E-TRAVEL TIPS AND INFORMATION November 2009 DearTravel Travel Friend Every month, Travel Travel will email you up-to-date travel industry information which should not only be interesting but could affect your future travel arrangements and decisions. WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AN ESCORTED TOUR VS PLAN YOUR OWN TOUR  We were recently visited by our very knowledgeable sales representative, Rene, from Insight Vacations.  There are so many travel options we research and discuss with our clients daily and Rene did a great job of reminding our agents at Travel Travel why Escorted Tours are a better choice and value than planning your own tour on the internet. Today, an ever increasing number of travelers are convinced that arranging their own travel on the Internet and “winging it ”  is a less expensive and better way to go.  Not so! Escorted Tours can actually work out cheaper for you in the long run!  You won't have the stress of planning every detail of your dream vacation and most importantly, help will always be at hand should anything go wrong.  Consider the convenience of being met by professional tour operators at each airport, having your bags taken to your waiting bus  and being driven in luxury to your hotel for a VIP check-in. Not an easy task for even the most seasoned travelers to arrange and even more difficult in a foreign city.  Imagine your fellow passengers,  “ready-made” traveling companions and potential future friendships, ready to have fun and share with you in your tour experience. For the duration of your tour you don't have to worry about where you are going to spend the night. Do you want to be stressed  worrying about the cost, the standard, what is included in the rate and the location of every hotel you may stay at during your vacation? On an escorted tour all your hotels are chosen by the tour company for their standard of accomodations, service, rating and location.  On your escorted tour, your day-to-day itinerary is pre-determined and carefully planned.  Major sightseeing attractions will be visited and on most tours,  entrance fees are usually included in the tour price.   Through your tour company, your tour group will get priority entry into attractions, restaurants and  museums  and waiting in lines will be minimized. Traveling on your own, you will certainly miss out on the local information given by professional and knowlegable tour guides who know the areas and cultures you visit and can inform, explain and answer questions. Escorted tours will make sure you visit places of interest on days they are open saving the disappointment and frustration of visiting on closed days, after lengthy travel. On an escorted tour, your driver and tour director will make sure you get to pre-reserved places of interest, on time, safely  and without the stress of negotiating heavy traffic or getting lost in strange places .  For the duration of your tour you'll know which meals are included and the standard of included meals is guaranteed. Breakfast is usually included, you normally pay for lunch and some local cusine dinners may come with your tour.  When  deciding  which escorted tour and tour operator to use, don't look only at price.  Compare the value, what is included, the class and location of hotels and itineries. It makes more sense to choose an inclusive tour so you will not be dipping into your wallet for extras all the time!  BASIC FIRST AID FOR TRAVELERS  When traveling, it makes good sense to anticipate minor basic first aid probelms that could occur while on your trip. Make up a small basic first aid kit containing items you may need while traveling. Some content suggestions are: Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, antiseptic hand wipes, antibiotic cream, pain relievers that work for you, cold and cough medication, diarrhea medication, a thermometer and tweezers could also come in handy. Before you leave, make sure you have sufficient prescription medications which should all be properly labeled and kept in their original containers.  Pack an extra pair of prescription glasses in a hard case and a copy of your latest eyeglasses prescription. Imagine what could happen if you lost or broke your only pair of prescription glasses on vacation!  Don't get caught trying to purchase basic over-the- counter medications for minor common ailments, in a foreign country. they are ususally different.  Rather have the over-the-counter  medications you know, use and trust ready if needed. Be careful of the water you drink and the food you eat when traveling and if in doubt, ask  questions at your hotel reception, tour company or knowlegable locals.    If you can't peel it or cook it, don't eat it.  Always  be extra careful..  You can get sick or be involved in an accident when on vacation.  TRAVELING WITH PETS Plan your trip well in advance. Contact your travel agent for restrictions, requirements and charges associated with travelling with your pets. Not all airlines will transport your pets. Start your journey with your pet carrier clean and fresh. Acclimate your pets to travelling in their carrier by transporting them on a series of shorter trips before the airline trip. The smell of a pair of your well worn socks left in your pet's carrier will help comfort your pet while traveling. Most pets will travel in the aircraft hold area. Only very small pets can travel in the cabin. Your pets will need a health certificate from your veterinarian before travelling. Check with the appropriate authorities to ensure that you comply with all regulations and documentation well in advance. Before departure, research and find a good vetenarian close to each of your vacation destinations. Make sure your pets have ID tags with all relevant information, at all times when travelling. Pets are affected by jetlag in the same way humans are. On arrival keep your pets active and in the sunlight, keep habits the same and don't allow them to oversleep on arrival at your destination. Take baby wipes, treats, a supply of fresh newspaper and old disposable blankets for use at your destination. Ask your airline to make sure your pet get enough water and will be well hydrated while traveling. At your destination keep your pets routine the same as at home. Feed your pets the same pet food at your destination if possible. If their pet food is not available at your destination, research and find pet food as similar as possible to what your pet eats at home. Make sure in advance your pets will be accepted wherever you will be staying at all destinations. Bon voyage and good luck to all you animal lovers!   THANK YOU TO OUR TROOPS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE TO OUR COUNTRY !  QUESTIONS? Please email us should you have any travel questions or concerns. Our professional consultants are at your service. Want a specific subject discussed in a future Travel Travel Tips & Information, email us at tvltvl@travelx2.com. **** FORWARD E-TRAVEL TRAVEL TIPS AND INFORMATION TO A FRIEND**** WITHOUT TRAVEL TRAVEL YOUE ARE TRAVELLING ON YOUR OWN ! Travel Travel, Inc. 5140 N. Union Blvd., Suite 200 Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719 593-1591 www.TRAVELX2.COM.  Email: tvltvl@travelx2.com.  To unsubscribe and elect not to receive future Travel Travel Tips & Information, please email us at tvltvl@travelx2.com. Enter subject "unsubscribe" with your name and email address.