Aquarium

NeoEarth

  

Air France

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A Visitors Guide To Stockholm Sweden

Stockholm is one of the most progressive cities in the world, and nowhere is this reflected more than in its social policy. Citizens are provided with housing, health care, and educational opportunities, all of which makes for happy, productive people. While taxes may be high, the money they generate is used to create a high quality of life, which makes Stockholm extremely appealing to the many hopeful immigrants that flock there each year. You don't need to move all the way to Sweden to make the most of what Stockholm has to offer; a simple trip will also allow you to experience this utterly unique metropolis. The weather in Stockholm definitely reflects the seasons, from snowy winters to balmy summers. Spring brings the heaviest flow of tourists to the city, so you might want to wait until summer or fall to visit. Summer, naturally, brings the warmest weather of the year, with temperatures starting at 68 degrees. Fall is considerably cooler, when temperatures range from 41 to 64 degrees. Both of these seasons also include the benefits of fewer people and lower lodging prices, two definite musts for the smart and thrifty traveler. Traveling in Europe is often an expensive endeavor, but Stockholm allows tourists to visit without paying a hefty price. In fact, one of the city's best-rated hotels is also one of its most affordable (with double rooms from less than $200 a night). Hotel Rival, owned by Benny Andersson, of ABBA fame-houses 99 boutique-style rooms, each containing an array of high-tech extras, such as large plasma screen televisions, CD/DVD players, and wireless internet. This fashionable lodging spot also has its own bakery, caf, and restaurant, which enable guests not only to be well-rested, but also well-fed. There is much to see and do in Stockholm, including over 100 museums and a wide array of dining and shopping options. One convenient way to experience many of these entertaining possibilities is by purchasing a Stockholm Card online ahead of time. A one-day pass costs about $38 (a two-day pass runs around $59, a three-day pass, $75), and with it you gain admission to 75 of the city's top tourist attractions and unlimited access to its excellent public transportation system, as well as special deals from local shops and restaurants. You can arrange to have your pass mailed to you, or you may pick them up at the Stockholm Tourist Centre (located at Sverigehuset, Hamngatan 27). Stockholm's many museums target different audiences. There are some specifically geared toward children (such as the International Child Art Museum, located at Vrby All 14 , 143 03 Vrby), while others cater to niche interests, like maritime navigation (such as the Vasa Museum, Galrvarvsvgen 14, 102 52 Stockholm). Keep in mind that museums worldwide are closed on Mondays for maintenance, so make sure to schedule the start date of your Stockholm Card for another day. Each museum includes a permanent collection, as well as special visiting exhibits. There are also many dining choices for tourists, featuring cuisine from all corners of the globe, including Asia, the Middle East, and the rest of Europe. Shopping options are no less diverse, and visitors are sure to find that Swedish design extends to far more than just home dcor (a la IKEA). Make sure to check out Gamla Stan-an older region of Stockholm-for all your handmade gift needs. You have the author's permission to publish this article in your ezine or on your website as long as you do not modify it. You must retain the resource box with live link back to the Search Sweden Hotels website.

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Thomas Smith

What To Do If You Miss Your Flight

Traveling by airplane is quicker and more efficient than traveling by car, but that does not mean that you will not run into problems. Probably the most common problem, as well as the biggest headache, is a missed flight. A missed flight causes a variety of problems. If it was a connecting flight, you will likely miss all of your connections as well. The airplane has to fly with an empty seat, which they do not like, and, often, your bags will not miss their flight, and will arrive at your destination without you.



What should you do if you miss your flight? The very first thing that you should do is head to the reservation desk. Tell the clerk that you have missed your flight, and do not leave until you have a plan, in writing, for how you will continue your trip. If missing your flight was your own fault, you may expect to pay, if not the full ticket price, then a penalty on a reissued ticket. If you miss your flight because your connecting flight arrived late, the airline will work with you to get you in the air as soon as possible.



In most cases, the airline will put you on the next available flight, with their airline. In some cases, particularly if there is a chance that you can catch a further connection, or the next available flight is not until the next day, the airline may put you on the next available flight with a different airline. Either way, do not leave the area until you know what flight you will be on, and when it departs.



Why Miss a Plane?



One may miss their flight because of a variety of reasons; some cannot be helped while others are just a mistake. It is rare that you miss a plane because of traffic or oversleeping. Most missed flights occur in connecting flights. Often, the layover time between connecting flights is not sufficient to allow the passenger to disembark and find the terminal for his departing flight. Many airports are large, and for someone who does not travel a great deal, can be confusing to navigate. Once they arrive at the correct terminal, they must still go through security.



Another reason for missing connecting flights is if the plane experiences mechanical difficulties. It is common for a plane to sit on the tarmac, passengers on board, while mechanics work to repair a problem on the plane. In this case, the passengers who have a limited amount of layover time may not make their connecting flights. Sometimes, if many of the passengers on board are in danger of missing their connecting flight, the connecting flight may be held, but, as you can imagine, this creates another set of problems on the arrival at the next airport.



Weather is another cause of missed flights. Sometimes a plane is held and not allowed to take off because of lightning or heavy winds. Other times a plane may be held while it is deiced. Even if a plane makes it into the air, strong winds or turbulence can slow the plane down in flight, causing is to arrive behind schedule.



Mechanical problems are clearly the responsibility of the airline, but weather conditions and tight layover scheduling are not, and the airline may be less accommodating of problems relating to weather or scheduling than they are in problems related to mechanical issues.



Where are Your Bags?



While you may have missed your flight, it is unlikely that your bags did. They are probably tucked safely away on your original flight. If your arriving flight was delayed long enough that the connecting flight left before your plane arrived, you may be able to collect your bags, but this is not typically how it happens. People are often in the airport when their flight leaves. If you have departed from your plane, but do not make it through security before your connection leaves, there is a good chance that your bags were transferred and are on your original flight. This is one of the reasons that you should always carry any medication as well as a change of clothes with you in your carry on. While the chances are good that you will be reunited with your bags in the future, that will not make you feel any better when you are sitting in the airport lobby, waiting for dawn and the next flight out.



Minimize Your Chances of Missing Your Flight



The best way to minimize your chance of a missed flight is to allow plenty of time between connecting flights. While no one wants to spend all day in an airport lobby, you should ask the ticket agent for enough time to disembark, visit the restroom and make it to the next terminal. The larger the airport you are flying into, the more time you should allow, as moving from terminal to terminal can take a considerable amount of time. While you cannot control the weather or the mechanics of the plane, you can make sure you have amble time to make your connection.


Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Brian Jenkins

How To Get a Cheap Flight

The majority of people nowadays know to shop about to obtain the cheapest airfares. Even my grandad knows how to use these online booking systems to search about for the the lowest priced flights. A lot of people don't realise that the price you come across for an airline ticket can regularly be accessible on another site up to 50% cheaper. If you know what you are doing or have access to some good information you can save yourself some serious cash.


In this article I will go over for you a few of the best techniques and secrets on how to get cheap airline tickets. To get the cheapest tickets avoid reserving seats around two weeks within any important holiday at your origin or destination. However, traveling ON the holiday (e.g. Christmas Day) does offer remarkably cheap deals. Don't accept that the options you are viewing on-screen are all that is available. There are a range of search techniques to use here to produce extra options, for example, test alternative airports and non-stop/direct routes to display more options for you. Search non-airline websites when looking for airline tickets. Don't go straight to the airlines site. There are three essential sites to try first, Cheaptickets.com is one of them. Be vigilant and persist your homework regime. If you receive a cheap deal once from a site do not think that the same place will always give you the best fares.


Many of people want to know how to get cheap airline tickets consistently but sometimes the answer is directly under their nose. Here's an example of why information is everything. Everyday scores of people are missing out on discounts that they are entitled to because they don't know to ask for them. One aspect you can trust is that the travel agent definitely won't raise the subject or give away any secrets. A large number of people don't know what they're totally within their rights to ask for. The most frequently disregarded discounts are discounts for kids, elderly and the military. Remember, if you don't ask, you won't get. But, you've got to ask the right question at the right time to the right person.


Here is one of the best tricks if you want to know how to get cheap airline tickets online. One of the best tricks for searching for the best value airfares online is to change your computer settings so that your computer location is not known. If you can access travel in another currency, if possible, one which makes it cheaper, then your flights will be cheaper. If you intend to fly to the USA the best value airline tickets you will ever uncover are obtainable via the 'Visit USA' program. Ask your airline about this to see if they are incorporated. If you know how to search for them, frequent flyer points paid for online are a very cheap way to purchase your airfares. People do sell these air points online but you have to know how to find for them as they can't legally market and sell them openly.

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Neville Pettersson

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tips on How to Find Cheapest Cruise Deals

Cheap cruise deals are good for those who have wanted to take cruise but low budgets just would not allow it. You can find cheapest cruise deals online. There are many cruise agents out there with great deals for cruises. You can go directly to the cruise lines to see and compare their prices and offers. Online cruise deals can give you better deal because many cruise lines try to promote on the internet for travel needs. Internet can provide you one stop shop for your vacation. You can get a good cruise deal after clicking some keys only.


First you have to decide which cruise line is better for you. There are many cruise lines depending on your interest and budget you can choose one of them. The most popular cruise lines are Carnival cruise lines, Crystal lines, Princess, Costa cruise lines, NCL, Uniworld river cruises, Oceania cruises, Celebrity cruises, Disney cruises, Silversea, Norwegian cruise and Regent seven seas cruise. If your budget is good then you can choose from luxury cruises like Sail ship cruise, River cruises, seniors cruising, golf cruises, wedding and honeymooners etc.


Cruise industry is growing rapidly in last few years. More people are taking to the seas for vacation and adventure. If you are looking for a luxury cruise deal a cruise agent may find you a better deal if they can set you up with a group deal. Agents are used to book several passengers at once for getting good discount on cruise deals.


You may want to be careful with some of these deals when you are booking cruise deals online. Always deal with recognized and faithful sites. if you want to spend the majority of your trip locked in your room, deluxe accommodation will be good option for you. The best cruise deal may be found with the smaller rooms you plan use just for sleeping and storing.


If you are regular customer for particular cruise agencies, you can get a discount cruise. Regular customers always have the privileges they can get better discount on next cruise. Booking ticket at same time each year will also give you good cruise deal.


Repositioning cruises can be a good for you if you are just sailing on the ship with fewer stop at ports of call. Cruise lines need to relocate their ship from north to south due to changing climates. You may get best priced cruise deals with Elite Honeymoon Packages.


Find information on Honeymoon Packages India. You can also read about Goa Honeymoon Packages. Also know about Ooty Honeymoon Packages.

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Ryan Mutt

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Tips on How to Get Last Minute Cruise Deals

You can find good cruise deals from travel agencies. Sometimes cruise travel agencies reduce the cost of your ticket by reducing their commissions. You can choose off peak time for traveling to save money. In off peak time you can get good cruise deal because in off seasons some cruise deal agencies pass their commissions to customers. But it is not happen always; especially if the cruise agencies want to prevent a price war.


Advance reservation for cruise deal may be good for you. Some time you can find better cruise deal in last minutes. Don't be too tempted to make the advance booking. The best bargains can be finding in last minute cruise deals. You can save hundreds of dollars by taking advantage of the last minute cruise deals. Most of the cruise agents will announce the last booking deadline sixty days prior to the cruise date. For some reasons, there seems to be some cancellation in last minutes so cruise lines are willing to offer great discounts to fill rest cabins. Wait for the last minute announcement from the various cruise lines.


I am giving you some guidelines, which will help you to find last minute cruise deals. You should keep in touch with some cruise lines through newsletters. These newsletters provide you all updates on the best deals offered by cruise lines. This is a win-win situation for both (you and cruise lines). Cruise lines will sail with full capacity and passengers will also enjoy great discounts although there is no difference in services as compared to passengers paying full price. There are many cruise agents offer newsletter to their subscriber. Use internet to get subscribe with these kinds of cruise agents and get great discount on cruise deals.


Similarly, you can find first hand cruise information from Google, Yahoo or other search engines news alert via email. You can get targeted deal on search engines by putting right keywords in search column i.e. "last minute cruise deals" or "cruise deals in last minutes". After putting right keywords you will receive targeted news. You can compare all prices offered by different cruise agents through internet. Try to make online reservation to get best discount. Remember one thing last minute deal can give you limited facilities like cabins, room sharing and destinations. If you are not restricted by anything, last minute deal will be the best option for you. It is rapidly becoming popular for planning your budget travel tour.


Find information on Honeymoon Packages India. You can also read about Goa Honeymoon Packages. Also know about Ooty Honeymoon Packages.

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Ryan Mutt

Places to Holiday in Spain

Whenever you're planning to go for an international travel whether the purpose is for days or anything else, it is always important to accumulate as much as information as you can about that country. Same is the case when you are planning to travel to Spain. According to Spain's national tourism board, the country happens to be in excellent destination for people of all interests in ages. Spain has a number of traditions, customs, climates, architecture, attractions, monuments and cuisines. The article provides a brief summary of some prime places interests for holidays in Spain.

Barcelona

Known for an excellent and moderate climate, Barcelona is considered to be a chic hotspot with amazing seafood, some fantastic art museums and a breathtaking architecture. There is a lot that one can find in Barcelona whether it is about authentic Catalonian food, excellent wine, Moorish architecture and beautiful nature resorts. Make sure you visit Antoni Gaudi's Parc Guell and the well known Las Ramblas.

Madrid

Madrid is an urban Metropolis along with being one of the world's greenest cities. This beautiful organized city has some seemingly unending maze of plazas or small squares. You can spend some amazing amount of time admiring dazzling art works in the Prado museum. Head on to Plaza Mayor to have a delicious tapas lunch and also take an evening stroll near Palacio Real and Madrid gardens.

Granada and Sevilla

Granada and Seville are considered to be the Jewel of Southern region of Spain -- Andalucia. Both these cities are known for the warmth and an amazing history which can mesmerize any visitor to travelling in these towns. Flamenco and bullfights are favorites in region and some of the most exemplary form of Moorish architecture can be viewed in these cities. The Alhambra Palace is also an architectural wonder that you must not miss.

Costa del Sol

For those who come to Spain to soak the sun, Costa del Sol is the region for them. Beautiful sunshine, perfect climate and dazzling beaches are some reasons that attract tourists to the endless Costa del Sol stretches. Though the cossts of Costa del Sol can be a bit crowded during summers, there are plentiful reasons that still keep inviting people to this area.

Other Great Destinations

San Sebastian and Picos de Europa mountains on the Pyrenees are some great places for adventurous people, especially who like to ski. The pilgrimage Santiago de Compostela is quite famous for its Gothic cathedral. For information on other cities, Festival, routes etc you may contact tourism office of Spain or visit Spain's official tourism website.


Read About location en espagne and also read about locations espagne vacances and location villa espagne

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?peter morison

Reasons to Travel Spain

One of the top 10 countries that people like to travel, Spain offers a variety of attractions and a number of good reasons to spend a vacation here. History, culture, traditions, relaxation, rustic charm, panoramic beauty, flora and fauna, variety of authentic foods, diversity in language, customs and terrains, luxurious villas are a few of amongst several reasons is that makes Spain a favorite holiday destination.

History

Spanish history greatly affects tourist activities in the country. Spain has been known to have experienced multicultural influences in form of sovereignty. A number of regions in Spain have been occupied and ruled by Christians, Muslims, Romans etc. They have left their unique ambience and some exceptional influences on their culture, architecture and food. What is amazing about Spain is a fact that's the country has stood the harshness of time and different reigns and still displays a wonderful example of unity in diversity. More than five languages are available in different regions of Spain and some exquisite buildings have been maintained to have a glance at glorious history.

Geography

Divided into several regions with each region having its unique culture, the Spain is also known for having all kind of topography. The unending and breathtaking coasts of Spain are already famous but the country also has some wonderful planes and mountainous regions. The Pyrenees range receives snow in certain areas and most of the areas in Spain are beautiful combination of mountains and sea in the near vicinity such that from mountains one can have a splendid view at the beautiful sea.

Features

Other than the architectural history, Spain is known for Stone Age ruins and ruins of various civilizations including that of Romans, Greeks and Carthaginians. Moors have left the maximum impact on the culture and food of Spain.

Spain is also visited for its natural beauty, perfect weather and some of the best beaches in the world. Spain is also famous as a great gastronomic center. The country is also one of the best producers of wine.

Flamenco and running of the Bulls are the most famous activities that are exclusive in Spain.

Considerations

Spain is known for festivities and celebrations. Information about Spain's festivals is available on Spain's official tourism website and it is recommended to visit Spain when a festival is live so that he can get zest of real Spain.

The best way to enjoy real Spain is by staying in a Spanish villa, such that you get to amid Spanish people in order to understand their remarkable way of living.


Read About location en espagne and also read about locations espagne vacances and location villa espagne

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?peter morison

Spain Entry Requirements

Different countries have different requirements of paperwork for those who want to travel their piece of land, so does the Spain has. You have to be through with your health clearances, passport and visa permits in order to find entry in Spain. For staying in Spain for an extended period of time, other requirements also need to be fulfilled. Whether you purpose of travelling Spain is holiday, business or an extended stay, you must take the following steps carefully.

Identification cards and passport

For entering into Spain, you must possess a passport that has your address and photograph. If you are a member of European Union or you belong to countries amongst the Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein an ID card will also do. For those who are less than 16 years of age and traveling with parents can be listed on the passport or identification card or their parents. In case the child is traveling alone, an authorization from legal guardian or parents is a must.

Visa

In Spain, you require a visa if the period of your state is intended to be more than three months. In case you're coming from some other country other than your home country, you should have applied a visa from your current residence. The paperwork should be complete and must include the documents of residence proof and the reason of your visit to Spain. If you are traveling to Spain for some job, you must possess a third party invitation. In case you do not have a third party invitation, a confirmation of return flight may also help.

Vaccines

Though there are no specific vaccinations that you must get done before traveling to Spain, as a precautionary measure you can get the basic vaccines done. Spain is a tropical country; you may always get the communicable diseases. You can get yourself protected from mosquito bites and other insects. Also get tetanus shots before you travel to Spain so that some injury does not lead to severe problems.

Medical Exams

In case you're planning to stay in Spain for a period of three months or more, it is recommended that you get a full health checkup done from a certified physician. The physical examination should ensure that you do not have any disease that is listed on WHO international health regulations. The people have diseases that are listed on WHO international health regulations can be quarantined at the airport.



Read About location en espagne and also read about locations espagne vacances and location villa espagne

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?peter morison

Important information On Spain Holidays

It is important to gain knowledge about Spain's holidays when you are planning a visit to Spain or preparing an itinerary for Spain travel. You'll never want even a single day to get wasted as each day in your Spain travel is important and is meant to absorb more in order to make your holidays a memorable experience. Spain observes about 10 national holidays each year and in addition to a number of local and regional holidays, events and festivals. During these holidays, people may not go for local business and you may even find the markets to be non-operating because of celebration that is always widespread in Spain with fireworks, festivities, feasts and processions.

Types

There are some holidays in the country that commemorate few of the important historical days. Spain's national Day is celebrated on October 12, the day on which Columbus had reached Americas. However, most of the holidays are due to festivals and religious events. For example All Saints Day is celebrated on November 1 and Semana Santa Holy Week are kept off prior to Easter.

Schedules

Celebrations and holidays in Spain can last anywhere from one day to a week or sometimes even more. For example in case of Labor Day, the country experiences off for a single day but while celebrating Dia del Trabajo, a week is kept off. While the celebrations of Month of Ferias are on, people get involved in watching performances, processions, parties, fireworks and bullfights for a period of two weeks or even more.

Features

Holidays in Spain are generally grave or worshipful. Processions and religious parades can be seen commonly, especially during the Semana Santa Holy Week and Easter Sunday.

Regions

There are a number of holidays in Spain that a celebrated on a regional basis. For example Feria de Malaga is held in the month of August for about 10 days only in the city of Malaga. It is a regional festival and is only celebrated in the Malaga city. Other Spanish cities remain uneffected by the celebrations. Festivals like San Isidro are celebrated in different regions at different times during the months of May and June.

Considerations

Depending in which region the celebration is going on, public offices and local business do not operate. Restaurants, bars, museums and other attractions may remain open during the celebrations but private and public transportation services may be reduced during holidays.

Read About location en espagne and also read about locations espagne vacances and location villa espagne

Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?peter morison

The Most Exciting European Adventure Tours

Adventure tours offer a level of excitement and exploration quite different from an ordinary vacation. This type of vacation typically involves a well planned out tour of not just one city or vacation destination, but several. Also, an adventure tour highlights cultural and historical sites and can involve at least some level of physical exertion; everything from coping with off road exploration to rafting and climbing. There are few continents on Earth which are more fascinating and diverse than Europe. For this reason, among others, there are few locations which are better to experience an adventure tour on than in Europe. Considering the amount of history which took place between European nations, there is much to be discovered. Also, the fact that Europe is comprised of incredible landscapes which are as distinct as the peoples who occupy them, a European adventure tour is truly an unforgettable experience.



An adventure tour on the European continent allows you to walk the very lands where so many of the adventures in ancient stories took place. If you are looking for an experience that will provide you with fond memories for years to come, you might want to consider some of the following tour destinations.



Scotland



Many people have a love affair with Scottish culture and history, so Scotland can be a wonderful destination for an adventure tour. When touring Scotland you can walk the highlands and the lowlands like the Scots of old, either camping in the wild or staying at a different Scottish inn each night. For those wishing to get in touch with Scottish culture, a Scottish adventure tour can be a dream come true.



France



If you don't want to visit Scotland, France might be a better option. You might consider hiking the Haute Route, a mountaineering route that was designed to link Chamonix and Zermatt (which are two of the most well-known and beloved mountaineering areas in all of Europe.) You might also wish to go canoeing on the rivers of southwestern France, moving along rivers bathed in history as you can see castles and other historical sites from your seat in the canoe. There are tours that will take you through the Christmas markets of France, as well as the breathtaking cities of Paris, Lyon and Nice.



Italy and the Netherlands



If canoeing and hiking is not exactly what you're looking for, consider taking a bike tour of Italy or the Netherlands. Both of these countries have centuries of history and culture for you to take in while enjoying the freedom of biking under your own power. Adventure tours are designed to take you through beautiful and culturally-important regions of the country, and are generally arranged so that you will have luxurious lodging each night to help you relax from the rigors of riding all day. Bike tours allow you to cover more ground each day than hiking tours do, so you will generally get to see more of the country as you continue your tour.



England and Ireland



If you are planning on visiting England, you might consider taking one of the hiking tours along Hadrian's Wall. This wall stretches across the Pennines and is considered one of the feats of Roman engineering. By taking a tour along the wall you will be able to marvel at the length of it as you consider that it was built by hand… all while enjoying the beauty of the hillsides of northern England. Similar tours can also be taken in Ireland, where you can see the old rock walls that in many places are still maintained by the descendants of those who built them.



Greece



Should you want an adventure tour that doesn't involve quite as much hiking, head to Greece or other locations in the Mediterranean where cruises are offered to let you experience the historic coastlines that helped to shape so much of Europe's civilization. Unlike cruise lines which have you cruising on massive luxury ships, many of the Greek and Mediterranean cruises use smaller ships built in a more classic style so that you will know the feel of those ancient ships while learning about the culture that surrounded them. Adventure tours taken in this area can include visits some of the most beautiful islands and ancient locations in the world, such as Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion and Santorini.



European Adventure Tours by Train



Other popular European tour options involve tours by train. Most of Europe is connected by a railway system, and with a EuroPass you can take a train easily from one country to the next so as to enjoy the cultural and historical significance of each. You can visit the vineyards of France, the castles of Germany, and the markets of Italy with nothing but a train ride in between. Tours which are centered around train transport generally include your EuroPass in the price of the tour package.



Regardless of the type of adventure tour that you want to take, make sure that you spend a little time exploring the offerings of different tour coordinators so that you can find exactly the tour package that's right for you. In addition to getting ideas for additional things that you would like to do while in Europe, you may be able to save money on the adventure tour that you take as well.


Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Lisa Parker

Roadside Assistance Is One Of The Best Travel Investments You Can Make

By: Adriana Noton

Published: June 23, 2010
The automobile has had a special place in the hearts and minds of America since early in its development. Americans love to travel, to see the varied and spectacular scenery the nation holds and to simply entertain themselves with the cultural idiosyncrasies of the diverse United States. Having roadside assistance ensures there is help should it ever be necessary while we are enjoying our freedom to travel.

We have been a nation on the move since the pioneer days. Back then our travel was more driven by the need to expand and find for each individual a place and means for sustenance. The west was as romantic back then as the movies portrayed it, full of promise and wide open for the entrepreneurial spirit.

Travel was, however, a dramatic and yet cumbersome proposition in those early days. There were a plethora of difficulties to conquer, especially since the travel was accomplished by wagon train or horseback. It was a slow, uncomfortable and difficult endeavor undertaken by hardy individuals with a true lust for adventure or that had nothing to lose and everything to gain by starting over in a new and unfinished place.

The pioneers persevered, however, and despite many losses along the way, settlements were established throughout the country. Travel generally followed the designated postal routes of waterways and railways, with that mostly ending in Saint Joseph, Missouri, where further travel became truly an adventure. This explains why there are so many antique shops in that city, as the westward journey found unprepared settlers having to part with many of their belongings at the end of the railway system. They just could not get everything in a wagon.

It was not until 1863 that the transcontinental railway was begun, and it would take three years to complete it. It would take another fifty years before a regular highway was built across America. The dedication of the Lincoln highway, in honor of the president, took place in 1913. Spanning the nation from New York to California it would serve to inspire a later system of roadways to interconnect America in a truly revolutionary way.

The Lincoln Highway served as inspiration for the drafting of the National Interstate and Defense Act of 1956 which provided for the construction of the interstate highway system. Formally entitled the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, this system served two purposes. It encouraged and facilitated interstate tourism and business, and it provided the means to move the massive military machine should the US every come under attack. President Eisenhower had been impressed by the German roadway system while he served as the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe during World War II.

This notion of assisting with the national defense is the answer to a number of trivialities about the roadway. The answer to why there is an interstate in Hawaii and Alaska is answered by the connectivity between military bases in these two states, as the original bill authorizing its construction was also a national defense endeavor. Also one mile out of every five miles is straight, allowing it to be used as an emergency landing field if it is necessary (more prominent with CAA insurance).

Travel across the united States in the form of a road trip has been immortalized in movies and been a part of most American lives. About the only downside to traveling across the nation is the time it takes and the possibility of having your car malfunction or just die altogether out in the middle of nowhere. The introduction of roadside assistance has all but taken these risks out of the equation.

About the Author:

With CAA insurance, you can feel relaxed if you face a vehicular emergency. And who knows? You might even win a Las Vegas vacation package if you accrue enough points in some CAA insurance packages!

Your Holiday Travel Checklist

By: Marketta Mineah

Published: June 29, 2010
Holidays are supposed to be about relaxation. Sitting in the sun, sipping an ice-cold drink, listening to the sound of the ocean around you... In reality, the combination of sorting out accommodation, travel insurance, flights and what you're actually going to do on your holiday can take all of the fun out of a break.

If you're travelling from one of London's main airports , Gatwick, Luton, Heathrow , this problem is even greater. Unless you are an expert in navigating the twists and turns of London's one-way system, and willing to pay an extortionate amount to park your car at the airport, getting to any of these can be a nightmare.

Trains seem to provide a relatively simple solution to this problem. Just book a ticket, sit back and watch the world go by. A very real advantage of travelling by train is (unless something goes wrong along your route) you have an increased level of control over timings, and can predict roughly what time you'll get to the airport without running the risk of traffic jams or London congestion.

However, the train isn't as practical an option as it may first appear. Anyway who has ever faced the awkwardness of carrying a heavy rucksack down the carriage; now just imagine trying to get three heavy suitcases down as well. The convenience of the train is also somewhat lacking: you'll often be forced to take a circuitous route to get to the airport.

Taxis seem another viable option. You can get picked up by your door and dropped off by the airport itself. Even better, you only have to carry your luggage on and off once, and that's simply a matter of dropping it in the back seat. A taxi also alleviate the worry of getting home after the journey: you can simply arrange to be picked up again after getting off the train.

Another increasingly popular method of transportation is to take advantage of the service offered by companies such as EasyBus. They promise to provide low-cost, convenient airport transfers to any of the three London airports and from anywhere within London. The most immediate benefit is that it won't break the bank: if you book in advance a ticket from anywhere within London will cost you 2 ounds one-way, 4 pounds return, not exactly breaking the bank.

You don't need to actually be flying with EasyJet to use the service; it is available to any and all. Indeed, you don't even need to be flying to use it, if you want to see loved ones off, or greet them on their return; it provides a cheap and convenient way to get to and from the airport. However, this service is a popular one so it's worth booking in advance to ensure you have a seat.

The variety of transport options available means that, whatever your needs, you'll be able to find a suitable, stress-free method of transport when travelling to one of the London airports. So that's one worry sorted, just got everything else to sort now...

Marketta Mineah is an expert in aviation. They recommend easyBus for transport to Gatwick airport.