Travel and Holiday Guide

What will you think when you hear the word : “Buenos Aires”?

If you were me, or anyone whose in love with this sport (but I guess, who is not?), this would be the first thing associated with that city name : FOOTBALL!!!

Yes, as the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, which is also known as the “Paris of the South”, has glorious buildings, wide avenues, and spectacular monuments. We can enjoy fabulous shopping, famous wines, superb food, while digesting the fascinating historical and cultural aspects.

But the most wonderful thing about Buenos Aires is the fact that it is the Football Capital of the World, as you may say. There, it’s hardly any day goes by without a match.

Talking about Football, you can see great video about Buenos Aires here : http://partofthegame.tv. It has 5 different channels with all related to football. Do you want to know some secret ritual kept between some great player? You’ll find some funny stuff too here….Some are really ridiculous that makes me laugh until my stomach ache. They even record the magic moments in Euro cups from time to time.

Don’t forget to turn on your speaker though, and prepare to feel the magic of football from the comfort of your own computer.

By the way, you could actually see videos of many different cities in the world too, that has relation with football history. Sevilla, Manchester (Yes, the headquarter of MU), Liverpool, just named it!

When we plan a holiday, we should have come up with some budget to spend. But more often than ever, we could actually come across many unexpected costs that are not only upset us, but also drain the money away. Don’t let yourself being tuck away from your holiday excitement just because those unnecessary burden. When you plan ahead, chance are you would enjoy more and get more out of your holiday.

So the smart thing to do is to prepare in advance and look for ways to save money while, at the same time, enjoy more of your holiday trip.

Here are some money-saving tips to delight your travel experience :

1. Double check and confirm your departure time
This is to avoid unpredictable cancellation when you finally arrives at the airport/port. The last thing you want to hear is to find out that your flight has been cancelled after you excitedly leave your home in anticipation of how great your holiday will be. Also to avoid having to stay overnight at the airport in uncertainty.
2. Know recent luggage regulation and weigh your bag(s) at home
This is very important thing to remember, as many travelers don’t really pay much attention to new regulation. We want to avoid overweight charges and other unnecessary charges beforehand. You may want to redistribute your baggage with your travel companion and pack in more compact way to avoid having to pay $ 50 or more just because your excess 5 pounds.
3. Pack light & pack smart
You don’t have to bring everything yourself. Common travel items usually available at your hotel. Contact your reservation hotel to find out. Similarly, if in any case they do not provide, you should consider to bring the amenities from home. Find the compact travel package for your convenience.
4. Find discount and coupons at your destinate attraction in advance
Many local attraction offer discount and coupons if you are willing to spend some time find out through the web. You can start from this blog, where I will try to regularly inform of any coupons and discounts available for your trip.

5. Request extra nights/services if you’re staying quite long (eg.5 nights) in the same hotel, Basically, whenever possible, the hotel would be willing to do anything to offer high hospitality to their loyal customer. You better talk to the manager/sales/marketing agent before you arrive, instead of the reservation agent. Especially during low season, they would be more than happy to consider giving you extra spa treatment, complimentary night-stay, dinner for two, or some similar things.
6. Discover the ‘hidden fees’ by the airlines and hotel
Some airlines don’t provide food during the flight, and might even charge you for headphones. Better bring your own entertainment and maybe a little snack (and water) in case you have to wait for long hour delay or having to go through long journey. Food purchase at the airport could be double in price than the usual.
7. Bring your own internet connection
This is true for PDA user / business travelers. While some hotels still offer free internet connection, many would charge you quite expensive for the service.
8. Prepare a detail map and learn to read it precisely
You might not consider it important. But especially if you are not using a tour guide service, preparing a detail map of the city will save your time and money and avoid being lost somewhere.

Anyone want to share more tips on saving money on travel?

If you haven’t considered this before, try to look at it as a game for all family members. This is not something that to be decided by the parents alone, but moreover involving the whole family in preparing everything! So grab some tips to make your family trip one of the most unforgettable moments in your life… and in your kids’ memory too!

1. Contact your Local Travel Agent
See if they have special discount for kids, or special family packages that will save you a lot. Find out whether they are expert and reliable in dealing with kids necessities during the trip. For sure, travel with kids will be a lot more difference than guiding all adult groups. Find out some suitable choices for family trip to be presented in family discussion

2. Seek reference and/or recommendation from other satisfied travelers
This could be your most reliable guide in finding out the best place and best travel agent to meet your need.

3. Plan well in advance, involving all of the family members
Even the 3 or 4 years old can join in choosing the place they want to go! Let them look at the pictures in the brochures you got from your local travel agent, surf the web to get more information.

4. Learn more about your destination
After deciding where to go and what kind of trip would be (whether it is leisure trip, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, etc), seek more advance information about your destination. Make this as an opportunity to learn while enjoying the trip. Find books about the history, what is the uniqueness of the places, the different cultures that they will meet, the range of birds and plants and butterflies that can be found in the area, everything that could add excitement as well as brain for the whole family.

5. Prepare the stamina
The last thing you want to be in, is to find out that you have to cancel the trip because any of your kids or other family member get sick and cannot join the travel. So start living the healthy life right now! Eat better food, exercise more (family exercise would be fun too!), sleep better. Make sure you prepare everyone’s stamina for this trip.

6. Prepare the Documents needed
If you plan to have family trip overseas, you have to prepare the official documents months ahead. Contact the destinate nations’ embassy to find out more.
Set aside one special bag for this travel, stuffed with important documents and copies of your identity cards, passport, kids’ documents, tickets, etc.

7. Prepare your Luggage
Check with your chosen travel agent and/or local hotel where you would stay, what the condition of the area would be. This would determine what kind of gear and clothing that you must bring along. If you go to beach area, don’t forget the sun-block lotion, swimsuits, and other swimming apparels. If you plan to stay in rather humid and warm area, your short pants and mosquito lotions would be necessary. Sweater, gloves and socks would be essential for winter and cold destination.

8. Other “MUST-HAVE” Things to prepare :
- Medication : if any family members is depended on some medication, don’t forget to put it aside in special bag, and bring extra would be great
- First Aid Kit : usual first aid kit, common medicine for common light health problem (such as dizziness, cold, cough)
- Travel insurance : check with your travel agent to get all of your family member insured during your trip

9. In case of …
- Delay : always be prepared with snacks and drinks, toys, games, and books, to anticipate delay time, or fill the blank spot time
- Emergency : be prepared with local emergency numbers : police, healthcare practitioners, ambulance, fire engine, your travel agent representatives in respective country, your bank’s agent, etc

Anyone would like to share and add to those tips?