocean. In layman's terms, this means that temperatures and humidity tend to be less extreme than places such as the Caribbean or Mexico. In the tourist high season, summer, the high temperatures reaching the upper 80s °F, rarely going into the 90s°F . During the tourist low season of winter, temperatures at the lowest elevation average in the mid-60s. One more reason that Hawaii is preferred is because hurricanes are a rare occurrence compared to Mexico and the Caribbean. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Compared to other tropical paradises, Hawaii is monitored by American safety and health regulations. Yes, it's ok to drink the tap water! Also, you still have all the rights and protections of a United States citizen. If you or someone you are traveling with should suddenly need medical attention, you have access to regulated and state of the art care. Hawaii can be a real home away from home. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;When people think of Hawaii, they think of the aquamarine water and clean sandy beaches. But what else should one experience in Hawaii? Besides the amazingly pristine beach activities, Hawaii offers deluxe shopping that is reminiscent of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, including couture boutiques such as Coach, Gucci, Tiffany's and more. The islands are also rich in culture and history. One way to experience the beauty of Hawaiian culture is to attend an old fashioned luau. One of the best traditional Luaus is Famous Germaine's Luau in Kapolei Oahu. Take in some American History by visiting the infamous Pearl Harbor. With so much to see and do, you'll never get bored. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;There is one snag in this otherwise amazing destination: cost. Because Hawaii is an isolated island chain, everything is more expensive. And because Hawaii is the 50th American state, there is no lower currency exchange like in the Caribbean. Thankfully, there are a number of hotel and travel providers who offer different packages and accommodations. Although hotels and air flights can be on sale and are widely available, consumer products like food, souvenirs and sundries are expensive. Food for one person could cost between $50 to $100! One way to avoid expenses is by making sure you pack all the sundries you can think of, such as sunblock, ChapStick, sunglasses and such. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;However, when all is said and done, Hawaii is a top destination for a number of good reasons. There is no better place to go for a tropical vacation.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Source:  Submit Articles  at ArticlesBase.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;About the Author:&lt;br /&gt;Virginia Morgan writes travel related articles for  AMT American Express Travel , a premier Internet resource for  American Express Exclusives . Serving customers online since 1996.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-7637541419582852265?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/7637541419582852265/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=7637541419582852265' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/7637541419582852265'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/7637541419582852265'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/american-express-vacations-to-hawaii.html' title='American Express Vacations To Hawaii'/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-3668342701983866721</id><published>2007-05-10T15:08:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-10T15:08:36.311-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Business Travel'/><title type='text'>Business Travel: It's not All About the Clothes</title><content type='html'>Author: Cassie Herts&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Aside from the common toothbrush as well as extra underwear, there are a whole lot of other things for the businessman to stay on top of the game. Essentially, there are tools to keep you in contact with customers and employees at work, even if you have other acitivities to do such as sunbathing at the beach or do shopping. Exhausted of carrying around a laptop? Consider one of these pocket friendly tools that are just as powerful as your laptop. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;With a little savings, you can enjoy the benefits of the coolest electronics there is: &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;  A Cellphone Called Nokia E61 &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A great companion for any businessman is Nokia E61. There are just several activities you can do with this phone. You may browse the Internet, contact your clients and employees, or work on a couple of MS applications through its editable QWERTY keyboard. It also has a 320x240 pixel display; this way, you will discover a whole lot of fun browsing and checking out the World Wide Web. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;  Epocware's Friendly Weather Application  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This program that works on a couple of mobile systems is especially practical for persons who travel to various countries with various weather conditions. Do you need to know whether to pack a fur coat for your next trip? Handy Weather would let you know. The program could detect the weather condition, temperature, or even the radiated UV rays in particular days. With this software, you will know exactly what to pack, whether it is sun block or a fur coat. Once bought, the software only functions with the phone that it is set up into, ensuring it from being pirated; in other words, nifty and secure. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;  Instant Messenger Called Agile  &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Instant messaging is probably the most vital feature that will let you keep in touch with your customers in real time. You could go for an all-around IM sytem that works well with Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, as well as other instant messaging services. Agile Messenger supports all these systems in one convenient software package. It requires small free storage capacity and doesn't consume your phone's resources. Depending on your method of connection, you can surf the Internet and not let anyone know the difference. You can subscribe this software at www.agilemobile.com. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Being on the road has never been this simple. Indeed, with these tools around, you can certainly combine business with fun.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Source:  Submit Articles  at ArticlesBase.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;About the Author:&lt;br /&gt;Looking for  villas in Nerja, Spain ?  Visit Holiday4You.com to find the perfect place to rent for your next vacation.  You can also find here holiday flat Berlin  has to offer or even  luxury vacation homes  for your next holiday.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-3668342701983866721?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/3668342701983866721/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=3668342701983866721' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/3668342701983866721'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/3668342701983866721'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/business-travel-its-not-all-about.html' title='Business Travel: It&apos;s not All About the Clothes'/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339020193393373021.post-8137279462015568976</id><published>2007-05-10T15:05:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2007-05-10T15:07:49.514-07:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rental Cars'/><title type='text'>Everything You Wanted To Know About Hiring</title><content type='html'>Author: Melih Oztalay&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;How do most luxury sedan services work? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;It's simple. You make a reservation, by going online or calling their local number. Drivers drive their vehicles to your home, office, or wherever you are, pick you up and take you to your destination. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Besides Airport service, what driving services do luxury Sedan services offer? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Many companies offer As-Directed Service, which puts a vehicle and driver at your disposal for a set period of time. Point-to-Point Service is for trips between any two locations. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;When does billable time start? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;For airport service, most charge a fixed per one-way trip to or from the airport. With all other luxury sedan services, billable time starts after their driver arrives at the address you designate for pick up. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;If my meeting or engagement finishes earlier or later than expected, how do I contact my driver? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;You may contact your driver to inform him or her of changes via his or her cellular phone. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; How do I pay for service? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;The credit card provided to secure your reservation will be debited at the end of your service period. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Does luxury sedan services offer discounts? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Yes, some luxury sedan services have "Preferred Partners" program offers exciting perks for higher volume businesses. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;What is standard attire for my driver? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Most driver's attire is a black suit, white shirt and corporate tie. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Can I reserve the same driver? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Yes, most companies allow you to request the same driver every time. They make every effort to ensure your request is accommodated whenever possible. However, most cannot guarantee your requested driver will be available. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;What kind of vehicle can I reserve? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Many can accommodate requests for Cadillac, Chrysler or Lincoln luxury sedans, vans and charter buses. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Does my driver perform a vehicle inspection? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Be sure the driver/company performs an inspection for your safety and protection. It is to assess whether the vehicle is in lawful condition to be driven. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;What items should be are checked? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Seatbelts, insurance, registration, inspection, lights, turn signals, horn, tires and brakes. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Should I tip my driver? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;For airport service a gratuity is not added to our service fees. Tipping is appreciated but completely voluntary and at the client's discretion.  For 'as-directed' and 'point-to-point' services, a 20% gratuity is automatically added to your charge. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;How much should I tip my driver? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;A customary 15-20% of the total bill is suggested for your chauffeur. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;If you feel your driver has done an extraordinary job in making the trip to your destination perfect, you may want to give more. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;When should I have the driver's tip included in the bill? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Certain events can be overwhelming and mentally exhausting. In this situation, a pre-arranged gratuity would be one less imposition on your festivities. Another example of the convenience of not having to deal with a cash tip could be experienced at a busy airport. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;How far in advance can I make a reservation? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Web reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance and may be made up to 12 months in advance.  Phone reservations may be from 12 months to 3 hours in advance. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Can I make a same day reservation? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Yes, most companies will allow you to by going online or calling their office, and they will make every attempt to accommodate you. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Can I book a reservation now? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Most reservation system makes reserving a luxury sedan almost as pleasurable as traveling in one, with extras like, easy payment options. New customers will often be required to supply a major credit card or a cash deposit to secure a reservation. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;What do I do if I want to cancel my reservation? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Most companies will allow you to cancel your reservation without penalty up 2 hours in advance. You will be charged the full fee for any cancellation or change made with less than 2 hours notice. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;What is a Corporate Account? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Corporate Accounts simplify billing by allowing businesses to make one payment for all services within a given month. Visit their Corporate Sales page of the company to learn how to open an account. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Is your company insured? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Be sure the company meets or exceeds the insurance requirements established by the State Limousine Law and the requirements for approved vendors of the Airport Authority. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Do Luxury Sedan Companies go to Canada? &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Most transfers to or from Canada occur without incident, immigration or customs inspection officers occasionally detain passengers. Should a Sedan or van be held for detention and the officer wants the driver to remain with the passenger, their service will automatically switch over to hourly service. In some cases, the drivers are released leaving the passenger at the inspection facility. In this case, the passenger is still responsible for payment of their service. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Both sedan drivers and motor coach drivers are required to ensure each passenger has their proof of citizenship with them prior to the start of our service.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Source:  Submit Articles  at ArticlesBase.com&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;About the Author:&lt;br /&gt;Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO&lt;br /&gt;SmartFinds Internet Marketing&lt;br /&gt;Wherever you're going,  Checker Sedan   is a better way to get there.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2339020193393373021-8137279462015568976?l=travelfordummies.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/feeds/8137279462015568976/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2339020193393373021&amp;postID=8137279462015568976' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/8137279462015568976'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/2339020193393373021/posts/default/8137279462015568976'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://travelfordummies.blogspot.com/2007/05/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about.html' title='Everything You Wanted To Know About Hiring'/><author><name>Mike Seever</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/08218091346844595997</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
