Tag: resource

Budget Travel: Invest Your Time Now and Save Money Later

Budget Travel: Invest Your Time Now and Save Money Later

When considering when, where, how, for how long and what type of vacation, trip or holiday venture to undertake, we all get caught up in the anticipation, excitement and exhilaration. Sometimes we let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may only happen once a year, for some, even more infrequently. We tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.

There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. Budget travel planning is easier that you might think. Here are a few handy travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!

• Cushion your budget – When considering a trip or planning budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.

• Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.

• Set your priorities: Set some spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you.

• Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM’s and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.

• Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you’re planning a road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own. Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large family with a lot of equipment or luggage.

• Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you reach the next more densely or major populated destination, where gas might be a little cheaper.

• Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these during a pit stop, if you are counting your travel dollars. A cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.

• Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip. The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge.

Budget travel requires close attention to all things financial before and during your trip. Planning a trip or vacation can be a little time consuming but following these travel tips will hopefully save you a lot of headaches as well as some unnecessary interest charges on your credit card balances later! You will thank yourself for your fiscal restraint and spending discipline, upfront planning, foresight and forward thinking!

Hiking Trails: How You Can Choose the Best One

Hiking Trails: How You Can Choose the Best One

Are you interested in going hiking ?  Whether you would like spend one day hiking or five days, you will need to find a hiking park to visit and a hiking trial to hike.  Although you can choose to go on any hiking trial that you want, you may want to take the time to find the best one. Those who take the time to examine a number of different trials, and handpick their favorite ones, are more likely to have an enjoyable time. 

Although it is nice to hear that you should take the time to find the perfect hiking trail, you may be wondering exactly how you can go about doing so. In all honesty, there are an unlimited number of different ways that you can go about finding the “perfect,” hiking trail.  A few of the many approaches that you can take are outlined below.

One of the easiest ways that you can go about finding a great trail is by asking those that you know for recommendations.  Asking those that you know for recommendations is nice and easy, because it limits the amount of research that you have to do yourself.  If you know of anyone, like a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker, who enjoys hiking, you may want to see if they can recommend any good hiking trails to you.  You will want to try and find hiking trails that are well maintained, cheap to hike, as well as safe.

Another way that you can go about finding a great hiking trail is by contacting any of your local hiking parks.  If you are looking to stay local, you should be able to find the contact informationby using your local phone book. By contacting some of your local parks, you may be able to get information on the trials in question.  In addition to getting information over the phone, you may also be able to request that you have a few brochures, like maps, mailed to your home.  If you live close enough to the hiking trail or park, you may want to think about stopping by to get the same information in person.

If you are interested in not hiking locally, but hiking a distance that is away from your home, you may be wondering how you can go about researching hiking trials or parks.  Of course, you can use the internet and other resources, but you may want to think about waiting until you get to your destination. As previously mentioned, asking those that you know for recommendations is a great way to find a good hiking trail.  When you arrive at your destination, you may want to think about asking some local residents for hiking trail recommendations. 

As previously stated, you can also use the internet to help you research local and non-local hiking trails, as well as hiking parks in general.  If you know where you would like to go hiking, like in what city or in what state, you may want to incorporate your destination into your search. This may help give you more tailored results.  Speaking of those results, you will likely be connected to websites that are referred to as hiking websites.  These websites often provide you with information on hiking, as well as information on popular hiking trails.

No matter where you find yourself hiking, doing a little research beforehand, goes a long way in making your trip and enjoyable one. Remember for all your travel needs visit us at myroadtotravel.com

Why to choose Slovakia

Why to choose Slovakia

Is a country located in Central Europe. The capital is Bratislava. Slovak landscape is very contrasting: Carpathian Mountains, which lies north of the country, also Tatras mountains are situated here. Tatras mountains are a good destination for skiing. Other relief units such as: lakes, valleys, rivers and the Danube.

Slovakia is a country with a long history, the main tourist attractions are historical cultural values (castles, churches, museums).

Bratislava – is a town near the borders with Hungary and Austria, and only 60 kilometers from Vienna. This capital is crossed by the Danube. One of the city’s attractions can be Bratislava Castle – is an impressive structure of this city, on a area of 85 meters, above the Danube level.

National Park High Tatras (TANAP) has an area of 70,000 hectares and is the most spectacular mountain range, in Slovakia. Has more than 20 peaks exceeding 2500 meters and about 100 glacial lakes. There is a dense network of marked trails, for the most attractive places. This National Park is favorable for winter sports.

National Park Low Tatras (NAPANT) here we find ski trails and tourist resorts, find also the Red Monastery – built in gothic style and Slovak Paradise, represented by stunning karst landscapes. Dob?in? Cave, the oldest cave in Europe.

In Slovakia we find, rivers and lakes anthropogenic, but this country is landlocked. Doma?a Lake,  was built on the river Ondava. This has facilitated the development of six recreation centers, on the  Ondava Plateau.

Spas, is an important point in Slovak tourism. This country is known for its large number of sources of clean water. This resource brings every year a large number of tourists who come to treat certain diseases. Silt deposits of the best quality, make these spas, miracles of nature. The same can be said about the hot springs, another source of health for people.

Medieval towns, religious buildings, castles, mansions and fortresses – all are part of the history of Slovakia and also shows that Slovakia has been an important point in European history. In the ancient trade routes passed through this country. In Slovakia there are 18 historical cities recognized heritage buildings, fortifications, towers, churches, hotels, gothic cathedrals, baroque or renaissance. Some examples of how medieval towns, such as: Levo?a, Trnava, Pre?ov, Bystrica, Bansk? ?tiavnica – some of these cities as part of a UNESCO program to preserve natural and cultural values.

Bowfell Via Crinkle Crags

Bowfell Via Crinkle Crags

Starting from the National Trust Car park near the Old Hotel  I headed off westwards out of Langdale into tiny Oxendale. A short while after passing Stool End, the last farm in the valley   a footbridge was reached which crosses Oxendale Beck and I began toclimb. Climbing up Brown Howe, passing near to Red Tarn and finally to Great Knott was the chosen route. In less than two miles over 500 metres if climbing was achieved, a great start  as climbing always seems easier when you are fresh and tiredness is a long way off. Up to Great Knott (often confused as one of the Crinkles) and then the walk eased down to a gentle stroll. The approach to Crinkle Crags was before me.

Deciding to take the high route over the Crags I progressed steadily and encountered no difficulties at all, not even on the Bad Step section of Long Top Crinkle. The views from The Crags are just wonderful. Some two miles north west are the Scafells,  to the north east are the Langdale Pikes and look south  the Coniston Fells are three miles off.

From the Crags I started walking due north down to Three Tarns which are perched on a saddle connecting the crags to Bowfell. Here I stopped and took on board some refreshment and contemplated the walk in front of me. Rested I set off once more and commenced the short stiff 200 metres climb which was reached without difficulty. The summit of Bowfell is a boulder field that plays havoc with your ankles and care had to be taken here. As a lone walker I need to take additional care – mobile phone coverage is not to good in Lakeland and help can be a long way off. At the cairn there was a fair wind blowing which soon chilled the body so I sort shelter and rested.

Restarting a walk after a lengthy rest can be difficult especially when the wid is blowing hard into your face but from the top of a lakeland peak you have no option. I headed for Ore Gap  and commenced the drop down to Angle Tarn, the going quite wet underfoot but not too taxing. Having achieved my target a made the short climb round Rossett Pike and Hanging Knotts to Rossett Gill. There followed an awkward decent down the Gill I faced  a gentle walk over ;level ground for acouple of miles. By now the wind had dropped as I descended from the peaks and it was quite pleasant. Most of this section follows Mickleden Beck which is flanked by Pike of Stickle and Gimmer Crag on the one side and by Earing Crag/The Band and  Crinkle Crags on the other. Tired and leg weary I arrived back at the car park delighted with a strenuous but enjoyable day. Alas I still faced the long drive home but it had been worth it!

The overall distance covered on the walk was some nine miles and with over 1000 metres of climbing involved.  It is a very hard walk with strenuous climbs and descents and is not for the faint hearted.  Having said that it will provide you with 6 to 7 hours of true Lakeland splendour that lasts in the memory.

Useful Resources

Os Explorer Map OL6