Independent traveler : Turkey day travel tips for heading Outside…

Independent traveler

Love to travel, but hate tours? This blog offers insight on how to go it alone, from safe accommodations to seeing the best, and maybe the worst. After all, independent travel is an adventure. Flexibility and traveling on a budget are critical. No five-stars or all-inclusives. So hop aboard. Learn to enjoy travel at your own pace and price. Meet other adventurers like yourself and mingle with the locals. Remember: You may travel alone, but you wonʼt be lonely. gloria.independenttraveler@gmail.com

Gloria Maschmeyer

I've been a traveler since I can remember. I spread my wings as a flight attendant at age 20, then married a traveling man and we've never stopped. While based in Anchorage, we've ventured to India, Peru, Bali, Morocco, Burma, Tunisia Singapore and Ecuador. I love ferreting out places off the beaten path. And when things don't go quite as planned, that's just part of the adventure.

Gloria's photos

PHOTOS

Gloria's photo gallery

See Gloria's photos from her world travels.

READER-SUBMITTED

Vacation shots

That's a tiny Machu Pichu at left. View more travel shots in our vacation gallery.

Submit a vacation photo

Gloria's videos

Floating England's Llangollen Canal

See a little snippet of floating the Llangollen Canal in Western England in a narrow boat.

Fun with Divot

Divot snorkeling at the confluence of Brook's River.

Fun with Ted and Divot

Divot at the Falls and Ted cavorting at the mouth flowing out to Naknek Lake.

Plan your trip

AIRFARES

www.travelocity.com

www.expedia.com

BEST TIME OF YEAR

www.myforecast.com

Click on "almanac," then on "historical climate" and plug in the city you wish to check.

ELECTRICAL CONVERSIONS

www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html

For electrical appliances, it's great to know the voltage used in a country and the types of plugs.

CURRENCY RATES

www.oanda.com

For more information on currency exchanges and helpful hints, read my blogs, "Should I change" and "I've decided to change."

TRAVEL WARNINGS

www.travel.state.gov/travel

This site can help you determine the type of crime that goes on in foreign countries against visitors. It also will tell you areas of the country you should avoid.

WORLD TIMES

www.worldtimeserver.com/

Features the current time anywhere and weather. Helpful when you need to call for reservations or want to call back home while away.

WHAT TRAVELERS SAY

www.tripadvisor.com

A favorite sites to see what other travelers have to say about places to stay and visit worldwide

CAR RENTAL

www.hotwire.com

A good site for finding the best deals on renting cars anywhere in the world

TRAVEL INSURANCE

www.squaremouth.com

Web site that compares costs of travel insurance between companies.

Turkey day travel tips for heading Outside…

Posted by indietraveler

Posted: November 17, 2009 - 7:11 pm

"S" is for suitcase, but remember no more than 50 pounds each.

Next week the holiday travel season begins with Thanksgiving. You can make it easier if you:

1. Check in online and print out your boarding pass the day before you go.
2. Pay for extra luggage charges online.
3. Weigh your luggage. Maximum 50 pounds a bag.
4. Make sure you have only two carryons and that they are the correct size. (Check your airline’s website for carryon restrictions.)
5. Place all liquids and gels (3 ounce containers or less) in a quart-sized plastic bag. Put all other liquids in your checked luggage. Secure their lids and place in plastic bags to avoid leakage.
6. Check in for your flight at least one and a half hours before departure. (Some carriers close check-in forty-five minutes prior to departure. There could be long lines.)
7. Expect long, slow security lines.
8. Wear easy to remove boots or shoes with socks to avoid yucky floor stuff.
9. Keep an eye on your computer, purse and camera when going through security. Place your least valuable items through the x-ray machine first. If traveling with a partner, have them go through and watch for your stuff. Make sure you retrieve all your carryons.
10. Check in immediately with the gate agent to upgrade or change seats.
11. Don’t forget to turn off your cell phone and put it in a convenient place you can access after landing. Avoid all temptations to text on the landing approach. Your life and others are at risk.
12. Enjoy your flight and be nice to the flight attendants.

Any other tips? Post them below in the comments section or send me an e-mail…Gloria