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Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

 

Get fantastic savings when you use the Entertainment Book. Save on dining, travel, attractions and much more. Over $10,000 possible savings for the cost of a $25 to $45 book with books for over 150 major metropolitan areas. Do what I do, buy one for the city or area where you live, and for your vacation destinations this year. The Entertainment book saves you money on all your travel needs: hotels, car rentals, airfare and more! Jim.

 

Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order commission free foreign currency and travelers' checks.

 
Finding good travel books and other travel resource materials

I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:ahsjabj@aol.com

The Packing Book : Secrets of the Carry-On Traveler This book offers good suggestions for packing along with a wealth of new time-, space-, and energy-saving advice, including mailing home all the loot acquired on a trip; a last-minute packer's checklist; traveling with a laptop computer; and updated and expanded resources, including Internet sites.

How To Pack is the book you need if you are tired of waiting at the luggage carousel for your bags.  Trade your jumbo suitcase for one that's medium-size.  Or, find out how to best use a carry-on.  Do you always pack too much, too little, or the wrong thing -- and obsess about it? Then this is a must book to have.

 

If you travel as much as I do, check out Magellan's Catalog. From adaptor plugs to wrinkle-free clothing, their award-winning catalog has everything for travelers.

Pack It Up is a great book where Anne McAlpin makes suggestions on how to pack fewer items and eliminate the need for bulky, heavy luggage. There is much more to packing than simply putting your items in a suitcase. Great book for you -- great gift for the traveler.  Find out how easy packing can be!

When traveling it always helps to at least know a little of the language of the country in which you are traveling.  Champs-Elysees publishes audio magazines in French, Italian, Spanish or German for the intermediate to advanced speaker designed to take their speaking and listening comprehension to the next level. Every issue takes the form of an hour long radio broadcast featuring interviews with celebrities from the respective country as well as up to date news from the worlds of art, business, literature, politics etc. Previous guests on the programs include Jacques Chirac, Boris Becker, Salvador Dali, Giulio Andreotti, Juliette Binoche, Carlos Fuentes, Alberto Tomba and Helmut Kohl. Each magazine comes with a complete transcript and a comprehensive glossary together with optional linguistic exercises. Available on both CD and cassette.  Check out Champs-Elysees and see what you think.  Jim.

Flying Over The Ocean

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Traveling Single
Traveling single can be very rewarding. One of the best features about traveling single is that you are in control – in charge of all that you do. You can do what you want, when you want.

Click on Traveling Single for additional information.

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Especially For Women Travelers
I get a lot of questions about how safe is it for a woman to travel alone. The answer – just as safe as you want to make it. The best advice I can give is that you should never do – or go – anywhere you would not when you were in your own hometown. Many women do find it more interesting to travel with another woman so there will be a little companionship and someone to share experiences with.

Click on Especially For Women Travelers for additional information.

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Traveling With The Family...
Traveling with children can be one of the best – or one of the worst – experiences you will ever have. One of the main things you have to do is prepare them for whatever is going to take place during your travels and make sure everything is “fun.” Even when things go bad and wrong, make a joke about it and have fun with it. I will try and break down some basic information into three areas. Preparing for a trip (particularly an overseas trip), making the flight, and making the best of it when you arrive.

Click on Family Travel for additional information.

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Student Travel...
There are two basic ways for students to enjoy travel at discounted prices. The first is just by taking advantage of the special programs offered to students and traveling where ever you like. The second is taking advantage of educational tours while in high school and college. In either event, almost all of the information in “For Student Travelers” is good for all students to know.

Click on Student Travel for additional information.

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Older Travelers...

As mentioned above, I used to lead educational tours for students.  On those tours I also always hade several parents, teachers, and other adults on these tours as it is a good way for them to save money.  As you can see by the prices of the tours, and what is offered in the tours, the prices are quite reasonable.  Click on Senior Travelers for additional information for "mature" folks like me.

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What about health insurance?
There are several different types of insurance policies you can purchase that may set your mind at ease about what might happen if you should become sick of injured during a trip.  One of the first things you may want to do is take a look at the Centers for Disease Control site for some good information.  And then, you may want to research the following sites.  However, please bear in mind that I am not recommending or endorsing any of them and am listing them for informational purposes only.  Check them out for yourself and then -- check with your personal insurance company and make some comparisons.  As you look through the different sites you should remember that some of them offer insurance only for citizens of specific countries.  Be sure to check them out carefully.  Jim.

Here is the list:

Travel Insurance Policies provides you a comprehensive coverage, with a low premium as travel insurance is only for a limited duration when you are away from your home country.  They state, "Don't Leave Home Without It.  We Are Now Here to Help You to Find a Right One."

Check Unicard Travel Association, the leading travel protection plan in the world, for all of your travel insurance needs. Single Trip Membership plans are available for trips up to 5, 17, 24 and 31 days as well as Annual Membership plans that cover an unlimited number of trips throughout the Year.

The traveler has a number of special insurance needs and Travel Insurance Services offers a variety of quality insurance plans to meet them. As one of the largest and most respected travel insurance brokerages in the U.S., they have been offering several insurance choices to their customers since 1973. Check their site for a brief guide to help you determine your particular insurance needs and the best plan(s) for you.

Champion Insuracne Advantage, P. O. Box 1050, Bel Air, Maryland  21014-7050; E-Mail: info@champion-ins.com.  A full-time WWW agency specializing in:  Medical Travel Insurance for International Travelers; Student Insurance for Collegians, and; U.S. Temporary Insurance.  The company was established in 1994 and is in their 6th year of of providing specialized health insurance services on the Web.

At Worldtravelcenter.com you can buy travel insurance, international medical insurance, travel protection, emergency evacuation & repatriation, and assistance services with 24-hour worldwide medical coverage that transcends all borders.  They offer a variety of products to suit all your travel health and safety needs and are constantly adding new travel insurance, travel protection and assistance products.  Youy can alos reach them at 1-800-786-5566 or +1 (402) 397-3311.  Ask for the travel department (7:30 to 5:00 M-Th and 7:30-2:30 F CST USA) if you need help or are looking for product features not found on the web site.

Budget Travel Insurance offers several good policies for travelers backed by Lloyd's.  You may want to check them out to see if they have a policy that suits your needs.

Universial Travel Protection Insurance Company states, "Anyone who travels extensively knows that travel can be risky. Sometimes one encounters a situation where professional help or assistance is needed.  As one of the largest travel insurance companies in North America, we invite you to spend a few moments comparing service, coverage, and price before you buy. But remember, we will not cut corners in order to entice your purchase.  Take a look at our newest product, All Travel Protection®. Compare coverage and price to all others you can find. You'll be impressed.  Like thousands every single month, we're confident you will choose The Internet's Source for Travel Insurance, too."  You may want to check them out to see what they offer.

The CSA Travel Protection Web Site can help you with Travel Insurance and Assistance Services and, to qupte them, "Everything you need to guarantee your vacation."  They also promice that, if you send them your comments, they will answer it within one business day.  And, if you have any further questions, you may call CSA Travel Protection at 1 800 873-9855.

Worldwide-med.com offers several different types of travel insurance, along with other types of temporary insruance programs for folks who are between jobs, students, and others with special temporary insurance needs.

Founded in 1982, Travel Guard International is one of America's leading travel insurance companies.  It is well known for its service and its comprehensive coverage and their commitment to customer service is recognized in the industry.

Travelinsurance.com offers many differnt tyupes of travel insurance, including policies you may purchase if you are a business travler and travel several times a year and would like "blanket" coverage.

And, if you do get sick or become injured?
One of the worst things that can happen to you have planned for months for that “perfect trip,” is to become ill and not be able to enjoy yourself. Here are several tips to help you stay healthy and have a good time while you are away from home along with some ideas for you if you do become ill. Also, if you have a medical problem and believe you may need to know where you can locate a doctor wherever you will be traveling, just type in your destination below and search for a doctor in that area.

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Links and other interesting information
Check AutoEurope for hotel accommodations information and reservations! One of the best for hotel reservation services.  They also offer information on air fares and auto rentals.

Expedia is the first of the established online travel retailers to offer you the best in air fares. Now, Getting Away and Expedia have joined forces to offer you the best air fare selection on the Internet. Use the Flight Wizard at the left to begin your search for money-saving air fares today!

Why Have Travel Insurance? Do You Have Car Insurance?

Commission free foreign currency delivered to your door. Transfer money to over 150 countries with Direct FX. Simple, secure and cost-effective money transfer service provided to you from Getting Away and Direct FX. Click here to order today!

BestOfVacations.com - Internet resources on finding the perfect vacation. You really need to check out this site.  It is filled with great links to help you plan your next holiday, vacation, or getaway!

Away.com - Discounts on Exciting Travel Getaways - Find your dream vacation at Away.com. From sun-drenched beaches in southern Spain to a hiking Weekend in the Grand Canyon, you can find your dream vacation at Away.com, as well as many discounts! Just click here and start on the road to paradise.

Travelroads.com - The easiest way to search for tour operators and request brochures. Find information based on your destination, activity or special interest.

Fly now with StudentUniverse.com.  Student travel is enriching, rewarding, and most of all, fun! And because you're a student, you can fly, ride and stay and still have more money to spend! What are you waiting for? Check StudentUniverse.com today!

Register to WIN a vacation  in the Bid4Vacations.com Bid4Vacations.com Vacation Giveaway Sweepstakes!  For each sweepstakes, one lucky winner will receive a FREE Cruise, Beach, International or other world-class vacation package, so enter now!  And, to become a travel insider - register for a free newsletter to learn where world-class vacations are auctioned daily as excess inventory!

Great travel deals from travelbreak.com.

If you travel as much as I do, check out Magellan's Catalog. From adaptor plugs to wrinkle-free clothing, their award-winning catalog has everything for travelers.

Travigator II is one of the largest travel guides on the www with travel directories, a travel search engine, travel statistics, travel e-zines, travel agents, and travel magazines.  They can make looking for travel information easy and fun with lots of information.  Give them a try.

Gay and Lesbian Travel Discounts

The following links are provided for those travelers looking for gay and lesbian travel discounts from Orbitz