Another NY Times Travel Show has come and gone and there is always good info to soak up in breakout sessions hosted by some of the big names in travel. Those folks include Samantha Brown, Arthur and Pauline Frommer, and the travel writers at the New York Times. I could not attend every session, but I’ll try to list some of the more interesting companies, apps and ideas for you to use.

Arthur Frommer is very much against the large motorbuses that transport travelers around a country. He prefers to sight see on his feet and not on a bus, meaning doing independent tours. But if you must have an organized group tour, he highly recommends tours that have 12 people or less. They use local accommodations, meaning no big chain hotels and use public transportation. Yes that means catching the train or bus that the local residents use. He recommends Intrepid, gAdventures and Djoser

Pauline Frommer recommends using an “ethnic” travel agency for discounts on airfare, hotels, etc. What is an “ethnic” travel agency? One that caters to the residents of the country you are traveling to. She gave the example of using a travel agency that caters to Japanese citizens when she went to Japan. It took her awhile to get someone who could speak English, but she ended up saving $400 on airfare that she would not have gotten anyplace else.

Inspired by Iceland is Iceland’s way to use tourism to prop up their economy after their recent financial meltdown. You can stay in a farmhouse overnight and learn about Icelandic history, go seal watching, or even meet the mayor of Reykjavik. All of these activities are completely free. Iceland is offering discounted airfare and hotel stays. If you’ve never considered this island nation of 320,000 (yes that is all the people they have) the pricing and benefits say this is the time to go.

Jamaica is offering a program similar to Iceland called “Meet the People”. Anything that gets you off the tourist track and in contact with “real” people is always welcome.

Panama offers free travel insurance. Just sign up at the Tocumen International Airport when you land in Panama City and you’ll have it for 30 days. Just don’t have an accident and found to be drinking, acting reckless or otherwise jeopardize your insurance.

Pauline Frommer talked about Vaughan Systems which allows native English speakers to get a free two week vacation in the Spanish country side. The catch? You have to speak English to Spaniards who want to learn English. That is it. All you have to do is have conversations with people who want to learn English. There is plenty of wine, food and interesting sites along the way to help keep conversations along.

Workwaway provides the opportunity to work (volunteer) for room and board around the world. You can be a ranch hand in Canada, work in a hostel in New Zealand or live with a family in the Italian countryside. A wide variety of experiences are available.

GlobalGreeters finds free tour guides that will take you around major cities all over the world. They will show you the transportation system, take you to the best dining spots and really provide an local’s insider view of a location you would not get on a tour bus with 40 other people.

Arthur Frommer also gave a few tips on Bali and Paris.

To get to Bali from the USA use a company called Escapes Unlimited with a fare of $1399 for 5 days out of Los Angeles or San Francisco. You’ve got to fly to Hong Kong first with a free layover there and then doubleback to Bali. Will take some time but well worth it for the money you save. That price includes airfare, hotels, transfers and even breakfast everyday. Really spectacular savings.

XL Airlines flies Paris to New York. Most of the flight are Paris to New York but you can book New York to Paris for about $550 round trip, taxes and fees included. I didn’t try to book but the search engine brought up the right fare.

In part two, we’ll look at some of the websites mentioned at the New York Times Travel Show that will help you plan and book your next travel adventure.

New York Times Travel Show 2012 – Resources For You To Use is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Today’s guest post is from Tia of National Geographic’s ExploretheCanyon.com

Most of us love to travel by ourselves, unfettered by the constraints of time and schedules. When traveling by ourselves or with a set of close friends, we are free to wander around, discover new places and restaurants purely by serendipity. Chance encounters lead to new friendships, and hitting the road has never felt better. But sometimes you just don’t have the time or the luxury to go it alone. On really short vacations, cruise towns, adventure trips, dangerous territories, historically rich destinations or on drive intensive journeys, it is prudent to employ a tour guide. There are several places which just don’t speak a shred of English and in these instances, choosing a tour guide is a great means to overcome the language barrier.

Choose a travel tour guide who is qualified and licensed. Be on the lookout for these telltale signs which will indicate that you may have made the wrong tour guide choice. It is never too late to adopt plan B. If any of these signs pop up, it’s time to take drastic measures.

1. Asks you for money at every juncture – Although you might have made an upfront payment and seem to have discussed a ‘package deal’, many tour guides have the tendency to coerce money out of you – citing inflation or increased ticket prices. Be prepared for these eventualities and don’t give in to illogical demands, however persuasive they may seem. Sometimes tour guides also demand to be paid for food and lodging; unless this was expressly specified at the onset, you are not obligated to make these accommodations.

2. Language barrier – Though you depend on your guide for all forms of local communication, make it a point to pick up a few local phrases. There are several deals that might be made without your knowledge and you will not get down to the bottom of things, all because you were too comfortable to learn the language.

3. When Tips and commissions seem way too much – In places like Egypt, a substantial amount of money is spent in the form of tips. It is customary to do so, but in most cases, your tour guide tells you what an appropriate amount is. Sometimes vendors and servicemen strike deals with tour guides and manage to extract fat tips from you. Do you research beforehand and understand what an appropriate amount to give is. Don’t be pressurized to make any purchases, tour guides often operate on a commission basis and you will end up paying double or triple the cost of an indigenous ‘special’ souvenir.

4. Special free local ceremonies that cost you a bomb – There’s no nicer feeling than attending a local special event. Visiting a village fair, dining with a local family or attending a local marriage ceremony can open up fresh new perspectives. But be wary of these with your tour guide. You might have to shell out a bomb later. Some special ‘wine tasting’ ot ‘tea tasting’ ceremonies may seem harmless, but can run into hundreds of dollars. This is a travel rip off.

5. If ‘Off the beaten path’, looks a little too off – Sometimes, tour guides ‘invent’ sites of interest. In your eagerness to see something ‘different’, you may be taken for a ride. In the name of uniqueness, tour guides concoct places of interest – an obscure table in a dilapidated café where Oscar Wilde penned a limerick, or a bomb shelter that supposedly survived WWII which you drove over 3 hours to see. If something feels amiss, keep a smart phone handy and cross check the validity of your guide’s statements.

Tia Jones is a Marketing & PR Consultant who loves all things Travel & Technology. She’s a blogger who contributes articles on Travel Tips, Technology and Grand Canyon Attractions for National Geographic’s ExploretheCanyon.com. Feel free to follow Tia on Twitter @GrandCanyonNGVC and like Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center on Facebook.

5 Warning Signs That You’ve Chosen the Wrong Tour Guide is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Thank you all for continuing to read NoDebtWorldTravel!

Merry Christmas – Happy Chanukah – Blessed Kwanzaa to all – even if you don’t celebrate any of these holidays. I wish us all healthy minds and bodies, and the vision and courage to follow our passions, travel or otherwise. It’s the best gift we can give ourselves…

Brian

Happy Holidays 2011! is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

All the pundits will tell you that email is slowly dying. Facebook, Twitter and cell phone text messages are eating away at the necessity of email. The iconic “You’ve got mail!” from AOL is not just decreasing for AOL users but for anyone with an email address.

But let me give you two reasons to start reading your email again.
There are only a few emails that I read as soon as they come into my inbox. I mean I will drop everything and read every single line.

TravelZoo
The TravelZoo emails come out every Wednesday at approximately 11AM Eastern. They list the top 20 travel deals for the week as sent to them by airlines, cruise lines, resorts and other travel related companies. That can be anything from discounted airfare and cruises, Broadway shows, resort stays, etc. Most times the deals have certain restrictions but the offers are so tremendous that if you have the time and inclination, you could really get a steal of deal.

Some recent travel deals have included:

$599 — 13-Night Transatlantic Fall Cruise plus $100 Credit
$559 — Dominican Republic 6-Night Beach Escape from NYC
$2799 — Tanzania Serengeti Safari Vacation w/Air, $1500 Off
$10-$45 — Popular Las Vegas Shows, up to 80% Off

This is just a small sample. These deals usually have some type of time limitation or expiration. So as soon as the Wednesday email comes in, scan the list and jump on anything you like. Many of the best deals sell out very quickly.

Sovereign Man
Despite the name, this site is not just for men. Simon Black (not his real name) talks about topics relevant to those of us who want to be prepared. The world, and especially the world economy, is in constant flux. Some would use the word “disarray” and think the system could collapse at any time. Governments are tightening their control over citizens, many times with the pretense of preventing terrorism or financial collapse. Black advocates getting a second citizenship and passport, diversifying your income stream, opening businesses and bank accounts around the world and generally not being dependent on any one system or goverment. His motto in two words would be “self sufficiency”.

Topics covered in the last few weeks have included

Government crackdowns around the world including the United States
Radiation exposure from TSA airport screening machines
Disadvantages to getting a second passport (truth be told not many)
Setting up businesses in Chile
Setting up bank accounts in Singapore

I don’t always agree with what he says but I definitely agree with his overall premise of independence from any one institution or body. Emails arrive everyday and if you miss anything there is a weekend wrap-up email that summarizes the previous week’s topics.

So you have two good reasons to read your email. Travelzoo for that spontaneous trip and Sovereign Man if you want to diversify your life and prepare for any eventualities the world may bring. Or maybe take a trip and not come back…

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Two Travel Related Email List You Should Be Subscribed To is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
— Mark Twain

I remember flying 6 months after 9/11 to London, with my mom nonetheless. I just remember sitting in my aisle seat and thinking that if anything happens, we are about to rumble in the aisles.

Homeland Security. Transportation Security Administration. Two of the most common agencies in travel and probably known throughout the world did not exist before 9/11. Hard to believe since they feel like they have been there all the time.

We’ve had all the dust-ups wth invasive scanners, and TSA agents “groping” passengers. People screaming their civil liberties/privacy are being violated. Some just shrug and go with the flow. Some of it justified. Who is right? They all are. I just want to get to my destination and that is what I focus on.

September 11 made me want to travel more. Even after the Shoe Bomber and the Underwear Bomber. These guys sound like badly named villians from a comic book. But they were very real. They were able to get on the planes. Which forced the rest of us to have to go through the extensive patdown and taking off our shoes.

Flight attendants are learning karate. Pilots are carrying guns. Metal eating utensils are removed from flights.

Your favorite airline nearly didn’t survive 9/11. Hence we have a fee for everything, from checked luggage to $7 boxed meals (and I use the word meals loosely), to even talking to an airline rep on the phone to book a flight. The worst offenders (RyanAir and SpiritAir, I’m looking at you) are still flying and not having a problem filling planes. Presumably the lower airfares are still bringing customers and then the airlines taqg you with the extra fees to make up more revenue.

I’ve did most of my travel in my life in the past 5 years. Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Western Europe, Costa Rica, on and on.. I didn’t let 9/11 stop me from traveling.

I also didn’t let 9/11 let me paint a whole group of people with the same broad strokes that the hijackers used to paint Americans. I enjoyed my time in Egypt. 9/11 was on my mind but it wasn’t. I was more interested in seeing the Great Pyramids. I was more interested in talking to the shopkeepers who passionately told me that the vast majority of Egyptians did not feel the way the hijackers did. The cynical New Yorker in me could look at as a way to get me to buy another Egyptian rug or papyrus paper.

But I went anyway. And I travel because I did not want my only perception of a place or people to be from new media, whether that is CNN, FOX or Al Jazeera. The only way to really make INFORMED decisions about the world is to visit. Talk. Listen.

There will be all kinds of retrospectives on 9/11. Beyond all the social, economic and political reasons for the initial attacks and the ramifications, what does 9/11 mean to you on a personal level. For me it can summed up in two lines:

Live Life to the fullest now.

Make the decision to travel then travel to make decisions about your life and formulate educated opinions about the world around you.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Ten Years Later is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

New update: Passport Day 2011 is rescheduled for September 17, 2011. YES!

Thankfully the powers that be decided that this event was important enough to not scrap it until next year. As the world becomes closer and more connected, Americans need to be out there experiencing it and meeting people and cultures from all over the world. Good for the State Department for rescheduling. Now we just need to make sure the word gets out.

Check for the location Passport Office nearest you here: Passport Day in the USA 2011

UPDATE: Because of the potential for a government shutdown, Passport Day 2011 is cancelled until further notice – 8:19PM EST 04/08/11

This year’s annual Passport Day, sponsored by the US State Department, is designed to give Americans a convenient date for them to apply for new passports, renew their old ones, get pages added or get other questions answered about their international travels.

Check the Passport Day 2011 information here

I do remember last year there were giveaways at certain offices, snacks, etc.

This would be a great opportunity to bring the family. If you have young children you can knock out all the applications at once. Go to the website above, download the applications and fill them out beforehand. Some facilities will be able to take your pictures right there in the passport office, so do check before you arrive at the office with an incomplete application.

Seems like Passport Day has been very successful in getting more people to apply for passports since most passport offices are normally closed on Saturdays. But remember you can get a passport application at most post offices around the country and online at the State Department’s website. This is another way the State Department is reaching out the citizens and also telling them about services they might not have known about. One of the most important would be registering your arrival in a foreign country. When disasters like the earthquake and tsunami strike in Japan or civiil unrest erupts in Egypt, the State Department could be your only source of information or help. Registering will help them find you if needed.

So head out to Passpport Day 2011 on April 9, get there early and get those new country stamps in your passport. I wish there were lines to get your passport like there are for the latest hit movie or game or electronic gadget…

The little blue book that opens doors...

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

USA Passport Day 2011 – How To Get a US Passport If You Really Want One is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

As if on cue, Airbnb has responded in a big way to the bad press it has received recently with the host who had his/her apartment trashed by a renter.

The alleged culprit has been arrested but Airbnb caught alot of flak for 1. not responding to the host in a timely or compassionate way 2. not having any way to screen renters 3. not having any recourse in case something like this happened.

Airbnb Addresses Issues - Only After Being Prodded Into It...

As an Airbnb user, I got this email from the company early this week:

Hi Brian,

Sincerely,
Brian Chesky
CEO, Co-founder
Airbnb
brian.chesky@airbnb.com

Good job by Airbnb to step up and make an attempt to protect people who put their trust in the system they have setup. Some would say that all the heat put on the company by media and travel bloggers spurred them to action, but regardless they took the steps.

But I’d like to remind everyone that cases like this are the rare exception and not the rule. The vast majority of Airbnb users like me have had great experiences and would use it again without hesitation.

Keep an open mind the next time you would automatically look for a hotel. The success or failure of Airbnb not only affects the company but other companies that would try to provide more options for lodging and accommodations. Hotels would love to see Airbnb fail. The growth of Airbnb and other companies like it can only give travelers more options and ultimately, lower prices.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Airbnb Tries to Make Amends With Users by Offering Guarantees is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

This post is sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

You know why you’re unhappy?

You have too much stuff. Seriously, it could be as simple as that.

Backed by Scientific Research – Less Things, More Travel Make You a Happier Person from Cornell University (GO Big Redl!)

Our possessions tie us down. We have to work to pay to possess them. We work to pay off the credit card bills and maintain our credit score. We struggle to keep up with what we think others think we should be.

We buy X thinking it will make us feel better, that it will be able to keep up with the Jones, Johnsons, Thompsons, and Smiths.

The research shows that EXPERIENCES are the most lasting and fulfilling things in our lives.

The most liberating time in my life was when I was on my round the world trip. I have my laptop in a shoulder bag. Everything I else I need for 4 months through 4 continents was on my back. Everything.

Oh yeah and I sold my house the year prior. No worrying about a mortgage payment or renting out.

Are you stressed out? Can’t figure out why you’re so tired, so grumpy, so angry?

How much crap is in your hourse, your apartment? Look through your closet. How many of those clothes have you worn in the last 6 months? How about those books that you’ve read once and are piling up under your bed? How about the books you promised yourself you would read and have a thin coat of dust on them?

This article and research struck me, because consciously or not, I have been downsizing the amount the stuff I have.

I gave away the stacks of books I had.
CDs and DVDs donated too.
Lots of gear going to clothing drives.
I’ve been digitizing all my pictures and then tossing aside the orginials.
Anything that I had not used, worn, looked at or needed in the last 6 months is going to the wayside, slowly but surely.

And funny thing. I feel lighter. I really do.

Is the clutter of your physical space an extension of the clutter of your mind? How can you expand your mind if there is no space to fill it with new experiences?

And that is the key, isn’t it? Experiences. The lasting memory of a great trip, of sharing a new meal, of meeting a great new friend or lover, haggling for the perfect gift, watching a gorgeous sunset far from home. There are an infinite amount of experiences you can have. Seeking out what you like is an individual issue. But getting to the point where you can look for those new experiences is that hard part for many of us.

And you can’t open yourself to them if you’re physically and mentally attached to the old.

In a rut? Unhappy with your lack of travel? Try dumping some things from your life. It will may free your mind and body and give your more options and opportunity to travel.

Recently sold some of your stuff? Unburdened yourself from your house and car? How did it make you feel? Tell us in the comments below.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

The Key To Happiness in Travel and Life Is…? is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

This post is sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

Government in general is not known for doing much right. The layers of people and bureaucracy mean that the best plans usually never come to fruition because of how big the government machine is.

But there are always exceptions…

Case in point: The US State Department released a great free app called SmartTraveler. It condenses the State Department’s travel information someone who is actually on the road with their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Sorry Google fans, I don’t see the app for Android powered phones or tablets.

One benefit of the app is the ability for you to register for with the State Department before you arrive in a country, or even when you get there. In case of emergency, say the earthquake/tsunami in Japan or riots in Egypt, the State Department can find you, help you evacuate or give your other resources you may need if you’re in trouble. Many people don’t register, but I think its an important service that is wrongly ignored.

STEP – Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is something you pay for with your tax dollars as an American, so certainly take advantage of it.

The app covers everything you would need to know for any country you plan on visiting in the world. Can’t decide where you want to go next? The app allows you to shake your iPhone and it gives the info on a random country. If you don’t have a world map on a wall, a blindfold and a dart, this just might do to pick your next destination.

The app lists the latest travel warnings as deemed appropriate by the US State Department. There is always the debate about whether the State Department is too conservative in their warnings, but you can never be too careful.

Travel Alerts are similar to Travel Warnings, but are shorter term in nature.

The full list of what you may want to know before you go to a country is listed here. Safety & Security and Crime are big ones but some of the other categories can be just as important.

The app is not flashy, and that in my mind is what makes it great. Simple, orderly information for you to process and decide whether you should go, or whether you should get out if you’re there already. Check it out – Smart Traveler app

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

One of the Best Travel Apps for iPhone – From the US Government? is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

6 travel scams to avoid on your next trip

You try to be open when you’re traveling, but your openness makes you a target for scammers who will take advantage of your goodwill. How do you protect yourself without limiting your interactions with new people and cultures. There is no good answer for that. Trust your instincts and if something does not smell right to you, don’t be afraid to abruptly walk away. Don’t be afraid to be embarrassed or offend someone if you feel uncomfortable.

Americans have more restrictions removed for visits to Cuba

It really did not make as big of a splash as you thought it would because you still need to travel with a company for it to be legal. You can’t just just on plane and explore Cuba (at least not legally). But if you sign up with a group for cultural exchange, you can make Cuba your oyster.

Travel Video of the Week
Scorpion on a Plane
Passenger is on a plane to Alaska, feels something on his arm, looks down and sees a scorpion on his arm

How Could I Afford to Travel Around the World for 2 Years?

I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa a few times and her story should be an inspiration to anyone who wants to travel long term. It is possible, no matter your circumstances.

7 Frequent Flier tips that only the pros know

Business class lounges can be purchased for daily use. So if you have a long layover or just want to get into a comfortable seat with a hot buffet, the airline lounges may be the way to go for you. I never realized you can buy frequent flier miles. You may say what is the point when I earn them when I fly? Let’s say you’re about to reach a certain threshold to get more rewards. As opposed to flying to get them, plunk down your cash to get the miles and get the rewards that come with it without taking off.

10 of the World’s most thrilling airports

Thrilling…or the most panic inducing airports in the world. Be sure to bring a change of underwear.

How To Use Frequent Flyer Miles To Go Anywhere

Chris is a master of collecting and using frequent flier miles. Anything he says on the subject, you definitely want to read.

10 Ways to Survive 24+ Hours of Flying & Airports

The tips mostly talk about being on a plane, where I try to sleep as much as I can. I actually love airports. Wandering through the different restuarants, reading all the latest at Hudson News, people watching….

On Safari: If Africa’s Animals Were Motivational Speakers

I love this post because it probably repeats all the things you’ve heard from self-help speakers and books, but with African animals as the back drop.

13 of the Most Unusual Snack Foods From Around the World

I’m always willing to try anything once, but some of this stuff sound like hell in your mouth. I’ve had the durian in Thailand and the taste is nothing like the smell. I understand they have banned people from taking durian into the Bangkok train system and for good reason.

Malaysia Airlines Defends First-Class Baby Ban

Malaysia Airlines, I agree with you. Would you take a baby in a fine five star restaurant? How about to a nice theater performance? When I’m sipping my Champagne and eating my steak in first class, I don’t want to hear a screaming baby. Parents, you might have a different take on this. Tell us what you think in the comments below.

10 Fun Activities To Do When Visiting New York

Check out my New York City on a budget post where I put together all the different things on the web I’ve found on how to save money in New York City.

The Big Apple on a Budget: Discovering New York from a Different Angle

More on New York.

What You Can Do As A Solo Traveler to Save When Booking a Cruise?

Good news for solo travelers who want to cruise and but don’t want to pay the single supplement. I have to believe the solo traveler is the only demographic cruise lines have not pitched to until recently. With everyone scrambling for dollars in this economy, ignoring a subset of travelers with money to spend is leaving money on the table.

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel Deals and News – July 5, 2011 – How to Avoid Travel Scams, Scorpion on a Plane, Babies Banned from First Class, Travel to Cuba Saving Money in New York City is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel