Archive for February 8th, 2007

Packing for a trip effectively can be a difficult process considering the circumstances. You have to know what types of clothes to pack, how much to pack, and the most difficult part is fitting it all into an appropriate size of luggage. Here are 7 tips to packing effectively to help eliminate the common frustration.

1. Plan

The number one problem people run into is procrastinating. Too many people feel they have all the time in the world to pack and then they end up packing the night before. All this will do is lead to further stress. If you plan ahead you will know what to pack and how you will fit it in your bags.

2. Everyday clothes

Try to pack clothes that are casual that you would wear every day. If you can blend in with the scenery as opposed to standing out, you will look a lot less like a tourist. Simple jeans or skirts for women and khaki shorts or jeans for men are common worldwide.

3. Pack accordingly

Part of procrastinating is not knowing what the weather will be like where you are going. You may be going somewhere that is usually very warm, but they are having bad weather for a time while you will be there. If you look up the weather, you can pack accordingly and not pack a bunch of clothes that you will not use.

4. Comfortable attire

When you’re on vacation you want everything go to smoothly so you can have a relaxing trip. This means packing comfortable shoes, flip flops and clothing. Try to have one nice outfit with nice shoes, some regular tennis shoes and a sports outfit, and the rest according to where you will be traveling.

5. Pack light

If you can, pack as small an amount of clothing as you can. If you begin packing knowing that you will wear a couple of things twice, you can drastically reduce the amount of luggage you use. It will make the traveling process go a lot smoother if you are only lugging one suitcase or two small ones as opposed to a carload.

6. Pack smart

Aside from packing light, there are several things you can do to fit more into your suitcase. By packing all of your small things into a plastic bag, you will have all of those things grouped together. Instead of just throwing your clothes in your suitcase, fold them once and lay them flat. This will help you occupy every little space in the suitcase.

7. Airport regulations

Call ahead and know what the airport regulations are for luggage. This will help you pack according to what is allowed and will help you avoid having to pay an extra charge.

There are hundreds of things you can do to help you pack light and smart, but this should get you started. As long as you pack what you enjoy wearing and pack light, your packing will be the last thing you have to worry about when going on vacation.

Written by Beverly Perry for bagmybags.com bagmybags.com and yourdiscountfamilyvacation.com yourdiscountfamilyvacation.com


Las Vegas parks and recreation and Nevada National Parks
Las Vegas is known for its casinos, wild nightlife, gambling, girls and shows; but the greater Las Vegas area offers much more. From hiking, biking and horseback riding to amazing Nevada National Parks, lakes and canyons, the Las Vegas area is a recreational playground. Whether you have an afternoon to spare or a weekend, there are plenty of Las Vegas outdoor activities for everyone. After spending the week drinking and gambling in dark casinos, a little exercise and sunshine can do you some good and Nevada National Parks will offer just that.

Red Rock Canyon
Only 20 miles from downtown Las Vegas, the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area covers nearly 200,000 acres of multicolored sandstone and limestone, canyons, mountains, washes and waterfalls, a variety of desert flora and fauna, and wildlife, including bobcats, desert bighorn sheep and wild burros. I don’t know how “wild” the burros actually are though. While hiking, biking, rock climbing and seasonal camping is offered, the most popular choice is the 13-mile scenic drive through the park. Whether you spend the afternoon or weekend, Red Rock Canyon offers up natural scenic beauty and is worth the visit.

Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam
Lake Mead is the perfect place to cool off from the summer heat. Located 25 miles east of Vegas, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area has about 1.5 million acres of desert land and clear water, with 550 miles of shoreline for swimming, boating, sunbathing, water skiing and fishing. Other activities include hiking, camping, horseback riding, roadside sightseeing and wildlife photography. Lake Mead wildlife include bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, kit foxes, bobcats, ringtail cats, jack rabbits and the endangered desert tortoise and peregrine falcons. The amazing Hoover Dam is also nearby with daily tours.

Valley of Fire
Located only six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles from Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire is Nevada’s first state park and its largest. This Nevada National Park is named for its fiery sandstone formations of reds, purples, tans, whites, oranges and yellows, which were formed from shifting sand dunes, years of erosion, wind and climate. Although the geology is similar to Red Rock, the park also offers early Native American culture and their rock art and petroglyphs are found throughout the area. The area was frequently visited by the ancient Basket Makers and Anasazi, who used the area for hunting and religious ceremonies. A popular scenic drive is around the “White Domes.” For recreational activities there is climbing, picnicking, camping and rock scrambling.

Mount Charleston
Get away from the slots and visit Mt. Charleston for fresh air, amazing views and majestic mountain scenery and wildlife. Only 35 miles from Vegas, Mt. Charleston Recreation Area is a welcome relief from not only the city bustle, but the stifling desert heat during the summer. At an elevation of 11,918 feet, Mount Charleston is the third highest peak in Nevada. The recreation area offers 180 campsites, 150 picnic sites, hiking, biking, picnicking, horseback riding, skiing and snowboarding.

Zion and Bryce Canyons
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, cross the border to Utah and visit Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Zion has everything from amazing river carved canyons to scenic waterfalls. The area also has amazing wildlife consisting of 75 mammal species, including mountain lions and mule deer to hundreds of bird varieties and 32 reptiles and amphibians. An hour further away from the 2 ½ hour drive to Zion, Bryce Canyon is a geologic wonder of colorful limestone, with thousands of arches, spires and mazes. Don’t miss the Grand Staircase, which is a series of colored sandstone cliffs, stretching from Bryce Canyons to the Grand Canyon. Recreational opportunities include camping, biking, backpacking, cayoneering, climbing, swimming and tubing.

Grand Canyon
Depending on which rim of the Grand Canyon you venture to, it will be a good day’s drive from Las Vegas, but well worth the visit. Carved over millennia through the rocks of the Colorado Plateau, the Grand Canyon never ceases to be awe-inspiring, with its beauty and size. If the scenic views aren’t enough, there’s hiking, backpacking, biking, bird watching, boating, camping, cross country skiing, fishing, horseback riding, nature walks and more.

Jillian Scheeler makes it easy and provides advice on on what to do in Las Vegas besides casinos and shows, highlighting the best outdoor activities in the area. To recieve your free part minicourse visit the travelpost.com” target=”_blank Las Vegas Website.


What better way to find out how to travel and what to see in New York City, then from a New York City TaxiDriver? My name is William and have been driving a taxi here since the summer of 1980. I was also a securities messenger in the wall street area briefly in the 1970’s.

Lets start off by explaining that New York City is comprised of 5 boroughs.
These are Brooklyn,Queens,Manhattan,Staten Island and The Bronx.
To those of you who dont know,Manhattan is an Island and is where alot of the great sites and sounds of New York City can be experienced.For this article,we will focus on what to see and how to travel within the island of Manhattan.

Probably the most well reknown site in the city is The Empire State Building which is located at 34th Street and 5th Avenue.For many years this building was the tallest structure in the world.

Another great site to see,especially in the fall,is the gigantic Christmas Tree lighting ceremony that takes place in the heart of Rockerfeller Center.There’s also a beautiful ice skating rink thats open to the public. Rockerfeller Center is located on 50th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.
Next is The United Nations which is located at 42nd-46th Street and 1st Avenue.

An area of amusement which is a must see is called The Chelsea Piers.
This is a huge complex that houses an indoor golf driving range,bowling alley,ice skating and roller skating rinks,an archery area,baseball batting cages,large gymnasium for basketball,and an olympic sized swimming pool among other things.
The Chelsea Piers is located at 23rd Street and 12th Avenue.

Next up is an awesome man made wonder that was constructed in the 19th century.
Streching from 59th Street to 110th Street,5th Avenue to Central Park West,is none other than Central Park. Events such as live concerts and gatherings are held here when the weather is nice. There is also a zoo,ice skating rink,lakes,baseball fields and a dining place called Tavern On The Green,all located within the park.

Two definite must see’s are The Museum Of Natural History(81st Street&Central Park West)
and The Museum Of Modern Art(82nd Street&5th Avenue) Very close by,within walking distance of the museum of natural history is The Hayden Planetarium.

Another museum of note is The Cloisters.Located at 155th Street and Broadway,close to the West Side Highway. This museum showcases all artifacts,photographs,paintings,carvings and history of The Native American Indian.

The New York Stock Exchange located at Wall Street and Broad Street

Battery Park located at the Southern tip of Manhattan. Ferries to The Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island are found here.

The South Street Seaport located at Fulton Street and South Street. Plenty of great seafood here along with astounding sites to be seen.

For those of you who have never been here before,there are some terms that I should make you aware of.

East Side,Lower East Side,West Side,Upper East Side,Upper West Side,Chelsea,Tribeca,SoHo,The Village,The East Village,The West Village,Midtown,Gramercy Park,China Town,Little Italy.

Greenwich Village is known for there outdoor european style cafes..nice boutiques,art galleries,and antiques. You can always find things to do in The Village.

China Town is an area of about 6 blocks that showcases everything about the chinese culture.
Great restaurants,small shops,lots of history. A must see.

Little Italy is also an area of about 6-7 blocks with great italian restaurants and is very close to china town.

There are more restaurants per sqare block in Manhattan than anywhere in the world. So,finding a place to eat will not be a problem.

Now lets talk about The New York City Subway System which has more square miles of track than any city in the world. Here is an online map of the mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm” title=”Online Map Of The New York City Subway System New York City Subway System. If your planning to visit New York City in the future,
this is a great tool to use.

In summary,New York City has the most diversified people and cultures than anywhere in the world.
The neighborhoods and communities of the people that live and work here,in my opinion,are second to none.

Driving my Taxi or online,I will occasionally talk to people that say they have heard so many bad things about New York City. True,there are incidents here but becuase this is New York City,those incidents tend to get magnified in the media. Sure,we have our problems,but what city in the world doesn’t?
I would say that the good of New York City,by far,outweighs the bad.

Here are a few sites for your viewing pleasure.

nycvisit.com/home/index.cfm” title=”Official New York City Tourism Site Official New York City Tourism Site
nycfoto.com/” title=”Photographs Of New York City New York City Photographs

William Robinson is an accomplished ebay seller,aspiring website designer,part time New York City TaxiDriver and an unlicensed computer technician.
loans-incorporated.com” title=”Loans Of All Types And Terms Loans-Incorporated.Com
willies-wholesale-warehouse.com/theplace.htm” title=”Great Programs And Memberships The Place


Car Hire Murcia

When visiting the Mediterranean bathed region of Murcia, look forward to something more than breathtaking beautiful beaches, such as some natural beauties still to be discovered. It is the intriguing blend of natural charms and modernism which differentiate Murcia from the other regions of Costa Blanca. From the most desolated open natural spaces to modern residential neighborhoods to quaint little medieval towns. Nestled amidst the mountains of the Sierra de Orihuela and the Cresta de Gallo, Murcia boasts of the most sophisticated watering system in the region and is very famous for vegetables and thus happens to be the capital of the province.

Tips for your Murcia trip:

If Murcia happens to be the next pit stop in your holiday itinerary, make sure you rent a car. Local transport by bus or train is available, but if you want to witness something more than the beautiful beaches around the Costa Blanca and Spain, car hire in this region is a must. The city of Murcia can be reached via the national road E15 from Alicante or using the C415 from the Madrid direction. With Murcia being about 45 km away from the Airport car hire is a good option.Visiting Murcia during the summer period, without a car reservation in hand is not a very advisable thing to do! Also make sure to book your car before arrival at the Airport especially during summer months. Use your travel agency to get the best deal on Murcia car hire. But don’t forget to compare pricing and availability over the internet. The Murcia airport lies 45 km outside of Murcia along the Mar Menor and is used by some English and German airlines offering cheap flights to Murcia.

What you need to remember while hiring a car at Murcia:

Car Prices: The rates for the same car vary a great deal from company to company. Compare basic rates and the extras. While some companies offer all inclusive rental packages, some charge for extras like insurance, mileage, the cost of additional drivers, airport taxes and other such fees.Many domestic and international car hire companies offer Murcia car hire at the airport. Check them out well in advance; so that once you are out of the Arrival terminal you have your car waiting for you.It is very important that you know what is included in the price you are quoted. If the company charges a basic rental rate with add on fees for extras, compare it with the all inclusive price of the other company. This will give you a more reliable comparison as you don’t want to take the pains of comparing prices only to end up paying a higher price later.Compare daily and weekly rates of each company. The weekly rates are often cheaper i.e. if you need the car for four days, it may still be less expensive to reserve the car at the weekly rate.

Booking reference number: Get your car hire agreement in writing and be sure to get a confirmation/reference number. This number will help you avoid headaches later.

Car Type: Hire a car considering the number of people traveling and their age group. A standard family car seats 4 people comfortably where as minibuses, MPV’s are ideal for those traveling in large groups. An economy car is anytime cheaper w.r.t rental prices as well as fuel costs.

Insurance: Taking insurance with a car hire is a very advisable thing to do. But before you do so, find out with your car insurance or Credit Card Company, if you are covered.

Advance Booking: Booking in advance with any car hire company is the best way to kick start your holiday planning because if you don’t you will end up paying more than you thought. Also hiring a car after reaching Murcia will leave you with limited choices during the peak season. So why take a risk.

Documents: While hiring a car, you will need to provide car Hire Company with all the important documents like driver’s license, proof of age, a credit card and insurance.

Car Condition: Inspect the car before you take possession of it. Make sure to check all damage is noted on the rental agreement. The aim is not to take responsibility for damage that was already there when you picked up the car.

Car Pick up and Drop Point: Another important comparison that you need to make is the cost of picking up your car from the airport or renting in the city. The difference could be from nothing to some considerable amount of money depending on the car rental company you choose. Commonly, it is cheaper to pick up and drop off the car in the same location.

Discounts: Look for discounts for your car hire. If you book with travel agent, you may get a discount on a car hire plus accommodation. Make use of any discount you can to save money.

The hot weather conditions; a limited (only 3 times a day) direct bus connection to Murcia City; and a train station 10 km away, most tourists opt for Murcia airport car hire with next most feasible option being a taxi hire from the airport.

Providing simple traveling solutions to the travelers of Spain since 1979.

For further information on car hire in Murcia please visit us at carhire-murcia-spain.com carhire-murica-spain for the details.