Taking things from a hotel room is now so commonplace that some hotels mark commonly taken items with price tags. What can you take from a hotel within reason?

People have been known to take the oddest things from hotels. People have taken everything from television sets (somehow arguing it’s built into the price of the room, I’m sure) to coffee mugs.

It can vary depending on the hotel but with some items you take, the room service will note their absence and add them to your bill.

So what is ok to take from a hotel room? Your safest bet is to stick to the bathroom. Things like the shampoo and soaps etc… The towels, bathrobes and shower curtains are also often taken but many hotels will charge you for these.

Newspapers are sometimes provided in the lobby or dining area and while you can take these, it may be considered bad form if there are few copies. Daily or perhaps weekly magazines may also be acceptable. The bible is usually also freely available.

Stationary is also usually provided in hotel rooms. Pens and notepads with the hotel watermark are common. A sewing kit and possibly shoe polish are acceptable as well.

When you’re asking yourself what can you take from a hotel, avoid the obvious. It’s obviously wrong to take the hair dryer or the television. If you take larger items and conceal them or deny taking items which you have, you’re crossing the line into theft.

If in doubt about what you can take, ask a member of staff. Don’t ask them officially; ask them casually what people usually take. If you don’t want to be up-front about it, you could ask if its possible to purchase the item and they might tell you, you can take it.

If in complete doubt and you cant get any confirmation, just don’t take it. There is only two things it can be. Something trivial which you could buy yourself for nothing, or something expensive which you’d be billed for.

And one word of warning, although hopefully you’ll already know this. The snacks and drinks available in your room is not included in the price unless already stated. These are usually astoundingly high priced. Just go down to the dining area or find a vending machine.

I have travelled a lot and I know difficult it is to pack for trip. On my first flight from Dublin to Berlin as a student, I thought it a smart move to take my stereo with me. However, when I got to the airport, I found that my luggage was overweight and I ended up leaving half of my stuff behind. Since then, I have developed a lot of packing techniques and I have learnt my lesson. Here are some tips that you don’t have to the hard way.

What to check before you start packing?

When you travel abroad, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast for the country you are visiting. This will give you an idea of what kind of clothes should take with you.

Make sure you know what you can and can’t take into the country  you are travelling to. There are things you can’t take certain countries, e.g. wood into Australia or raw meat into Iceland.

Travelling by plane means that you have to check luggage security guidelines. For example, passengers mustn’t carry sharp objects in their hand luggage and sometimes they can’t take certain foods or drinks with them at all.

Packing for a four-day trip

Luggage

Try to take as little as possible with you. Don’t take a suitcase or a heavy backpack. A medium-sized bag is enough. This way:

• You don’t have to check on or wait for your luggage, so you save time.
• You can also save money because you don’t need to take a taxi. You can use public transport with ease.

Clothes

• Take as little as possible. Do not think of what you need to take with you. Think of what you couldn’t do without on that particular trip.
• Make sure that the clothes you take dry out quickly because sometimes you need to wash a piece of clothing and wear it again.
• Choose materials which do not crease so that you needn’t do any ironing.

I had that feeling when I was in the Netherlands on business five ago. I tried to make a good impression on my business partner, but I made a fool of myself , instead!

I all went wrong from the moment we shook hands. I held out my right hand, but kept my left hand in my pocket. From my business partner’s reaction I could tell the Dutch find that very rude. I tried to make things better, so I said: ” What a beautiful country Holland is! ” . My business partner wasn’t pleased with my compliment. He made it very clear that they never call the Netherlands Holland. Holland is just one of the regions in the Netherlands.

Try not to make a similar mistake in Brazil. You see Brazilians consider themselves to be Americans. That’s why it’s not a good idea to use the phrase ‘in America’ when you’re talking about the United States.

In South Korea, keep your voice down. It’s rude to talk or laugh loudly. Koreans, especially women, cover their mounths when they laugh; it’s rude to show your teeth!

In Arab countries, it’s not a good idea to admire something too much; the owner will probably give it to you as a  present. Just imagine going back home with a real live camel!

Real live camel

Image via Wikipedia

For most people, the only time that there is a struggle to know how to choose a Caribbean cruise is their first one. After that, the whole picture changes. On the first cruise, you do not have a point of reference unless you have traveled to some of the ports of call in other ways. It can be hard to know whether it is best to go east or west or south. The reality is that they are all great. Knowing a few things about cruises will help you to make up your mind.

The ship is the real destination for most people.

Cruise ships are fabulous floating hotels designed to pamper and spoil their guests as much as possible. If you are looking for specific things to do on the ship, you may want to look only at those ships that offer those amenities. Not all cruise ships have a rock climbing wall or a wave pool. Some only go on the high seas and not into rivers. Others are smaller and make up the difference with even better service and food than the larger ships. Crowds are rarely an issue. So, do not let anyone scare you with horror stories about this. Pots of call are just bonuses for most cruise passengers. In fact, those who cruise often do not always exit the ship at all ports.

Some ports are better known for various tourist attractions.

Jamaica has Dunn’s River Falls. The Grand Caymans are noted for especially beautiful beaches and great snorkeling. Cozumel attracts shoppers to its downtown area. Eastern Caribbean ports are usually known for their rum. Other ports are historic. Nassau has the Atlantis Hotel and Casino plus many many night clubs. Read through the lists of shore excursions and attractions posted on each cruise lines’ web site to see if there are attractions that have particular interest to you.

For short cruises, you may want to select a cruise with fewer stops to give you more time on the ship.

Some cruises try to cram in as many ports as possible. Going to about 2 less ports than days you are cruising is a good rule of thumb. A 5 day cruise should not visit more than 3 ports. Even visiting only 2 ports can be enough. A 7 day cruise should go to no more than 4 ports. If it is your second or third or later cruise, you will want to take a cruise that either visits ports that you really enjoyed or one that goes places that you have never been.

Watch the price.

If you are not just convinced that there is only one cruise line in the world, you will find that there are many bargain cruises to be had. The same type of cruise can vary in cost hundreds of dollars per guest from one cruise line to the next. The reality is that the difference between cruise lines is negligible unless you want some type of specialty cruise on a very small ship. Go for the bargains and spend the difference on souvenirs and fun on the trip.

Choose a departure port that you like.

You may only want to leave from the port that is closest to you. If so, just book your cruise from there. If there is a city that you really do not like or fear, avoid it and cruise from another one. Nearly every coastal city has a cruise port or is near one.

Pick a date that fits your family’s needs.

You can cruise 12 months a year. So, it is possible to dodge school schedules and work schedules. Pick the date and duration that suits you best. If you fear hurricanes, avoid the Caribbean from late June to early November. The reality is that the ships work hard to avoid them. Your car parked on a cruise ship lot is probably in more danger while you are on the cruise from a hurricane than you are.

Keep your bag organized without extra luggage pieces or special containers. Pack your bags easily and neatly using a few tips to help you choose and arrange your luggage to create space and protect your items from damage or accidents.

Organize Toiletries

You don’t need a special bag for toting around your bath and shower supplies. A snap pillowcase holder will do perfectly for a mini toothbrush, toothpaste, small shampoo, and other bath and makeup supplies. For overseas travel, carry powdered supplies instead of liquids, such as dry shampoo, so you can carry as much as you need and still meet customs regulations.

Water Bottle

Use an empty heavy-duty water bottle to pack small items like Kleenex packages, Band-Aids, Q-Tips, or other “loose” articles. The water bottle not only serves as a storage container during packing, but can be washed out and used to carry drinking water with you during your stay, so you can avoid expensive vending machines when you’re thirsty.

Fold-Over Clothes

Use a clear or white trash bag as a convenient protective cover for business or formal wear. If the clothes are folded with travel hangers already on, simply cut a hole at the top of the bag and drape over the garments. This takes up less space than a thick garment bag, but keeps your clothes safe from dirt or spills during travel.

Towels and Bulk Items

Place any bulky items, like a towel, an empty tote back, or a folded blanket at the bottom of your luggage instead of rolling it into a tube. The flat folded item will compress more easily than the rolled one, and take up less of your valuable packing space on top.

Shoe Heel Protectors

Keep spiky heels from tearing or scratching your luggage by tucking a sock over each heel. Use an old sock to protect your mini travel iron from scratches by using it as a cover. For more packing space, tuck folded or balled-up socks into empty shoes, along with other small items like gloves, folded ties, or handkerchiefs.

Whatever the distance or the occasion, a little extra effort in packing can mean the difference between luggage in disarray and a light, organized bag. Find creative ways to fill your own suitcase without running out of room or risking the safety of your possessions.

1. When going to take that scenic ride along the coast make sure that the ride is actually going to be scenic. Often enough there will be a short view of the sea from the coast like near Cape Cod but then there will be whole sections where the motorist can only see sand dunes on either side of the road with houses built on both sides. There is no view of the coast then.
2. When taking a boat cruise make sure you are taking a cabin which is in the part of the boat that offers you the best view. This is mostly along the side of the boat where your view is un-obstructed by boat installations and equipment.
3. When taking a cruise find out how many ports of call there are going to be and how long you will be staying at each. If there are many and your trip is short then you might want to reconsider traveling on such a cruise altogether.
4. Go where you have a chance to relax. Some people choose areas that are politically unstable like tourists ho were recently found dead in Northern Yemen. I heard of kidnappings there organized in order to bring publicity to the organizers.
5. Make sure that there are no unforeseen costs like a car rental which was supposed to be included or a special excursion which was supposed to be organized at a port of call.
6. If you are going to purchase things in another country you will want to know if your bank is going to set a limit on how much you can spend. The banks may block payment if they suspect that your credit card account has been overdrawn or there is fraudulent activity on your account.
7. Make sure that when you do take a cruise along a coastline, like around South America you are going to see something noteworthy. The cruise around the tip of South America was boring for a friend of mine because of the barren coastline that could have been any coastline and the villages he stopped at were also boring. There were no landmarks to visit apparently.
8. Be cognizant of the weather changes around the globe. A good friend of Italy was happy to bring a winter jacket to Montreal because of the intermittently cool days we had in May which corresponding to late winter temperatures in Rome.
9. Be aware of what you can bring back from a trip. Certain checks are more important than others, depending on the country you have visited. So some one coming back from Jamaica is going to checked for the rum that they produce.
10. Give yourself time to get to and from the airport especially when you have to leave. The tourist should see that his hotel destination is not going to inconvenience him, especially if he doesn’t have much time to reach his departure flight.
11. Never take more than necessary especially if you have to travel lightly. Extra pairs of pants and shoes won’t do when you need a good pair of walking shoes and don’t have to go to job interview or are not expected to impress someone.
12. Today room sizes can be smaller than expected. Space could be at a commodity. Try and get that information about the space around the bed especially if you want a room to stretch out in.One hotel near Berri metro in Montreal, purposely divided its space so that you actually walk into the bed when you open the door and the desk is within arm’s reach of the bed.

2. Eat what the locals eat, where they eat
Yes, even if you get sick. Risk is a big part of what makes life worth living. The fact is that hotel chefs are instructed to tone done the local food, to adapt it to what sissy tourists can handle. You think you are getting the real thing when really you are getting a milder bastardization of it. If you want a real experience, if you want to truly experience life at your destination, try the street food. 

3. Engage people not in the industry
Just like civil servants, all tourist-industry people are alike, the similarities cut across all ethnic and cultural boundaries. Their careers depend on impressing you and so you will never get the whole truth, just the nice stuff, exaggerated to make it seem even nicer and more interesting. From groundskeepers to taxi-drivers, they live on the industry you are supporting, so trying to get the truth from them is like trying to find out from the chef if the food in his restaurant is any good. If you have heard one, you have heard them all. Everything you get from them is spiel. 

4. Take public transportation
It may be uncomfortable, especially in poorer countries, it may be somewhat unsafe as well, but these things just mean that not many tourists have done it. It will also be more real and more local than any experience you could get on the grounds of a resort. You will get to listen, to observe and to gain a deeper knowledge of the people who live where you are. If this kind of intense people-experience is not what you go abroad for, then maybe you should just stay right where you are because foreign countries tend to be full of foreigners. 

5. Research, ask questions beforehand
Get as much objective information from people with no interest in your visit as possible. Find people who don’t like it there, or who had a miserable time, just to get an idea of what to look out for and avoid. 

6. Watch local TV, listen to the radio
A point often neglected by tourists who spend their time getting drunk by the pool or on carefully managed sightseeing tours that provide the same information you can find on Wikipedia. Watching TV, for many seems to clash with the vacation-vibe. The local television stations are what the residents watch, they cater to them, and will tell you more about the audience more quickly than any other source. 

7. Pay attention to your surroundings
Don’t let the novelty distract you from what is going on around you, watch for the subtleties, listen to other people’s conversations if you can understand the language. 

8. Lose your local stereotypes
Don’t go assuming that the people who live there are like the immigrants you know. People behave differently in their own environment. Clear your mind of all preconceptions and prepare to form new ideas. 

9. Avoid tourists
They will suck you into their boring little experience. You may be tempted to associate with them, or else be associated with them in the eyes of the local people. They have nothing to offer you, nothing that you could not have gotten at home, anyway. 

10. Wear normal clothes
Nothing says “idiot” like a tourist dressed like a retarded version of a local person. It may seem funny to you, and may make the pictures that you email to your friends seem festive (I’m having fun, look at my shirt!) but it’s pathetic and nobody around you is amused. It looks like you have never been outside your own country, which, if true, is not something you should go advertising to people. In poor countries it is usually not a good idea do go around drawing unnecessary attention to yourself.

Planning a spring break vacation can be fun and it’s an opportunity to get away from the demands of everyday life. With today’s economy, most vacationers are looking for a great place to travel that’s affordable. There are inexpensive single vacation packages, designed to help you to relax, have fun and meet new people. Several cruise lines host singles cruises and are perfect for singles of all ages. Some cruise lines offer Match program, if you are searching for a roommate and want to cut costs. Each cruise line offer singles a variety of entertainment such as cocktail parties, mixers, games, group excursions, single-mingle dining and more. 

Girlfriend getaway vacation packages are fast becoming a popular trend, and perfect for spending time with your gal pals. There are a variety of destinations for you to have a wonderful time together. You could consult travel resources for excursions that are designed for women travelers. Plan a spa retreat at a relaxing resort, or visit cities that are well known for their nightlife and entertainment. Some fun places to visit during spring break are Orlando, Miami, Las Vegas, Cancun, Nassau and Grand Bahama.  

Orlando has seven theme parks including Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. There’s
a variety of upbeat nightlife entertainment, restaurants and cultural activities.  

Miami offers the best shopping, hottest nightlife and superb spas, trendy restaurants and lots of beautiful people to flirt with.
 
Las Vegas definitely is a great place to vacation. Enjoy the casinos, lounges and chic restaurants, spas, shows, and amazing hotel attractions. 

Cancun offers beautiful beaches and resorts for you to relax and unwind. The city has really great bars and nightclubs. A perfect place to vacation and getaway from it all.

Nassau & Grand Bahama are popular remote getaway islands close to Miami. Relax and enjoy the warm, white and pink sand colored beaches. 

No matter where you decide to spend your spring vacation, make sure you have an emergency plan before you leave home. You should have a reliable emergency contact and stay in touch with them while you are vacationing. The best way to keep your vacation fun and memorable is to play it safe.

1. Check if car is up for the trip

   It’s a rather tedious routine but worth to spend a few minutes making basic checks like tire pressure, oil and water level, and fuel. Than be hours delayed because your car broke down halfway the trip.

2. Know where you want to go

   Plan your journey well. Check if your destination has a website with a location map wherein you can print and take along. It is also a good idea to bring city or country maps.

3. Don’t run late

   Create a schedule for your trip and stick with it. Running late puts pressure and more likely to take risks in driving. Always have extra time for rest stops and this give you a better chance of arriving safely.

4. Be streetwise

   If you’re going on a long way, it is advisable to be comfortable at the wheel which means having the right driving position and saving cost in fuel. Controlling your speed and using the right gear is a big help.

5. Keeping young children occupied

   If traveling with children, it is best advisable to bring stuff that could help in minimize the boredom. Like having a portable DVD for them to watch movies, toys and snacks.

6. Play some music

   The radio and Cd’s you listen helps to liven the long journey. It is also important to have the right kind music. Avoid restful CD’s that you make you sleepy but go for something lively and upbeat.