Unless you are comfortable with handling your own arrangements directly with travel operators over their websites or your travel selection is just a simple selection from a brochure you should consider finding an expert travel agent for your travel destination or activity requirements. This is not as simple as it sounds as many travel agents are designated as ‘specialists’ which often does not mean too much, except that they specialize in selling certain destinations, activities or named tour operators.
To obtain a ‘specialist’ designation can also be a very simple test set by a tourism office or tour operator and does not necessarily require an actual visit or experience. Travelers should beware of specialists, simply find out if they are experts by asking “have your been there, have you done that, did you buy the t-shirt?” or some more exacting questions, as you are investing hard earned money in your trip or vacation.
In our lifetimes we hopefully spend more on our travel wants and needs than on any other professional or expert in their chosen fields such as lawyers, accountants, plumbers, electricians, builders, dentists, doctors and we certainly choose them very carefully, so why not use the same quality control when choosing a travel agent. Also, as with our other experts, there may be different agents needed for different destinations and activities, so do not necessary stay with one agent for all of your travel requirements unless of course the agency has different experts for different products and services.
There is an understandable element of extra costs when using these experts called commissions and fees but the extra cost is often worth the investment if you really need travel knowledge, experience and expertise. Many travel experts are dedicated professionals who have spent years gaining knowledge of their products and services, gaining experience by visiting destinations, taking part in activities and gaining expertise in the reservation and search systems for better itinerary planning.
They are out there, but not necessarily in your town, region or even country. With the Internet we have the ability to find experts for anything and to compare and check credentials and product quality before committing our investment.
If you, as a traveler, do not need to use an expert travel agent and are comfortable with handling your own arrangements over the internet you have unlimited choices but not unlimited time to do your searches. You also have probably questioned why, if you do your own bookings directly with the operator, that you have to pay the commissions that are normally built in to travel prices to allow for retailer or wholesaler percentages, and rightly so. Are you getting a fair fare price when you go directly to operators and if not why not?
Not as simple an answer as it seems. Travel Wholesalers and Retailers are needed to market, promote and represent travel products so that travelers have the opportunity to view the myriad travel choices around the world. Without them many of us would never know the choices available to us so, when you have found your expert you should be loyal to them for yourself and also recommend and refer their expertise to others.
Travel Operators often have a predicament that if they show a two-tier price on their websites, one for buying from travel agents and a lesser price for direct bookers, that this could cause a rift in the supply chain and should therefore be protected for the benefit of the industry and the consumer in order to ensure that certain travel selections are available.
To overcome this predicament needed a new and completely different approach to both protect the traditional supply chain and to ensure that direct booking travelers get fairer fare prices and protection from unnecessary costs. The new innovation is Top Travel Vouchers from Top Travel Sites, a system whereby the operator still incurs the payment of a commission but most of that commission is then rebated to the direct-booking traveler.
At present there are hundreds of these vouchers available for purchase from operators around the world and each purchaser is offered a 100% money back guarantee, with some restrictions, but there is also a refund if the traveler is unhappy upon completion of their travel.
This service is in the early days of building a voucher inventory but with the growth of travel by direct bookings it does offer travel operators who want to encourage direct bookings and also to protect their relationships with wholesalers and retailers a new opportunity and method of representation for their products.
For the many thousands of travel providers and operators around the world who are not large enough to get representation by wholesalers and retailers there is now an opportunity to use this service by building an attractive savings incentive into voucher offers to encourage travelers to handle their own arrangements directly with the operator.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Best Ways To Keep Your Money Safe Whilst Travelling
Most travelers know how to find the cheapest airfare or hostel room. But when it comes to how to travel with your money and how to access it, most travelers have a thing or two to learn.
There is no single best way to travel with your money or to make sure it is always accessible.
Travel Security Products
You must make sure you always have access to money overseas, and the best way to do that is by keeping your cash, ATM cards or travelers cheques safe with travel security products. The most popular are travel money belts, combination padlocks, security cable locks, and mesh security products. Be sure to plan ahead and purchase these products before leaving home.
Cash
You will need easy access to your cash, but it is not a smart idea to carry a large amount of cash around with you. It is also not a good idea to carry the bulk of your travel money around with you in cash form. If you get mugged or your luggage stolen, your holiday could be ruined.
You should disperse your cash around when traveling. Some should be placed in your wallet, also in your travel money belt. But you should keep a spare $100 or 100 Euros hidden in your backpack. This way if you do get mugged, you will still have money to tide you over.
A small supply of local currency is important to have when you arrive in a new country. You will be able to pay for transport to your accommodation, and also buy something to eat. If you are traveling in a third world country always pay for items and bargain for items in the local currency. You are less likely to be ripped off!
Credit Cards
A credit card should only be used as a back-up option to access your money when traveling. You will get charged large transaction fees to withdraw money in another currency. If your credit card gets stolen, your details could be used to steal your money and essentially ruin your vacation.
Always have the details of your credit card company, so that you can contact them if something goes wrong.
However, if you look after credit card, it can be very useful. It can be used to book flights, accommodation and tours online. It is also reasonably safe to pay for hotels and meals at well established and quality businesses.
Travelers Cheques
Travelers cheques are not very popular any more with any traveler. They cost you to make and they cost you to access your money. Often banks will give you a worse exchange rate when converting you travelers cheques. Using an ATM is a lot easier now that they have become universal.
On the upside, if yo lose your travelers cheques, you may be able to contact the nearest office of the issuing authority with the numbers on your not redeemed cheques to get them replaced.
ATMs
You can find an ATM just about anywhere now. They are by far the most convenient way to access your money when you are traveling. You must make sure your ATM card is authorized for use overseas before you go.
You are smart to travel with a spare card, just in case you lose your only means of accessing your money. Remember, you may be charged overseas transaction fees and conversion fees from your bank.
Cash Passport Cards
These are becoming a very popular option now with many travelers. You buy this card before you leave home, and place your funds on it, but in the currency of the country you are traveling to. The most popular currency cards are US dollars, UK pounds, and Euros.
Once your money is on the card you can access it anywhere from an ATM. This way you wont be charged conversion fees.
What should you do?
You should travel with a variety of options to access your money. Choose the best option for you that makes you feel comfortable. Remember, you can always get someone to transfer money to you internationally anywhere if you run out!
What not to do?
Avoid carrying large quantities of cash, when you use an ATM separate the money into smaller amounts and hide them around your backpack, pockets and wallet.
Do not give your credit card details to anyone.
Do not use your credit card to with draw money at an ATM. It will cost you so much money in fees!
The Secret to Getting Your Aging Parents to Accept Eldercare Services – Start With Their Pets
Your parents need more help than they’re willing to admit. They bristle at the thought of elder care services and independent living programs, and they have fired all the in-home helpers and housekeepers you’ve hired for them. How might you prevail upon them to accept some assistance? Ask them about their pets.
They surely want the best for their animals and might be willing to let somebody take their dog for an occasional romp or change the litter box a couple of times a week.
Pet owners often make decisions about their own health and circumstances based on the impact the decisions would have on their pets. “I can’t go into the hospital over night for the test the doctor ordered-who would feed and walk Fluffy?” Your parents might welcome assistance that would make it easier to keep the animal at home and in good health and spirits. And, accepting help for the pet is easier than admitting you need help yourself. Still, help is help, and accepting help for the pet is a face-saving way to ease in to help for oneself.
There are various dog walking and pet sitting services, and some are fully bonded and insured. Local animal shelters and veterinary practices have referral lists. Neighbors with pets probably have recommendations too. A responsible teenage neighbor looking for pocket money might also be a good resource.
When was the last time your parents’ pet went to the vet for an exam and shots? Getting an animal into a carrier is hard enough for many pet owners in the prime of their-and their pet’s-life. It may well be impossible for your parents to catch the cat, put it in the carrier and carry the carrier to the car they shouldn’t be driving anyway.
The way to make assistance tolerable is to get clear and detailed information about what your parents want help with and how they want to be helped. Starting with a topic they’re willing to consider, help with a trip to the vet, you can follow this good experience with others like help with shopping and eventually with in-home help.
Do your parents want help with:
• Walking the pet
• Feeding and watering the pet
• Cleaning up after the pet, inside or out
• Getting the pet ready to go to the vet
• Taking the pet to the vet
• Staying with the pet if your parent is out of town or in the hospital?
No matter how experienced the provider of eldercare services is, he/she cannot anticipate each client’s preferences and may not ask in sufficient detail to get adequate information. Use these questions to help your parents get clear on exactly what they want help with and how they want to be helped, and to train the helper so he/she can provide elder care services they will accept.
Men's Fashion – Style Advice and Tips
Although it would be nice if the first impression people took from us was our personality, the fact remains that our exteriors are, naturally, the first thing people consider when they look at us. This is not necessarily style-related; our wardrobes may be perceptions of what our bank accounts or personalities are. Even the smallest details of our dress send messages about ourselves that can be misinterpreted. Men tend to fall victim to this unfair scrutiny often as they tend to be unaware of the silent messages their ensembles are sending. We have provided some simple tips to help you avoid this situation and become more aware of the message you may be sending.
At one time, over-sized clothing was undoubtedly in style. However, that time has come and gone. Now, clothing that hangs on your frame and bags and sags is unattractive and presents an image of untidiness to people who see you. Choose clothing that is tailored to your frame without being too tight, and that provides comfort without being too baggy.
Often men also make another mistake, they do not think about their foot wear choices. It may seem easiest just to grab some tennis shoes out of the closet, but you have to think of what impression this is giving other people. It may not be comfortable for some men to wear anything but tennis shoes, but these men should make sure that their shoes are clean and not too worn.
A good hairstyle is also important to project and image of cleanliness and style. Find one that looks great and is easy to replicate by any stylist. You should have to spend a little extra the first time on a good haircut, but going to a professional, trusted stylist will be well worth the expense.
Try something new. Too often we get stuck in our “comfort zone” and then our style becomes stale. Try spicing things up once and a while, buy that electric blue shirt instead of the pale blue you normally would. Ask your friends, family members or coworkers for their style ideas. Resist that urge to go to the store and purchase the same clothes. Take those few moments and look at what is available, colors, textures, fit of the clothes, try something new.
The above suggestions are very easy, not to mention fun, to follow, but can drastically change your appearance for the better. Aside from your appearance, you may notice that your self-esteem and confidence has also developed from sporting a new hairstyle and wearing well-tailored clothing and clean shoes. These tips combined with your increased confidence will certainly be noticeable to others.
Men's Dress Shirts – Men's Fashion Style
With the status of the economy, it’s so hard to indulge in buying clothes especially branded ones. Don’t be a fashion victim by buying everything you see in the market today. You don’t need to splurge on buying so many things which you don’t need.
When buying clothes you need to buy the basic, those that can be teamed up with different tops. It’s an inexpensive way of investing clothes which is very applicable these days. Every guy has his own different sense of fashion and style. These are things you need to have inside your closet, it’s a must for every guy to have them paired with a white shirt:
· You should have at least one cardigan inside your closet. You should have at any of the following colors.
– Black
– Grey
– Navy
– Green
– Blue
– Pastel
· You need it especially during cold months. It can be a good pair with any blazer of your choice. There are also organically made cardigans which you can try if you are very much inclined with nature.
· A striped blazer can possess a conservative look especially during events.
· Shorts tailored or not can be for a casual wear. It’s trendy and comfortable. You can wear it during summer time when the weather is hot.
· A rack jacket is best for hip and high low get up. It is very simple and can be worn in malls.
· It’s best with denim. White shirts are perfect for any kind of shirt; it can also be paired with any pants or shorts. It’s one of the safest things to have inside your closet.
Fashion and style is a long conversation especially when you are discussing about men’s fashion trend. No two people have the same choice of clothes and styles. When you want to be trendy, you should always look at the mirror and check
If the things you are wearing still look good on you, you might just want to go with the flow without checking if it’s suitable for you. You should check out some magazines and the web for some time to ensure that you are on the right track. Your indulgence to fashion can be addicting so you need to take a break form thinking what to wear for the next 24 hours. Though there are lots of fashion site today, some of the people can not find the things they are looking for.
You should check out the web for new things you should know for reference and guide. You wills surely find everything you need to know without having to spend much. Your looks merely depend on how you believe in yourself and not with the trend.
Online Tax Preparation – Preparing Tax Returns
Preparation of tax returns should be done very cautiously, because the tax payer is responsible for each and every word written on the tax return even though it is prepared by a professional. The preparer should be able to provide you with practical and convenient tips for tax saving.
You can find an efficient tax preparer online only if you put genuine efforts in searching for one.
Check while hiring tax preparer online
There are certain things that one should follow when hiring an individual or a firm for online tax preparation:
- Legally speaking, the professional preparer should sign the returns form in the preparer areas. He/she should furnish the identification number on the return. He or she should give a copy of the return to the tax payer.
- The preparer should be very accurate with filling in your details. Your personal information along with your registration number should be mentioned accurately.
- The tax preparer should be efficient in online accounting.
- Do not sign on blank tax returns form ever and do not use a pencil for signing as the signature can be easily erased and your signature replaced.
- You should present any notices and refund checks that you might have got from your attorney to the tax preparer for preparing the returns.
- Online bookkeeping is something that your tax preparer should be efficient in.
- The tax preparer should be adequately qualified and experienced for his/her job, because each and every word he or she writes in the return from is evaluated by the tax collection authorities, and there is every opportunity of the tax payer being penalized for terms that are vague or seem to be unreliable.
Online Tax Preparation Process
Tax preparation should be done with a lot of caution as each and every word mentioned in the tax returns form is the responsibility of the tax payer, even though it might be prepared by another person, a professional or a firm. The tax preparer should be well versed in his/her work. He/She should be adequately qualified and experienced to prepare the tax returns statement. He/She should fill out the form with clear and reliable statements and should sign the tax returns form wherever applicable.
He/She should fill in the areas on the tax return form where the preparer’s information is required. Details like identification number should be clearly furnished on the form and should be signed. The person should not leave any blank areas. The details of the tax payer presented on the returns form should be accurate. It is mandatory for furnishing the registration number of the tax payer. The tax preparer should be able to provide easy-to-implement tax saving tips, and he/she should be adept at online bookkeeping and accounting. Any notices and refund checks, if obtained from an attorney, should be furnished to the tax preparer. On the whole, preparation of tax return statements should be done in a very careful manner as mistakes might cost the tax payer a lot.
Create Your Home Furniture by Downloading Woodworking Plans
The home furniture industry used to be a booming enterprise. People would choose pieces that were stylish for the day and trash when a new trend came along. But the world is changing and we need furniture that is going to be durable and sustaining for more than a few years. There is nothing more solid than wood furniture that has been handmade. You are in charge of the type of wood, the structure and strength and moreover, the design.
Where to get the perfect downloadable home furniture woodworking plans is the first question that you need to ask yourself. Have these plans actually been tried or are they just a repeat of an article that was lifted from another site? Finding reliable home furniture woodworking plans for your building needs is the most important step in making your own furniture.
There are many professional woodworking experts that are willing to share their ideas and methods in building home furniture if you just know where to look. Now there is a website that lets you choose from leading wood craft that have designed and put together plans and detailed instructions that takes the guesswork out of your project.
Perhaps you are looking for a specific set of shaker coffee table plans that will withstand the torture of three kids and a dog but have been unable to locate plans that address bracing adequately. This is the site for you. Dozens of experts can show you how hand crafted furniture can be made to last for generations, not a limited amount of time.
File cabinets are another type of home furnishing that is becoming popular with home businesses starting up. There are several flimsy metal models at any department store that do not really match any type of decor or hold up to the usage that they receive. Building a solid wood piece that is classy and solid would be a great idea for the woodworker looking to provide home businesses with sustainable furniture. Experts can lend advice on types of wood to use, the best hardware and braces for such an application and durable finishes.
Creating sustainable home furniture can be relaxing and a moneymaking venture at the same time but if the wrong woodworking plans are used, your finished home furniture may look presentable but not withstand a durability test. Build it right the first time and you will not have wasted your efforts with amateur builders that give poor advice.
Buying plans on the Internet can be very useful in building your own home furniture but it takes much more than a set of blueprints and patterns. Listening to experts and using methods that have been tried and recommended is the only way to know that your time and labor have paid off.
Natural Health Treatments Are Most Effective When Using Homeopathy
Natural health treatments are best treated when the whole of you is taken into consideration. Typical health treatments isolate parts of you, dealing only with your eye, your big toe, you digestion, etc. But how can this make sense, bearing in mind the whole of you is all connected?
Let’s look at a more efficient way of considering the whole of you in your treatment.
Consider shock. Initially this can cause an increase in your heart rate, make you sweat more, make you extremely anxious, agitated and restless. Your body is preparing you for flight – to flee from a potentially dangerous situation. However, often shock comes after the danger has passed, such as in a bad accident. Fleeing is no longer necessary, although it would have resolved the shock.
This unresolved shock remains in your system forever, unless it is energetically treated. This can lead to ailments such as high blood pressure, panic attacks, heart conditions and other serious health issues.
But by resolving the shock with an energetic health care modality such as homeopathy, the related health issues are also resolved.
Homeopathy works at an energetic level, which is highly appropriate given that you are an energy being. Many people find this concept hard to understand, in this current climate where the focus of ill health is on the physical, or outside forces. However, natural treatments as a whole, and homeopathy in particular, understand that this is a very limited way of looking at health. And normally, an ineffective one.
It does mean a change of mindset. But given the fact that worldwide health is at an all time low even, or perhaps especially, in those countries where medicine has never been more available, it may be a long overdue change.
Fashion Style is Important
Fashion style is important. You clothes make your fashion statement, and how you’re perceived. Stand straight and carry yourself with grace. You will radiate self confidence.
Here are some fashion tips and advice to look and feel good. Don’t forget your jewelry accessories are like the icing on the cake. They are the finishing touch. Dress to Impress and Make Your Fashion Statement!
Fashion Tips
Make sure your wardrobe has plenty of neutrals on hand – they are perfect for mixing and matching. They can be dressed up or down with the right jewelry additions.
Not a one of us woman has the perfect figure. We all have flaws. Accept your flaws and work with them
Know your body and what looks good. You are logically attracted to clothes, styles and colors that flatter your figure. Experiment a bit, and try something a bit off your normal habits
Tailored outfits are flattering to most all figures
Buy styles that flatter your figure and don’t forget that finishing touch with your jewelry
To make a short neck look longer wear a sccop neck or open collar shirt, complete the look with a long necklace
Large breasted women and women with wide hips can obtain balance by using shoulder pads
Make sure your panty hose fits properly
Don’t bare all – leave something for the imagination. Entice with your a glittery necklace or choker, and don’t forget the earrings
Leather stretches so if your buying a leather skirt or pants make sure they are snug when you purchase them. There are also some fabulous faux leather products on the market that can give you great wear for a season or two without having to worry if they’ll still fit next year
Dress up your look with glittery jewelry, accent a line with a necklace. Don’t forget your earrings and bracelets. They add the finishing touch to your look. You can completely change your look just by changing your jewelry. Dress it up or down!
If you find an outfit in a magazine but its too pricey for your budget don’t fret. There are terrific department stores and online sites that sell very similar for much less. Your jewelry is the same. That fabulous designer parure that costs way more than you can afford – your certain to find a similar in an online store for much less. Clip the picture and keep it with you so you can match
Set your budget and stick to it. Purchase plenty of mix and match pieces to get the most for your money. And don’t forget to complete your look with jewelry. Mix and match your jewelry pieces also.
Make your fashion statement! You are a unique individual with your own look. Portray your self confidence and turn those heads!
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Fashion Style
My favorite star of all time would have to be Elizabeth Taylor. To be sassy, bold, confident and passionate like her, is to my mind, the epitome of womanhood). For me, the most famous image throughout her long history in the movies, would be her sultry look, wearing the satin slip-dress and leaning on the door frame, in the movie ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’.
Unbelievably, there are only 3 outfits in the whole of the movie and each time I watch this film, I start searching on EBAY for chiffon, white dress or a pencil skirt.
The famous and brilliant costume designer, Helen Rose, is the hero that was responsible for these simply elegant, classic and memorable styles.
Elizabeth Taylor’s emotional strength was inspirational, especially since she made the movie after the tragic death of her beloved husband, Mike Todd in an air crash. Helen Rose had been by her side throughout the making of the movie, and their relationship grew stronger through this bond, leading to the successful moulding of the movie star into an icon- Elizabeth Taylor. Their long career included other collaborations, such as ‘Butterfield 8’.
‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ certainly made our Liz the main focus. Wearing a short sleeved, cotton shirt and a skin tight, pencil linen skirt, with a figure-hugging belt, she made sure that she was noticed in that movie.
To play opposite the ultra electrifying Paul Newman must have been quite a challenge, since Paul’s presence could certainly steal the limelight from lots of other female stars – but, our Liz certainly held her own. Each time I play the movie, my eyes are always drawn to her, however much I love Paul, he just has to take a back seat.
In that movie, Liz had never been more beautiful, she was such a devastatingly stunning woman. With her curvaceous figure and Helen Rose’s expert tailoring, the simple but classic outfits show just what perfection can be created. The simple shirt and the pencil skirt is expertly highlighted with the Hermes orange-hue leather belt – simplicity in its perfection.
The second outfit is her more famous pose, leaning on the door frame in her white slip-dress, expertly tailored around her curves. How can her husband not have noticed her? Any normal woman would show lumps and bumps with such a shiny satin slip – not our Liz, every part fitted to perfection.
The final outfit was a dress that Helen Rose had fought hard for. The studio had preferred a more plain, cotton dress. The result of Helen Rose’s victory was most stunning: a simple Grecian wrap, around sculpting cuts, with the expert pleating being one of the most copied looks of design history. The white chiffon dress was later produced to be accessible to the women of the world, and aptly called, ‘The Cat’.