REPOST: Birmingham in Rough Guide ‘top 10 cities in the world’

This article from BBC unveils new travel attractions in 2015.

The Bull Ring shopping centre houses more than 160 outlets | Image Source: bbc.com

Birmingham has been named as one of the top 10 cities in the world by travel handbook company Rough Guide.

It joins Johannesburg, New Orleans and Wellington on the list, described by the firm as “a comprehensive and reliable rundown of the best places to travel in 2015”.

Birmingham was described as having cultural variety, excellent shopping and a buzzing live music scene.

It is the only UK location on the list, which does not rank the chosen cities.

According to the guide, the conurbation has “long outgrown the squalor and misery of its boom years”, and is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Britain.

The glowing recommendation, though, is tempered by “there’s no pretending that Birmingham is packed with interesting sights – it isn’t – but, along with its first-rate restaurant scene and nightlife, it’s well worth at least a couple of days.”

Defining Birmingham

1. Culture

The Library of Birmingham, which cost £189m to build and houses a collection of one million books, opened in 2013. The Ikon gallery features artists from around the world with work including sound, film, mixed media, photography, painting and sculpture. Symphony Hall Birmingham entertains about half a million concert-goers every year and provides education programmes. (Source: Visit Birmingham)

2. Famous faces
Youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, goes to school in Birmingham. Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath hails from the city, as did the inventor of custard powder, Alfred Bird – whose legacy can be seen in arts centre the Custard Factory. And unlikely as it seems, the region recently staked a claim on Charlie Chaplin, who some believe was born in a caravan in Smethwick.

3. The accent
The Birmingham accent frequently comes bottom in polls of people’s favourites. It is rarely heard on television or in films unless they are comedies – until BBC TV drama Peaky Blinders came along.

4. Cultural melting-pot
A city of world cultures, the 2011 census found 42% of Birmingham’s population was non-white and 94 languages were in use, including Creole, Luganda and Yiddish.

5. Industry
“Brummies” turned their hands to every kind of manufacturing, gaining the epithet “the city of 1001 trades”. In the 18th Century, men at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution – including James Watt, Matthew Boulton, and Joseph Priestley – formed the Lunar Society, where they shared scientific and industrial ideas. They conceived the world’s first purpose-built factory, invented gas lighting and pioneered both oxygen distillation and the mass production of the steam engine. (Source: Rough Guide)

The Library of Birmingham was shortlisted for the Riba architectural prize | Image Source: bbc..com

The BBC TV drama Peaky Blinders is set in Birmingham – but is not made in the city | Image Source: bbc.com

Activist Malala Yousafzai, rock star Ozzy Osbourne and father of custard Alfred Bird are some of Birmingham’s leading lights | Image Source: bbc.com

The guide’s authors said New Street Station’s renovation, due to finish next year, was among the things which made 2015 the “ideal time to visit” Birmingham.

They also said the city has “often missed out on its share of the limelight” due to competition from “cultural powerhouses” London and Liverpool.

But “creative hotspots” like Digbeth, site of the former Bird’s Custard Factory, were emerging to redress the balance, they added.

Other notable spots highlighted by Rough Guide included the Gas Street Basin, described as “the prettiest part of the city’s serpentine canal system”.

Gas Street Basin was described as the “prettiest part” of Birmingham’s canal system | Image Source: bbc.com

Hi! I’m Louis Habash. As a travel writer, I always love to record the thrills and spills of my adventures. Follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my journey.

REPOST: Top 6 Least Expensive Tourist Destinations in 2014

Running out of budget to travel? This article compiled six travel destinations that will surely provide great value for your money.

What are the least expensive tourist destinations in 2014? You don’t have to break the bank to have a nice getaway. Dutch researchers did a research study on the effects of vacations on happiness. They had very surprising results. The largest increase in happiness doesn’t come from the vacation itself. Actually, the planning and anticipation of a vacation make people the happiest for a duration of 8 weeks. After the vacation is over, their overall happiness levels drops to the baseline and the drop is pretty sharp. After the vacation is over, the people who went to the vacation weren’t happier than the people who haven’t been on a vacation.

Image Source: insidermonkey.com

There is another interesting finding. The researchers also measured the relationship between the length of the vacation and overall happiness. Contrary to common sense they didn’t find any positive relationship. So, it really doesn’t matter whether you had a 3-day vacation, or a 7 day vacation or a 28-day vacation. Since most of the happiness boost comes from planning and anticipating the vacation, it may make more sense to have 2-3 short vacations throughout the year instead of one long vacation. So, instead of spending a bundle on an expensive vacation you can try to find affordable tourist destinations so that you have enough money left for another vacation in a few months.

If you haven’t yet decided on the perfect getaway destination for fear of going too much over your budget, we are here to help. Following, we would like to present you with a list we have compiled of the top 6 least expensive tourist destinations in 2014. The following destinations all have great sceneries and attractions to offer tourists and the best thing is that they provide great value for your money. As you will see below, going away on holiday doesn’t have to break your budget, as there are plenty of nice and reasonably priced alternatives to choose from. Don’t forget to check out our lists of top travel destinations in south america, best places to visit in Mexico that are safe and beautiful, and cheapest countries to live in the World.

No. 6: Riga, Latvia

If you’re looking for the cultural experience of your lifetime you should definitely consider booking your holiday in Riga, Latvia. In 2014, this city has been dubbed as the European Capital of Culture and will offer plenty of celebrations and festivals to all of its visitors this year. Because is not exactly one of the most popular touristic destinations in the world, you can easily find affordable accommodation in the Latvian capital.

No. 5: Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw is not your typical European destination, but it is a beautiful and historically rich place, you’re bound to love. You’ll simply be enchanted by its historic buildings and huge gardens. Take a stroll to the city’s Old Town district and you will fall in love in an instant. And the best thing yet? Accommodation prices have gone down by 20% compared to 2013.

No. 3: Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a vibrant and picturesque city with a lot to offer from busy nightclubs to over-the-top shopping centers. And 2014 might just be the year to visit it, as accommodation rates are down by 8% compared to last year.

No. 2: Venice
2014 is the perfect time to be visiting Venice, as hotel rates have dropped 7% compared to last year. Apart from more affordable accommodation, Venice also has a lot to offer: 13th century architecture, modern museums, and breathtaking sceneries. While you’re there, don’t forget to pay a visit to Murano, the glass blowing factory.

No. 1: The Dominican Republic

If you’re looking for the perfect beach experience at an affordable price, the Dominican Republic should be amongst your top choices. While you might not all afford spending our summer holidays in Cabo, the Dominican Republic’s all inclusive resorts offer good value for money. For example, a five star resort in Punta Cana can cost an average of $200 per night for two persons. And that’s all-inclusive.

Hi, this is Louis Habash. Follow me on Twitter for more links to my travel and culture stories.

For the new traveler: Some funny books to keep you company

Image Source: lifehacker.com

It is often said that wisdom is the ability to learn from other people’s experiences. In this way, mistakes are not repeated and one is able to live a fuller, more enriched life. Gaining wisdom can be achieved through different avenues that extend to books, travel, or other means. My favorite option would be traveling to different places. For me, there is nothing better than taking life by its horns and immersing myself in different cultures. Still, as much as I plan to go around the world, I still learn from other people’s travels. The best thing is that there are travelogues that are incredibly funny and offer unique insights in some of the more uncommon cultures. I’ve listed some of my treasured books below:

Image Source: friedsnickers.com

The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Maarten Troost: If the title doesn’t get your attention, I am not sure what will. No need to fear though; this isn’t a kinky sex book. It’s actually a personal memoir of the author and his personal search for himself as he leaves the country and resides in a remote South Pacific island in the Republic of Kiribati.

Image Source: waterstones.com

Are You Experienced? by William Sutcliffe One of the funniest novels I’ve read in a while. This book talks about a British narrator’s trip to India and all the funny, quirky happenings that went on in a few months’ time. Definitely recommended for the curious backpacker.

Hopefully these two books will help you as they did me. I think it’s important that we take knowledge where we can find them. After all, the goal of traveling is to develop a more broad-minded view of the world.

I am Louis Habash, a freelance travel writer with a passion for learning about the different cultures in the world. Subscribe to my blog to read some of my travel tales.

REPOST: Best deals to stay connected while travelling

One of the most frustrating hurdles when traveling is staying connected to those you left behind. This article by Blayne Sabbert from Stuff.co.nz discusses the different ways to side-step this hurdle.

FLYING HIGH: Downloading maps before you leave home can save on data while travelling. | Image Source: stuff.co.nz

Travelling overseas is fun, but excessive use of your phone resulting in big bills can take the shine off any trip.

It’s so easy to get off the plane, turn on your phone and get connected straight away. But if you’re not paying attention, you could get stung by hefty roaming charges when you get home.

More people want to use their phones while travelling and Spark (formerly Telecom) says its customers are using 700 per cent more data than in 2012 when travelling overseas.

The other alternative is to use a local sim card but the quality of service may not be what you are used to, not to mention the lack of coverage if you head to out-of-the-way areas.

But Kiwi phone companies are starting to offer tempting roaming deals, which is good for anyone who travels a lot and wants to stay connected.

The best deals are offered to those who have a monthly account, so if you are using prepay, it is worth your time reading up on how you can get the best prices.

There are some ways to ensure you don’t use data needlessly. Firstly, download any maps you think you may use. Google Maps is best for this, though the offline maps only last 30 days.

This also applies to any books, music or movies you may want access to while travelling. A bit of planning can not only save money but also time, as 3G or wi-fi in some countries is very slow.

Before you leave, transfer any photos to your computer or your cloud storage to make sure you have a lot of space for new snaps. Another trick is to disable mobile data so you phone can only use wi-fi.

Also, hunt out free wi-fi at cafes, restaurants or libraries to get your online fix. But the best ways to avoid steep costs is to leave your phone at home and enjoy your holiday device-free.

Vodafone

Packages: Account customers can pay $5 to use the calling minutes, texts and data on their New Zealand plans when visiting Australia, Britain, the United States, and 15 other countries.

Data: 50c/MB in Australia and $10/MB in other countries.

Calls: $3 to make a call and $1 to receive a call for many countries.

Texts: 80¢ to most countries.

Telecom

Packages: None available.

Data: $10 a day for Australia, US, Britain and 13 other countries for account customers. Prepaid customers pay $1/MB in Australia and up to $8 in other countries.

Calls: 49¢ to make a call and $1 to receive a call in Australia. This goes up to $4.49/$1 for other countries.

Texts: 80¢ a text in all countries.

2degrees

Packages: Account customers using their mobiles in Australia will pay 10c a minute for calls and texts and 10c/MB to Australian and New Zealand numbers. All customers can get 300Mb of data in Australia over seven days for $10.

Data: 50¢/MB in Australia, China, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, US and Vanuatu. Varies for other countries ($2.50/MB in Britain)

Calls: 44¢ a minute from and within Australia. Rates for other countries vary.

Texts: Texting in most countries costs 79¢, though only 10¢ in Australia for account customers.

Local Sim cards

The downside of buying a local sim card is that you don’t always know what you are getting. In Australia, Vodafone offers a good deal, but it’s coverage is quite poor in areas out of the main centres. Also, you have to find somewhere to buy them or queue at the airport with the dozens of other travellers, therefore it pays to do you homework before leaving home.

Read more about traveling solutions by subscribing to Louis Habash’s blog.

REPOST: Holiday selfies: The one sight we’re all travelling for

 This Daily Telegraph article makes a list of the top 5 must-snap travel or holiday selfies of young and old audiences.

Holiday selfies are a national pastime among travellers both young and old. | Image Source: dailytelegraph.com

WHEN it comes to sightseeing, there’s one sight Australians can’t seem to get enough of when they’re on holidays – themselves.

And it’s not just Gen Y that’s hooked on selfies, with Grey Nomads getting in on the trend too.

More than half of Australian travellers admit being selfie obsessed on holidays, taking at least one photo of themselves every day, a survey found.

And one in 10 young Aussies snaps more than 10 selfies a day.

Four out of five 18-to-29-year-olds said they were regular selfie-takers, along with three in five 30-49-year-olds, the survey of 7000 Australians by travel booking site Wotif.com found.

And among senior selfie snappers, two in five travellers aged 50-65, and one in five over-65s, enjoyed putting themselves in the picture.

Few travellers could keep up the selfie-pace of Kim Kardashian who reportedly took more than 1000 selfies on her Thailand holiday earlier this year, or Justin Bieber’s latest selfie spree while holidaying in Ibiza.

Wotif.com spokesperson Kirsty La Bruniy said it was only a matter of time before cameras were ditched in favour of phone selfies on holiday.

“Travellers and celebs alike have jumped on board the selfie photo bandwagon, with many selfie trends appearing on news feeds, being tweeted and hash tagged around the world,” Ms La Bruniy said.

“They’re easier than ever to take with ‘selfie sticks’ being held in front of iconic backdrops all over the world.”

TOP 5 MUST-SNAP HOLIDAY SELFIES

You don’t get a much better backdrop for a selfie than the Eiffel Tower. | Image Source: dailytelegraph.com

1. The icon selfie: If you’re travelling solo, or just want to do it for fun, take a photo with the nearest icon on your next holiday, whether it be the Eiffel Tower or the Big Pineapple.

The ultimate lazy holiday shot – you don’t even need to worry about hair and makeup. | Image Source: dailytelegraph.com

2. The feet selfie: Snap your toes on holiday, with the sandy beach or resort pool in the background.

Just me … and a few thousand of my new travel friends. | Image Source: dailytelegraph.com

3. Take an “usie”: See how many of your travel buddies you can squeeze into a group selfie photo, also dubbed the usie.

Dive on in if you really want to make a splash with your social media selfie posts. | Image Source: dailytelegraph.com

4. The underwater selfie: Get selfie snapping while you’re snorkelling or diving with an underwater camera.

You don’t even have to be on holidays to give this one a go – your own backyard might even do the trick. | Image Source: dailytelegraph.com

5. The spring or autumn selfie: Find your favourite patch in the nearest park and take a head shot surrounded by flowers or on a bed of autumn leaves.

Get the latest travel trends by visiting this blog by Louis Habash.

REPOST: Tips for first-time travel – from other travellers

When going on vacation to a place for the first time, it can either go really well or really bad. To avoid the latter, Lonelyplanet.com compiled a list for first-time travelers.

Image Source: lonelyplanet.com

There’s perhaps only one thing better than travelling to a place for the first time – going there for a second round.

Lonely Planet has a bucketload of advice for first-timers (in our guidebooks, mobile apps and on lonelyplanet.com) but one of the best spots for know-how is our favourite and most vocal resource: other travellers on the Thorn Tree forum.

They’ve got advice on what to do if it’s your first time in Japan or Cuba or Scandinavia or Chester or [insert destination here]. But some advice is consistent, no matter which country you’re travelling to. Here are some of the lessons they’ve learned the hard way (so you don’t have to).

The number one reminder for first-timers on Thorn Tree is – don’t try and cram in too much. No really.

It’s natural to want to make the most of a first visit – there’s always that little voice warning you might not be back, so you’d better see everything you possibly can. But if you try to tick off too many boxes and cover too much ground, you’ll end up frustrated, exhausted, and chances are you won’t really be absorbing anything around you. Remember to slow down, take a breath, and smell the first-timer roses. Consider it a first date. You wouldn’t be going unless you were interested, so take your time, get to know your date and experiment with your chemistry.

Here are the other general travel tips that our community suggests, that can apply to almost anywhere you’re headed:

Do your homework and share it

Research your trip on the web. Get some great guidebooks. Talk to friends who’ve been there. Post your questions on Thorn Tree (though check it hasn’t been asked before – just like Lonely Planet, our members have pretty much mapped the globe between them and many of the questions you’re asking already have answers on the forum). Learn what you can about where you might like to go before you go, and you minimise the risk of feeling rushed or that you’ve missed out on something you would have loved. If you have an itinerary and a plan, run them by someone who’s been to that place to see if it sounds doable.

Get your bearings

Take a tour around the area – walking or biking if available. If there’s public transport, ride it around to see where it goes. Find a (slow) way to get a sense of where you are, with the help of a local or a guide if possible. There are a lot of wonderful tour options out there that can be the perfect way to meet a new destination. Once you have your sampler, then you can decide where to take a bigger bite.

Plan to get lost

Make sure you leave time in your itinerary and day-to-day schedule to wander and wonder. Giving yourself time and permission to get lost means you’ll be free to discover hidden gems and sights that aren’t on your map. Leave time to explore, strike up conversations, and lose yourself in the experience. Many travellers report that getting lost ended up leading them to a highlight of their trip they otherwise would have missed.

Challenge yourself

You know your comfort zones. You might be the adventurous type, or you might be travelling alone for the first time and everything seems pretty intimidating. Stretch yourself a little, based on what feels comfortable. Try your hand at some local words and phrases. Sample some food that might be exotic to your palate. Give yourself a gentle shock to the system and you’re on your way to a unique, memorable adventure for your tastes.

Read more about Louis Habash’s travel stories from this Twitter account.

Why jumping on a plane and seeing the world is good for you

 

Image Source: tripletsintribeca.com

 

Seasoned airplane passengers, like me, are familiar with the banal stories of canceled flights, being stuck in the terminal for hours, and misplaced baggage. The tales are diversified with missed connecting flights after layovers and more waiting after waiting.

Agh! Frustration is a recurrent sentiment for us travelers. Our only consolation is a dose of our favorite joe with a delish clubhouse sandwich. Given the exasperation that airport experience brings, why do we still travel? Me, I don’t mind the flying. Though I’m a frequent traveler, the thought of being 40,000 feet above the ground just awes me to no end. Maybe it’s the physics behind it that keeps me agog. Anyway, despite the bumps at the airport and stress that go with traveling, we do it and we will do it again and again, because we love doing it.

 

Image Source: twistedsifter.com

 

For many of us, anticipating a trip is almost as exciting as actually being at our destination. We imagine the trip will be one that will bring us to wonderful places, show us great food, and let us meet unique people—all contributing to a lifetime of memories. Every travel experience satisfies me no matter how tedious the transit from one place to another or the circumstances.

Meanwhile, we can never ignore the fact that traveling creates such an impact in our lives. This article put it well when it explained the benefits of flying and travel. I totally agree with this writer. As a writer, I find that traveling gives me more perspective about the world and myself. Thus, every one of my travels embodies a unique story to tell.

 

Image Source: bubblews.com

 

Louis Habash shows more of his travel exploits on this Twitter page.

REPOST: Easter Passover Cruise Ship Celebration

Want to celebrate the Passover and Easter differently this year? Why not go on a cruise. Let this USAToday.com article help you.

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Cruise lines help passengers celebrate Passover (April 14 to 22) and Easter (April 20) with religious services, traditional foods and holiday treats — available to anyone who wants to participate.

Check out these Easter and Passover cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line: On Easter Sunday, Hot Cross Buns are a treat at breakfast. An Easter-themed brunch is featured in the buffet and a special dinner menu (including honey glazed ham) is available in the main dining rooms — where the entrances are decorated with chocolate bunnies and other treats. Special Easter-themed cocktails are available. During Passover, a special menu including a Seder plate is available to guests in the main dining rooms (on request), with Kosher wine for purchase.

Royal Caribbean: On Royal Caribbean ships a rabbi is onboard for Passover and passengers can attend a group Seder on the first night of the holiday — featuring Kosher-style food. Holiday services are available on Easter, along with a special Easter Sunday meal, egg hunt and special arts and crafts activities.

Holland America Line: Most HAL ships have a rabbi or cantor onboard leading Passover services. Passengers can RSVP to attend a Seder. The Easter Bunny passes out chocolates and poses for photos on Easter Sunday. There is also an Easter egg hunt for kids and an Easter bonnet competition. Egg decorating and jellybean counting are among other activities. A priest conducts Easter mass and a minister conducts interdenominational services.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Traditional foods are offered during the eight-day Passover period with special menus available upon request. If guests wish to conduct a Seder, Carnival will provide the facility and traditional foods. The Easter bunny makes an appearance on Easter Sunday and poses for photos with guests. There is an egg hunt that takes place for kids and the ships are decorated with Easter decorations and ornaments.

Cunard: Easter activities include egg/candy hunts and other activities for younger guests, plus a variety of holiday decorations in public areas. Clergy are onboard to conduct Easter services. On Passover, there is a service and traditional Seder dinner is available.

Disney Cruise Line: Easter events Disney-style include a special character meet and greet. Children have the opportunity to participate in themed arts and crafts, face painting and Easter egg hunts. A Catholic Mass and separate interdenominational service take place on Easter morning. Special holiday flower arrangements are also available for purchase.

MSC Cruises: On the MSC Divina, sailing from Miami, activities include a kids’ “Easter hunt,” costume parades, Easter chef classes, chocolate Easter eggs, special line dancing and arts and crafts and a number of other Easter-themed activities on the ship’s April 19 sailing. At an Easter Gala dinner on April 20, features such dishes as thyme-crusted lamb chops.

Crystal: A Passover dinner takes place in Prego on both Crystal ships, with crew, officers and entertainers participating. A rabbi conducts the Seder. The Crystal Symphony will be in Shanghai, where an optional excursion explores Shanghai’s Jewish heritage. On Easter, guests can attend a sunrise service with onboard clergy and an egg hunt and will find chocolate bunnies and other treats decorating tables in the dining room and at the Lido buffet. Guests in Penthouse suites receive a special platter of Easter treats.

Silversea: On Passover, a rabbi is onboard and conducts religious services and also hosts a table at dinner for any passengers who wish to join him. For Easter, depending on the vessel and the day (whether a port day or sea day), Silversea features a special holiday luncheon or a Gala Dinner on board. The line also offers Easter eggs as a turndown gift in every suite. Clergy conduct religious services.

Costa Cruises: Italian line Costa goes all out for Easter (one all ships except those in Asia) with themed decorations including bunnies, eggs and chicks in public areas, including bars. There is a Holy Mass conducted by a priest on Easter.

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More travel news and tips can be found on this Louis Habash blog site.

REPOST: L.A. Times Travel Show: 14 photo tips to remember for 2014

Photo pundits share tips on how to capture ravishing places that you’re planning to visit this year.

Image Source: latimes.com

You’ve come home from your trip and you’re looking through your photos, but they’re not as dynamic as the destination you’re remembering. Our photo experts and editors gathered a list of 14 tips for making those memories as good as those in your mind’s eye.

You can pick up more tips Saturday and Sunday at the L.A. Times Travel Show from photographer Mark Boster and writer Chris Reynolds, also an accomplished photographer. They’ll be speaking at 1 p.m. both days on the L.A. Times Stage.

Herewith, from members of The Times’ Travel staff, some photo tips:

1. Use a camera. That may sound like a no-duh, but as much as we love our camera phones, using a camera gives you some technical advantages — especially if it allows you to adjust for light, subject and other factors — and also encourages mindful picture-taking, not just quick snaps (not that there’s anything wrong with those either).

2. Move — yourself and your subject. Varying the angle from which photos are shot — bend at the knees, for example — lends variety to the pictures. Move your subject if there’s something distracting in your picture — a light pole that appears to be growing out of his head, for instance.

3. Wake up early or stay up later. Morning light is usually gentle and allows you to paint your pictures with early-morning sun. Conversely, the light just before sunset — and depending on the time of year, that could be 5 p.m. (we know you stay up later than that) or 10 p.m. in some areas of the country during Daylight Saving. The softer, warmer light flatters your subjects, human or otherwise.

4. Use a tripod. You don’t have to spend $200 on a tripod unless you’re a serious photographer. Buy a little Gorillapod that allows you to shoot sharp pictures with a minimum of fuss. You can brace against a vertical wall for support as well.

5. Shoot informational signs. What could be duller than shooting a sign that says “West Emma Creek, Kansas”? A photo that has no information with it. Photographing a sign before your shot tells you where you were and allows you to differentiate it from your next shot (which could be the Middle Emma Creek).

6. Don’t forget details. If you’re going to an outdoor market, shoot overall pictures of the activity but get close-ups of, say, the grains and spices, which add variety to photos and, of course, to life.

7. Shoot with the sun at your back. If you shoot into the sun, chances are you’ll end up with a silhouette, which is great if that’s what you want. Your camera will read that light and not the light on the subject. Best way to avoid that is to move your subject, if that’s possible. Also don’t shoot at noon (see tip three); the light will be harsh.

8. Re-read the manual that came with your camera. Learning or relearning the settings on your camera as you’re executing probably isn’t optimal. Think of this as a mini-refresher course. You might also pack your manual or download it from your camera’s website to peruse while you’re getting where you’re going. It is good information and it passes the time productively.

9. Pack some extra gear. Take extra batteries (if your camera uses those). If your camera uses a battery charger, make sure you have it and the right cord for it. If you want to use your camera a lot, take an extra battery, charge it during the day you’re out sightseeing and then swap out the one you’ve just used. That way you don’t enter the battery dead zone. Also pack an extra SD card or two, just to make sure you have enough.

10. Know what your camera flash can do — besides ruin a picture if it’s set wrong. Experiment with your flash to make sure you don’t “blow out” your subject (too much flash). If you have a detachable flash, experiment with bouncing the light off the ceiling or a wall for softer illumination. The ceiling or wall must be fairly close (6 to 12 feet) and must be white or nearly so for this to work.

11. Unless your camera has a macro setting, don’t get too close to food you’re photographing. It will be out of focus and will look like a hot mess. Be especially aware of composition; badly composed food shots can be very unappetizing.

12. Shoot a lot. That’s one of the perks of digital and why carrying extra SD cards is so important. Various exposures and slight framing adjustments can make a world of difference. You can delete your mistakes, of course, and make yourself look like a genius.
13. If you’re not sure what to shoot, visit a drugstore or newsstand and check out the postcards. You’ll see destinations, of course, but you’ll also see possible angles from which to shoot your photo. After all, they don’t use ugly pictures on postcards.

14. Remember these three elements: lighting, composition and moments. The correct combination of those three elements will give you a lasting memory that you can show your friends and say, with understated cool, “Yes, I did shoot that.”
Louis Habash loves writing travel stories and taking photos of the beautiful places that he visited. Follow this Twitter page for more updates on his journey.

REPOST: When to Use a Travel Agent

Is it more beneficial to book with a traditional travel agency rather than organizing your own trip? Find out the answer in this HuffingtonPost.com article.

 

Image Source: huffingtonpost.com

 

It’s an assumption you’ve heard before: Travel agents are a dying breed. Many people presume that the rise of do-it-yourself booking engines like Travelocity.com and Expedia.com all but wiped out travel agencies — Yahoo recently declared a career as a travel agent a “dead-end job.” But that’s not necessarily the case. Travel agents still have their place: In fact, members the American Society of Travel Agents book more than 144 million vacations a year, and ASTA reported more than $17 billion in revenue for 2012.

In an attempt to change consumers’ views, John Pittman, a vice president at ASTA, said the society prefers to use the term “travel professional.” This term describes the profession more broadly as today’s booking agents do more than act as the go-between for travelers, airlines and hotels. Travel professionals now work across multiple platforms (even using DIY sites) to help clients book a wide variety of vacations. “The truth is, travel agents have adapted to the changing environment, and they are relevant and they are meeting a consumer need,” Pittman said.

Jeff Klee, the CEO of DIY-booking website CheapAir.com seems to agree: In June the site announced it would begin offering every customer who purchases a plane ticket access to a CheapAir.com travel adviser who can be reached directly by email or phone. The adviser can help you make modifications to your booking, deal with trip delays or cancellations, or organize additional elements for your booking, like car or hotel reservations.

Even still, there are certain instances where it’s more beneficial to book with a traditional travel agency rather than to attempt to organize a trip on your own. Pittman cites five examples as optimal opportunities to use a travel agent:

International travel

In addition to providing some destination-specific advice, travel professionals can negotiate international hotel and flight packages for you to help trim the costs on a trip overseas. Pittman also stressed that things can get tricky when traveling abroad, especially if you’re visiting a nation with complicated visa or passport requirements. Not only can you get a better value when you use a travel agent, but you also have the peace of mind that you won’t get stranded in a foreign country.

Honeymoon travel

You’ve got enough on your plate when it comes to organizing your wedding — let someone else plan the honeymoon. Not only can a travel agent get you discounted rates, but they can use their established relationships to provide you with special honeymoon perks like room upgrades, welcome amenities and candlelit dinners.

Large group and corporate travel

Thanks to their industry contacts, travel professionals can help you negotiate large-group discounts and organize all of your itinerary details so your family reunion or your corporate retreat goes off without a hitch.

Cruise travel

Planning a cruise may sound easy, but you have to consider a lot of variables. What itinerary is right for you? Will you be spending an extra night in the departure or arrival port? Do you need to book a hotel room or car rental? What shore excursions do you want to sign up for? A travel professional can help you sort out all of the intricacies of your cruise and use their connections to secure unadvertised deals. If you’re hoping to use an agent that deals exclusively with cruise travel, you can search for one through the Cruise Lines International Association CLIA offers an Accredited Cruise Certification for agents, which means travel professionals with this credential have gone through extensive training in order to better match travelers with the right cruise itineraries.

Theme park travel

Theme park vacations can get expensive quickly, especially when you factor in daily park expenses like tickets and food. Though places like Disney World routinely advertise package discounts to entice vacationers, a travel professional can help you distinguish between a good deal and a deal that’s too good to be true. He or she can also find you those under-the-radar discounts, such as special family or group rates.

If you decide that your upcoming vacation requires an expert planner, choosing the right professional is key. Pittman offered five tips to help you narrow down your choices.

Look for an accredited agent

ASTA is the only professional association that represents travel agents, and it’s the only organization that has its own code of ethics (meaning ASTA members are required to respond to customer complaints). Many travel agencies include the ASTA badge on their websites, but you can also search for an ASTA-accredited professional on the association’s consumer website, TravelSense.org.

Ask your friends

As with any investment, it’s helpful to get advice from your family and friends. Ask for agent recommendations from people you know have used travel professionals in the past. Pittman reiterates that the best travel professionals strive to create long-lasting relationships with clients that go beyond a single booking experience.

Check credentials

If you can’t tap friends or family for recommendations, rely on the industry’s accreditation system to guide you to the right agent. Some travel professionals are Certified Travel Counselors, which they’ve earned through The Travel Institute (the certification body for the travel professional industry). Agents can even become “destination specialists” through the program, meaning they become experts in a given region. Some of these certifications can be attained through remote course study, while others earn the title through extensive first-hand travel experience.

Ask about fees upfront

After your travel professional supplies you with a vacation package estimate, make sure to ask if there are any additional fees and if the cost of an agent’s service is included in the quoted vacation price. If the sight of “service fees” has you rethinking the use of an agent, keep in mind that an agent’s on-ground contacts and affiliations can likely score you more free extras and discounts that you wouldn’t necessarily be eligible for if you made the travel plans yourself.

Check the agency’s record

If you decide to book through an ASTA-certified agency, you can be sure that the agency adheres to the association’s code of business ethics. If you go with an agent that isn’t connected to the ASTA, you can still check up on its business practices through the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the agency or individual you’re considering.

 

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