Almost hidden from the world in a quaint street in the old part of Bamberg you can find the historical brewery tavern Schlenkerla – one of the top addresses for beer in the world. If you like beer, after the first Seidla (half-liter) you have enjoyed of this incomparable Smokebeer, you will be hooked forever. But no worries, it is possible to buy some bottles to take home or even to order it online.This cozy tavern with its low timbered ceilings is located in one of the oldest and most beautiful houses in Bamberg and was first mentioned in 1405. What makes Schlenkerla so unique is its original dark-brown, aromatic Smokebeer (in German called Rauchbier), which matures in 700-year-old cellars deep down in the hills of Bamberg and is still being tapped directly from the wooden barrel.In everyday life the typical Franconian acts rather reserved towards strangers – not so at Schlenkerla. This historical beer tavern brings people together. In relaxed and joyful atmosphere people of all classes and countries sit together on big wooden tables and have stimulating conversations while they drink their beer.Especially in the summertime Schlenkerla is worth a visit as its glorious inner courtyard is open for the public then. When you sit here in the sunshine, have a glass of beer and a bite of typical Bavarian food (try the infamous Schlenkerla cheese!) you will truly understand the meaning of German Gemütlichkeit.This is an example of what you can do in Bamberg while traveling in Germany. If you want learn more about Bamberg we compiled a more comprehensive Bamberg travel guide in collaboration with local residents that provides unique travel insider tips which you can use during you Germany vacation.
Holiday Season Travel Tips – Travel tips
The holidays are here, and that means more travel for everyone. The roads and the skies will be especially busy over the next few weeks. Your priority during this holiday season should be security and safety, both for your home when you are away, and for yourself and your family as you travel.From unexpected delays to over-tired kids, traveling during the holidays can be a trying and sometimes dangerous time. But there are some smart ways to travel which can reduce your stress and keep you safe. Consider the following tips to make this travel season your best yet.Secure your homeOne of the most effective ways to deter burglars from invading your home while you are away is to install a home security system. 9 out of 10 convicted felons state that they would avoid breaking into a home that has a home alarm system. Alerting would-be burglars that your home is protected is your first defense against holiday break-ins.Don’t advertise your travel plansResist the urge to post your holiday plans on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. If that information shows up on strangers’ feeds, you are giving them detailed information regarding when you will be away from home.Plan ahead when traveling by car
Know your route. Be sure you are familiar with your driving directions and feel comfortable about your route. To avoid encountering unexpected road closures or detours, contact the Federal Highway Administration. There you will find useful information about road status and traffic.
Give your car a check-up. There’s nothing like that sinking feeling when something goes wrong with your car many miles from home. Increase the odds that your trip will be problem-free by checking your oil level, tire pressure, windshield wiper fluid and radiator water.
Pack an emergency kit for snow emergencies. The cold temperatures and hazardous driving conditions that winter brings makes being prepared for emergencies critical. Make sure you have blankets, matches, a snow scraper, jumper cables and a first aid kit with you. Snacks, a charged cell phone and kitty litter (helps give your tires traction on the ice) are other great emergency items to have.Stress-free air travel
Book early. By not waiting until the last minute to schedule your flight, you can save money as well as choose to fly on less busy days. Fewer people fly on the holiday itself. Consider flying on December 25th or January 1st.
Leave early. Plan to leave at least an hour early for the airport so you have plenty of time for the unexpected. Expect longer waits at airport as well, because winter weather is notorious for causing delays. Having a book to read while you wait is a great idea.
Travel as lightly as possible. The less stuff you have to keep track of, the better. Airlines are increasing baggage fees too. Pack only what you absolutely need for trip, and consider shipping gifts directly to your destination rather than traveling with them.
Keep the kids happy. If you are traveling with children, plan ahead to help them be as relaxed as possible. Make sure they are well rested before the flight, and if they need any medications to help with comfort, be sure to give it to them. Have special activities planned to keep them busy, and offer them healthy snacks and plenty of water.It is usually the unexpected that makes holiday travel difficult. You can make this season different by preparing.
Travel Tips For Seniors – Travel tips
Excited about sightseeing, great meals, fun activities or simply looking forward to a relaxing and enjoyable time?Planning a vacation is fun and very rewarding, but it can be a bit stressful too. It requires a lot of time for packing and listing all the essential things you need to bring, plus deciding on all the places you want to see. Just keep in mind that careful planning is key to a safe and enjoyable vacation.Here are some things to consider in ensuring a stress free vacation:1. Consult your doctor to find out if you are fit to travel. Let your doctor know where you are going so that he can give you the necessary medical advice and medication, if necessary.2. Try to look for travel packages that specializes in senior travelers as they can accommodate senior needs. Consult your travel agent for more information or more suggestions.3. Make arrangements for wheelchairs or other special needs in advance.If you are bringing a service dog, be sure to check on possible restrictions for the country you are visiting. Also, if you are staying at a hotel, check if they allow pets.4. Get a list of medical facilities in the area you are going, in case of emergency.5. Do your research. Familiarize yourself about the place you are visiting so you know what to expect. It is very important to find out about climate, culture, laws and other important factors that will affect your health.6. Get insured. Consider getting a travel insurance to make sure you are covered.7. Sign your passport, if needed and make sure to fill-in the emergency contact information.8. Leave a copy of your itinerary and contact information with a family member of trusted friend so they can contact you if necessary.9. Pack wisely. It is important to bring the things you need like toiletries, extra money and medications, in case you need to extend your stay. Also, be sure to include a pair of clothes in your carry-on luggage.Now your are ready to have a fun-filled, safe and relaxing vacation. ENJOY!Copyright © 2009 La Dolce Living, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Travel Tips Before You Leave Home – Travel tips
For those of you who do not travel more than once or twice a year, you may not be aware of some of the recent changes that directly affect you within the airline industry. What are some of the changes? Are there things you can do that just might make your traveling a little less stressful? Preparation is the key. Here are some tips and information that may help you before you leave home:1. Check with your particular airline’s do’s and don’ts. What time should you arrive before your flight? Take special note of the boarding time. The boarding time will always be earlier than your flight time. A small point–but critical if you are running late. Also, check what items are not accepted as a carry-on. This part is just as important as is what you are allowed to carry-on. For example, if you normally carry pepper spray in your purse as some of us do, this would not be an acceptable item.2. Before packing your baggage you’ll need to know how many suitcases you are taking and/or willing to pay extra for. Don’t find out last minute that your suitcase is the wrong size for a carry-on or that you have to pay an additional charge. Many airlines, perhaps even your favorite one, may have new stipulations as to what two carry-ons you are allowed, size, and weight, as well as additional fees for baggage. A recent passenger told me he had to pay an unexpected fee for his second suitcase. It was too big to be a carry-on. He had not checked beforehand, and he had no idea the airline had changed their allowances. If you are confused, call the airline before your trip. Don’t wait until last minute before your flight. You’ll only stress out.3. Packing Light–If you are watching your budget closely, then travel as light as possible. Generally, the carry-on you use to put in the above-storage bin is still okay (no charge). However, that leaves you only one other carry-on. If you have a computer with case, just stick your money, boarding pass, identification, and of course if your female your lipstick in the case. Flatten your purse out and put it into your other suitcase that is going into the above-storage bin. No extra fees by doing it that way. It worked for me recently.4. Packing Heavy–If you absolutely need to pack a lot of stuff for an extended stay, you have a few options. One, you can call the airline and find out the pricing of additional suitcases. Just be ready to pay when you check-in. Or, the second option may be to send ahead to your destination a package containing some of your needed items. This could be cheaper than paying for another piece of luggage. Just remember, you’ll need to send the stuff back home. So factor in that cost too.5. This is my favorite tip. My daughter actually came up with this idea years ago. There are zillions of suitcases looking the same. Put a very colorful bow, string, or small item around the handle of your suitcase. I have very bright-colored yarn around my handle. My suitcase with colorful yarn stands out from all the other black pieces of luggage.6. Print your boarding pass before arriving at the airport. Most airlines allow you to check-in online and print your boarding pass 24 hours before your flight. If you do not have access to a printer, use the local library or arrive early enough at the airport before your flight to use the airport kiosk to print your boarding pass.These are a few tips that have helped me in my recent flights. By reading your airline’s do’s and don’ts, calling the airline with any questions you have, and tagging your handle, your travel experience too will be enjoyable. With careful planning you may even save some money. Enjoy your flight!
Travel Tips to Make Flying More Enjoyable – Travel tips
These days, going to the airport can almost seem like an entire trip in itself. Between new regulations, long lines, delays, and more delays once you’re on the plane, it seems like a lot of work goes into the simple process of getting to the airport and flying to your destination.As a result, I’d like to share a few tips with you that may help to make the experience easier. I travel pretty regularly so these help to keep my sanity intact, preventing me from experiencing the frustrations that so many others do.First of all, travel light at all times whenever possible. Baggage checks are not only a hassle these days due to the extra wait times you’ll experience after your flight. Many airlines are going as far as charging you extra money to check luggage.In order to make sure that you’ll be able to fit your luggage as a carry on bag onto the plane, ensure that you’re not traveling with any liquids that don’t meet regulations. Additionally, make sure that your bag meets the proper guidelines.I’ll also recommend bringing a few snacks onto the airplane as well. Way too many people fail to realize that many airlines have decided to cut back on meals.As a result, a bit of food could keep you satisfied while you’re in the air. Make sure to bring some bottled water too, as the experience of flying itself is known to dehydrate you.Lastly, if you have any kind of handheld entertainment device, download some entertaining games or videos to keep you occupied in the air.You’d be amazed at how quickly the time passes when you have something small like this to keep you busy. I’ve found myself on flights where what felt like an hour was three in the air, thanks to these distractors.Try any of these things out and your experience at the airport will be one that’s less stressful, and a bit more enjoyable.
7 Important Travelling Tips When Travelling in Africa – Travel tips
African stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife offer a powerful contrast when considered against the poverty and violence of the people. Be prepared to encounter all these while travelling through Africa.1. “Howzit?”
There are hundreds of languages spoken all over Africa. Still, the vast majority of the natives will understand and will speak a slang version of English. For example, “Howzit?” means “How are you?”2. You are so rich
Regardless of how little money you are carrying on you, you will be considered rich. Thus, always stay alert, as you may become the victim of petty theft or even of some more serious crime events.3. Violent outbursts
Africa, especially South Africa, is known nowadays for violent outbursts against foreigners. It is even highly recommended to avoid certain areas because of the increasing incidence of armed robbery, carjacking and murders.4. How to visit
In light of the above, travelling through Africa as part of a guided tour is more advisable than visiting by yourself. As distances are great between areas of interest, you should favour tours combining travelling by plane with travelling by coach.5. When to visit
The high season of visiting Africa spans form November through March. If you want to enjoy a cooler weather and encounter fewer tourists, you need to come to Africa in April/May or September/October.6. Bring your binoculars
Say Africa and you are actually saying safari! Hence, do not forget to bring your binoculars; otherwise you will be missing on a lot of animal action7. Beware of sun and mosquitoes
Wear long-sleeved trousers and shirts, and hats to avoid sunstroke. Also, use plenty of sunscreen lotions. In order to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, do not forget to use an insect repellent and to sleep under mosquitoes nets. Malaria can be contracted if bitten by an infected mosquito, thus you should consider having some vaccination before coming to Africa.
Traveling Tips That You Need to Know! – Travel tips
When you travel, it gives you confidence to face the world with any challenges. You may experience unexpected things in life. Traveling boosts your ego. It makes you understand life and respect other tradition and beliefs. It changes your personality to become a more adaptable and wide-knowledge person.In traveling, it is important not to miss any single place that is near you. As long as you have time, night and day, grasp everything within your reach and treasure every moment. Traveling is not about wasting your time, and energy.It is not about spending your savings and you get no profit. Experience pays everything. In order to enjoy the rest of your stay, take the following tips:Learn their language – Learn the common lingo, the basics at least. Like the common term for “Thank you” and “Hello.” Building good relationship and being down-to-earth help to gain learning and friends while you are traveling.Go with the flow – When you visit places, you experience common practices. Every place has its own uniqueness. Just go with the flow. Try new things. Do not limit yourself to something that you already know. Learn to acquire new things, eat new or weird food, activities that sometimes look crazy, but happy.Record every moment – Take a notebook or keep a journal of every single moment of your travel experience. It records every single happiness and adventure you have managed with your life as a traveler. When you want to catch up and review all that happened and accomplished, you’ll realized you’ve got a lot of treasures.
Top 6 Travel Tips – Travel tips
#1 – Book! Book early.. book anything – make up your mind and BOOK! Don’t do it at the expense of a cheap flight, try looking for a good deal on accommodation if you think you can get a better deal on flights by booking at a later date. By booking early you are TAKING ACTION! By taking the action to book early, you are immediately picturing yourself sitting on a beach somewhere, rewarding yourself for the hard work you have put in to get there. As soon as you start picturing yourself doing that, you will immediately be in a more positive mindset and will truly be as excited about your upcoming holiday as soon as POSSIBLE!#2 – Talk! When you arrive at your destination talk to your TAXI driver, talk to the guy on the street, talk to the Security Guard, talk to the Shopkeeper, talk to the Waiter, talk to the other travelers and holiday makers in your hotel. TALK TALK TALK!! You never know when someone will drop a “Gold Nugget” about the local nightlife, attractions or (most importantly) the local cuisines and where to find them!#3 – Check! Not all places have the same rules and laws as the country your from! There is a free service provided by the Australian Government which has useful information for people from around the world (not just Aussies). The site is called SmartTraveller.org and contains loads of information about the political situation within your destination country, along with information about Do’s and Don’ts with regard to your conduct within the country. Good advice is often given for photographers who want to take photos in nations capitols, particularly around sensitive areas and government buildings.#4 – Insure! Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that can arise (such as the earthquake in New Zealand) where your holiday can take an unexpected detour. It’s important to make sure that you are covered. For a small price you can protect against injury, illness or other complications with flights and such. If you are a photographer, business man with a laptop, or married with some expensive bling make sure you tell your chosen insurer that it will be coming with you, as some items that are particularly expensive might not be fully covered with standard travel insurance. Lastly, shop around for your insurance, know what you’re getting, and if someone is cheaper; find out why.#5 – Spend! I am sure some few would disagree with me, that it always feels better to be spending money that you have earned, rather than money you will earn. This tip is about making sure that you enjoy your holiday and don’t return home to an enormous credit card debt. If you have booked your holiday early (lets say 8 months), and you put $50 away per week for your holiday, by the time you leave on your holiday you will have $1600 cash to supplement your credit card to pay for flights, accommodation or my favorite eating out! I’m not saying that you shouldn’t ever use credit to pay for your holiday, but wouldn’t it be nice to leave a dent in that credit card debt!#6 – Enjoy! It’s a fact of life that things go wrong! Things will go wrong on your holiday, so expect it! Don’t let a missed bus, expensive taxi ride or misunderstanding with a vendor ruin your holiday experience. Take it as it comes, grit your teeth and move on. It is so easy to get caught up in the little things and then have a bad attitude for the remainder of that day or even the rest of your holiday. Use some perspective, this may be your only chance to enjoy the culture that your in, who knows when you will return to that place or country? Keep smiling and pass it on!If you have enjoyed this article, pass it on to your friends and family, particularly if you think they might be getting the Travel Bug!-Brad Evans – http://www.holidaybox.com.au
Travel Tips For Flying With Service & Guide Dogs – Travel tips
The first thing that you should research is which airlines fly to your destination, then find out which one has a non-stop flight to your destination and also your return ticket should be non-stop. Then if you have a choice of airlines find out which one has the least restrictions for your service animal and then that is the one you book your tickets with.You can make your reservations online, however, once you get your ticket with all of your flight information, be sure and call the customer service department of the airline and state you needs and requirements and make sure they indicate it on your ticket information. This is the time to request bulkhead seating and to remind them that the Americans With Disabilities Act states that guide dogs and service animals are permitted to travel with their humans on public transportation. When the special requests are in place, ask them to email you a copy of the updated information. Then be sure and do all of this for your return ticket, as sometimes this information isn’t automatically put on the return ticket. Also get the name of the service representative and a direct phone number to the service department in case you need to call back for any reason.While you are talking with the service representative be sure and ask the exact documentation and requirements for your service animal with that airline, always remember that each airline may have individual requirements and certificates in order for your service animal to accompany you while flying. These requirements will need to be current and usually can be completed by your veterinarian. Carry these papers with you along with your tickets and boarding passes.Your service animal is not considered a pet so it is in a separate category and you should not be charged any extra costs to have them board with you. Do remember that you will need to get clearance and will be subject to quarantine laws where you are landing, so be sure all of that research is done prior to leaving so you aren’t separated for any length of time. There may be paperwork you need for this, so be sure and check so there are not any surprises.When you get to the airport your guide dog and all of its equipment will need to be physically inspected right along with yours. Be sure and be clear to the inspection station the best way to inspect your dog and to be very clear, as only you know your animal and how it was/is trained. If your dog has been trained that it is off duty when its equipment is taken off be sure and indicate this to the inspector, to leave all of his harness etc on, and do not let them separate you from your animal.Once your guide dog has been cleared for travel, flying with your dog should go smoothly and it gives you the wonderful freedom to know that you can enjoy traveling and experience all the wonders that able bodies people can, which of course is your definite right and that is why there are strict laws in place to protect you and your rights.
Travel Tips: Make Sure Your Suitcase Stands Out From The Crowd! – Travel tips
How many black or blue suitcases and bags do you see on the airport carousel when you are waiting to collect your bag? Many right? This is one of the reasons you want to make sure your suitcase stands out from the crowd. Here are our tips for ensuring that when you travel, your bags and belongings travel with you too.1. Choose luggage that is going to stand out from the crowd. When purchasing your suitcases, look for cases and bags that are brightly coloured, red, pink, yellow, orange, lime green are all good choices, patterned luggage is another quick way of identifying your bags. By choosing brightly coloured or patterned suitcases, you can help prevent them from being accidentally mistaken for another persons bags, avoiding any chances of them being picked up or off the carousel by someone else. Also this will help save you time waiting at the airport baggage area by being able to identify your bags quickly. Should your luggage go missing at the airport or it does not turn up at the baggage claims area, it will make it easier for you to give a description of your bags to attendants, helping them to find your cases more easily. Other ways to make your luggage stand out is to tie brightly coloured ribbon to your cases, or decorate with stickers.2. Label your luggage: It is essential to remember to label all of your luggage. Try to purchase cases where they have a clear pocket on the outside so that you can slip in a card with your current details. It is also important to put labels on the inside of your luggage, the more identification and details, the easier it will be to find if lost or stolen. It is also a good idea to label any items that do matter to you if they are lost or stolen, such as electronics, a favourite jacket or other clothing, diaries or shoesas an example. Sew or use fabric pens for clothing and ultra violet pens are good for harder and trickier items to label.3. Carry on you absolutely anything you do not want to lose or have stolen, that is credit cards, wallet, passport, jewellery. Never leave these items in your bags. Money belts, Bra Wallets and Travel Underwear can be purchased to help conceal these items. Also make sure that any valuables are covered by your insurance.4. Take good care of your luggage: Before travelling make sure that your luggage is in good order, that all the zips are working properly, it is labelled clearly and you have all the necessary locks for it.5. Photograph your luggage: Take a good clear photo of your luggage and store where you can easily access the photo such as your cellphone in the event that your baggage is stolen and if you can, take a print of it with you, this is another form of identification you can give to the police or airport attendants. Photograph any other items of value. Photograph passports and credit cards and if possible give a copy to a trusted loved one, relative or friend in case anything should anything happen to you.6. Make a list: Be sure to make an inventory list of all or most of the items in your bags and make two copies. One to keep on you and one to give to the airport should your bags get lost.7. Know your 3 letter airport code: If you are checking in your luggage with an agent at an airport, be sure to ask them what the airport code of your destination is and be sure to check that the correct code has been printed on the luggage tag before it is sent down the conveyor belt to the plane.8. What to do if your luggage does not turn up at the airport?: Firstly, Try Not Panic! In the event that this may happen to you, find a baggage attendant on duty as soon as you can. There is a possibility that it has been locked up in storage for safe keeping or that it has been loaded onto a non stop flight, even if you have stopped over on the way. Be sure to fill out any paper forms with as much information as possible to help them find your bags quickly and if you have any print outs of your luggage attach them too.