Hacks for first time travelers

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There is always a first time for everything. And when you're traveling for the first time, you might feel scared or excited or even both at the same time. To ease your worries and to feed your excitement, here's a list of travel hacks you need to know before you go out and see the world:

Research

Some may argue that researching and planning your trip to the last detail can spoil the fun and ruin your vacation. There's some truth to that. However, it's also important to learn about the place you're going to and to know what you can gain from your visit. This can minimize missed opportunities of doing something you would've loved.

Take it slow

Don't rush to do everything. If you're only staying for a couple of days, choose the activities you really want to do and do them first. If you feel that you should have done more, you should plan another visit. This is better than trying to experience everything at once. You might not enjoy the view if you're rushing to see and do too many things. Relax, take it slow and enjoy your new surroundings.

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Be polite

You may be a visitor to a new land but that does not excuse poor manners. Being a gracious guest and having a kind smile can go a long way when you're away from home. This will help you make friends who can help you in your journey.

Learn to adapt

You will go to a place where the traditions, beliefs, and culture may be drastically different from what you're used to. Do not force your beliefs on others and learn to adapt to local customs. The beauty of traveling is seeing and experiencing the world's diverse cultures.

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Hi, I'm Louis Habash and I love traveling to the different parts of the world. Find more useful travel tips by following me on Twitter.

REPOST: Why I am Travelling Light this Summer

Candace Davis of huffingtonpost.com tells us the benefits of packing light and how to successfully pull it off.

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Everyone thought I was either brave or crazy, maybe both, when I decided to travel through Europe this summer with a 25 L backpack weighing only 6 kg, but it was one of the best decisions I made and here's why:

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1. Stairs, stairs and more stairs. If you've ever travelled through Europe you'll know that there are often several flights of stairs to climb if you ever want to get, well anywhere.
2. Summer time. It's pretty easy to travel light when you're visiting a warm climate. I packed two dresses, three pairs of pants, four shirts, and a pair of pyjamas, plus my laptop, book, and toiletries.
3. Ease of movement. When you're travelling on your own, or with a tour group (I've done both on this trip) you often have to be really quick on your feet--running for the last train, rushing to get through a crowded square, beating the crowd through customs or getting out of a potentially sticky situation. Ease of movement is important when you're an independent traveller... you don't have anyone else you can count on.
4. Save money. When you don't have much space to put stuff, you can't really buy it. I have seen a few things that I would have otherwise bought but I couldn't due to limited space. Rather than seeing it as a missed opportunity, I just avoid the shopping areas altogether and check out everything else the city has to offer... especially by way of food.
5. Reduced waiting times. Goodbye waiting at the baggage carousel, wondering if your bag has made it half way across the world. I just take my bag as carry-on and hop straight off my flight and make my way through customs.

Tips for travelling light 

It's not always going to be easy to travel light, and you will have to repack your bag at least every couple of days to make room for everything, but here are some tips to make things easier:

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• Roll up your clothes, you'll be surprised how much space you will save.
• Remember to only take toiletries less than 100 ml for all international flights (this also significantly reduces the weight of your pack).
• Put the things you will use the least at the bottom of your bag. It took me about a week to remember to put my toiletries and pyjamas at the top of the bag for easy access.
• Pack things you're willing to leave behind. I am willing to leave behind all of the clothes I packed if I find something better to replace them with. This also helps refresh your wardrobe, as wearing the same few outfits for weeks on end can get a little tiresome.
• Check the carry-on weight limit of your airline. I had some flights with 10 kg limits, but some were only 7 kg so I had to stick to the lower limit or risk paying for it, literally.
• Check the banned substances list--no batteries, toiletries over 100 ml, tweezers, nail files, razors, etc. can be in your carry-on.
• Hand wash your clothes. Unfortunately a lot of European hotels don't really support washing in the hand basin but I highly recommend finding a way. If I am staying somewhere for more than one night I will get the hand soap or travel wash out and give my clothes a quick wash. It saves time and money at the laundromat and if you only have a few outfits, you will be washing every couple of days.
• Re-wear your clothes. Okay, this one is a little trickier when you've had a big day on the town sweating your little armpits out, but you can quite easily wear your pants at least twice. This also saves on hand washing.

Visit this Louis Habash Facebook page to get more traveling tips.

Traveling dirt-cheap

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When I stepped outside at 5:45 am to jog yesterday, my nextdoor neighbors, Mike and Lyn, joined me. They started talking about their vacation home in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, which of course awoke my yet sleepy senses. At this time of year, as city life becomes hotter and smellier, a beach getaway in Brazil would be perfect. More so now that Brazil is becoming increasingly popular as a travel destination. However, the expensive airfare and the high prices in the country are a bummer for me. As a frequent traveler, I’d like my beach destination to be as cheap as it is memorable.

That is why I ended up choosing a beach haven closer to home, as picturesque as Brazil but more affordable: Dunedin, Florida. Dunedin beaches boast green-blue waters and pristine white powder-like sand. They also host virgin forests for the hikers and the adventurers. My obsession is Caladesi Island State Park, home to one of the most undisturbed barrier islands in Florida. With a little maneuvering of my cost-cutting skills and whatnots, I secured this beach travel for a steal … A prudent decision, I should say.

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For those who are on the lookout for vacation cost cutting advice this summer, The New York Times has a helpful compilation for you. Mind you, I do and swear by most of them, with numbers five and nine as my favorite hacks.

Cutting costs on the process of searching, booking, and traveling involve craft and skill, mastered by seasoned travel writers. That’s the essence of what I do.

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For more travel tips and related topics, visit Louis Habash’s Facebook page.

REPOST: More for Your Money: Be on the alert for travel scams

Be an alert traveller by knowing the scams and frauds that may come along your way as you step into a foreign land. Get tips from this LA Times article.

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If you have the money to travel, you'll want to spend it the way you want to spend it. That means making sure rip-off artists keep their mitts off your dough.

With this in mind, the members and editors of travel website VirtualTourist have compiled a list of the worst travel scams and schemes and how to avoid them.

Pickpockets: Pickpockets no longer limit themselves to the simple "bump and grab." VirtualTourist members mentioned that in many instances, pickpockets are working in teams: While one shows you a gold ring or points out mustard on your shirt, another cohort is stealing your wallet. Nowadays, there are many more things for thieves to steal than just your wallet — cameras and smartphones, for instance.

Distraction can also be a scammer tool. A woman will approach you waving a newspaper or asking for help reading something, but under the newspaper, she is palming your phone off the cafe table. If someone offers you unsolicited help, politely decline and quickly walk away.

Always keep your valuables (passport, important papers and extra credit cards) in your hotel safe, and make sure to record the serial numbers of any electronics. Some cities require a serial number to file a police report.

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Pickpocketing is rampant in crowded areas with a large number of tourists. VirtualTourist members commented that it was common in Barcelona, Spain, particularly on Las Ramblas, the central pedestrian street.

Gypsy cabs: Taxi scams can be as simple as drivers who are unlicensed and who overcharge or who take you the long way to your destination. Here are some tips to make traveling by taxi easier. If there's a taxi queue, get in the line. Many cities (Rome, New York) have a set fare from the primary airport to inside the city. Make sure you know this number and clarify it before you put your bags in the car. If you are leaving your hotel and going to a site, ask the doorman or concierge how much the taxi fare should be. VirtualTourist members note that Rome is a particularly bad spot for taxi scams, especially near Termini Station.

Volunteers with poor intentions: In a foreign country, "volunteers" may offer to assist you when you're making a transaction or using any automated machine. Be wary of any stranger who offers help too easily, particularly in high tourism areas or transportation hubs, such as Paris' subway and train stations, especially Gare du Nord. If possible, buy tickets in advance or through a window vendor at the station.

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A substitute for a tourist attraction: In certain parts of Southeast Asia, VirtualTourist members noted, locals may approach tourists, noting that the "palace is closed today because of" (fill in the blank with a religious ceremony, royal function, cleaning, etc). Then they'll steer you into a nearby tuk-tuk (or motorized rickshaw), offering to take you to a gem factory or another tourist attraction. Sometimes these not-so-do-gooders might even have on a uniform. The palace/site/wat is probably not closed today, so before you turn around and embark on a tuk-tuk ride to commissioned jewelry stores and tailors, check for yourself. There are numerous member reports of this at various places in Bangkok, Thailand, including the Grand Palace and Wat Po.

The math genius: The math genius is often a waiter or taxi driver, which helps (him, not you) since he's already provided you with a service for which you need to pay. Here's how it works in a taxi: You owe the driver 15 euros, and you pay with a 20 euro bill (about $25). He switches out the bill you gave him for a 5 euro bill, which looks similar. He holds it up and argues that you owe him 10 more euros. You apologize and give him the 10 euros, and only after exiting the car do you realize you essentially paid twice the taxi fare. Many travelers have fallen for this trick because of exhaustion or unfamiliarity with the local currency. Although this can happen everywhere, VirtualTourist members say it is common in Istanbul, Turkey, and New York City.

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