Works of Wonder Tour

Article by Kevin Eikenberry

This may seem like a very strange title for an article. After all, a vacation is supposed to be… a vacation. The title seems to imply that we should strive to make our vacation, somehow strategic or productive. In a way, that is what I am suggesting, but maybe not in the anal-retentive way you might have first guessed.I write this during a week of my vacation, because I have a weekly writing quota so I don’t disappoint my loyal newsletter readers. I could have run a repeat article, or I could have written the article before I left, but since I had already decided to write something about vacations, and because I do like to write, I decided it might be best to write about vacations while on vacation.Vacations are important to our mental, physical and emotional health. They provide us a chance to relax, change our perspective and reconnect with parts of ourselves that we might misplace during the daily routine. Some people travel great distances, others stay closer to home. Some like to relax on the beach and others choose more active, scheduled vacations. This article isn’t about those choices – you know what type of vacation works best for you. Rather, this article is meant to help you enjoy and benefit more from the vacation, regardless of where you go, or what you do.Think about how you got there. Most people spend a huge amount of time thinking about, planning, and preparing for their vacations. And they get a tremendous amount of work done in the few days (hours?) before they leave. In other words, when it comes to vacations we are all good project planners and time managers. This experience of planning and preparing is the first lesson we can take from our vacation. While you are on vacation reflect on how productive you were in the days leading up to your departure. You will find lessons you can apply on other days to help you be more productive – and therefore give you more time during your regular life for leisure and relaxation.Start when you leave. I have heard people say things like, “I need a two week vacation, because it takes me 4 or 5 days to start enjoying the vacation.” To this sentiment, I simply ask “Why?”. Resolve that when you are on vacation, you are there. Don’t tell yourself it will take 2 days or 1 day to “get relaxed.” Relax already!Immerse yourself. Whether you are sitting on the beach, on a tour bus or walking through a local shopping bazaar, be there. Experience the things around you. Be in the present moment. Even if things aren’t going like you planned, if the water is cold or it is raining, be where you are. Vacations are huge anticipation machines. We build them up in our minds until there is almost no way the real thing can compete with the image. Immerse yourself in what it is. Be present and enjoy it, regardless of what happens.Recharge. Academic institutions have known for a long time the value in spending time in a new situation. That is why sabbaticals are a part of the lives of faculty members in much of the world. Sabbaticals are, in some ways, like long vacations. A vacation puts us in a new environment, changes our routine, and gives us a chance to recharge our batteries. This quote from the book I read on this vacation states it better than I can:“You have to think more like a fish than a man and look for the slack tides and the pools and eddies in life so you can catch your breath and reflect on the good moments.”-Jimmy Buffett in A Salty Piece of LandLearn Something. No this isn’t like homework; I’m not suggesting you send me a report on “What You Learned on Your Summer Vacation.” But I am serious about learning something. Learn something in a museum. Learn something from the local people or customs. Learn something about the tides. Learn something from someone in the seat next to you on your flight. As humans we are most alive when we are learning, and vacations should be no exception.Make memories. Vacations are a wonderful way to expand our experiences and to create memories. New memories will enrich our lives both now and in the future. They also serve as the spawning ground for new ideas and insights that we may benefit from in all areas of our lives. After you make the memories, capture them. Record the events in your journal, purchase postcards, take pictures. These activities will help preserve those precious memories.Take them. If you stay at work without vacationing because you are “indispensable, but are never fresh and always burned out, what have you gained? Besides that, research says that people that take vacations live longer than those who don’t. I don’t think I can make a more compelling argument than that. If you have already taken a vacation in recent months, think back on it and see how many of my suggestions you followed. If you have an upcoming vacation, I encourage you to consider my ideas, and apply at least one or two of them to that vacation.All of these suggestions will help make your vacation more valuable, more entertaining and more fun. Plus, the vacation itself will help you live longer.Have fun!

As many travelers know, Italy is embellished with numerous fascinating and amazing cities. One among the most attractive and charming cities is Milan. The city of Milan is so lively and in high spirits that it remains one of the topmost must-visit destinations for an exuberant traveler. This Milan travel guide will help you explore the fantastic city of Milan better.

A travel to this city will certainly amaze you with its fast-pace lifestyle, flourishing culture, and its beautiful artistic centers. The cultural and artistic centers here hold numerous magnificent sculptures and statues. For instance, the Duomo, the second largest cathedral in the world, the one that contains the world’s largest collection of marble statues is one of the principle artistic centers in Milan. Apart from the many artistic centers, Milan also houses the world renowned opera house – the Teatro alla Scala (La Scala).

Besides being a cardinal icon for fashion and business, the city of Milan also makes place for exciting nightlife. Visitors to this city who have a passion for night-outs are left with a lot of options. The bars, pubs, cafés, bistros, live music bars, wine cellars, and many such options are so lively and set up in such extremely convincing styles that you will be tempted to spend most of your time there. With such happening places in this lively city you’ll for sure not have a dull moment.

Another very appealing fact about Milan is what they call the happy hour. From 6 pm to 9.30 am you can relax and reach great levels of tranquility while drinking cocktails accompanied by buffets in all the clubs for only about 5-7 Euro per cocktail. When it comes to food in Milan you can expect to find food to satisfy every taste bud and fit every pocket.

While planning on a trip to Milan, you might need the guidance of a professional tour company. In that case, Perillo Tours, an eminent tour company that organizes worthy tours to Italy would definitely meet your requirements.

Travel guides can help you plan the best vacation or holiday possible. However, if you don’t know how to use them for optimal effect, their benefits can be much less extraordinary. Knowing how to use a travel guide to get the most out of the information that it provides is definitely key. Below, we highlight a handful of very useful tips about using travel guides in the most beneficial way possible, making trip planning that much easier.

Start With An Overview Of The Area

Rather than honing in immediately on specific attractions in a region, try to take a broader approach right off the bat. Use travel guides to get a general feel for the area that you will be visiting; take your time and read a few travelogues about the region. If possible, look for well written, engaging pieces about the place you’ll be traveling too. Usually, travel guides do offer general overviews that describe the basic features of an area, including its climate, currency, culture and general statistics. Use this information to form a picture in your mind about what the place will probably be like; that way, you’ll have a better idea about what you’d like to focus on while there.

Narrow Your Focus

After getting a basic idea about your destination, start honing in on a couple of key places or attractions. Use a couple of different travel guides in order to get a feel for which attractions are considered the most significant or “must see” in the area, then read more detailed information about each. If you already have a certain kind of place you prefer – i.e., a beach or somewhere to go hiking – look for information about such attractions in the travel guide that you’re using.

Keep An Open Mind

Part of the joy of traveling is seeing and being exposed to different cultures and things that you otherwise never would be. Therefore, you should be willing to keep an open mind and seek out places that you might not normally be interested in. When reading travel guides, don’t skip over entire sections just because you think you’d certainly never be interested in the topic; instead, look at it as an opportunity to find out about something different. You might be surprised and come across an idea or suggestion that sounds really appealing, after all.

Seek A Second Opinion

Like many things, it’s never wise to base the things you’ll see during your trip on a single travel guide’s opinion. Try to use at least two or three different travel guides to get a better idea about what to see on your trip. Where one guide may downplay the fun of a particular attraction, another might give it rave reviews. The best way to get a well-rounded idea about what to see on your vacation is by consulting more than one travel guide.

Compile The Best Tips And Advice

While you certainly don’t want to print out every single article you read in a travel guide, it is smart to print out and save – or jot down – exceptionally good tidbits and pieces of advice. For instance, some guides might warn you to wear certain clothing when visiting an attraction; be sure to note this advice so you can refer to it down the road. Another travel guide might warn you against taking a certain route; make a note so that you don’t forget while you are on your trip. Keep all of this information in a small binder or another well organized place so it can easily be referred to when needed.

Watch Out For Outdated Information

The only major caveat to bear in mind when using a travel guide is that – even in today’s digital age – information can become outdated. Guides that feature pricing and specific times, for example, might not be accurate anymore. If you’re visiting a foreign country, its currency – or even its ruling government – could be completely different compared with what you read in a travel guide. Use travel guides as basic outlines for your trip, but never rely completely on them; remember that situations can change in the blink of an eye.

As many travelers know, Italy is embellished with numerous fascinating and amazing cities. One among the most attractive and charming cities is Milan. The city of Milan is so lively and in high spirits that it remains one of the topmost must-visit destinations for an exuberant traveler. This Milan travel guide will help you explore the fantastic city of Milan better.

A travel to this city will certainly amaze you with its fast-pace lifestyle, flourishing culture, and its beautiful artistic centers. The cultural and artistic centers here hold numerous magnificent sculptures and statues. For instance, the Duomo, the second largest cathedral in the world, the one that contains the world’s largest collection of marble statues is one of the principle artistic centers in Milan. Apart from the many artistic centers, Milan also houses the world renowned opera house – the Teatro alla Scala (La Scala).

Besides being a cardinal icon for fashion and business, the city of Milan also makes place for exciting nightlife. Visitors to this city who have a passion for night-outs are left with a lot of options. The bars, pubs, cafés, bistros, live music bars, wine cellars, and many such options are so lively and set up in such extremely convincing styles that you will be tempted to spend most of your time there. With such happening places in this lively city you’ll for sure not have a dull moment.

Another very appealing fact about Milan is what they call the happy hour. From 6 pm to 9.30 am you can relax and reach great levels of tranquility while drinking cocktails accompanied by buffets in all the clubs for only about 5-7 Euro per cocktail. When it comes to food in Milan you can expect to find food to satisfy every taste bud and fit every pocket.

While planning on a trip to Milan, you might need the guidance of a professional tour company. In that case, Perillo Tours, an eminent tour company that organizes worthy tours to Italy would definitely meet your requirements.

Spain is a popular destination for Brits abroad, and whilst you’re more than likely to have friends who have travelled the length of the country, the best holidays abroad are those which allow you to explore a country for yourself.

Being prepared is key, so reading something as simple as a Spain travel guide will give you a heads up where to start. That’s invaluable when faced with a country that covers almost 200,000 square miles.

Spain is surrounded by the Balearic Islands, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Atlantic Ocean and it’s the second largest country in Western Europe.

A Spain travel guide will shed light on local quirks, such as the Spanish road system which is mainly centralised. The government plans to put one million electric cars on the roads by 214 as part off the country’s bid to become greener. There are over 1200 km of high speed train links between Malaga, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona and Valladiod.

The country is famed for its cultural offerings, most notable is the country’s cinematic success. Pan’s Labyrinth and Volver are two of the most popular Spanish films, and Almodovar comes from Spain.

Spain isn’t as cheap of a destination as it used to be, but it isn’t overpriced either – you should budget €20 for a full dinner including wine. One thing to remember is that all meals include a service charge. This is included in the price stated on the menu, and means that tipping is optional. A 10% tip is seen as generous usually. Tricks such as going to certain attractions on a Sunday – when they can be free to visit – will help keep the cost down.

The country is scorching hot in the summer, and cold in the winter, so bear that in mind when planning the time of your visit. It can be a year-round destination, because winter along the south and southeast Mediterranean costs remain mild. At the height of summer, you can escape the sweltering heat in the northwest of the country, at the beaches or mountains.

Whatever you want to know about Spain, being prepared by reading a Spain travel guide will make planning, and enjoying your holiday that little bit easier.

When it comes to travel of any kind one of the prime necessities is finding the right hotel. The right hotel can make or break your trip. It can induce great smiles or tears of misery. It can make you feel at home or home sick the moment you enter. Hotel indeed are the resting point of any tourism industry. On them lies the onus of pampering the tourist and giving him the luxury he/she deserves.

Depending upon your budget and need, you can find a plethora of hotels all across the world. No matter where you are going, you can always count on finding the five stars as much as you can the budget hotels. Choosing a hotel however is a lot difficult than it seems. One mistake can make your whole vacation a disaster. You need to do research and go through ever detail before booking a hotel. Pictures in this case can be highly deceiving and do ask your friends and family for a feedback if they have been there. There is nothing more relying than a testimonial of a known person.

Now that we have set the ground rules, let’s explore some of the most popular hotels the world over:

1.            The Four Seasons, Chicago: If you are looking for a place that pampers you like paradise, then here is the clear winner.  The breathtaking views complement well with the hotels charm and elegance giving you an experience of a lifetime.

2.            The Peninsula, Hong Kong: Here is one hotel that promises luxury and that too the very best. This hotel merges the modern with the classical and gives you a great blend of comfort and luxury.

3.            Barceló Hotels & Resorts: With 129 properties in around 14 countries, the Barceló is a name you can trust for great service as well as great price.

4.            Domina Hotels & Resorts: Having 11 hotels across Europe and North America, Domina is an attractive hotel moderately priced.

5.            Etap Hotel: This is a low budget hotel you don’t want to miss. Located in 11 countries with 370 hotels, it offers great services at its price.

6.            Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces: If you are visiting India then staying in Taj will ensure your stay is most comfortable and pampering. Also located in Asia, the U.K., the U.S., Africa, the Middle East and Australia, they have 77 properties worth a visit. They are generally high end and deliver the luxury they promise.

7.            The Ritz, Paris: A hotel name you can bank upon for luxury, controversy, celebrities and all the glamour. It is set in the heart of the world’s fashion capital and attracts a great many tourists every year.

8.            The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas: Being one of the few 5-star and 5-diamond hotels of the world, it commands a kind of respect in the industry. It guarantees you the best of everything.

9.            Husa Hotels: Located in countries like Spain, Argentina, Belgium, France and Egypt. They have 160 properties which cater to a variety of people. They run a wide range of hotels which can be budget as well as expensive.

10.           Iberostar Hotels & Resorts: With 100 hotels in Europe, South America, the Caribbean and North Africa, they provide extra care and comfort to their guests. Most of the properties have amazing views and pools.

 Brought to you by Kilometers to Miles

They say that travel is about the journey, not just the destination. But if you’ve ever arrived at your destination only to find out that your hotel room is dingy, dirty, and miles from all the action, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.

An increasing number of hotels are positioning themselves to be more than just a place to sleep—they are the action.

You may have heard of the ice hotels in Sweden and Montreal, or even funky spots like California’s Madonna Inn and the Dog Bark Park in Cottonwood, Idaho … but here are few more unusual hotels to inspire your next trip.

These are our picks for the world’s most unusual hotels, in no particular order.

1. To the Lighthouse

Love all things nautical? Then try sleeping in a lighthouse.

There are actually dozens of lighthouses around the world that welcome overnight guests, but at Brown’s Point Lighthouse in Tacoma, Washington, you get to be the lighthouse keeper.

This 30-foot concrete structure is perched by Commencement Bay and the keeper’s dwelling (at right) was recently restored for overnight stays. Guest participate in the “keeper program,” in which they maintain the lighthouse and hold public tours. This job is designed for at least two people, and six maximum, making it a great educational experience for families. Rates range from $500-$700 per week. 253-927-2536, www.pointsnortheast.org

2. Go Climb a Tree

If it seems like the days of kids clambering up trees and running around outdoors are a thing of the past, skip the sedentary vacations and force them out – and up.

The Cedar Creek Treehouse is a private mountain retreat in the woods of Mt. Rainier, located 50 feet up in a 200-year-old Western Red Cedar tree.

Owner Bill Compher built the treehouse himself, making it large enough to accommodate up to five people.

There’s a bathroom, kitchen and dining area, not to mention skylights and an observatory 100 feet up that offers great views from all around.

Though it’s a safe climb up, kids under 10 are not allowed inside the treehouse. Rates are $250 for two people, and $25 for each additional guest. 360-569-2991, www.cedarcreektreehouse.com

3. All Aboard the Romance Train

To conjure up the romantic days of train travel, why not cozy up inside an actual train car for the night? The Northern Rail Traincar B&B in Two Harbors, Minnesota, is made up of connected rail cars with 18 guest rooms.

The Porter Suite sleeps two and includes a dinette and a private bath for $109-$139. Or go all out and climb aboard the King Conductor Suite, a full train car that sleeps up to four, with a king bedroom and a separate living room.

Located on 160 acres of forested land (about 25 minutes outside of Duluth), you have access to Lake Superior and Gooseberry Falls, plus outdoor activities like hiking and golfing. 877-834-0955; www.northernrail.net

4. Were You Raised in a Barn?

Located on the Puget Sound, just a ferry ride away from Seattle, is a quirky little spot designed for two. The Big Red Barn Getaway is a real barn built in the 1890s which has been renovated into a tiny inn.

You’ll be surrounded by miles of unspoiled nature (and may even catch sight of a Bald Eagle). The historic Victorian seaport of Port Townsend is a 10-minute walk away, where you can take advantage of the requisite quaint antique shops and art galleries; Fort Worden State Park is only two minutes away, with gorgeous beaches and plenty of hiking trails.

And, since it’s a barn, Fido and Fluffy are welcome to join you for an extra fee (but they’re asked to stay out of the Jacuzzi). 360-301-1271, www.BigRedBarnGetaway.com

5. How About a Yurt?

Ever slept in a yurt? Even know what a yurt is?

These round, canvas dwellings were created by Mongolian nomads more than 2,000 years ago; it’s an ingenious structure that sits sturdily on the ground and often can fit several people at once.

Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California, has 16 yurts along the ridge above the Pacific Ocean, four of which can fit families. You’ll have the best ocean-view room in town. Rates are $170-$270 for two to four people, including a waffle breakfast. 877-424-4787, www.treebonesresort.com

6. Batting Around in a Cave

You may not know that there are several underground hotels in Cappadocia, Turkey (a region in the middle of Turkey not too far from Ankara), but the most highly touted one of all is the Gamirasu Cave Hotel, which is located inside a restored, thousand-year-old Byzantine monastic retreat. There are 18 exquisitely adorned rooms, some of which were actually monk cells, which are carved into the cave or built with volcanic rock.

Calm, cool and peaceful, a stay here will make you feel as if you’ve been transported centuries back in time. And don’t worry, there is running water. Room rates range from about $110 for a double room to about $500 for a deluxe suite. www.gamirasu.com

7. Digging the Dug-Out

The Australian outback is filled with opal mines and dugouts galore—so dive in and experience one first-hand at the Desert Cave Hotel located within the sandstone of Coober Pedy.

The hotel boasts 19 underground rooms, and about 30 rooms above ground for those who prefer not to live troglodyte-style. Also underground are casinos, shops featuring locally mined opals and Aboriginal arts and crafts. Rooms are about $150 a night, not including meals or a cave tour. www.desertcave.com.au

8. Sleeping in the Pipelines

OK, this one is for the truly adventurous … but if you ever wanted to brag that you slept in a drainpipe, read on. Daspark Hotel in Lintz, Austria consists of three concrete drainpipes in the middle of a park.

Inside each one is a teensy room built for two, with a double bed, a lamp, a small storage space, and even power outlets. Food, toilets and showers are all located nearby.

If you’re concerned about sleeping in a public park, rest assured that the drainpipes are all locked with a safety code. Sure, a drainpipe room may be a little, well, rudimentary, but the beauty is that you determine your own rates. www.dasparkhotel.net

9. Sleeping with the Fishes

With both China and Dubai building underwater hotels called the Hydropolis, sleeping under water seems to the wave of the future. China is hoping to have its land-based HydroTower component open by the Olympics, but if you can’t wait until then, stick a little closer to home and visit the Jules Verne Undersea Lodge.

This underwater hotel is actually a research lab in Key Largo, Florida, but regular landlubbers are invited to spend the night. You’ll actually have to scuba dive your way into the hotel, but they’ll give you all the necessary training. An overnight visit costs about $475 and includes diving gear and unlimited dives if you’re certified (or you can get certified during your stay). 305-451-2353, www.jul.com

10. Doing Time

The new Liberty Hotel in Boston has been making headlines as a former jail-turned-luxury-hotel. After a five-year renovation program that cost upward of $150 million, the Charles Street jail has maintained some precious features that pay homage to its history—such as a restaurant called Clink, and a bar called Alibi housed in the former “drunk tank.”

But if you’re looking for a more, well, authentic prison experience, you’ll have to jet yourself over to Latvia to the Karosta Prison. Located in Liepaja (about three hours west of Riga), this former Soviet detention facility was once known as the “prison that nobody escaped from.”

Today, it welcomes (if that’s the right word) visitors to spend a night for about $16.

This is no blueblood luxury hotel: Guests play the role of a prisoner, complete with ex-Soviet military guards berating and ordering you around, cold iron beds, and toilets that remain uncomfortably close to their original state. Karosta Prison – English website.

By Managing Editor Sarika Chawla for Peter Greenberg.com.

“Five Star Rating”, “Luxury Hotels”, “Superior Deluxe” are all terms that allow hotel guests and visitors to set expectations about the quality and variety of the services provided. Although at present, there are no global standards for rating hotel accommodations; one can still gain some insight into the quality of the service by the number of stars or diamonds displayed in travel guides. Several of the major factors that play a part in these hotel ratings center on the room itself. En suite bathrooms complete with Jacuzzis and heated floors influence the rating on many three, four and five star hotels. However, extra factors in comfort, service and convenience make the overall difference in the final classifications.

Two of Auckland’s hotels are especially notable. Not only do they each have five stars after the name, but they each have extra qualities that make the traveler’s stay there even more memorable. Langham Hotel on Symonds Street in Auckland, for example, has all the expected features of the Langham brand, but has a unique way of combining them that is distinctively New Zealand.

The Stamford Plaza in Auckland is one of 98 hotels worldwide that have received the Official Hotel Guides “Superior Deluxe” classification. The Langham is part of the Leading Hotels of the World classification system and features a luxury hotel within a luxury hotel. Personalized service and access to the business center are part of the Langham Hotel Club extra amenities.

The Langham in Auckland, New Zealand has a total of 410 rooms for guests and 15 rooms for business or entertainment functions, while the Stamford has 313 rooms, 19 suites and can provide conference rooms with catering up for up to four hundred guests.

Location

Each facility is conveniently located from the Auckland airport. Also, both hotels are convenient to other points of interest such as the waterfront, High Street, the Domain and the Auckland Museum. The Stamford is situated just above the central business district (or CBD) with only a short walk to the waterfront or America’s Cup Village. It is also near the Auckland Railway Station, Hobson Street and the Convention Center. In both cases, transportation to and from the hotels and other points of interest in and around the city is available.

Services

These two luxury hotels vie with each other and with others in the vicinity to provide services that are unique and different and that will attract more guests to reserve rooms for lodging and for entertainment or business functions. Both hotels provide the capability to obtain a baby sitter, concierge, butler, and valet and laundry services. The Langham has secretarial and business services available and a doctor and dentist on call. Twenty-four hour room service is provided in both hotels.

Room Facilities

Within the guest rooms, the most modern technology is available to visitors. This includes broadband or high-speed internet access, and wireless access in the public areas. Guests have analog, two line telephones, video, flat-screen televisions, with an in room safe and business desk in the Stamford rooms.

Hotel Facilities

In both five star hotels guests have access to swimming pools, sauna, and exercise rooms with state-of-the-art gym equipment. Golf courses, tennis courts and squash facilities are also at arms length to hotel guests. In addition, guests can take advantage of the safety deposit box facility and the foreign currency exchange service at the Langham.

Strict attention is paid to every possible need or desire of guests at these Auckland luxury hotels. Nothing is spared in terms of the guest’s convenience. Facilities accessible to handicapped individuals are readily available. Comfort, convenience and enjoyment are the first priority for guests of these world-class luxury hotels.

As with most luxury accommodations, award winning restaurants are associated with the hotels. The Langham has three bars on site, including a champagne and oyster bar and a cigar bar. The Stamford has two world-class restaurants on site and one located nearby.

Other Luxury Hotels

The Langham and the Stamford are the only five star hotels in Auckland. There are many other hotels in the city that are rated with four stars or three stars, and there are also many fine accommodations for the traveler on a tight budget. Whether the visitor to Auckland is on vacation or is on a business trip, choosing a luxury hotel will make the trip even more enjoyable, and Auckland has two of the best hotels in the world.

Travel guides can help you plan the best vacation or holiday possible. However, if you don’t know how to use them for optimal effect, their benefits can be much less extraordinary. Knowing how to use a travel guide to get the most out of the information that it provides is definitely key. Below, we highlight a handful of very useful tips about using travel guides in the most beneficial way possible, making trip planning that much easier.

Start With An Overview Of The Area

Rather than honing in immediately on specific attractions in a region, try to take a broader approach right off the bat. Use travel guides to get a general feel for the area that you will be visiting; take your time and read a few travelogues about the region. If possible, look for well written, engaging pieces about the place you’ll be traveling too. Usually, travel guides do offer general overviews that describe the basic features of an area, including its climate, currency, culture and general statistics. Use this information to form a picture in your mind about what the place will probably be like; that way, you’ll have a better idea about what you’d like to focus on while there.

Narrow Your Focus

After getting a basic idea about your destination, start honing in on a couple of key places or attractions. Use a couple of different travel guides in order to get a feel for which attractions are considered the most significant or “must see” in the area, then read more detailed information about each. If you already have a certain kind of place you prefer – i.e., a beach or somewhere to go hiking – look for information about such attractions in the travel guide that you’re using.

Keep An Open Mind

Part of the joy of traveling is seeing and being exposed to different cultures and things that you otherwise never would be. Therefore, you should be willing to keep an open mind and seek out places that you might not normally be interested in. When reading travel guides, don’t skip over entire sections just because you think you’d certainly never be interested in the topic; instead, look at it as an opportunity to find out about something different. You might be surprised and come across an idea or suggestion that sounds really appealing, after all.

Seek A Second Opinion

Like many things, it’s never wise to base the things you’ll see during your trip on a single travel guide’s opinion. Try to use at least two or three different travel guides to get a better idea about what to see on your trip. Where one guide may downplay the fun of a particular attraction, another might give it rave reviews. The best way to get a well-rounded idea about what to see on your vacation is by consulting more than one travel guide.

Compile The Best Tips And Advice

While you certainly don’t want to print out every single article you read in a travel guide, it is smart to print out and save – or jot down – exceptionally good tidbits and pieces of advice. For instance, some guides might warn you to wear certain clothing when visiting an attraction; be sure to note this advice so you can refer to it down the road. Another travel guide might warn you against taking a certain route; make a note so that you don’t forget while you are on your trip. Keep all of this information in a small binder or another well organized place so it can easily be referred to when needed.

Watch Out For Outdated Information

The only major caveat to bear in mind when using a travel guide is that – even in today’s digital age – information can become outdated. Guides that feature pricing and specific times, for example, might not be accurate anymore. If you’re visiting a foreign country, its currency – or even its ruling government – could be completely different compared with what you read in a travel guide. Use travel guides as basic outlines for your trip, but never rely completely on them; remember that situations can change in the blink of an eye.