Monday, December 3, 2018

The Appalachian Mountains in Late Fall

Even in November ... always a delight to drive the Blue Ridge Mountains
or cruise the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee

still magnificent Fall colors in late November 


Fewer visitors and peaceful places


Fall colors on a late November day


Winterberries are brightening foggy days


Whitewater Rafting anyone?


Frozen water on the roadside rocks


One of the highest Blue Ridge Mountain points


Old Mill in Sevierville, TN


Old traditional "Moonshine" distilleries are everywhere


Looks like there is a distillery not far away...


Small distillery equipment


Dollywood - another attraction near the Smoky Mountains


Close-up Winterberry tree



Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Internet & Smartphone Travel Tips



Who uses a phone to call people anymore?  But you would like to be able to use Google Maps, Uber and look up restaurants or information about local tourist attractions that are important when traveling. However, you don't want to come home to a bill that is wrecking your budget.

Today's smartphones offer the internet in our pockets. And once you come to depend on that always-on access, it's hard not to have it - even if you are on vacation and trying to relax. To call someone, Google+ still is an inexpensive way to phone over the internet, not to mention Skype.

Here's a variety of options for getting data service while traveling abroad. And I also throw in a few tips to help you conserve data while you're traveling through Europe.

Local SIM card
Depending on where you're traveling, buying a local SIM card may be your least expensive option. This is especially true in Asia. In cities like Singapore and Taipei, you can pick up a tourist SIM that offers lots of data at a very low price for a short period time, according to CNET Australia reporter Claire Reilly.  These SIM cards are often available in airports so you can pick one up when you land or sometimes your hotel will be able to sell you one.  But it can be tricky setting up and using a local SIM in your phone, especially if you don't know the local language.

Do your homework before you leave to figure out which telco is best in the country you're visiting.  And make sure the phone you plan to use isn't locked.

Use an existing plan from a big carrier
All four of the top US wireless carriers offer special international roaming plans for the most popular destinations in the world. While this isn't likely to be the cheapest option for you, it will be the most convenient.

T-Mobile includes unlimited text and data in more than 140 countries. But there's catch. The "free" version of this service only allows for data speeds up to 128 kilobits per second, which could be painful if you're trying to use it for turn-by-turn navigation. T-Mobile also allows you to upgrade this service for $10 a month to get slightly faster speeds.  And for 4G LTE speeds, T-Mobile allows you to purchase international data roaming passes, which start at $20.

AT&T and Verizon offer international service plans that let you pay $10 a day to access your unlimited talk, text and data service that you already subscribe to at home when you're traveling internationally in more than 100 countries.  It's a nice convenience, but certainly not cheap.

Sprint also offers a day pass. It charges $5 a day to let you access your home data plan or you can pay $25 for the week. But it caps the speed of service to 2G speeds.

Free Wi-Fi
When in doubt, use Wi-Fi.  If you can find an Apple Store, Starbucks, shopping mall, and McDonald's, you can get access to free Wi-Fi while traveling.  Some cities, like Paris, also offer free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city.  If you're having trouble locating hotspots, you can use apps to find Wi-Fi.  Your hotel might also offer Wi-Fi but sometimes it charges outrageous fees and access is slow.

Still, you should be careful when using free Wi-Fi.  Hackers often "sniff" these unprotected networks looking to steal information, like IDs and passwords, from unsuspecting users. You could use a virtual private network app to encrypt your session, but the safest option is to avoid free hotspots.

Here are some tips from CNET on how to stay secure on public Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi subscriptions
There are other Wi-Fi options that could be useful while traveling.  For instance, Boingo offers a secure Wi-Fi service with more than a million hotspots throughout the world for $10 a month.  But remember that Boingo charges monthly, so make sure to cancel it when you return home.

AT&T also offers its wireless subscribers secure Wi-Fi access while abroad. But you have to sign up for the company's international roaming packages, which offer more limited amounts of data usage. (NOTE: This is different from the daily pass service.)

While Wi-Fi is great because you can get speedy, unlimited access to the internet, it's limited in range and you won't be able to rely on it alone if you need ubiquitous and constant access to the internet.

Rent a Mi-Fi
Companies like XCom Global let you rent small wireless hotspots you can take with you. These devices provide secure Wi-Fi using a local cellular network for your entire family. To avoid charges from your US carrier, turn off the data on your phone but keep Wi-Fi on. XCom charges $7.77 for its Mi-Fi rental and service. If you need to text or make phone calls, you can always use apps like Skype, Whatsapp, and Viber.  But keep in mind this is another device to carry around and keep charged. And anyone using it has to be within range at all times to get the Wi-Fi signal.

Tips for Conserving Data Usage

Download what you need in advance.  Apps like Google Maps or Google Translate will let you download information on your device that you can use offline.  Now with Google Maps, you may not be able to get turn-by-turn directions, but you will have the maps to see where you're going.

Apps, such as Trip Advisor, will allow you to download guides to countries you're visiting so that you can look up restaurants and other useful tips without going on the internet and churning through data.

You may also consider downloading or taking a screenshot of your electronic boarding pass or train ticket so you can pull that up when boarding without having to download it at the gate.  If you're renting a car, use a GPS device in the car instead of relying on your phone so you don't eat through all your data.  Flixbus are ideal for traveling Europe. These services run regularly all day and night in most European countries, and also offer a consistent hop-on-hop-off service at cheap rates, even less than for trains. And certainly WiFi...

Get smart about your apps
Turn off all the push alerts and background data your apps are using on your device before you go away. This will eat up your precious data and kill your battery.

Limit the amount of time you spend on social media per day. And only do it when you're in a Wi-Fi hotspot.  Loading pictures and videos and commenting on all your friend's pictures from home sucks up a lot of data.  Avoiding this might also help you enjoy your vacation a little more.

Google Project Fi 
If you're already a Google Project Fi customer, you're in luck. Google's wireless service, which uses both Wi-Fi and cellular networks to offer phone and mobile internet service, offers one of the easiest and most cost-effective solutions for international travelers.

The plan is structured so you only pay for what you need. You start with $20 for basic phone and text messaging service.  Then you add data in 1GB increments for $10 a month.  The beauty of the plan is that regardless of whether you are in the US or somewhere else in the world, that data charge is the same.

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Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Jetzt auch in Print: TRAUMBERUF PILOT?



Piloten Ausbildung, Jobsuche und Berufsalltag

Alles was Sie als angehender Pilot wissen müssen, finden Sie in diesem praktischen Ratgeber – der “Bibel” für Airline, Berufs- und Helikopterpiloten.  Dank der JAR FCL sind die europaweit die Lizenzen weitgehend vereinheitlicht, sodass nicht nur (künftige) Piloten in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz von diesem Buch profitieren, sondern auch deutschsprachige Luftfahrt Enthusiasten aus allen anderen europäischen Ländern.
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Laut einer Schulabgängerumfrage lag die Tätigkeit als Pilot an dritter Stelle von allen Wunschberufen.  Das bedeutet dass sich hunderttausende junger Leute für den Pilotenberuf interessieren - aber nirgendwo eine umfassende, professionelle und unabhängige Beratung finden.
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Das Buch ”Traumberuf Pilot?” gliedert sich in drei Bereiche: 

Im ersten Teil werden die Einsatzmöglichkeiten für Berufspiloten erklärt und der Berufsalltag beschrieben. Vom Nachtfracht-Piloten und Helikopterpiloten, über den Executive-Flieger bis hin zum Langstreckenpilot und dem Testpiloten und Fluglehrer berichten Cockpit-Crews über ihren Arbeitsbereich und den Pilotenalltag.
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Der zweite Abschnitt beschreibt Ausbildungswege in Europa nach den neuesten europäischen Ausbildungsvorschriften, den JAR-FCL’s, aber auch den Ausbildungsmöglichkeiten in Canada, Australien, Süd Afrika und den USA - inklusive der Vorschriften für die Lizenzumschreibung - beschrieben. Es wird ausführlich auch auf die Ausbildung “ab initio” - die durchgehende Ausbildung - oder die Kombination mit einem Studium eingegangen.
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Im letzten Teil werden Berufschancen besprochen, DLR Pilotentest-Vorbereitungskurse erklärt, Ausbildungskosten aufgelistet, Gehälter - weltweit - benannt, Möglichkeiten der Jobsuche aufgezeigt - mit einer umfassenden Adressenliste für Ihre Bewerbung inklusive der derzeit eingesetzten Fluggeräte von europäischen Airlines und gewerblichen Luftfahrtunternehmen.
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Und es werden natürlich auch hilfreiche Bewerbungs- und Vorstellungstips gegeben. Im Anhang wird der Luftfahrtjargon entschlüsselt und Abkürzungen werden erklärt, sowie zahlreiche Suchmöglichkeiten für die weitere Online Recherche für den Leser aufgelistet.
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Für dieses umfangreiche und alle Aspekte der Berufsfliegerei umfassende Informationswerk waren jahrelange Recherchen und zahllosen Interviews notwendig. Eigene Erfahrungen als Berufspilotin und Fluglehrerin runden die Informationen ab. Vor- und vor allem Nachteile dieses Berufes werden detailliert beschrieben.
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Anforderungen der Flugschulen, Ausbildungswege, Marktchancen und ein komplettes Adressenverzeichnis von europäischen Ausbildungsbetrieben und von den gewerblichen Luftverkehrsgesellschaften, sowie Tips zur Vorbereitung auf den Einstellungstest bei der DLR und die Stellensuche sollen künftigen PilotInnen bei der Entscheidungsfindung helfen. Ein umfangreicher Index erleichtert die Suche und das Vertiefen einzelner für Piloten interessanter Themen.
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Um den Lesern einen objektiven Leitfaden an die Hand zu geben, wurden natürlich auch besonders die weniger positiven Seiten des Berufes detailliert aufgezeigt. Diese "Bibel für angehende Piloten” geht nicht nur auf die europäische Piloten-Ausbildung und die Berufsmöglichkeiten ein, sondern will auch die weltweiten Perspektiven aufzeigen.
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Die Autorin Doris Daily war selbst viele Jahre als Berufspilotin und Fluglehrerin in Europa und den USA tätig, verlegte ein Luftfahrtmagazin, und schrieb freiberuflich über Luftfahrtthemen, bis hin zu einem Ausbildungswerk für Simulatoren. 

Traumberuf Pilot?
Weltweit erhaeltlich
ISBN Print book
978-1-988664-33-0

https://www.amazon.de/dp/1988664330/ 
(Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1988664330/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1988664330/
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1988664330/
und in vielen weiteren Ländern
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ISBN eBook
978-1-988664-04-0

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0764FK4JH/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764FK4JH/

http://www.inktera.com/store/title/8f19e900-d0c8-4e85-8c26-82b24d2bebdf

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/traumberuf-pilot-piloten-ausbildung-jobsuche-und-berufsalltag-doris-daily/1127182147


Weitere Bestellmöglichkeiten in Europa:
Österreich:
https://www.weltbild.at/ 
http://www.thalia.at/shop/home/show/

Deutschland:
http://www.thalia.de/shop/home/show/
https://www.weltbild.de/suche/Traumberuf%20Pilot%3F
http://www.buecher.de/
http://www.buch.de/shop/home/show/
http://www.hugendubel.de/de/
http://www.ebook.de/de/
http://www.bol.de/shop/home/show/
http://www.mayersche.de/
https://www.osiander.de/

Niederlande:
http://libris.nl/

Schweiz:
https://www.weltbild.ch/
http://www.thalia.ch/shop/home/show/
http://www.books.ch/shop/home/show/
http://www.buch.ch/shop/home/show/

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Monday, November 5, 2018

Europe's Most Beautiful Libraries


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Library at Admont Abbey | © Jorge Ryan/Wikicommons


Visit some of the finest libraries and reading rooms to be found across Europe, in the continent’s cultural hotspots.  Explore baroque spaces or cutting-edge extensions from contemporary architects. 
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Biblioteca Joanina, Coimbra, Portugal, University Library
The library was built with the wealth that accompanied Portugal’s imperial endeavors, aka slave money...  The exquisitely carving, lacquering and design were all deliberately commissioned in order to make the best use of Portugal’s craftsmen, and much of the wood used was exotic to them, as it was exported from Brazil.  The library only houses books printed in the 19th century and earlier, making it a truly historical collection.  The University city of Coimbra is west of Lisbon/Portugal and worth a trip of several days.
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Admont Abbey Library
One of the largest monastery libraries in the world, the library at Admont Abbey, only a few kilometers from Liezen, not far from #9 highway in the province of Styria/Austria, is a baroque masterpiece.  The decoration is a combination of pure white with gold arrangements, matched by the contents of the library, set in Austria’s oldest monastery and containing an eclectic mixture of antique books.  Expansive windows allow the sun to flood the room.  Don't miss to visit the monastery garden, and approach it through a beautiful contemporary glass staircase.


photo: Wikipedia
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Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
The library’s primary treasure may be the Book of Kells, an extravagantly illustrated gospel book, which is held on permanent public display.  The Old Library also holds temporary exhibitions to show off some other specimens from the collection, which includes a copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, and the oldest harp in Ireland.  The library also contains a significant collection of Samuel Beckett’s letters.

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Austrian National Library, Hofburg Palace, Vienna
The Austrian National Library is housed in the Hofburg Palace, which was the historic seat of power for the Habsburg family.  Decorated in an explosion of Baroque color, the library is abundant in its decoration, with meters-tall bookshelves and luxurious ornaments. 

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photo: Wikipedia


Biblioteca Marciana, Venice
Even Andrea Palladio admitted that Jacopo Sansovino’s Biblioteca Marciana was the ‘richest and most ornate’ building assembled since antiquity.  The obligatory ceiling frescoes and niche paintings are present, some of them painted by classical Venetian artists Titian and Tintoretto.  Enter the library via a dramatic marble staircase, illuminated by golden decorations above, a great entrance to one of Venice’s finest buildings, located next to Piazza San Marco.
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Baroque Library Hall, Clementinum, Prague
Baroque Library Hall, one of the greatest examples of the titular architectural movement takes its name from the Spanish word ‘barroco’, which means a rough or misshapen pearl.  Columns twist their way upwards, and even the railings and furniture are designed to the smallest detail.  A must-see for any visitors to Prague, Czech Republic.
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A book, architecture, and history-loving traveler could choose their destinations, visiting these (and many other) beautiful libraries around the world.
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Friday, November 2, 2018

Impressions from Utah's Arches National Park

There are a couple of days each year when every National Park in the U.S.A. opens its doors so you can get in there for free and enjoy nature.  For example on November 11: Veterans Day, the last free one for this year.  See more free days in 2019: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm



Five National Parks in Southern Utah
Some of the most impressive parks are found in Utah and northern Arizona.  Here are some impressions of a visit to Utah's Arches National Park last year:


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The Arches National Park is one of the top national parks in America: it’s a 73,234-acre wonderland of eroded sandstone fins, towers, ribs, gargoyles, hoodoos, balanced rocks, and, of course, arches northwest of Moab.
From here, driving in south-west direction brings travelers to the Zion National Park, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, or the Bryce Canyon Park.  However, that's not all, there are national monuments, national forests, state parks and millions of additional acres of open spaces in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.  Enjoy these wonderful sceneries in the US Southwest.

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Monday, October 29, 2018

The “Yellow City”: Izamal, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico


Yellow is my favored color, and when learning about a yellow city, I learned all I could about this lovely place, my next holiday destination:


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Izamal is a jewel of a colonial city, with almost all the buildings painted an egg-yolk yellow.  Cobblestone streets and colonial lampposts complete the scenery.  Clean, peaceful and quaint, this is a great town to stroll through. 

There are Mayan pyramids, colonial-style buildings, parks and plazas, horses and buggies, and lots of people-watching.  Izamal is a monument of color, history, and pride that can be felt in its streets and buildings.  Art, music, and gastronomy are all around you!

Lonely Planet writes:
“In ancient times Izamal was a center for the worship of the supreme Maya god, Itzamná, and the sun god, Kinich-Kakmó.  A dozen temple pyramids were devoted to these or other gods.  No doubt these bold expressions of Maya religiosity are why the Spanish colonists chose Izamal as the site for an enormous and impressive Franciscan monastery, which still stands at the heart of this town, located about 70km east of Mérida. It’s easily explored on foot, and horse-drawn carriages add to the city’s charm.”

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Also called the “City of Hills” and located right in the middle of the Yucatán Peninsula, Izamal may be the oldest city in the Yucatán.  It was conquered by the Spaniards, and the monks in their eagerness to convert the Indians to Catholicism gave the city its religious distinction, shown in the Franciscan convent.
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More Magical Towns in Mexico:
Mexico has 35 towns that are considered magical and one of them is Izamal in the Yucatán… just 45 minutes from Merida, and ca. 3 hours from Cancun.  Get more info here: http://www.visitmexico.com/en/magicaltowns/south-region/izamal

Huasca de Ocampo,
Real de Catorce
San Luis Potosí
Tepoztlán, Morelos
Taxco, Guerrero
Tepotzotlán, Estado de México
Tapalpa, Jalisco
Comala, Colima
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Cuetzalan, Puebla,
Tequila, Jalisco
San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
Real del Monte, Hidalgo
Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila
Valle de Bravo, Estado de México
Mazamitla, Jalisco
Alamos, Sonora
Tlalpujahua, Michoacán
Cosalá, Sinaloa
Bernal, Querétaro
Coatepec, Veracruz
Papantla, Veracruz
Realde Asientos, Aguascalientes
Cuitzeo, Michoacán
Santiago, Nuevo León
Todos Santos, Baja California Sur
Bacalar, Quintana Roo
Jerez de García Salinas, Zacatecas
Huamantla, Tlaxcala
Mier, Tamaulipas
Creel, Chihuahua
Capulalpam de Mendez, Oaxaca
El Fuerte, Sinaloa

How to Get There:
It’s easy to go by car. Take the Cuota road toward Cancún, and exit at km. 48 towards Izamal. The trip takes about 45 minutes. Or go by bus, the station is at Calle 67 between 50 and 52, with departures every hour.  The cost of the ticket is $22 pesos one way or $44 pesos round trip.  Also, you can take a Van in Calle 65 between 52 and 54.

Read more about Izamal:  
http://theplayatimes.com/2015/03/20/izamal-chichen-itza/


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Friday, August 10, 2018

RyanAir Strike: Your Rights as Passenger




Living or Traveling in Europe?
Like ten-thousand other passengers, if you booked a flight with the budget airline Ryan, you are out of luck, especially when flying to or from Germany this Friday or Saturday, August 10 and 11.

If you wanted to fly with Ryanair today, the trip probably "fell into the water": The pilots of the Irish low-cost airline are still on strike until 3 a.m. on Saturday. However, if you did go to the airport, ask Ryanair to provide you with food and drinks, which is your right under EU law. If your phone battery runs out, you can request two phone calls or e-mails.

You have the right to transfer your ticket to another flight free of charge or - if the destination can be reached by bus or train - to choose another mode of transportation. If your trip is no longer worthwhile, you can cancel your ticket. Then you will get the full price back.
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Strike Provoked by RyanAir?
The chance of being compensated by RyanAir for your inconvenience, however, is small. In many cases, a strike is considered an "exceptional circumstance" for which EU law excludes compensation. However, it could be that Ryanair itself provoked the strike by its working conditions. There may be a passenger assistance portal fighting Ryanair in court for you.

Fairplane, the experts in claiming flight delay compensation cases, said it would take
action against Ryanair. EUClaim. And if necessary up to the European Court of Justice.  Flug-verspaetet.de accepts strike cases against Ryanair if they "do not fall into the immediate strike phase". This means, for example, if the replacement flight is affected e.g. late or doesn't take-off at all.

In any case, those affected should mark their calendar.  Because if there are successful judgments against Ryanair, you can still claim your compensation - up to three years after the flight. 


Thursday, August 9, 2018

Tips on How to Find the Best Airline Ticket



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Ask fellow passengers in an airplane how much they paid for their ticket and you will get a dozen different prices. With endless search engines and continually fluctuating prices, the approach to frugal flight booking is overwhelming. Book early: It used to be that the best booking window was 6–8 weeks before your flight, book as soon as you know when you're going, instead of playing the waiting game.

While many theories exist around booking specifically on a Tuesday to save money, the reality is: there is no consistent truth to exactly which days are cheapest to fly.  Most of the time it is cheaper to leave on a weekday, though this isn't always the case.  Your best strategy is to get a quick visual of prices for a whole month to see what days are cheapest for your specific route.  ThriftyNomads explains how you can go about it:

Step 1.
Hop on the Skyscanner website or download the app

Step 2.
Enter your departure & arrival cities

Step 3.
Select “one-way” (even if flying round trip – you're just determining the cheapest days to fly out first)

Step 4.
On a computer: click “Depart” but instead of entering a date, select “Whole Month”, and then “Cheapest Month” so you can browse all dates to see which is cheapest.  Hit “Search flights” to easily see which date is the cheapest.

Repeat these steps for your return flight if applicable.  You can still book a round trip in one booking, but doing these steps first will let you see which dates are generally cheaper to fly in/out on for your round trip.  Kiwi.com and Google Flights work similarly to Skyscanner, plus they have map views as well, so you can see where the airport is.  

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Not All Search Engines Are Equal
Whenever many people tend to search Expedia or Orbitz. These sites either work with or are owned by the airline companies and don't offer unbiased fares.  Moreover, many sites don't list budget carriers because those airlines don't want to pay a booking commission. The best search engines are the ones that have no affiliation with any airline and make their money via advertising, not bookings.  Search as many flight search websites, such as Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights, AirFare Watchdog, Momondo, JetRadar, or Kiwi etc. as you can to ensure you are leaving no stone unturned.  But there is no perfect airline search engine. Even the best have their faults.
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Here are some essential tips to find the best airline ticket prices:
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Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
If you are not flexible with the dates you want to fly, you will never be able to find a cheap flight.  Airline ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week, time of year, and upcoming holidays, such as Christmas, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving.  In Europe, August is a big month for traveling, as many Europeans vacation then and so airline tickets tend to be higher that month.
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Fly on Weekdays
It's always cheaper to fly during the middle of the week than on a weekend because most people travel on the weekends and airlines hike their prices as a result.  If you fly directly on a major holiday, prices are also a bit cheaper.  Early-morning or late-night flights are also cheaper because fewer people want to travel then.  Before you commit to your departure, make sure you check other dates so you can pick the cheapest day.  The difference of a day can mean hundreds of dollars in savings.
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Be Flexible with Your Destinations
Instead of going to a place with an expensive flight, fly where it's cheapest.  Kayak offers the "Explore" tool, which allows you to put in your airport and see which routes have the cheapest fares.  If you are flexible with your destination, this is a great way to start researching where to go.  Google Flights also offers a great tool too.
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Take Advantage of Student Discounts
If you are a student, there are many discounts available to you.  Check out STA Travel and its search engine.  You can find flexible student tickets on its website and at agency stores. If you're Canadian, check out Travel Cuts for deals.
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Consider Budget Airlines
Flying with the budget airlines might be a good alternative to flying "the majors".  
You get fewer perks, but you can save a bundle in ticket costs.  For example, WOW air is introducing cheap fares to Iceland and London from the United States.  Air Asia offers crazy-cheap deals around Asia and Australia for as little as $100 each way. Indian and Middle Eastern airlines offer cheap flights throughout the subcontinent and Africa.  Many times, these low-cost airlines offer no-fare tickets — you pay just the taxes.  However, be aware there are lots of disadvantages, such as hidden fees, unfavorable schedules, baggage restrictions, and everything in the plane is “bare-bones”.  There is no free meal or drinks and the flight attendants’ salary depends on how many items they can sell to passengers.
Secondary airports that low-cost carriers fly into are often quite distant from the cities they purportedly serve.  How far?  Oslo Torp is 113km (71 miles) north of Oslo.  Stockholm Skavsta is located about 100km (65 miles) from Stockholm.  Frankfurt Hahn sits 120 km (75 miles) west of Frankfurt.  Be sure to check out how far the airports are from the city center — sometimes transportation from the airport to the city can actually make a budget airline ticket more expensive writes Eurocheapo.
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Sign Up for a Frequent Flier Program
Airline rewards programs are a great way to get free flights, free upgrades, and free companion tickets.  No matter how often you fly, you should be registered for the airline's reward program so you can grow your balance over time.  Major alliances work with partners and you can earn miles and rewards with those partner flights.  This way you can always earn miles when you fly. 
Moreover, there are lots of other ways to earn miles even if you aren't jet-setting around the world all the time:  Shop at member stores - All airlines have special offers for large consumer companies such as Apple, Best Buy, or Target.  Shopping at these preferred stores will earn you 2-4 miles per dollar spent, though sometimes there are deals for up to 10 miles per dollar spent.  If you spend $1,000 a month, you can earn up to 3,000 miles just by going through their websites. The products don't cost extra, so you only win. 

When airlines get into price wars or offer new routes, they often launch ridiculous double- or triple-mile offers.  Many people then fly these routes just for the miles. They will fly from California to New York and back again if they find a dirt-cheap fare, in order to gain miles. Mileage runs are very common and, while not free, can be a useful method to gain a lot of miles on a cheap fare.
Put everything on your credit card — from Starbucks to phone bills. If you collect 36,000 miles per year you get a free flight to Europe just for using your credit card. In the movie “Up in the Air”, George Clooney's character said, "I don't do anything if it doesn't benefit my miles account."     
When purchasing a fare from an airline based abroad, use a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign currency conversion fee, even if the price is quoted in dollars.
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Sign up for Newsletters 
This could be triple miles on a selected route or something their recent promotion because they often feature offers not found on an airline's website. 
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The days of all-inclusive service on airline travel has long passed, so picking the right airline is crucial. Want to check in that bag? Want more legroom? That snack on United is going to cost you… even on an international flight. If you have particular needs, you’ll need to check with your airline ahead of time, before you easily spend an extra $50 check-in a bag for a roundtrip trip. 
Cheap airfare has made travel more possible for the budget-conscious among us, but that doesn’t mean it’s all fine. Before you buy your ticket, make sure you know exactly what you are (and aren’t!) paying for. Surprises are lovely unless they involve costly unforeseen travel expenses. 

Most important of all: Learn about your rights as a passenger.  In case of delays and cancellations, you will be glad you were using a European airline, as they have some of the most generous passenger rights and refunds in the world.


Read more:
https://thriftynomads.com/booking-cheapest-flight-possible-anywhere/

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Saturday, July 7, 2018

Travel Hacks: Save Money in Europe




Europe is one of the most interesting parts of the world to travel to - its cultural highlights, its culinary indulgences, and the diversity of people and languages.  Theoretically, one can visit several countries just in one day.  But don't do it!  Enjoy an area and go for more on your next vacation. 

From the snow-capped alpine peaks and Norwegian fjords to Icelandic geysers and Croatian lakes, let alone Swedish rivers clean enough to drink from and the pristine Portuguese coast adored by surfers: Europe's diversity offers virtually unlimited opportunities for exploration.  Here are tips on how you can save money - often as the locals do too.

Book as early as possible if you are fixed on a travel time and a destination.  These prices often include the corresponding early booking discounts. In many cases, you are able to cancel hotel bookings or car rental free of charge during the holiday planning if you find cheaper offers.

Use flight search engines such as Skyscanner, Idealo, or Kayak and then book the cheapest flight directly with the airline.  Travelers to Germany: From August on there are the new inexpensive tickets for train travel.  For only 20 Euros to the other end of the republic!

Brooke Saward advice: “Traditionally it has always been cheaper to book a return ticket from your point of origin… but times are changing.  A great way to save a tonne of cash is to book a one-way flight to your starting point, journey from there to your final destination (i.e. Land in London, travel throughout Southern Europe and fly out of Vienna in Central Europe), and not have to worry about travelling in a loop back to your starting point.”



Find out in advance about the costs of local public transport at your destination.  It would be a pity if the savings on flights or train tickets had been eaten up by 60 Euros for taxis, where only 5 Euros would have been spent on public transport.  Mobility apps such as Ally and Qixxit (both for Android and iPhone) will help you, as well as the local city websites.

If your flight is delayed significantly, stay relaxed and afford something.  Documented delays of more than three hours will bring compensation.  You are entitled to between 250 and 600 Euros per person and flight, depending on the distance to your destination. You can claim the money yourself or leave the claim to an air passenger assistant for a fee.

Avoid luggage trouble and book your tickets accordingly.  Additional luggage at the check-in counter can be tremendously expensive.  You do not need luggage insurance, this is usually expensive and does not replace much.  Your household contents insurance pays for it.




If you can, travel offseason.  This way you avoid that prices are hiked, hotels are fully booked, and the lines for museums go around the whole block.  And you will be among locals, not hordes of tourists. Best times might be May (April in Southern Europe too) and late September and October.

For inexpensive accommodation during July and August, especially if you travel with your family, check out university websites in large cities. Many are offering dorm rooms or whole apartments at very low prices. Even some hostels in Europe are worth the stay, and you might find two-person bedrooms, sometimes even in lovely castles.  Get a hostel pass which lets the overnight fee drop even lower.  There is also a new breed of hostels called Luxury Hostels often with swimming pools or a sauna.



Eat out or Dine in?  Eating out in Europe can be a bit pricey, especially if you are traveling with the whole family on a tight daily budget.  Nibbling street food sandwiches or baguettes for 4-5 Euro’s will keep you going, but if you have time, cook at the hostel or your holiday home. Pasta or a stew is always the easiest dish and keeps the costs way down. In Spain and Italy you will find amazingly inexpensive “antipasti” in form of the famous Tapas/Cicchetti: fish, meat, cheese or other delicious goodies in small portions and for very low prices. In Rome, Milano and other Italian cities, the locals go to “tavola calda”, as the cafeterias are called, and enjoy cheap homemade food at lunchtime for locals on a budget.

Take out a reasonable travel health insurance policy for around 10 Euros so that illnesses or accidents do not ruin your holiday fund, as well as your holiday.  A good travel health insurance also pays for rescue flights and return transports.  You can also conclude the necessary contracts last minute, but you must still be in Germany at that moment.

Visit the local “Tourist Information” once you arrive to find great information (from locals) and advice (for free) as well as get the best option of what to visit. Get free maps and free internet access.



Consider ride-sharing, especially if you travel alone.  Long-distance ride-sharing is popular in Europe, with millions of people now hitching rides with complete strangers on a monthly basis.  Check out  Carpooling.com, now BlaBlaCar.  You can travel from Hamburg to Berlin in Germany for as low as $16 including free insurance.  And it’s as environmentally friendly as train travel.

Do you need a rental car?  Then you should book it in advance in Germany, including the desired insurance cover.  Check the price again before departure.  Sometimes there are special offers and you can still cancel the previously booked car.  Avoid additional expensive insurance on-site at the car rental company as your own car insurance covers your rental car as well.

Use your smartphone as a navigation device abroad.  For travel outside the EU (or your home country), you should upload the maps on your mobile phone beforehand.  This may avoid high fees for downloading the maps. Within the EU, download costs are capped by EU roaming rules - if you have an EU contract.



Staying in a city: treat yourself to an overnight stay in a hotel from Sunday to Monday, which is often significantly cheaper than any other night.  During the week, business travelers ensure a high price level. Friday and Saturday night you would compete with other tourists for the cheapest and most beautiful places to sleep. If you travel single go one step further: try websites such as Couchsurfing.com and Mindmyhouse.com if you want to stay completely free!

You are also able to organize guided city tours from home using your smartphone.  If you want to visit famous sights such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Eremitage in St. Petersburg, or the Louvre in Paris, order your tickets online in advance to get a better price and to avoid long waiting times in queues.  Many museums offer free entry on particular days.  Check out their online presence and do a Google search for these days.

DKB and Santander credit cards do not charge foreign currency fees.  Report your trip abroad to your bank, which handles the credit card, so that it does not block the credit card because of "suspicious foreign bookings".  You can do this easily online.  Always take at least two cards with you.

If the cash automat in Paris, Madrid, Rome or Athens asks for your currency when withdrawing, specify the local currency.  If you press "Euro" instead, many vending machine operators will charge you unfavorable exchange rates.  You will quickly lose 10 to 20 Euros per withdrawal.

For longer stays abroad it is almost always cheaper to buy a local Sim card from the country of travel. Check the card instantly right in the shop where you bought it to find out that it works and the full amount is available.

Try to get free local newspapers or flyers in libraries where you will find lots of free events, such as art shows, book readings, or a myriad of free music events. Thursday is the day where art galleries start their next shows and invite interested art lovers (you!) to a vernissage including wine and cheese.  State-run museums in the UK are free of charge for people of all ages.  And in Italy, families can take their kids under 18 for free to state run museums like the Uffizi in Florence.  Don’t forget to ask for special rates for students, seniors, or small groups.

Wi-fi connection is almost everywhere… and best of all, it's free!  Whether you go to the closest McDonalds or Starbucks, or simply log on in a public square as more and more cities are offering free Wi-fi, or W-Lan as it is called in Germany.

The hotel room wasn't as promised?  Document the defect immediately and request remedy on site.  If you have booked a package tour and the defect has not been remedied, you are entitled to a price reduction.  This means that you can get a part of the travel price refunded later.  Even if you have booked the car and hotel together and paid for them on one invoice, this is a package tour under the new European law.

Back home, don't forget to check your credit card statement carefully. Not that an unauthorized payment has crept in. Immediately contact your credit card organization in order to contradict this false amount.

Safe travel and lots of fun in Europe!