*
Questions to ask when checking into a hotel: Can I get
my communication charges bundled (to minimize my costs)? - What
floors are the water booster pumps (for good water pressure to shower)? -
Is my room away from any construction (I'm a light sleeper)? - Can I get a room
not above the 7th floor (so firetruck ladders can reach)?
- Peter Greenberg
1. Austin,
TX - 2. Denver-Boulder, CO - 3. Boston, MA - 4. Washington-Baltimore, MD - 5.
Atlanta, GA - 6. San Francisco-Oakland, CA - 7. Los Angeles, CA - 8. New York,
NY - 9. Raleigh-Durham, NC - 10. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX - 11. Chicago, IL - 12.
Miami, FL - 13. San Diego, CA - 14. Philadelphia, PA - 15. Seattle, WA - 16. Minneapolis-St.
Paul, MN - 17. Phoenix, AZ - 18. Houston, TX - 19. St. Louis, MO - 20. Orlando,
FL - 21. Sacramento, CA - 22. Salt Lake City, UT - 23. New Orleans, LA - 24. Nashville,
TN - 25. Milwaukee, WI - 26. Portland, OR - 27. Tampa, FL - 28. Columbus, OH -
29. San Antonio, TX - 30. Las Vegas, NV - 31. Norfolk, VA - 32. Detroit, MI -
33. Charlotte, NC - 34. Indianapolis, IN - 35. Providence, RI - 36. Kansas City,
MO - 37. Cleveland, OH - 38. Greensboro-Winston Salem, NC - 39. Cincinnati, OH
- 40. Pittsburgh, PA(10/08/03)
My family & I get FREE Travel Insurance of $250,000 when
I purchase travel tickets for a common carrier with a credit card from my credit
union.
The cities of Detroit, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio sit atop
large active salt mines.
FareCompare.Com: leading
source for cheap airfare information and updates.
International
Medical costs in Thailand is only 1/8th of that
in the U.S. You can use your frequent flyer miles to pay for your surgical procedure.
Surgery in India costs only 1/10th of what it costs in the U.S.
- 60 Minutes, 9/4/05
Yes, it's exciting to fall in lust when traveling. Especially
overseas with someone with an exotic accent. But don't assume that after marriage
there will be a stable famly life. It's difficult enough to communicate with a
partner who speaks the same primary language.
Thanks to a new Federal law, Americans going
abroad to have sex with children could be looking at 30-years in prison.
To avoid violence or violation of civil rights,
do NOT go to: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Columbia, Israel, Turkey, (Brazil
countryside has malaria, cities may be OK). Don't assume that you'll have any
civil rights in Turkey.
MALARIA is alive and kicking in Brazil, the Carribean nations
of South America, subSahara Africa, and Asia south of China.
Best countries for quality of life in 2000:
1st - Norway; tied for 2nd - Canada, Australia & Sweden; 6th - USA.
Only
in the United States is there anything comparable to the FDIC's guarantee of $100,000
per account. What does this tell us about bank depositors in the rest of the world
concerned about the Y2K computer bug? Banks abroad may not be the safest place
for a depositor's money. Outside the borders of the U.S., bank runs are likely.
Though
U.S. accounts are insured, what will your life look like while you're waiting
a long time for your bank account to be rectified?
By
the way: It's your financial institution, NOT YOU, who's insured. Your bank statements
are NOT considered legal evidence of your current balance.
Washington
(AP) - April 17, 2001 - The State Department advised
U.S. citizens Tuesday not to go to Colombia. Violence by drug traffickers, guerrillas,
illegal self-defense paramilitary groups and other criminal elements continue
in the South American country. Americans and citizens of other countries continue
to be victims of threats, kidnappings, domestic airline hijackings and murder.
``Threats targeting American citizens are expected to continue and possibly increase
in response to U.S. support for Colombia's drug eradication program,''.
Ecuador
Ecuador
is not a free country. My first wife and I spent five days in Quito in November
1989. We stayed in the home of the secretary of the Minister of the Interior.
The secretary lived with her parents.
As a way to keep attractive women
away from me, my demented first wife, Barbara Loebel (currently in Los Angeles,
California), would lie and tell women that I was an abusive husband. The svelt
secretary believed Barbara's lie.
She hatched a plot to have me be arrested
by the police of the Interior Department. After a lunch at a swanky restaurant
near the capitol building, I went to wash my hands, Barbara and the secretary
left the restaurant and ran to the secretary's car and tried to leave without
me.
When I tried to catch up with them, who was waiting for me in front
of the restaurant were soldiers carrying rifles. -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I was told by more than one source that the
sons of the wealthy, in Ecuador, rape whoever they want and are never arrested.
When preparing to travel abroad, if you ask the U.S. State Department for the
safety status of Ecuador, you aren't informed that it's a police state.
Tourism is the biggest business in the world - 3 trillion dollars
a year. In the year 2000 over 20,000 tourists were kidnapped for ransom.
Going
Solo?
Q: I am a 30-year-old
active woman who will be traveling alone and want to find a place that will be
both fun and safe. I am a pretty savvy traveler and don't spook easily, but I
want to make sure I'm being smart about my decision. I don't want to go anywhere
in North America or Europe. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- Michelle
A: The Indonesian
island of Bali is a fine place to visit on your own. The Balinese men are gracious
and respectful, and because of the island's popularity with travelers -- especially
Australians -- you'll find English speakers just about everywhere. I'd recommend
making your home base in Ubud, a centrally located town and artist colony. From
there you can visit local galleries and nearby temples, and take in a Balinese
dance performance or two.
If
you'd prefer a more remote spot, head for the Seychelles, an archipelago 1,000
nautical miles or so off Africa's east coast. You can fill your days by snorkeling,
scuba diving, bird watching and hiking (there are more than 50 carefully mapped
trails on the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue). The country supports a dynamic
mix of cultures -- including Asian, Indian, European, African and Arabic. If you
don't speak the native Creole, not to worry: You can resort to English or French.
Have
you considered a walking or biking tour? Traveling with an outfit such as Backroads
(800-462-2848) can be a good way to visit a country that's more challenging for
a solo woman to navigate -- Morocco, for example. These tours also combine the
best of both worlds, because you can enjoy your solitude -- biking or walking
for hours on your own -- and meet up with the other participants at dinner. Best
of all, the details, from reservations to luggage transport, are taken care of.
A
few general tips about traveling on your own: It's always wise to inform the hotel
personnel of your whereabouts if you plan to hike or snorkel alone all day. Also,
when affordable, hiring a driver can help you get your bearings and generally
relieve you of the responsibility of negotiating everything on your own -- especially
if you don't speak the language. You can also end up with excellent restaurant
recommendations.
Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine Not
just for students or those on a tight budget, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel:
Vacations for Real People is written for the intelligent and frugal trip-taker.
Each issue is packed with ideas for affordable and enjoyable vacations to attractions,
hot spots, and resorts around the world.
Business Traveler Business
Traveleris the leading magazine for international
business travelers, with practical and money-saving information on airlines, hotels,
rail and car hire. It also provides destination reports and lifestyle features.
Condi Nast Traveler Filled
with the travel secrets of celebrated writers and professional travelers, Condi
Nast Traveler delivers truth in travel to you. Experience the insider's guide
to the outside world.
Five
Jobs That Let You See the World by Candace Corner
Finding
a career that allows you to travel is not always an easy task, but if you're a
college grad looking to make an adventure of your gap year, a professional looking
for a change of pace or anyone looking for cultural exposure, a job abroad may
be the right choice for you.
Not all jobs are
translatable to international positions without a little extra learning or language
proficiency -- and you will need to acquire working permits and other legal documentation
-- but here are some jobs that can take you away if you're up for the move:
1.
Teacher
It's no news that teachers aren't
highly paid, but if you're an instructor in South Dakota, you're among the lowest
paid in the nation, with an average salary of $33,236, according to a 2003-04
survey by the American Federation of Teachers.
Try
taking your skills abroad. Learning English is in high demand internationally,
and Germany, Switzerland and South Korea are among the countries that pay the
largest teacher salaries.
South Korea's median
teacher salaries range between $25,000 and $60,000, and the country has a positive
reputation for providing high income to educators. Salaries in Switzerland range
from $65,000 to $80,000. An added perk to employment in Germany is that state
employees are regarded as permanent workers, meaning that they are paid necessary
social insurances.
Requirements: A four-year
degree in education or a related field, teaching experience and a TESL/TEFL certificate.
You will also need an international work visa and work permits, which can be obtained
personally or through the school that employs you.
2.
Chef
If you are an established chef, international
hotels and restaurants may offer the opportunity to build on your career overseas
while, in many cases, offering you room and board for a minimum cost. In the United
States, the median annual income of a head chef/chef is $40,000, and $43,000 if
you work as a chef for a hotel.
Kingsbrook
USA Inc. is one company that works to place chefs in international regions. They
reported England's hotel chef positions as offering £14000, or roughly $26,730
U.S. dollars per year for chef departies. Kingsbrook also reported between $32,458
and $38,186 per year for sous chefs and between $38,186 and $47,732 per year for
head chef.
Requirements: An associate degree
and at least three years of culinary experience. Letters of reference, transcripts
and health records and exams will also be required.
3.
Massage Therapist
Massage therapists in
the United States make a median annual salary of $30,000. But take your expertise
to the seas, and you could earn between $33,600 and $45,600, according to Cruise
Job Line. In addition to changing stationary surroundings, working on cruise lines
offers the opportunity to see new people and network beyond the limitations that
can be created in a spa environment. The living accommodations may be small, but
they save money on housing costs, and cruise lines usually offer full health coverage
onboard the ship and within United States territory.
Requirements:
You'll need a high school diploma or associate degree, and a certification in
massage therapy. Requirements for accreditation vary by state. U.S. citizens pursuing
massage therapy for cruise lines also need a passport that is valid for at least
three months after the end of the contract. A physical examination, and in some
cases, immunization may be required.
4.
Au Pair/Nanny
In exchange for caring for
your boss's children and carrying out light housekeeping or cooking duties, au
pair positions offer a chance to travel abroad with room and board and a living
stipend. The job will enable access that tourists are not privy to, but the work
shouldn't be taken lightly.
The median annual
income for company-employed nannies is $29,500 in the United States. An au pair
in France can expect to earn between 240 and 250 euro, or an estimated $309 to
$322 per month for a 33-hour week. The pay varies internationally, but the overall
perk is the opportunity to afford to see another part of the world.
Requirements:
A passport, work visa and an international driver's license. You will also need
to acquire medical insurance and undergo health screenings. Agency placement is
a better choice for acquiring an au pair position for both safety reasons and
to aid with acquiring your work permit. While au pair experience is not necessary,
most au pairs have held related positions.
5.
Caterer
Catering managers make an average
median salary of $35,590 in the United States, and while other countries offer
this position, the commute from national to international can literally be a matter
of taste.
Caterers who create a name for themselves
in the U.S. industry can earn a trusted reputation and follow clients to overseas
events. Rock stars and celebrities may have a variety of different catering companies
working for them throughout the United States, but larger acts and A-listers like
to have a trusted source to make sure their diet is in line with their requests.
Working for one of these companies may put you on tour with the band, and if national
gigs go well, you could find yourself overseas for the next tour.
Requirements:
Chefs and management have culinary training, but staff servers may have little
or no experience. To garner a spot on a worldwide tour, a caterer will generally
have a lot of experience. Passports are needed for international work.
