America's Top 5 Scenic Road Trips

Vacations, especially summer breaks can be spent in myriads of ways; you can head to a beach destination, a hill station or anywhere else your heart desire. But what most of us don’t realize is we tend to spend our vacation more or less the same as the last vacation. If you are looking for a change in the way you spend your vacation, try a road trip, I am sure you will love it.

A road trip will include everything from driving through breathtaking scenery, diverse landscape, experiencing various cultures, visiting historic and cultural attractions and much more. The advantages of taking road trips has countless of advantages, right from, you don’t have to spend a fortune, you don’t have to worry about booking your hotel rooms or you airline tickets and so on.

America's Top 5 Scenic Road Trips:

1. Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina & Virginia)
2. Hana Highway (Hawaii)
3. Seward Highway (Alaska)
4. U.S. Route 550 (New Mexico to Colorado)
5. NC 12 (North Carolina)
   

On your next vacation, try something different. Pack your bags and hit the road. You will just love the action, the adventure and the romance that awaits you.

How to Pack Wisely While Traveling

Packing your stuffs the right way is very important, whether you are traveling to a foreign country or just to a nearby by city. Traveling is an experience that we all love but traveling can sometimes be agonizing and most of the times it’s because of our carelessness. Of course, we learn from our mistakes, but won’t it be better if we don’t commit any mistake at all especially while traveling.

Packing may not be the most important issue related to travel pitfalls but sometimes it may land you in a whole lot of mess. So, here are some tips on how to pack wisely while traveling.

• Make a list of all the things you will need. But make that list as according to the number of nights and days you will be staying, known the climate of the place your are visiting.
• Buy miniature toiletries, buy those solid soap-block forms; pack all your toiletries in a plastic bag, unless you don’t mind having your toiletries spilled over your clothes.
• To save more space, wrap clothes around other stuffs like your toiletries; stuff your shoes with your underwear and socks, this will let you save more space as well as prevent the shoe from crushing. Roll the clothes instead of folding; don’t pack those stuffs which you can buy after reach your destination like shaving kits and so on.
• If you need more space, a great way is to squeeze all the air out, close the bag and keep it bag in vertical position for a few hours, this way you will have at least 3-4 extra inches of space.
• Even if you checking one main bag, take a carry-on bag, where you can carry along change clothing and all your important documents.

Next time while traveling make sure that you pack only those things that you will need. Try to pack as light as you can.

CheapOair Tips for taking Connecting Flights

Recently, while surfing the net, I have come across many articles about the pitfalls of connecting flights and the experiences of travelers taking more than one flight to reach a destination. Taking multiple flights to reach a destination may not be that pleasurable but at the same time, it can be fun. Though most would not agree with the ‘Fun’ part, but seriously, taking connecting flights is really an experience. You don’t need to be a travel guru to avoid the pitfalls of connecting flights, all you have to do is spend some time planning and researching before you begin your journey. Here are some tips for taking connecting flights:

1. Visit the airport website, check out the airport layout map, you will find where you will be arriving and where the departing gate are located. If the airport does not have a website, during your flight, go though the airline magazines, most airline magazines have maps of the airports that the airline serves.

2. The boarding pass for your connecting flight should always be in your name. If you are not sure, about the terminal and the gate number of your next flight ask a gate agent or check the monitors for gate information.

3. Always pay attentions to the airport announcement as sometimes there can be changes in the gate number for your connecting flight and if so, the airport will announce the changes.

4. Besides your carry-on items, you need not worry about the checked bags as the airline baggage handlers will transfer all the checked bags from one plane to another. But inquire the airline about the checked bags before the journey.

5. In case, if your connecting flight departs before your flight deplanes, don’t hesitate to demand for concession.

Whether you are taking a direct flight or connecting flights, planning wisely is the key to a hassle free travel. Next time, take some time and plan before you begin your journey.

Europe’s Best Luxury Trains

Planning a trip to Europe? Why don’t you board a train and experience Europe from a whole new angle? Well am not talking about the regular commuter trains. These trains are considered as some of the worlds most luxurious, elegant and stylish trains. Loaded with only the best of modern day comfort and luxuries, these trains are second to none when it comes to romance, comfort and pampering. Sounds tempting, well why don’t you try it for yourself, here is the list of Europe’s best luxury trains:

1. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

2. The Danube Express

3. The British Pullman

4. The Northern Belle

5. The Royal Scotsman

These are some of the best and the most luxurious trains in Europe and no doubt these trains comes with a very heavy price tag but every penny spend is well worth.

How to Get a Free Airline Upgrade

Air travel can be very comfortable especially if you are traveling in the first class. But not every one of us can afford to enjoy the comfort and the luxury of a first class passenger, unless you get a free airline upgrade. Getting a free upgrade to first class or business class, sounds more of a fairytale yet it does happen! Though getting a free upgrade is very unpredictable but we can increase our chances of landing in first class without spending a fortune. Here are some tips on how to get a free airline upgrade.

• Instead of flying with different airlines, try to stick with one airline and join their frequent flier program. This way you not only increase the chances of getting a free upgrade but you also get access to airport lounges and so on.
• Early afternoon and late evening are probably the best time to get a free upgrade as early-morning flights and late-night flights are usually packed with business travelers.
• Try to book a flight where their economy section is full, you can known whether their economy section is packed or not by going through a false booking on the airline website. As there is so much competition, the airline may squeeze you to first class instead of turning you away.
• How you dress, can also increase or decrease your chances of getting a free upgrade. You need not wear a suit or a tie but at least dress like a business executive as airlines won’t be willing to upgrade a person wearing torn jeans and dirt shoes, to the first class.
• Being polite always pays off and even in the case of getting a free upgrade, being polite sure does help. Ask the check-in staff, ‘whether you are eligible for an upgrade’. Those traveling alone have a bigger chance of getting a free upgrade than those traveling in groups.
  

Who does not want to travel in first class but everyone cannot afford the luxury of a first class. But with a bit of luck and some common sense we can, not always but at least once in a while.

Top 10 Amusement Parks in the World

Looking for a cool place to take your kids or to spend a fun filled day with your beloved, to let your imagination run wild, try an amusement park. No matter how old you are, visiting an amusement park is always fun and exciting. Thanks to today’s cutting edge technology, amusement parks are coming up with more and more sophisticated ideas and plans to offer the best of thrill, excitement and entertainment. Here is a list of some of the best amusement parks in the world.

1. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, United States

2. Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida, United States

3. Holiday World, Santa Claus, Indiana, United States

4. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, United States

5. Europa Park, Rust, Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany

6. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom

7. PortAventura, Salou, Tarragona, Spain

8. Alton Towers, Alton, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

9. Knoebels, Elysburg, Pennsylvania, United States

10. Busch Gardens Europe, Williamsburg, Virginia, United States

CheapOair Top 5 Adventure Sports Destinations in the US

Thirsty for action and adventure, quench your thirst in some of the best adventure sports destinations in the US. From white-water rafting and kayaking to mountain biking and rock climbing, from snowboarding and skiing to surfing and sailing, here are some place where you can have the best of the best of action and adventure.

CheapOair Top 5 Adventure Sports Destinations in the US are:

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): Located in the state of Arizona, Grand Canyon is one of nature’s most wondrous creations. No doubt its breathtaking sights are what drag the thousands of visitors every year, but that’s not all. If you are an adrenaline junkie, Grand Canyon is just perfect to engage in White-water rafting, rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking.

Joshua Tree National Park (California): Experience rock climbing at its best here in Joshua Tree National Park. With more than 400 climbing formations and 8,000 climbing routes, Joshua Tree is considered as one of the best rock climbing destinations in the world. Besides rock climbing, here you may also enjoy hiking, mountain biking and horse backing riding.

Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska): Snow-capped Mountains rising up to 15,000 feet, coastal beaches with protected coves, deep fjords, tidewater glaciers, and freshwater lakes, Glacier Bay National Park definitely is worth exploring. Here from kayaking, canoeing and fishing to hiking, wildlife viewing, and flight seeing, you will have it all.

Bridger Bowl, Montana: With a vertical of 2,000 feet, plus an additional 600 feet know as the Ridge, Bridger Bowl offers great skiing experience for skier of all abilities. Comprised of two large bowls, the north and the south bowl, whether its skiing, snowboarding or snowmobiling, Bridger is just perfect for any kind of snow sports.

Oahu (Hawaii): When it comes to surfing, Oahu undeniably stands as one of the best in the world. Home to the birth place of big wave surfing Waimea Bay, Ehukai Beach and sunset beach to name a few, if you are a die hard wave rider, Oahu is a must.

Things You Need to Know While Planning Your First Cruise

Planning your first cruise? Well, planning for your first cruise may not be the easiest thing to do, but it’s not that tough also. Here are some tips that will help you plan your first cruise.

• The most important of all is deciding on what kind of cruise line and vacation you are interested, is it one of those super luxurious ship where your can enjoy the best of all the modern luxuries and comfort or just to see the world in a comfortable ship. If you cannot decide, talk to a travel agent, ask a friend or research on the internet.

• The internet is a very powerful tool and seriously the internet has almost anything and everything we can think of including information on Cruise. Before booking your ticket, check out the website of the cruise line, do a research on what you will be offered, their cabin layout, compare the price with other cruise line.

• Booking your round trip airline tickets from the cruise line will be more expensive than booking your plane tickets separately but, in case if your flight is delayed or cancelled, most cruise liners offers its passenger to catch up the ship on the next port by hooking them up with an another flight.

• Buying travel insurance totally depends up to you. But it is always advisable to buy travel insurance in case of lost luggage, airline cancellations and delays, emergency medical and so on. You can buy travel insurance from the cruise line or from a travel agent but its always best if you buy from a well known travel insurance company.

• Do carry your passport, if you are traveling to a country that requires you to have a passport, pack your bags as light as possible, as you will find possibly anything you need inside the ship. Pack your clothes depending on the destination, do bring along a formal outfit as most restaurants inside the cruise require you to dress in formal.

These are some tips and tricks that you need to known while planning for your first cruise and in case if you are still confused, you can check out an online travel site or talk to a travel agent.

Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental

Whether traveling for business or leisure, a rental car can definitely make your trip more convenient, pleasant and at the same time offer you more freedom. But we need to be careful while renting a car as a rental car can land us in a whole lot of mess, if not planned wisely. Here are some tips that you need to know while renting a car.
• First, decide the kind of car you need, for how many days and facilities such as a baby seat that you require.
• For the best deal, reserving in advance undeniably is the best. Besides making a reservation in advance will also allow you to choose from a wider list. Booking online is also another great way to save as many companies offer discounts to those booking online.
• Always choose a major rental car company or a well known travel site.
• Ask about the company's cancellation policy, like cancellation charges and so on.
• Check the vehicle thoroughly before driving off and be sure that any damage found in the car enters the contract.
• inquire about the company’s fuel options and mileage restrictions.
• In case, if your auto insurance does not cover rental cars, you can purchase one of the rental company insurance policies, but check out the provisions, limitations, and exclusions before concluding the deal.
• Find out whether the company charge extra for pick up and drop, any additional charges for vehicles picked up at an airport, their emergency service and contact numbers.
• Using the same car rental company always pays off, as many companies offer loyalty programs and discounts to its regular customers.
• Always return your rental car on time as car rental rates mostly runs on a 24-hour basis and even an hour late could cost you as high as one-third of the daily rate.
These are some very common and simple tips that we need to follow while renting a car.

How to See Paris without Spending a Fortune

Paris without a doubt is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities and from historic and cultural sights to shopping, dining and nightlife, Paris offer only the best but beware it all comes with a hefty price tag. No doubt Paris is an expensive place to visit but at the same time I would say Paris is also a paradise for budget travel. Seriously, you don’t need a fortune to see Paris; all you need is proper planning.

Here are some tips on ‘How to See Paris without Spending a Fortune’.

Getting Around: Just to travel from one point to another, the Metro, undeniably, is the fastest and the cheapest means but to see more of Paris, take a Paris L’Open Bus Tour which charges around €26 per person or hop on to one of the city buses, which are very tourist friendly. For more active travelers, renting a bicycle or a skate is an amazing way to see the city. But above all, nothing beats the experience of exploring Paris on foot.

Dining: Paris may be Europe's culinary centers but eating out in Paris can be very expensive. While dining out in Paris always order from the Prix-Fixe menu, dine in those small restaurants where average locals go for lunch. If your accommodation has a kitchen, cook your own meal, you will find possibly anything and everything you need in markets like Boul Richard Lenoir and Rue Mouffetard.

Accommodations: Hostels are the cheapest form of accommodations in Paris, but if hostels are not your thing, book a hotel in neighborhoods like 10th Arrondissement near Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est. If you are visiting in group, rent a vacation apartment.

No matter where you are heading, planning ahead, booking your airline tickets, hotel rooms in advance, researching on that destination and knowing when to go always pays off.

CheapOair Top 10 Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations

Honeymoon undeniably is one of the most cherished celebrations in one’s life and as the first step together towards a new life; your honeymoon should be the most memorable of all the vacations. Honeymoon is not just about releasing that week long wedding stress, but you also get to know each other better, make plans for the future and above all your honeymoon is the foundation of your married life.

Carefully handpicked just for honeymooners, where you can have the most, CheapOair Top 10 Most Romantic Honeymoon Destinations include:
1. Tahiti
2. Venice
3. Paris
4. San Francisco
5. Seychelles
6. St Lucia
7. Reykjavik
8. Fiji
9. Mauritius
10. Hawaii

Even though these destinations are some of the most romantic places in the world, before heading out to any of these destinations, spend some time with your beloved discussing where you would like to go and what kind of honeymoon you would like to take, as each of the listed destinations is unique and special from the other.

The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival-2008

Attracting more than 100,000 spectators from across the country, Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest Asian American cultural events celebrated in the Rocky Mountain region. An action packed two day festival with something for everyone, Colorado Dragon Boat Festival showcases the cultural diverseness, the rich heritage and the traditions of Asia.

The dates are out for this year and the festival is all set to be held from 26-27 of July-2008 at Sloan's Lake Park, Denver, Colorado. With the Dragon Boat races as the main attraction of the festival, this year, in Colorado Dragon Boat Festival you will witness some 30 traditional and contemporary Asian performing artists. That’s not all; the festival will also feature the “Dragonland” and the “Gateway to Asia” for kids, plus more than 100 vendors, food concessionaires and much more.

When: 26-27 of July-2008
Where: Sloan's Lake Park, Denver, Colorado
Admission: Free

CheapOair- Top 3 ‘Off the Beaten Path’ Destinations

Do you love adventure, exploring new things, experiencing local culture and traditions at its best? Then forget that hip and happening destination, everyone is heading and plan a vacation to an off the beaten path destination. You may not have all the glitz, glamour and luxury of that hip vacation destination but a vacation in an off the beaten path destination will definitely offer you maximum relaxation, allow you to escape from the crowd and above of all wont get a big headache at the sight of you bank balance after your vacation.

Check out the CheapOair- Top 3 Off the Beaten Path Destinations

• Sligo (Ireland) A picturesque costal town nested in the province of Connacht, a trip to Sligo will include everything from discovering rich history and colorful cultural life to exploring breathtaking outdoors, indulging in adventurous water sports, shopping and savoring delicious local cuisine.

• Havelock Island (India) Located in the Andaman Islands, Havelock Island is romantic, laid back yet full of surprises. Beautiful soft sandy beaches, inviting warm turquoise water, mouthwatering dishes from across the globe, romantic beach accommodations, and a world of action and adventure await you in Havelock Island.

• Sheki (Azerbaijan) A hidden gem not known to many, Sheki is for history buffs, couples and outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by lush enchanting rolling hills on one side and guarded by snow topped mountains on the other, a visit to Sheki means discovering magnificent historic structures and monuments, browsing museums and art galleries, shopping in exotic markets, and to explore its beautiful outdoors.

CheapOair Guide to Ultimate Budget accommodations in Rome

An enchanting city filled with the fragrances of it old world that blends perfectly with the hip modern world, Rome is a must see city for all. No doubt, Rome stands as one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world but vacationing in this magical place can leave a hole in your wallet if you don’t plan wisely.

Rome Undeniably is very expensive, especially when it comes to accommodations and finding a cheap accommodation is not an easy task. For Budget traveler, the best and the cheapest accommodations are the ‘Hostels’ which can be found across the city. Though hostels may not offer the best of services or facilities but if you are looking for that ultimate saving in accommodations, hostels are simply unbeatable. Hostels are not only affordable but they are also a great way to mingle with the locals and with other fellow travelers.

Some of the best Hostels in Rome include:
• Ciao Bella Hostel
• Blue Hostel
• Tiber Village Hostel
• Alessandro Palace Hostel
• Freestyle Hostel
• Roma Inn Hostel
• Chianti Hostel
• Alessandro Downtown Hostel
• Litus Roma Hostel

A stay in one of Rome hostels can range from around 10 Eur to a maximum of 20 Eur a night and though you won’t be showered with a world of luxury, but you will always find Rome’s hostels clean and comfortable.