Connecting With Loved Ones in Haiti

Since communications are sketchy at best with regard to friends and family stranded in Haiti since the earthquake, the U.S. State Department has a number you can call: 888-407-4747. You can also find the latest updates via Relief Web.

Both resident Haitians and U.S. visitors (amongst others) are at risk, not just because of the effects of the earthquake itself or the continuing aftershocks, but the fact that water supplies have been contaminated, resources are either extremely limited or totally destroyed, and transportation to the areas that need the most help is challenging at best.

It is unknown how many people were visiting the island, shared by the Dominican Republic, that promises “some of the most impressive ruins of the Caribbean” and lots of adventure, at the time of the quake.

People are deeply concerned, unable to contact loved ones. The U.S. State Department asks that questions be directed to them for now. Read the rest of this entry

Share Your Travel Experiences On The Cheap!

Relational gifting (with or without travel) has gained popularity over the past several years, and in today’s shaky economy, it’s even more popular. Instead of throwing dollars at items you hope might

appease a gifting obligation, relational gifting puts “you” into a gift that is uniquely suited to your recipients. Am I talking “homemade” here? Not entirely.

A few days ago Read the rest of this entry

Sign Up for Special Travel Deal Broadcasts

These deals pop up with very short notice (such as 3-day specials), so I’m no longer posting them here. Instead, if you’ll look to your right, you can sign up to still get notified of some of the best hard-to-find, insider short-notice travel promotional offers from various airlines, car rental agencies, and more. Read the rest of this entry

What Are Hot Week Vacations? 

Hot weeks are designed to give folks who can take week-long vacations at a moments’ notice some of the best prices in the industry. The key to determining if hot week vacations are for you is flexibility. Read the rest of this entry

Comparing the Cost of Access to Discounted Travel

As illustrated in a previous post, you have options for accessing discounted travel venues, but each carries a cost for access, even the “free” hotel search engines. I mention hotels for two reasons: Read the rest of this entry

When Given an Option, Pick the Resort

Resorts, condo resorts, timeshare resorts, even pool home and log cabin vacation rentals are all terms used when referring to vacation resorts. They are highly sought after for comfort, roominess, and amenities not generally found in hotel chains around the world. Here’s why: Read the rest of this entry

One Way or the Other, You’re Paying for a Vacation Membership — Even if You Don’t Use One!

When selecting a travel program to use, be it an online booking engine or a vacation membership program, it helps to know where you’re spending your money to get the best value for your travel style.

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I call the hotel-focused online booking engines the Big 4. They are: Read the rest of this entry

Know Before You Go!

Years ago, whenever I visited foreign countries, I was very naive. I was armed with travelers checks and felt totally safe. I trusted the vendors to exchange my U.S. travelers checks for the correct change in their native currency. After all, they accepted U.S. dollars (USD), right? And they were in the business of knowing exchange rates, right?

Did I mention I was naive?

But wait, there’s more. Read the rest of this entry

Emergencies Happen; Long-Term Stay Required

On March 12, 2000 — just after Spring break in our neck of the woods — my daughter’s and my lives changed forever. I got “the call” and rushed down to Galveston, Texas.

She was in a coma from a traumatic brain injury. Clinically, she had already died. Twice. In fact, she was the first survivor of the type and intensity of Read the rest of this entry

Finding Travel Funds in Your Own Pocket

These days a lot of folks are trimming the fat to help make ends meet. But by digging a little deeper, you might just find a travel budget!

Here’s what I did:
Read the rest of this entry