Where is destination for travel?

The prospect of traveling to a foreign country for a holiday is always excited, yet one should never let the minor details get in the way of having a good time. Considerations like type of plugs to use in outlets, keeping necessary paperwork current, and what to pack and what to leave behind are hopefully decided well in advance, so you can relax and enjoy this experience. Most of all, one should consider how to handle finances while away.

Currency exchange can be a tricky business, particularly in this day of the wavering dollar value as it relates to the foreign markets. Oftentimes when traveling, friends strive to hang onto American dollars to make transactions easier for them. Especially when traveling to Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, and other Caribbean islands where the American dollar is valued, some may find it simpler to negotiate purchases with merchants who will accept American cash. One advantage to this is that no extra fees are taken as they would be were you to withdraw foreign money from an ATM machine, and if you are a good judge on the value of souvenirs you may not feel as though you are being cheated.

However, not every foreign country is as accommodating. In Europe and Asia, you may find some places will not accept a Lincoln for that pint of ale or bag of chips. It becomes inevitable then that you must exchange your cash and keep track of its worth.

The question arises then, where to exchange the money? Is it more economical to obtain necessary cash in the US, or try a bank in a foreign country? Are hotels a better source, or specialized exchange offices? The answer is not always simple to pin down, as the fluctuation of the dollar varies too much. The simplest solution one can offer is to constantly study the exchange rate of the country you plan to visit. For the few weeks before you leave the country, check the daily rates online to determine how much your American dollar will be worth on foreign soil.

Determine how much ready cash you think you will need for your trip, though it is prudent not to carry more than a few hundred dollars regardless of where you go. Travelers checks, though rarely seen or advertised these days, are always handy to have in the event of loss or theft, whereas cash is more difficult to reclaim in such a situation. Once arrived, exchange a small amount at the airport immediately for incidentals (a newspaper, drink, or transportation fare), then inquire with your hotel’s concierge about nearby exchange offices and banks. Compare the current rates and make your decision from there.

Depending upon where you travel, most ATMs will accept American bank and debit cards. Look for matching symbols and look for machines associated with banks. Ultimately you may pay an exchange fee, and bank machines may be easier to negotiate. Keep track of everything you buy, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself as you shop.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance travel writer who writes articles for many websites, including Park Atlanta (http://www.parkatlanta.com), long-term private parking for Hartsfield Airport, and The Grand Summit Hotel of New Jersey (http://www.grandsummit.com).

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So you want to go to Dubai but have heard how expensive it can be for both vacationers and business travelers alike? If that’s what you’ve heard, then whoever told you hasn’t experienced Dubai. Here are some money saving tips that can cut your Dubai budget in half.

Shopping in Dubai
If shopping is your pleasure, then Dubai is your dreams come true. Not only do you have some of the biggest malls in the world with all the major brands, but Dubai, being originally a trading hub between the east and west offers you one of the most fascinating shopping experiences on the globe. From traditional souks (where you can find jewelry and cloth, among many others things), to the Indian markets in Deira, finding everything from spices to electronics. Ask around in the back-alley stores and you can even find that satellite decoder that opens all the paid channels. Don’t forget to haggle, they never turn away a customer, and you’ll know when you’ve hit the lowest price.

Communication
Avoid high phone charges in the hotel room and get a pre-paid calling card which you can use from any phone booth and private lines to call international. If you are expecting to stay for a while, get a pre-paid GSM card (WASEL) for Dhs.165 ($45). Limit your outgoing calls and get free incoming calls for a year (more info). The

WASEL GSM line must be purchased from an Etisalat office (don’t forget to bring a passport copy), but pre-paid cards can be purchased from any convenient store, gas stations or tobacco store.

Food
For cheap eats, it’s hard to beat the Indian restaurants serving the city’s largest working population. Try the buttered chicken with buttered ‘nan’ bread, and you’ll have cravings for it for years to come. For a $3 meal, expect to eat with your hands, but you can always politely ask for a fork or spoon. The
occasional foreigner is expected and well-cared for.

If you’re on a tight budget, only eat at hotels when they have meal deals, otherwise, you’ll be paying too much. Find Open Buffet specials starting at $10 per person, some Friday Brunch offers include use of the swimming pool for the day. You can find excellent Meal Deals here.

Drink
It might come as a surprise to you, but Dubai is a Party Town. With all the long hours at work, many people like to go out and chill during the week. For the budget traveler, look for Ladies Nights and Happy Hours happening in Dubai. Guaranteed you’ll find one for every night of the week. Check out Time Out Dubai or Dubai Look before going out. If you don’t have access to the internet, you can buy the “Time Out Dubai” Magazine from any store which includes the full listings for the month.

Sun and Sand
Want to spend a day by the pool at one of the exclusive hotels in Jumeirah, but not pay the high prices of the rooms? Almost all the hotels sell vouchers for a day’s access to the hotel’s beaches, pools, health club and spa. Sleep in a cheap hotel, spend the day in pure luxury… no one will know. Prices start at $10 and can go up to $60 depending on the hotel.

There are many public beaches, but for only Dhs. 5 ($1.40) you can spend the day at Jumeirah Beach Park on the beach road in Jumeirah. Not only do you have access to the beach with life guards, but you also have gardens, play areas for children, showers and barbecue areas. Note that Saturdays are for women
and children only. (Call 04-3492555 for more information)

Transportation
Want to save on transportation? Dubai cabs can be costly for tourists. So, until the Dubai metro gets up and running by year 2009 for the first line and 2015 for the second line, try the buses. Waiting for the bus can take a while, especially since they are hardly on schedule. In the summer months, the heat
can become unbearable during the wait and most bus stops don’t have a covered waiting area. But taking the bus can turn out to be quite an experience, don’t be afraid and make sure you budget the time for the trip as it can take 3 times the amount to get there over taking a taxi.

Renting a car? Don’t use the international rental companies. Local companies, especially ones in Sharjah give you rates much less than the big brand names. They will provide drop off and pick up in Sharjah and Dubai. But if you do have problems with renting a car from a no-name car rental, then Budget Car Rental
is the best choice for Dubai. Book early from an online booking service to guarantee the best prices and availability. And the best part of renting a car in Dubai? Gas is Cheap!

Entertainment
Dubai Shopping Festival (mid January to mid February) and Dubai Summer Surprises (end of June to beginning of September) hosts free entertainment all month long. Hundreds of shows and events all crammed into one month. You and your kids, if they are tagging along, will not get bored. Fireworks, raffle, street markets, clowns, monster trucks, are just some of the highlights. Go here for more information.

Horse Racing at Nad Al Sheba is held from 28th of October until the 26th of March. Each Race Night stages 6 or 7 individual races, the first starting at 7pm (or 9pm during the Holy Month of Ramadan). Public access to the races is free. Don’t forget the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup held in March. (www.dubaiworldcup.com). Unless you want to sit in the VIP section, entrance to the public enclosures is also free for this spectacular event.

Christine Petrosa is a Dubai resident, business professional and a contributing writer for BusinessinDubai.com which contains information on setting up a business in dubai, real estate news, business travel, new projects, jobs in dubai, web links, telephone and addresses directory and a business forum.

This article may be freely reprinted provided the Author information remain part of the article. Links should be active when published on the internet.

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Business Travel Tips; Reduce Stress and Enjoy Yourself

Traveling for Business is Less Stressful When You Take Time to Prepare and Organize.

Here are a few tips for your business travel that will make that time away from home just a bit more enjoyable. Let’s start with packing for business travel. Start with the purchase of a good carry one bag. Any seasoned business traveler will tell you carry on is the only way to travel. It will keep you out of baggage claim and you will never have to worry about lost luggage. Buy a couple of good quality pieces constructed of polyurethane-treated fabric that have nylon zippers. The polyurethane will keep the moisture out and the nylon zippers are far less likely to snag.Consider keeping a duplicate of as much as possible when it comes to those things that you use on a daily basis such as your toiletries. This way you won’t have to worry about unpacking them when you return home. They can just stay in your business travel bags. You may also think about going to your local drugstore to purchase trial sizes of your toiletries. Try to pack your bag with space saving in mind. Cut down on the number of business suits for example by packing alternate shirts and ties that will go with the same suit.Women can change the look of a suit with different blouses, scarves, sweaters or jewelry. Pack socks and underwear inside your shoes. Not only does this save space but it will also help keep the shape of your shoes. Pack your belts around the edge of your suitcase. When considering the items to pack think of those things that are necessities and those items that may make your business travel just a little more comfortable.

Here is a business travel tip when choosing your mode of transportation. When choosing transportation for business travel the distance that you will be traveling should be considered. Although air travel is the first choice when it comes to long journeys for a shorter trip that is only a couple of hundred miles away a train or automobile may be the better choice. Take into account the time you would spend traveling to and from the airport. Also, don’t forget to consider the amount of time taken at the airport to check in, board, disembark and then find transportation to your final destination etc.

If you do choose to fly consider alternative airports just outside your departure and destination city. Typically these airports may have fewer flights but also will have less chance for overbooking and delays.

Always try to stay in hotels that cater to business travel. Most of these hotels will have high- speed internet access and will offer access to business machines. For unbiased reviews from other business travelers just like you we recommend that you research
hotel reviews at TravelPost.com

One of the more important business travel tips is to check your cellular service prior to leaving for another city. Check with your cell phone service provider. You may find that they don’t provide service where your business travel takes you and therefore you will need to find an alternate carrier for this trip.Can you imagine not finding out until you’re there!

Hope that you will find these business travel tips helpful and may all of your business travel bring further success!

Cynthia Grant provides you ways to reduce stress while a person is on business trip.To recieve your free part mini course visit the travel tipswebsite.

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