Terrific Travel Tips

With its crisp, clean air and snow-capped mountains, Germany is a vision for the soul. You’ll find any number of interesting villages from one end of the country to the other, each with its own special charm.

Bavaria is an absolute must, and Munich is the center of it all. You could easily spend a week exploring the city, but be sure to venture out of town and discover some of the villages and towns that dot the landscape, as well as one of the world’s great castles Neuschwanstein- the inspiration for the Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty castle. The Rhine and Mosel wine regions offer their own selection of castles and unique towns, such as Trier, which was founded in 15 B.C. and beautiful scenic drives. Another enjoyable travel option is to venture along the highways and byways of the famous Black Forest and explore its beautiful countryside.

On her popular travel website, writer Karen Brown suggests several interesting itineraries for travelers to Germany. She offers detailed descriptions of various regions, as well as driving directions and suggested pacing. In addition to this helpful information, her readers also have voted and chosen the following inns and hotels as Germany’s best lodging experiences:

Built in 1730, the Hotel Bulow Residenz in Dresden is a charming Baroque relic painted a sunny shade of yellow. Hotel Bulow is across the river from the city center, so it offers close access to Dresden’s many attractions, but is located in a quiet, peaceful setting. Elegant guest rooms range from cozier single rooms to more spacious suites decorated with antiques. Breakfasts are often served in a vine-covered courtyard. The hotel has a formal restaurant as well as an intimate piano bar in the wine cellar. The hotel was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” lodging.

The Romantik Hotel Markusturm was chosen as the winner of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the “Warmest Welcome” in Germany. Located in Rothenberg, a fanciful medieval town surrounded by turrets, ramparts and walls, the hotel is just as charming as its surroundings. Hosts Lilo and Stephan Berger will make you feel right at home and pamper guests with inviting individually decorated guest rooms and plenty of hearty cuisine, complimented by Stephan’s signature homemade beer.

The Gasthaus Die Krone in the Black Forest town of Staufen is a delight. This family-run hotel is located in a pedestrian-only area, so it enjoys a quiet and peaceful spot. The exterior of the building is charming with shuttered windows, window boxes bursting with color and a mural depicting the Revolution of 1848. Guest rooms are simple and pleasing with light pine furnishings and beds topped with white duvets and fluffy pillows. The hosts are friendly and welcoming and in addition to the guest rooms, there is a restaurant where dinner is served nightly. The hotel won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Greatest Value” in Germany.

To enjoy what Karen Brown readers have chosen as Germany’s top “Splendid Splurge,” book a stay at the Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof. Located on the sand-dune island of Sylt at the northern tip of Germany, the hotel’s friendly hosts offer a little bit of everything. Spa services, a sauna and swimming pool are available for guests to enjoy. For families, there is a children’s program, many acres in which to run about in and play, and even babysitting for parents who want to enjoy a nice dinner for two. Golfing and fishing are among the possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts. The hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast until the early afternoon, so guests can sleep in and just relax.

If you’re considering Spain as a holiday destination, you have a wealth of options in destinations and airlines to get you there.

Aena, Spain’s airport management company, operates 47 full service airports in the country. With such a large number of airports, travelers can usually make arrangements to land at an airport that is within 50 km of their holiday destinations.

You’ll find that Spain’s airports offer the same services and conveniences of your home airport.

Here is a list of the airlines that fly into Spain:

Aer Lingus Air Canada Air France American Airlines BMI British Midland British Airways Iberia KLM Qantus SN Brussels Swiss United Airlines Virgin Atlantic

In addition to these larger, full-service carriers, you can choose from these low-fare airlines:

Air 2000 BMI Baby Britannia Easyjet Excel Airways Go JMC Monarch My Travel Ryanair Virgin Express

Now that you know you can get there, check out some of the top coastal holiday destinations in Spain.

The busiest holiday island is Mallorca (Majorca, if you prefer) Island is the largest of the Balearic Islands. It is a perennial top pick thanks to its versatility. You can find Spanish history and culture, night life as well as fish and chips. The climate is typical Mediterranean with warm, sunny summers and cold, wet winters. Recommended attractions are Palma de Mallorca offering stunning beaches, history and night life; and Alcudia, a Medieval port town with great beaches. Mallorca Airport is located on the island.

Ibiza Island reportedly offers more than 300 days of sunshine every year. All the better to take advantage of its 210 km of coastline and 50 beaches. If you tire of sunning, you can tour its historical and cultural landmarks before heading to Ibiza to experience the night life. This sunny locale is serviced by Ibiza Airport.

Girona Costa Brava offers many destinations of interest, making it an important tourist destination. Offering history, nature, sports and exceptional cuisine, Girona Costa Brava is a land of contrasts. Girona, home of the Girona Airport, also offers history and art. Visit the beaches and historical attractions at Blanes. Cadaques is another ancient town, home to artist Salvador Dali. The village of L’Escala - Empuries is right next to the archeological site of the Empuries. Palamos offers luxury lodging and restaurants.

No trip to Spain can be considered complete without a trip to Barcelona and the Barcelona Coast. Widely known as one of the most beautiful European cities, Barcelona is a rich blend of the ancient and modern. Calella and Sitges, two other recommended destinations, offer the best of Spanish coast travel: Spanish charm, beautiful beaches, cultural experiences, first rate hotels and restaurants.

Tarrogona and Costa Dorada, the golden coast, offer all you would expect in a costal Spanish destination. Beaches sport golden sand (hence the name) and clear waters. Visit Tarragona, the capital, to see Roman ruins, Calafell, a laid back village where you can visit and old fishing neighborhood, and Salou, offering beaches and great night life.

Valencia and Costa de Valencia are growing in popularity thanks to its beaches as well as the city of Valencia. With long, dry summers and mild winters, you can consider this destination year-round. Gandia, also located in this region, is another highly recommended destination offering historical buildings, museums, and shops, along with pubs, discos and restaurants.

Most flights into La Palma in the Canary Islands are via charter connections. You can book direct charter flights from Manchester and Gatwick airports year-round. If you’d rather, you can choose to connect from Madrid, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Amsterdam. The best airlines to shop are Binter Airways, a Canary Island based company, and Iberia. Spain’s national airline.

Known as “Isla Bonita,” the pretty isle, La Palma is often considered the most beautiful and unspoiled of the Canary Islands. Its climate is stable, enjoying pleasant temperatures in all seasons with warm winters and comfortable summers.

You can get around on La Palma by hiring a car, getting a cab or use the airport bus service.

With great weather virtually guaranteed, you can be sure to enjoy the islands lush vegetation, interesting volcano cones and bright blue skies. In addition to all this natural beauty, you can experience a culture full of tradition, cuisine and folklore that has survived from the time of its aboriginal inhabitants.

La Palma is a small place packed with things to see. Santa Cruz, the capital city is no exception. Situated on the slope of a mountain and the edge of the volcanic crater Cala Cadereta, Santa Cruz’ s Calle Real is the commercial and social center of the city. This street leads to Plaza Espana. Here you can visit the Cathedral El Salvador and the Museum of Natural History.

Though the cost of La Palma has steep cliffs of volcanic rock and small coves, La Palma offers a selection of great beaches. On the east coast you’ll find Los Cancajos. Puerto Naos and Puerto de Tazacorte are on the warmer west coast. These beaches have natural black lava sand and clear waters.

In north La Palma near Barlovento are a series of natural rock pools and caves that have been adapted to create sun bathing areas and sea-water swimming pools called Piscinas La Fajana.

Puerto de Tazacorte has the longest beach on the west side sporting a large fishing harbor and deep sea fishing vessels and cruisers. Be sure to sample the local restaurants which are supplied with the catch of the day.

Puerto Naos, a traditional fishing village, also offers a good beach with a local diving base offering viewing trips to see the wealth of marine life this area has to offer. Exotic fish, black coral reefs, volcanic caves and underwater arches are part of the everyday here. Excursions from Puerto Naos or Santa Cruz will give you the opportunity to see dolphins, sea turtles and whales.

La Palma’s version of an amusement park does not include traditional entertainments such as rides and arcades. Instead, these natural theme parks provide great wildlife and tropical vegetation. One of these, Maroparque is home to 300 exotic animal species that live in a diversity of vegetation, rocks and a waterfall.

If you’re a shopper, you will revel in La Palma’s tradition of craftsmanship in skills ranging from silk fabrics, embroidery, tapestry, woodwork, straw weaving, wickerwork and earthenware.

If you have travelled abroad you have probably experience having problems with your transportation. This is true to a lot of people this may be the reason why Car rental Companies are so popular and the business are booming because a lot of people opt to rent a car.

The Rental Industry is on rise. This is particularly true to places that attract most tourists. This industry is providing a great service to those people who are really into their comfort and taking their time enjoying their vacation. AN increase in demand of car for rent may not be only due to tourists but also because car owners are now looking for car rental because their car is broken or in the shop for monthly check-up. Also the growing popularity of “road trip” especially for the young ones helped in the growth of the rental industry.

Rental Companies are the people that offer car rental service to their costumers. This company will be the one that will entertain your demands and need for a certain car if you want one. They are also responsible for the pricing of a car or how many discounts off they will give you. Do not forget to get acquainted with the companies different Terms and Conditions when it comes to car renting. If you do not understand these conditions you can always ask a company representative or anyone working for the company to explain to you what the terms are about. This way there will be no confusion and problems will be avoided. Waiver and insurance are offered by the company and it if up to you if you will accept it or not.

These Terms and Conditions differ from company to company. You cannot expect to have the same services offered to you by your past car rental company to this present company that you are renting a car from. You need to remember that making a reservation online will not assure you that you will be getting the exact car that you have reserved online. Change in car model or sometimes the type of car might change. The next thing that you should know is to make that the company will provide you with a car with the features that you needed, like GPS and other important things. Also you need to know that do not expect to pay the same amount that you paid other companies. Each company charge differently.

Car Rental Chains are also one familiar characteristic of big car rental companies. It is the same as food chains it is just that their services are geared more on renting cars. If you have tried renting a car from the same company before and have found their services to be satisfactory you might want to rent a car with the same company. It’s in fact advisable that you do transactions with same company as you did before because more or less you are familiar with how the organization works.

The terms and conditions are clearer to you and you can expect to receive the same service that you had before. Do not forget to do a little background check of the company you are having a transaction with. A little search in the net won’t hurt. You will at least know if the company is reputable and dependable.

1time was born out of a unique opportunity to launch South Africa’s first genuine low-fare airline. At that time, it appeared on the surface as if there were already an airline operating in this market but, in order to qualify as an authentic and sustainable low-fare airline, a company should be set up from scratch as a low-fare model.

1time offers consumers a guarantee that its advertised airfares will be offered on every seat, every flight, and every day - irrespective of when the reservation is made.

1Time Travel Routes Include:

Cape Town to Jhb Cape Town to Durban Cape Town to East London Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Jhb - George Jhb to Cape Town Jhb to Durban Jhb to East London Jhb to Port Elizabeth

1time is extremely proud of its fleet of aircraft. They currently operate a single type of aircraft to ensure their pilots, cabin attendants and maintenance crews are specialist on their family of aircraft. They operate six MD80 and four DC9 jet aircraft and they fly up to eight hours a day. The first of six MD80 series 157-seater jet aircraft arrived in mid November 2004 and went into service in December 2004. The MD80 is a newer generation craft within the family of DC9 aircraft. Their high utilisation is one of the secrets to consistently offering the lowest fares.

The passenger cabins of their aircraft are designed for optimum passenger comfort and convenience. Economy class seating is five across - an arrangement consistently preferred in passenger surveys to the six across seating in other single-aisle airliners. The DC9, with 110 economy class seats, and the MD82 & MD83, with 157 seats - in both cases all leather - provide what they believe to be the best legroom on the South African domestic market for an economy class product.

1time Holdings - a diversified aviation group - was listed on the Johannesburg Altex Stock Exchangeon the 14th of August 2007. The company has evolved in leaps and bounds since it’s inception in 2004 and is the 100% shareholder in 1time Airline, 1time Charters, Aeronexus Technical and Aeronexus Corporate. For more information on the holding company and how it is structured, please visit www.1timeholdings.co.za 1time’s story is a story of courage of 4 men and then a 5th who believed in them, and all this started with a dream which realised into a reality.

Once in a while the time is just right for a good idea to manifest as a reality. The environment is ripe for a new venture to seed, take root and grow. Enterprising people of vision, if they are alert and hungry, see this potential. They act with courage and ingenuity, plant the seed, nurture it and grow it into an enterprise over which other people exclaim: “Why didn’t I think of that first?” This is what it was like for Gavin Harrison, Glenn Orsmond, Rodney James, Sven Petersen and Michael Kaminski - five entrepreneurial men with a wealth of experience in the aviation industry and a hunger to do things their way: with no nonsense integrity.

In 2003, the South African Rand was stronger than it had been for a long time; aircraft acquisition costs were still low in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks; and research proved that low fare, no frills, short haul airlines had been the only successful business model for a number of years, while premium class short haul and domestic airlines were fighting for survival.

South Africa’s domestic airline market carried 7.5 million passengers each year. This market was clearly over-traded with high cost seats and therefore, high airfares. The time for a sustainable, real low fare airline could not have been better. In short, South Africa’s first real domestic low fare airline was beckoning to be born.

The perfect foundation was already in place. Through their aviation holding company, Afrisource Holdings, the four entrepreneurs owned Aeronexus - an aviation company that offers aircraft management, crewing and aircraft maintenance services. They realised that this would be an ideal launch pad for setting up an airline.

The team got to work and produced a business plan, that critical document necessary to raise the balance of the funding required to realise their dream. Businessmen were approached and the 50% balance of funding was very quickly taken up. Once again, perfection struck as Mogwele Investments, a black empowerment partner, took 20%, and an IT group the remaining 30%. Afrisource Holdings retained 50%. The business model was thus strengthened by diversity and IT skills - aspects without which it is virtually impossible for a modern business to succeed. The availability of key airline executives and managers, with relevant experience, to set up and run the airline, was a huge bonus.

On Thursday, 22 January 2004, 1time Airline opened for ticket sales through the Internet, its service centre, and its ticket sales counters at Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports. 1time proudly commenced operations on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, with three return flights a day on the Johannesburg / Cape Town route. In the time since, the airline has grown from strength to strength, expanding on their initial frequency and incorporating more and more destinations.

The name 1time, is a reflection of the South African soul of the company. In South Africa, the phrase “one time!” is a colloquialism meaning “for real!

This text was written by: Athens Vacation

No matter what time of year it is when you visit Aspen, CO, there is always something going on – even in the off season. The town is small, but there are usually several types of Hot spots offered each evening in different parts of the small town. Generally, you won’t have to search too hard to find some Action – but it is better to know exactly what is going on all over town, so you can choose the Aspen, CO Night life that best suits your interests.

First, call the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen a few months before your trip if possible. Ask them what events are planned for the time period that you will be there. Events are usually scheduled well in advance, and finding out about these events well in advance will not only help you to better make your plans, but it will also allow you to purchase needed tickets in advance. Nothing will be more disappointing than arriving in Aspen, Colorado and finding out that your favorite band is in town for a sold out show!

Events can come up at the last minute as well. Upon your arrival to your lodge or hotel, ask the concierge about events that will be taking place during your stay. If you have already contacted the Chamber of Commerce, you will know most of what is going on around town – but there may be a few surprises in store for you.

Don’t forget to check with the Chamber of Commerce offices in nearby towns and villages! Snowmass is a village that almost seems to be a part of Aspen – but it isn’t. Contact the Snowmass town hall to find out what events are scheduled in the village during your visit.

Have a plan before you arrive in Aspen, CO. Also, don’t forget to ask about  individual health insurance quotes online. Use Internet resources, as well as the information that you learn from the various Chambers of Commerce and your lodge to plan your daytime and night time activities while you will be in Aspen, Colorado. Again, there is always something to do in Aspen, and if you don’t plan ahead, you will waste a lot of time trying to decide what you want to do.

While you want to go in with a plan, leave a day or two open – with no plans. Use these days for shopping expeditions or simply take a quiet walk through the quiet Victorian neighborhoods. Go to a restaurant that isn’t in your plans, or spend some time in the Great Room at your lodge. There is always something to do…but sometimes, it is nice to have nothing to do as well!

For additional info on traveling please visit: Lyon Holiday.

So many people travel for important holidays that you may be quite disappointed with the cost of it. There are great ways you can save money though whether you are traveling by plane, train, or bus to get to your destination for the holidays. It is essential that you book your travel arrangements early. You don’t want to be stuck without a way to get where you want to be for the holidays due to everything being sold out. You should to take your time to compare prices.

You will find some travel dates should simply be avoided around the holidays. This will allow you to avoid crowds which often equal substantial delays. You will also be able to get the same travel arrangements at a lower price just by carefully calculating the best times to travel.

You will be surprised to know that Valentine’s Day that falls on 14th February each year is a top travel season but it is. It is very important for people to be able to spend this holiday together. Since Presidents Day is very close to Valentine’s Day many people are able to take a long weekend. Avoid traveling during this Monday holiday and you will save money. Instead fly out in the next few days and then stay for a couple of days after Valentine’s Day instead of before.

Spring break takes place for about three weeks in March depending on which schools people are attending. If you plan to travel for spring break you need to plan it very carefully to maximize your time and to get good prices. Many colleges allow people to complete their final exams early. Try to do this and travel on a Wednesday or Thursday. Avoid peak days such as Friday and Saturday. You also want to come back on week days as they will be lower volume dates for travel.

Many people fly to see their parents for Mother’s Day and for Father’s Day. These are important holidays that take place on a Sunday in May and then on a Sunday in June. Traveling on the actual day will save you money over flying out on the Friday or Saturday before. This way you can arrive on their special day and stay around for several days. Your return trip should be for one of the weekdays following the holiday instead of the weekend.

Thanksgiving is a common holiday that people travel for. Since it always falls on a Thursday, most people get an extended weekend so they can go visit for a few days or take a vacation. The peak of this vacation for travel takes place on the day before Thanksgiving. However, if you are willing to travel on Thanksgiving Day you can avoid the crowds. You will also find you save up to 50% of the price of getting there just by waiting less than 24 hours.

Most people return from their Thanks Giving trip on the Sunday following the holiday. Try to avoid this day as well and return on the following Monday. Most employers want some people to be in the office on the Wednesday before so offer to do it in exchange for having the following Monday off.

Christmas is another peak holiday travel occasion, and you will find the fares get much higher the closer it gets to the 25th of December. Try to travel before the 19th in order to take advantage of the best possible fares. If you cannot to stay through New Year’s day then choose a day in the middle of the week after Christmas Day. These are often slower days than the weekends and you will get better prices.

Avoid travel on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day as they are two of the most popular travel dates of the year. Fares are usually cost double what they normally cost so you will save yourself plenty of money and delays if you can work around them when you travel for the vacations.

For those interested in traveling to Danau Toba , the largest crater lake in the world in Medan North Sumatra Indonesia, remember to avoid traveling during the festive months of Idul Fitri, Ceng Beng and School Holidays. These are the times where many will be traveling to and from Medan Indonesia.

Visit www.MedanKu.com to download Medan city guide, budget travel guide and see more pictures and videos of Medan

For more information and travel tips visit world vacations

Many travelers do not bother with U.S. visitors insurance, or even know much about it. Visitor insurance covers some important areas for travelers such as hospital care and prescription drugs. When visiting a country such as the U.S. from somewhere else, the cost of medical care often catches people off guard. This makes the coverage for visitors health insurance quite beneficial.

Travelers often do not anticipate a need for health coverage when visiting other nations and, therefore, do not bother with obtaining visitors insurance. Travelers who do get the policies benefit from a great deal of peace of mind.

Like other forms of health insurance, visitors health insurance comes in a variety of types, differentiated by cost and coverage. These levels of coverage, and the rates which they entail, vary between companies and their specific coverage options. The basic services, emergency room care, etc., are included in every policy.

Visitors insurance policies are available that cover every foreseeable option, including dental problems, unexpected illnesses brought on by climate or food and so forth. Every visitor should carry this coverage. A vacation might go exactly as planned or go awry in some expected way, insurance helps in the latter case.

Additional benefits may be necessary if one is travelling to a less stable area of the world. Coverage for terrorism, for example, can be included in one’s plan. Medical evacuation is another occurrence which may prove to be both unexpected and expensive. Having visitors insurance can truly put one’s mind at ease when traveling abroad.

There are many more benefits which can be included in one’s visitor insurance policy. Sports related coverage is available as well as identity theft assistance and accidental death coverage. Other options can be added to personalize one’s policy to their own travel needs.

Insurance for visitors is a vital part of any trip, regardless of how often the traveler has been to the foreign land or how safe they perceive it to be. Sometimes, a resident family will purchase insurance for visiting relatives in order to protect their loved ones during their visit.

Nobody likes to think about what could happen, but it is important to be prepared. Being caught off guard in a foreign country is not a good situation. The coverage available through visitors health insurance could not only save one’s wallet, but save one’s life.

Part of the thrill in planning a family vacation comes in imagining the seemingly endless options you may have available to make a fun trip. The world is simply filled with enjoyable travel packages that can take you to exciting lands. And one of your “can’t miss” choices is playing some of the great golf courses in Spain.

If you’re looking for a European-quality golf hotel, Spain is the place to be. The courses are amazing, the amenities are continental and the service is incredible.

In Costa del Sol in Spain, you’ll find the Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, a 6,857-yard, Robert Trent Jones designed golf course that annually hosts the Volvo Masters and has been described as the most visually striking course in continental Europe.

But that’s not the only hot course in the region or the country. Costa del Sol is home to 36 courses alone and Spain itself offers hundreds of both public and private courses for you to enjoy. To find out more about the region and the best courses, keep reading.

The Andalusia Region

Costa del Sol is located in Andalusia and it’s only a 50 minute flight from Madrid. Along this incredible coastline, there are piles of amazing courses. Aside from the golf though, you can enjoy beautiful Spanish towns, hike nearby hills or simply lie by the beach and relax.

Recommended Golf Courses

For those not up to the demands of Valderrama, try The Golf Club Marbella (011)-(34)-(5) 283-0500, another Robert Trent Jones layout set amid the rolling countryside near this famous resort town; the Real Club de Golf Las Brisas (011)-(34)-(5) 281-0875, a favorite of King Juan Carlos I; or the thrilling Golf Torrequebrada (011)-(34)-(5) 244-2742, where the holes plunge into valleys and follow tortuous routes over heaving hills.

Other Things to Do

The Costa del Sol region is bursting with new hotels and even newer condo developments. But, you can still enjoy the beach, marinas and the numerous casinos that pepper the harbors and coasts. If you’re feeling bored of golf, then charter a boat for a fishing trip or take an excursion to nearby cities such as Seville.

But no matter what your pleasure, whether it’s golf, a cultural adventure, or even a short ferry ride to Morocco from the port town of Algeciras - at day’s end, eat and drink heartily, because on the Costa del Sol, particularly at its many beachside restaurants, the no-frills cooking is pescadito sardines and small squid or calamaritos, usually roasted on spits and, best of all, served with famous sweet Malaga wines.

Places to Stay

If you need a golf hotel, Spain has a number of great resorts in the Andalusia region. When your taste is old-school style and luxury, then try the Marbella Club Hotel. On the other hand, if you want something a little more modern and budget-friendly, try the Atalaya Park Golf Hotel and Resort. Finally, for the best in five-star golf, stay at the Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa.

Even the best of luxurious five-star hotels and resorts can on occasion get an infestation of bed bugs. This can be sometimes be unavoidable as hundreds and even thousands of travelers and tourists can be staying at a hotel or resort at any given time. These tiny blood drinking critters can easily hitch a ride on unsuspecting travelers or hide in their luggage. Hotel and resort managers alike are very aware of this possible problem and do their best to prevent this from happening.

What do these blood sucking pests look like?

Bed bugs are tiny, flat, wingless bugs. Their size can vary from a head of a pin to approximately one-quarter of an inch in length when fully grown. They’re oval shaped and look similar to small watermelon seeds. Their color varies from translucent yellow to dark reddish brown. If they have just dined on a traveler’s blood their color may look dark brown or black.

How easy are they to detect?

Most vacationers are unaware of bedbugs until they see red bite marks on their bodies and start scratching their itchy wounds. Bed bugs can be extremely difficult to find if the infestation is light. Their eggs are very tiny and about the size of grains of rice which are even harder to see. To make matters even worse they tend to be nocturnal so they are waking up and looking for a blood breakfast when most vacationers are tired and going to sleep.

When you check into your room it is advisable to roll all the bed sheets, blankets and comforters down to see if you can find any bed bugs. A tell tale sign they’re around are dark fecal spots or drops of dried blood on the linen, pillowcases, or in the seams around the mattress or box springs. You also may find what look like to be shells of bed bugs which are in fact the skins that they shed when they’re maturing. If you can find any sign of their presence, phone down to the front desk and ask for another room. You may be able to get a decent discount on your room for the upsetting experience and inconvenience.

However, bed bugs do not reflect on the cleanliness of hotels and resorts. These insects do not eat crumbs or dirt, or anything we may associate with unsanitary hotel room conditions. They only feed on blood. In terms of a vacationer’s health, current research indicates that these insects do not appear to spread disease even though they can harbor well over twenty-five different pathogens.

Not everyone gets bitten by bed bugs. Sometimes, if there are two travelers asleep in the same bed, only one may get bitten. However, bed bugs don’t discriminate. Given a chance they will gladly drink anyone’s blood. Bed bugs are attracted by the heat of our bodies and the carbon dioxide that we exhale when we breathe. They also release chemicals that attract each other. These night crawlers move quickly and are excellent climbers. They can easily tag along in a traveler’s luggage or on their clothing.

What can you do to avoid these pests when traveling on your vacation?

Unfortunately, apart from checking the linen, mattress, box springs, bed frames, behind the headboard, all upholstered furniture, and along the baseboards in your room, that’s about all you can do.

Bed bugs are a universal problem and can be found in motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, hotels, pod hotels, resorts, hospitals, airplanes, trains, buses, cabs, cruise ships, etc. These little blood suckers can be found near any readily available source of blood, like tired travelers. Bed bugs can even hitch a ride home with you, turning your home sweet home into a living hell.

What can you do to get rid of pesky bed bugs?

You should leave the job to a professional pest control company as these pests are very difficult to get rid of. It’s expensive and can take time treating an infestation of bed bugs which usually involves using steam and pesticides. This process may have to be repeated a number of times before the very hot steam and pesticides kill all of them. Keep in mind that the insects must come into direct contact with the hot steam and pesticides for these tactics to be totally effective.

As far as your house is concerned, prevention is easier and far less costly than a cure. In your home, you do not have to throw your mattress and box springs out. You can cover your mattress and box springs with zippered plastic coverings that will prevent bedbugs from hiding in the cracks and crevices of your mattress. There also are zippered plastic protectors that are just as effective in protecting your pillows. This will prevent any bedbugs that are inside from getting out. And at the same time it will prevent any new infestations from getting in, thus eliminating the mattress and box springs as a problem. However, this is only one part of the bed bug solution. You will still need to use steam and pesticides to fumigate any room of the home where they could be hiding.

There is a new and exciting revolutionary product that looks very promising for monitoring and eliminating bed bugs. It is called the NightWatch Bedbug Trap designed by Bio Sensory, Inc.. This small, easy to use product has a kairomone, carbon dioxide, and heat lure that traps and kills bed bugs. Under a monitored field test this product captured and killed over a thousand bed bugs. The company’s website is Biosensory.com.