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

Hopefully it will be on time this year. Passport Day 2011 was delayed by SIX months when the US federal government budget was approved, but it was awful close to the Saturday date, so they decided to preemptively cancel.

Passport Day 2012 in the USA is Saturday, March 10, and it provides the opportunity for you to visit your local Passport Agency Office and apply for a passport without an appointment if you don’t have one. If you need to renew or add pages, this is a great time to do it too.

Last year I went to Passport Day in New York City. I added pages and paid my fee for the pages and shipping. That was a Saturday. By Wednesday, 4 days later, it was delivered to me via US mail.

For folks looking to get their passport for the first time, this is a perfect opportunity. There probably won’t be any lines. Get there with the requirements, pay the fee and get out of there. You’ll have your passport in a few weeks, probably less time than that.

I’ve posted about Passport Day the last few years. Why do I post about this every year? Because sometimes it takes a small step to take big moves. That small move would be getting your passport. And it is a small move. But like many things, people make it more difficult than it really is. Get a couple of passport pictures and fill out the form and pay the fee. That is it.

The dream to travel is much like any task that can seem overwhelming. Break it down into small steps and then you can get to that trip you have been dreaming of. But first things first. Get the passport. That first step will get your momentum going and you’ll suddenly find yourself with opportunities to travel because you have the passport. Maybe something will come to you as you’re waiting for the passport to come back.

So mark your calendars and head out on Saturday with your application filled out, payment in hand and passport pictures ready to be used for the next 10 years, so make sure you like the shots. This small step is all you need to start that journey(s) of a lifetime.

Passport Day 2012 in the USA – Just Take a Little Step Forward is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

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

TSA launches toll-free help line for travelers with medical needs

This is very helpful if you or someone you know is in a wheelchair or has some other disability that would cause delay at the airport. It remains to be seen whether this will make folks feel better about the screening process. Will the interaction between the disabled public and front line TSA agents be better if there is some advanced warning before reaching the airport? One can only hope.

How Not To Fall Victim to Theft at the Airport and in the Air

I wrote a post about theft in the air when a flight attendant was caught stealing from passengers flying from Tokyo to Paris. Here are some more great tips to prevent someone stealing from you in the air or on the ground at the airport.

7 Tips For Flying With Young Kids

Good tips anytime of the year for flying with young kids. Giving them a good meal before the flight and trying to fly an overnight red eye seem like perfect ways to let the kids get rest, and everyone else around them too.

Technology at ski resorts offers skiers info, images of day on slopes

Very cool tech being used at ski resorts now. Anything that can be monitored or tracked on the slopes is being done now. The trails you’ve run, the distance traveled, calories burned etc. You can also get action shots of yourself gliding down the slopes, something that rarely happened unless someone else followed you down the mountain with a camera.

Apps to Keep Children Happy While You Travel

Just one thing: If you give a child a smartphone or tablet, please please, give them headphones. No one else on the plane wants to hear the beeps and blips that come that iPad. That could be more annoying than the kid screaming or running around.

Many fliers refuse to turn off electronic gadgets

Especially now with American Airlines giving their pilots iPads with all the maps and documentation needed to fly the planes in the first place. There will never be consensus. We can agree that the best explanation is that they want devices off during takeoff and landing so that passengers can focus on the directions from flight attendants.

Tipping guide for world travelers

You should definitely do research on this before you arrive on a foreign country. In some places to give a tip is offensive. You’d think people would want more money. But it does not always work like that.

Replacing a Missing Passport While Traveling Abroad

Have a copy of the passport photo page on your person when you travel and then take a scanned image of your passport and send it to yourself in email. Much faster to get back a passport and provide at least some type of identification while you wait for the replacement passport.

10 Things You Should Not Do When Traveling with Pets

Not sure about the rest of the world, but Americans love their cats and dogs. How do you take them on trips without endangering their health or lives and not causing problems for other passengers or pets?

How to Be A Tour Guide’s Nightmare

None of you would do any of this obnoxious stuff on a tour, would you? I remember having a guy who was constantly late when I led a trip to Costa Rica. It was bad enough when he made our group of 10 late. It was another thing when he delayed an entire boat of people who were not part of our tour. He was so shamed by all the eyes he as he boarded the boat late. I don’t think he was late again for the entire trip.

Best Travel Deals and News – December 21, 2011 – How To Tip When Traveling, Keeping Kids Under Control On Planes, Turning Off Devices When Flying, What Not To Do On A Tour, What To Do When You Lose Your Passport is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

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

How I Worked My Way Around The World

A great inspirational story about how one woman quit her job and traveled around, using a variety of odd jobs, her current skills and developing new skills. For many the reason that they won’t quit the job they hate and travel or move to another country is that they don’t know how they will support themselves. It can be done, you just need to find the path for yourself.

20 Best U.S. Airports for Tech Travelers

What do tech travelers want most of all at airports? Free wi-fi and lots of electrical sockets for charging. In fact that would be great on planes too.

10 More Secrets Your Flight Attendant Won’t Tell You

Flight attendant is one of the most difficult jobs on travel. You have to be part psychologist, police officer, waitress, and baggage handler, among other things. Don’t make their lives any more difficult by doing some of the things listed.

Confessions of An Airline Baggage ‘Thrower’: Why You Should Buy A Four-Wheeler Suitcase

The four wheeler suitcase protects the baggage from handlers who throws the bags on the aircraft. The bigger planes are better for luggage because the checked items goes into large bins as opposed to being placed on individually.

It’s Time for New Year’s Resolutions Relating to Travel, and I’ve Declared a Bunch of Them

A list that shows what we may want to strive for in 2012 when it comes to travel.

Can It Be Done? Midtown on a Budget

Some good cheap options in Midtown Manhattan that I will definitely try out myself.

As Troops Leave, US Hotel Chains Move Into Iraq

There are areas of Iraq that are deemed safer than others and that is where American hotel chains are building up. Iraqi Kurdistan is that place that was spared most of the fighting, and where hotels want to put structures in place to take advantage of business opportunities.

Why Studying Abroad Is Worth the Expense

If you ever wondered if a college student could benefit from studying abroad, here is your proof to take to your parents.

How To Earn Frequent Flyer Miles Without Getting More Credit Cards

For those with bad credit or who don’t want to take on additional debt, here are some resourceful ways to gain more frequent flier miles.

The Best and Worst Days to Fly

Very detailed analysis of when to fly, according to season and holiday.

Bumping and Overbooking

Guide to what to do when planes are overbooked and then you are bumped from a flight. Know your rights and you can get more than your fellow passengers realize they can receive.

It’s Ski Season! Check Out Strategies for Cheaper Lift Tickets

It’s been abnormally warm across most the U.S. this winter, but these tips are for this winter and any in the future.

Traveling To Iran As Americans: All You Need to Know

Iran is a country most won’t even think about going to, but it is possible to travel there safely. From the article most Iranians are curious about Americans and the hate portrayed on TV seems to be the work of a small minority of people.

Best Travel Deals and News – December 13, 2011 – Airports for Tech Travelers, Type of Suitcase You Should Get, Midtown Manhattan on the Cheap, Best Days of the Week to Fly is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

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

The Travel Paradox And Why Women Know Best

Are women better travel planners than women? Could be. If we were to generalize, men just want to jump in there and do things, while women want to plan everything out. Again this is a generalization but found to be true in many cases. You’ll find the contrasts especially when couples travel.

My Flying Lesson
Alec Baldwin. Alec, just turn off the iPad and shut up please!

Travel Video of the Week
Health Tips for Travel to a Dangerous Country

How Panic Doomed Air France Flight 447

This story still bothers me because we don’t have all the facts with so many lives lost. The author’s hypothesis is that the pilots got scared when the plane’s systems malfunctioned. Had he calmed down and thought through the situation, he and everyone aboard would have lived, according to this article.

Sing For Your Supper, Work For Your Bed: “Free” Volunteer Vacations at Working Farms

Some of the best deals in travel. By working on farms or doing odd jobs, you can get a place to sleep and food. Sure beats staying in a pricey hotel or even a hostel. The tradeoff is the work. But if you’re able-bodied, you can do it.

How to Find Ski Lift Tickets for Less

This is the time for skiing and these are some great tips for you to save while you carve up the mountain.

Should English Be The World’s International Language?

If you talk to many people, it should. Until we get to the state of the Star Trek universal translator, we need one language so that we can all communicate. Then the argument would be, why not Mandarin Chinese? Or Spanish? Swahili? Because English is the language of the dominant Western world. In particular, the United States.

10 things to learn about yourself when traveling alone

I can say I definetely experienced all of this on my round the world trip. The one thing I really learned is that you really don’t need much to survive. I traveled for 4 months with just the clothes on my back and got on fine. It is liberating knowing that the possessions you think you need you really don’t.

How to get extra legroom on a plane

How to score extra legroom? If you don’t score one of those bulkhead or exit row seats, you’ve got to pay for it.

Get More Frequent Flier Miles Without Signing Up for Yet Another Credit Card

If you have bad credit can you accumulate frequent flyer miles like everyone else who uses credit cards (the fastest and most common way). Yes you can with a little creative work on your part.

How To Organize Your Own Press Trip

If you are a traveler who would love to get deeper into the travel industry while securing free or partial paid trips, a press trip is for you. If no one is knocking down your door offering them to you, then create your own. Sherry Ott has put together a blueprint of how to put on a press trip for yourself.

What Not to Do When Traveling Over the Holidays

Traveling the day of holidays has worked for me but this article recommends against it.

Top 25 Ways to Save on New York City Travel

Some good tips for Broadway shows and cheap meals amongst other things.

How to Travel for Less by Bartering

A traveler who stays in houses for free. Yes it is possible if you are a house-sitter. Walk the dog. Pick up the mail. Water the plants. Can you do that? Sure you can because you do it at home already. Why not do it abroad in a foreign country.

Best Travel News and Deals – December 6, 2011 – How to Get Free Accommodations, How to Find Housesitting Gigs, How to Get Cheaper Ski Lift Tickets, What You Learn When You Travel Alone 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.

From loyal reader Karen
The World’s Best Airport Amenities

Need to go hiking before your flight to loosen your legs? How about some golf to practice your putting? More things you can do at airports around the world besides waiting around for your flight in hard seats and eating overpriced food.

The Plague Of American Cheapskates

Tip everyone everywhere. I think it is ingrained in me, even in cultures like Japan where they look at you strange when you leave a little something extra.

Mystery Illness Hits Cruise Ship, US Tourist Dies
Travel Video of the Week
The headline is a little deceptive. OK a lot deceptive. The mystery illness was actually the stomach flu. And the person who died had prexisting medical conditions that could have contributed to her death. But the point is that if you’re sick or even extremely out of shape, a trip of any kind could be hazardous to your health. Plus you’ll enjoy your trip more if you are active and alert. I can’t imagine a hypertensive and diabetic person like the woman who died could fully enjoy herself with her health failing.

Before You Die

Travel. Travel before you get old or life catches up with you and don’t know where the time went.

Cambodia’s surprising cuisine: Spiders, anyone?

I was going to Cambodia to eat the still beating heart of a cobra. Never got around to it. But there are other things you can eat that will make others queasy and nauseous. Have great stories for your friends back home and brownie points for being so adventurous.

Vending machine offers DIY banners at Dutch airport

I think this is a cute idea. Get to the airport and meeting a loved one? You can create a banner to greet them. “WELCOME HOME!” “CONGRATULATIONS!”, etc. Not sure how many times I’ve seen that in airports but maybe if the machines for banners are then more people would do it.

Common air travel myths — busted

Once that plane is in the air, the doors cannot be opened. The air pressure holds the door in place. Only Superman could open plane doors after takeoff.

The fun and pitfalls of taking a cruise

I keep posting these articles up and will continue to do so until I take a cruise.

Why flying on planes can make you sick – and how to stop it

Germs are everywhere on a plane. So what can you do? Wash your hands, don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth, and carry disinfectant wipes for the seat tray and other surfaces.

VIP Airport Lounge: An Oasis at the Airport

Even if you need to buy your way in, the $50 may be worth it, especially if you have a long layover. The amenities and potential free food could make that next flight that much easier and, dare I say it, enjoyable.

The TSA May Unwrap Your Christmas Gifts

Don’t wrap those Christmas gifts before your flight. Or else you might find that nice wrapping paper and all your work to put it on perfectly on the floor of the airport.

Affordable Africa: the pros & cons of overland truck tours

Doing an overland truck trip in Africa is one of those things that you really have to want to do, but once you get started it sounds like it would be a great adventure. Be ready for long rides, but you’ll have the safety of the group and an easier time getting through border crossings if you decide to go.

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 – November 29, 2011 – Common Air Travel Myths Busted, How To Not Get Sick from an Airplane, Traveling Overland in Africa 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.

How to avoid airline fees
This story will get harder and harder to write as more airlines put in fees that you just can’t avoid. Remember the lure: super low prices and then you add the baggage fees, the fee for the (dirty) pillow and blanket, for talking to an agent on the phone, etc. This has forced travelers to become more self sufficient trying to avoid any contact with the airline until they are actually on the flight.

New rules, tips for Thanksgiving fliers
A lot of this will apply for Christmas/New Year’s travel also. Less seats means more crowded flights. As I always preach, book your flights as soon as you know what your dates are, get to the airport early and make sure to read the fine print.

Travel Video of the Week
What is CouchSurfing?

CouchSurfing has a nice brief video that explains the concept for the traveler who has not heard of it yet. You sleep on someone’s couch, spare bedroom, etc. all for free. The intent is for cultural exchange and sharing. The host does not have to, but is assumed to entertain the hostee or at least show them the ropes of the area they are in. The traveler is not supposed to abuse the privileged of getting a place to stay for free and be on their best manners.

What Not to Pack
Have you ever gone away on a trip and realized that you did not use or wear 50% of what you packed? I used to be that person, until I learned the joy of packing less clothing and the hotel/hostel/local laundry. The article also talks about jewelry and I can’t understand why anyone is taking anything of value on a plane. Unless you’re a diamond dealer or a rapper from 80s, leave the bling at home.

The etiquette of crowded flying
“Suggested” responses to some of the more common flying quandaries, like should you recline your seat and crying babies on flights. Flying requires more and more patience these days. More people slammed into the same size aircraft. With so many people in close proximity, nerves are bound to be irritated more frequently and much faster. Take a breath (or a few) and try to get to your destination without a shouting match, or being lead off the plane in handcuffs.

TSA Turns 10: Examining the Agency’s Strengths and Weaknesses
The TSA gets ridiculed for patting down wheelchair bound grandmas, forcing cancer victims to show their prosthetic breasts and making small children cry when they have to take a “closer look” at the stuffed bear. But the fact remains there has not been a successful hijacking of a plane since 9/11. We’ve had the shoe bomber, the underwear bomber and we’ve been lucky they weren’t very good at what they tried to do.

5 ways to be international at home
If you can’t travel now, there are ways to get that international flavor without jumping on a boat or plane and getting your passport stamped. I like the postcard exchange program. Very cool. They recommend hosting an exchange student. You can also become a Couchsurfing host to have a steady stream of people in your home. There are some people who love this, especially when they can’t travel.

Cancer-Causing Airport Scanners? Enough Is Enough
The debate continues on whether the new body scanners at US airports cause cancer. We probably won’t know for another 20 years, like with cell phones.

U.S. Airlines: No Pillows In Coach, But It’s Sundae Time Up Front
First class customers, you are very special to the airlines. Very, very special.

Cambodia’s surprising cuisine: Spiders, anyone?
Cambodia was where I wanted to eat the still beating cobra heart. Never got around to it. Apparently there were other treats for me to sample had I known they were there.

Get your flu shot at the airport
Miss your flu shot? You can get them at the airport. Be warned that some think the flu shot is a scam at best and at worst, part of a worldwide conspiracy.

Is Travel to Cuba for Americans Worth the Hassle?
Is it? Until the US lifts the restrictions on its citizens, we always have to be careful about getting your passport marked with a Cuban stamp.

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 – November 22, 2011 – What is Couchsurfing, How to Avoid Airline Fees, What NOT To Pack When You Travel, Why Airlines Love First Class Passengers 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.

How To Find Cheap Airfares In Any Season
The first 3 tips involve social media (Facebook, Twitter) and email. Those should be your first resources because they are the quickest to access. Also don’t forget the travel agent. They have been pushed to the side because of the Internet, but there are many instances when a travel agent is your best choice. If you’re taking a cruise for the first time, or traveling with a large group, or going to a very specialized location, a travel agent can be the best bet.

Frequent Flyer Tips That Only The Pros Know
A lot of the talk is about frequent flyer programs, which the airlines are using to keep the most loyal and high volume (high revenue) customers.

Travel Video of the Week
How to Survive a Plane Crash

Not something we want to think about, but the possibility is there when we get on a flight. The good news is that the odds are you should never need this information.

Your New US Passport May Need a “Shield”
I’d like to make a correction from the article. The author says you do not get your passport back. But I did get mine back when I renewed as part of Passport Day 2011. Not sure if that was a mistake or if there are circumstances where you don’t get your passport back.
The original intent of the article was to talk about the small chip in new passports that transmits information wirelessly. You’ll want to get a passport holder that blocks the radio signals from being picked from any person who is close enough to pull the information.

15 Ways to Get the Best Hotel Rate
Read them all. Use and reuse. That is all.

Burglar targets traveling Facebook friends
There have been stories about this before and I think it is great to mention it again. You must be careful when you announce your exact travel plans on Twitter, Facebook, etc. You never know who is watching and waiting to pounce on your house/apartment and possessions.

14 Ways to Ditch the Crowds in the Caribbean
Some ideas of places to hit in the Caribbean that only the savvy traveler or local resident know about.

How to battle jet lag in your KIDS
A new take on an old topic. Jet lag in young children. One parent admitted using cough medicine to get the kids to sleep on the flight. But the options for kids to beat jet lag are pretty much the same as for adults: Drink plenty of water, get sunlight in the new location and try to work/play according to the local time zone.

How can a 16-year-old travel?
Travel is possible for everyone: even a teenager who doesn’t have any money of her own. See some of the suggestions given to her.

Bizarre hotels: Sleep in a coffin or cliff-top yurt
I love the hostel inside of the decommissioned airliner.

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 – November 15, 2011 – How To Get the Best Hotel Rate, How Can a Teenager Travel, Best Ways to Find Cheap Airfares, Hidden Spots in the Caribbean 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.

Why Fly When You Can Take A Cruise Instead?
I am one of the 80% of Americans that has never taken a cruise. There are some travelers who look down at cruises as not “authentic” travel. Just opinion, in my opinion. Anything that gets travelers to a country other than their own, I am all for.

Travel Video of the Week
One Day on Earth

One Day on Earth – Motion Picture Trailer from One Day On Earth on Vimeo.

Carmen Sandiego Movie Coming With Jennifer Lopez As Producer
J Lo as producer? I don’t know. But Carmen Sandiego was a big hit back in the day. How that would convert to the big screen would be an interesting test.

Hipmunk’s Thanksgiving Travel Guide (INFOGRAPHIC)
You should really consider flying on Thanksgiving Day. Less travelers and the prices may be slightly lower. Everyone want to be there on Thanksgiving morning. If you can get there by 2PM, you’re still in time for dinner and football.

An All-Night Bath Experience In Tokyo (PHOTOS)
Next time in Tokyo must try. Scrubbed fresh and clean and massaged for your time in Tokyo.

Would You Change Into Pajamas, Bathrobe, and Slippers on an Overnight Flight?
I say why not. As long as you are somewhat clothed, what’s the harm. Overnight flights are meant for sleeping so get as comfortable as possible. Just don’t strip down to your underwear and not expect to get a reaction from your fellow passengers.

Are We There Yet? When Families Fly
If you’re concerned about being separated from your kids on a flight, or not having enough milk to feed your toddler, you’ll want to read this story. The airlines are on razor thin profit margins (if there are any profits at all) so alot of the niceties they would extend to families are gone. Be prepared well in advance and don’t count on the airlines giving you any favors just because you’re bringing kids on board.

Can Egypt Overcome Its Travel P.R. Problem?
A big problem for Egypt. When there is violent revolution in a country it is hard to convince folks who want a nice peaceful vacation that they won’t get caught up in drama or not be able to leave the country when they have to. Your best protections is to stay on top of the news and make sure your travel insurance allows you to cancel for any reason. They do have those types of travel insurance policies but you’ve got to ask for it.

The Bahamas for a buck? Vision Airlines offers $2 round-trip flights BUT You End Up Paying Alot More
Remember that these prices sometimes have huge hidden costs? This one requires you to buy time at the resort, which raises the price to almost $1000. There are great deals out there, but make sure you read the fine print.

World’s happiest countries: 1 to 187
I find it sad that the bottom 10 countries are all on the African continent.

10 hostel mates you meet in hell
I laughed because most hostel visitors have encountered some of these people. But I think most would go back to hostels because the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

7 Winter Adventures (No Skis Required)
Don’t want to ski? Can’t ski? There are still many options for the winter months. I love the idea of going to Iceland and swimming in the thermal pools naturally heated by volcanoes. I did that in Costa Rica and it was great. In Iceland you can have the alternating freeze/thaw effect with the cold weather and the hot springs.

Wanted: American couple for South Africa Tourism commercial
This could be a great deal for you and your honey. Convince the South African tourism board that you would be the best representative to show the wonders of the country. Free trip! Go ahead and apply.

8 Worst-Case Travel Scenarios
Your worst fear realized. Car accident in a rental. You lose your wallet. You end up in jail in a foreign country. You may not be able to completely eliminate the risk but there are things you can do to protect yourself and speed up getting yourself out of a sticky situation.

World’s best cities for street food
Bangkok, New York, some cities just lend themselves to great street food. The food truck is really big in many North American cities and is only getting bigger. Street food can be filling, cheaper and just as tasty as any sit-down restaurant.

Learn a New Language for Under $100
One of the biggest fears of some travelers is being in a foreign place and not having anyone understand you. You don’t have time for immersion classes before you get to your destination. Personally I like the Pimsleur series for learning enough for conversational use. Here are some other ideas for learning languages, either online or with content downloaded to your computer or smartphone.

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 – November 8, 2011 – Learning a Language on the Cheap, Fly on Thanksgiving Day, Bad Travel Situations and How to Get Out of Them, Best World Street Food, Flying with Kids 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.

Verbling
From loyal reader K.D.
I have not used this service but K.D. thought this would be a great idea for people who want to practice their language skills without having to travel around the world.

JetBlue passengers stranded on plane for hours
By now you’ve heard about this. Most planes take off and land without problem every day in the United States and around the world. To be stuck for 7 hours without working toilets, food or water is a shame. Couldn’t they get a bus and a portable staircase and get them off the plane? Couldn’t they have brought food and water to the plane if they couldn’t take the passengers off? None of this makes sense to me. Will the TSA enforce the rule that the airline be fined $27000 per passenger? I certainly hope so.

How To Keep Young Children Safe When Flying
The key to safety is that everyone on board should have their own seat. That means that every child should be a in car seat if they cannot be buckled into the seat. Parents try to save money and contend they can hold a child in their arms. But we’ve seen that bad turbulence can toss around a cabin and make everything, including your child, go flying.

Travel Video of the Week
International Currency Exchange

Practical tips for getting money in a foreign country. In a sentence: Don’t get money from a foreign exchange counter at the airport.

Everything You Ever Wanted To Ask An Airline Gate Agent
Great article! The confirmation that dressing a little better can get you a better chance of an upgrade is good news. Courtesy and making the life of the airline gate agent easier will better your chance for better treatment. Gate agents are people too and they’ll help those who are pleasant to them, just like anyone else would.

When You Should Have Booked Your Thanksgiving Flight? Ummm…Yesterday?
Stop reading this and BOOK NOW!

Left-Handed Travelers Face Hassles
Are you a left handed traveler? Do you notice the world is geared for righties as you travel?

IPads change economics, and speed, of hotel Wi-Fi
Anyone notice that their hotel wi-fi is slower? These networks were built anticipating that there would be one laptop connecting in a hotel room. Now you may have a laptop, tablet and smartphone in one room, all competing for bandwidth. Hotels might become like the cable companies and charge for higher speeds. Another potential profit center.

Who Travels the Most? [Chart]
The Europeans and Australians should dominate this category and they do, with more vacation time than other parts of the world. The US is so far behind because of the lack of time off.

5 train trips everyone should experience
Train travel is slow and leisurely. I did it from southern Thailand back to Bangkok just for a change of pace and throughly enjoyed myself on an overnight train. These other train rides around the world will give you a difference perspective from the one that has you standing in a airport security line.

How to Choose the Right Travel Luggage
This is great criteria to look at, but for me it is all about the backpack, even for short trips. Keeps your hands free and no chance of your luggage being lost or stolen because it is on your back.

5 places that offer free classes in New York
One of the best ways to experience a new place is to take a class. I took a cooking class in Thailand that was one of the many highlights of my round the world trip. In New York City, there are free classes of many kinds. These give you a chance to take in the city in a very nontraditional way.

How to fund your travel videos
If you’re a person who loves to travel and use your creative mind for videos of your adventures, you may want to get someone else to pay for it. Here are some ideas on how to get money for those travel videos you love to produce.

Top 25 Ways to Save on Paris Travel
Paris is the City of Light and one of the most popular destinations on the planet. Use these tips to maximize your time and your money.

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Best Travel Deals and News – November 1, 2011 – How to Pick Travel Luggage, Ask an Airline Gate Agent, Free Classes in New York City, Keeping Kids Safe When They Fly is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel