It’s evident people are in the planning stages of their summer travel season. Last month’s top posts were the ones focusing on choosing destinations and deciding where to go. Fairly common for late winter.

Here are the trending posts for February, 2010:

• Travelers, not wanting to forsake their passion, are looking for ways to keep it going. This was top in January and remains there this month:

10 Destinations Where Your Dollar Will Go Farthest

• A perennial question for those traveling the mid-east region. Where you can and can’t go with an Israeli stamp in your passport:

Navigating Israeli “Stamp Stigma”

• What better way to avoid making glaring mistakes than seeing the glaring mistakes of those that have come before. This planning post came in 3rd:

6 Common Mistakes People Make Planning Their Trips And How To Avoid Them

• This one proved very popular. Helpful and rare finds from the web for everything from a baggage restriction aggregator to how best to use Google for travel:

10 Websites Every Traveler Should Know About (and use)

• Finally, the question many people want to know: how can I go to Japan without losing my shirt:

Is Japan Too Expensive to Visit (probably not)

Thank You!

Thanks to all the readers for making the AirTreks Travel Blog so successful! Feel free to sign up for  emails of all our updates, or else get access to them through your favorite RSS reader. Click on “subscribe” on the top right of this page and stay up to date.

Red Shirts on the roll

Trouble is looming over the weekend in Bangkok as the “United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship” assembles its largest protest in recent memory, predicting up to 600,000 protesters will be in the capital by Sunday. According to CNBC:

“Anti-government demonstrators prepared to launch Friday what they hope will be one of the country’s biggest protests ever, aiming to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new elections.

Leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, called the Red Shirts because of their hallmark garb, have vowed to keep their “Million-man march” protest nonviolent. Demonstrators will start meeting around the country Friday, and converge in the Thai capital Bangkok on Sunday.

The group’s last major protest in Bangkok in April last year deteriorated into rioting that saw two people killed, more than 120 people injured and buses burned on major thoroughfares. The army was called in to quash the unrest.”

A source of ours located in the Bangkok gave us the following warning by email:

“We all kind of knew anyway but, NOT A GOOD WEEK TO COME TO BANGKOK. The Red Shirts are surrounding Bangkok and other areas (Pattaya?) this weekend. They are calling it the “Million Man March”. It could last a long time. They want the fugitive ex prime minister Taksin to return to power. He’s a multi-billionaire crook and he’s paying all these poor peasants (the Red Shirts) from all over the country good money to cause havoc and violence and try to take over the government. Let the fun begin.. again!!!”

What does this mean for you? If you don’t have to go into Bangkok you might want to delay your entry by a few days. If you have a ticket but wish to try to change the date we recommend first contacting your airline to see if  they have special provisions for changes in light of the unrest.

Otherwise please call or email our customer service department for change assistance. They can be reached at customercare@airtreks.com or by phone at 1-800-428-8735.

To Dave I posed the Your Agent’s Dream Trip question:

“Without having to state your reasons, and if cost was of no importance, what would be your dream around-the-world trip in 10 stops or less.”

Here’s what Dave came up with, starting in his current home town of San Francisco:

San Francisco, CA

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – to drive the steppes

Mahé, Seychelles – to scuba dive with whale sharks

Antananarivo, Madagascar – to see lemurs and ecolodges

Windhoek, Namibia – to go to Etosha Pan

Timbuktu, Mali – to see desert culture

Sucre, Bolivia -  to drive the salt flats

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – to spend a week aboard a sailboat

New York, New York – because it’s the capital of the world

Below is the TripPlanner solution to get Dave to his dream destinations. (Note: Some of the legs are shown as non-stop flights when no actual nonstop exists – between Mali and Bolivia for example. The “special value” area below shows the least expensive solution for connection cites. Stopovers can be taken in each of these for little or no additional cost. Not all the stops are necessary. AirTreks travel consultants help find the most convenient route for the best prices. Also, some of the cities on the TripPlanner map below are closest for the tool. Guayaquil, Equador, for example is in place of the Galapagos.)

See about how much Dave’s dream trip will cost him, and then start dreaming yourself! Click the image twice for a closer look.

If you would like a trip like this, or one more compatible with your own dream, start a TripPlanner session and submit right now, or click the red banner below!

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

A mere hour flight from both Bangkok and Saigon is Cambodia’s jewel, the Angkor Archaeological Area, home to more than 100 readily accessible ancient temples each with their own brand of mossy identity. Its main draw, Angkor Wat, sits squatly 20 minutes north of the town of Siem Reap in central Cambodia, a medium-scale commercial airport allowing full access to the region. Most of the sites in this area are surprisingly well-preserved given their age and set an alluring backdrop for discovering the history of the Khmer people of South East Asia, an empire that dominated the region from the 9^th to 15^th centuries.

Inexpensive airfare to Siem Reap can be picked up either ahead of time or last minute if that happens to be your style. From the west, the city is served by Bangkok Airways, from the east, by Vietnam Airlines. Or if you’re of a more steadfast persuasion you can arrive by bus, which can be a long, bumpy and uncomfortable endeavor. Backpackers, you know what I’m talking about.

Temple bas relief by Robert Nyman

There’s plenty of accommodation choices in Siem Reap, for absolutely any budget, with really nothing being a budget killer. Some of the cheapest places on earth to sleep and eat are here, considering that Cambodia sits 7^th lowest in gross domestic product of the 33 Asian countries. In other words you don’t have to spend much for a comfortable stay. Guesthouses, hotels and hostels are on the rise in terms of quality and accoutrements and can be found on the fly or ahead of time with a little internet research. Over the last few years with fresh notoriety came more options to accommodate the new interest in the area. Bring your US dollars as they are, surprisingly, more widely accepted than even Cambodia’s national currency, the riel.

On your temple day, pick a 1-, 3- or 7-day pass (US$20, $40, $70 respectively). You’ll be able to get them on the main road to the Angkor temple neighborhood – you can’t miss the checkpoint. A 3-day pass may be your best option depending on how much time you want to devote to exploring the ruins. Be sure to have it on you at all times as officials will check them at each site. With a longer pass you’ll be able to stretch out and slowly take in the revelations of this fascinating place. Contemplating your true place in the universe comes naturally alongside the unmistakably clad and wandering Buddhist monks.

Siem Reap International Airport

Angkor Wat should be your place to start. It’s the most well-known and highly regarded of the region’s ancient enclaves and in 2007 made the short list for the New 7 Wonders of the World . So important is this complex to the economy that the Cambodian government has made sure its flowering towers would forever grace both currency and national flag. Consider renting a guide (US$20) for at least one of the days as they can be essential in engaging the area’s history and geography.

Angkor Wat’s architecture hails from the 12^th century but remains standing in excellent, if rustic, condition. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, the Wat was finally pulled from endangerment in ‘86 when renovations began to make the site available for visitors to catch a glimpse into the history of the Khmer people. Interestingly, Hinduism (not Buddhism) is the defining religious aspect of the temple offering half a kilometer of scenes from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata all depicted wonderfully in bas relief. But please do not touch. Please!

Of course with fame comes fame-seekers and there will be tourists, especially at Angkor Wat during peak travel season. But not to worry, it’s easy to forget the crowds for your enchantment to remain undiminished.

Take your time to discover Angkor Wat but be sure to leave time to see the other sites around, if not only to escape the other tourists. Bayon, with its 54 towers and 216 carved stone faces pleading their own brand of tranquility is the centerpiece of Angkor Thom, an ancient gated-community enclosed within four beautifully ornate entrances. During its peak in the 14^th century, Angkor Thom is believed to have been home to 150,000 citizens.

A few other sites of the Angkor area worth a visit are:

• The Elephant Terrace – (relaxation is unavoidable)
• Ta Prohm – (get your photo in “the empty doorway” and you’ll be surrounded by vines!)
• Banteay Srey – (dubbed the woman’s temple due to its lace-like carvings and deep red color.)
• The Land Mine Museum – (a moving history of the plight of the local community to deal with this disfiguring menace of the Vietnam war era)

Disarmed land mines at the Land Mine Museum

Plan ahead with the sites you’re interested in visiting as some of the distances between them can be large. Hire a tuk-tuk (a moto-rickshaw, so to speak) in town the night before for a breezy day-long chauffeur to each place. Forget the organized tours and watch out if you’re on a bicycle, the road can get busy, muddy and temperatures can rise high during the day. Don’t forget to drink water!

The peak of Cambodia’s rainy season is July to September when it can rain 2 out of 3 days but as the rain falls in short bursts it is likely not to hinder your enjoyment of this fascinating area.

Take care and have and have fun!

Here’s your how-to for avoiding the dreaded “fee fatigue”:

Remember the general guideline – use your credit card for purchases and your debit card for cash – and you’ll be on the right track.

Cash

Think of it this way, Cash is King. Everyone accepts it, so you should have at least a little on you at all times no matter where you go. So, how do you access it without unnecessary expense?

• Exchange your cash before arriving in your next country. Exchange rates are most favorable outside of the country whose currency you’re looking for, and can be as much as a 5% difference.
• Avoid exchanging currency at airports or near tourist sites. The most convenient exchange outlets have the least favorable rates – walk a little and save yourself money.
• Use an ATM machine to get the best exchange rate availble (see next section). If you’re arriving without local cash, get it from an airport ATM or bank, not the currency exchange.

Since cash is so easy to lose – and steal – only carry a modest amount with you. A crime or loss doesn’t have to be devastating to the rest of your trip.

ATM/Debit cards

ATM machines exist pretty much everywhere that has electricity these days, so your debit card will be the most convenient way to access cash. Unfortunately there are fees to use ATMs – up to five bucks per transaction on your home side and potentially more on the foreign side, so it’s in your best interest to keep withdrawals to a minimum. Taking more out with each withdrawal gives you a smaller percentage of fee per overall use, think $200-$300 with each transaction depending on your daily budget.

Expect functionality problems with ATM machines in developing nations, sometimes going down for days at a time with no apology or explanation. Try a different bank if this happens, the problem isn’t always system-wide.

Bring along a spare card that you can activate and use right away if your first card is lost or stolen. You’ll find it more convenient than having to get one mailed to you in a random location.

The so-called “chip-and-PIN card” system is being integrated into debit and credit card transactions in Europe and elsewhere, serving  to complicate the simple use of ATMs for cash. Read this article for more info about what this technology means for your cash survival.

Credit cards

Job #1 is to find the best travel credit card for purchase transactions, then use it. The biggest detriment, however, to using a credit card for everything under the sun is the foreign transaction fee – a charge on all the purchases you make overseas. If you use it a lot, this will certainly add up. The recent US government Credit CARD Act, while being generally beneficial, has only served to further complicate the travel card matter.

So which card to you want? The USA Today has outlined some of the best ones, but in summary, they’ve determined that the Capitol One card with their 0% transaction fee is the best traveler’s credit card out there.

As an added bonus, it also has a “no-hassles” airline miles reward program, so you can earn miles on each dollar spent. What traveler wouldn’t like that?

Here is a list of foreign transaction fees from some of the largest US credit card issuers:

• Capital One
  0%
• Discover
  2%
• American Express
  2.7%
• Bank of America
  3%
• Chase
  3%
• Citibank
  3%
• Wells Fargo
  3%

Don’t forget: since credit card companies have the freedom to charge whatever exchange rate they want for transactions, you may end up paying more without even knowing it. American Express often gives more favorable exchange rates that even with their 2.7% transaction fee you can save money overall.

‡ Make sure to notify your bank before you depart for a foreign country. They’ll be quick to freeze your account when transactions start appearing thousands of miles from your home address. A quick phone call will save you all kinds of hassle.

Travelers Check Ad circa 1960

Travelers Checks

Even though romance of using traveler’s checks wore off long ago, their practicality still lingers — they’ll still come in handy if your robbed. Unfortunately, they’re nearly impossible to change outside of a bank. And because of their perceived decreasing value, many hotels won’t even change them anymore. And checks issued by companies other than the biggest one or two are pretty much worthless much of the world over. Best to avoid travelers checks if at all possible.

The “Cash Passport” card from Travelex

Basically a pre-paid credit card, it’s specifically geared toward the international traveler. The benefit is you don’t have to pay it off later, which is great in hindsight. Load it up before you leave and then collect or spend the cash worry-free on the road. Note that the Cash Passport also has a variable fee for transactions as well. There are also maximum limits on withdrawals and purchases. But like a credit card they offer purchase protection.

This may be a great solution for the chip-and-PIN dilemma, as they’re building this technology into the cards they issue.

So, even though the fee labyrinth may be vast and fearful, it’s always best to research and read fine print before committing to anything. Hopefully these hints will help you commit more wisely.

A scene from François Truffaut’s 1960 movie “Tirez sur le Pianiste” or “Shoot the Piano Player”. Bobby Lapoint singing the very fun “Framboise”, with subtitles. See if you can follow along.

Have a Frenchtastic weekend!

Here are some of the best free enterprises to be had on any standard round the world trip. Take THAT budget woes!

Tours – the best educational opportunity

The City Circle Tram, Melbourne – Along its thirty minute run, this iconic 20s-era tramline will clink and clang you around some of Melbourne’s prettiest districts. All for the cost of stepping on. And off. And on again. There’s running commentary onboard to educate you and you can exit at any (or all) of its nearly 30 stops. A most charming way to experience the town, completely gratuit. Check out the City Circle Tram’s daily route here.

The Star Ferry, Hong Kong – While not technically free, it might as well be (the cost equals about .25¢). Probably the cheapest public transportation you’ll ever see, the ferries—um—ferry people back and forth between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island across the famous Hong Kong Harbor. With formidable views of its skyline you’ll forget you even paid the quarter. On the Kowloon side stroll along the waterside promenade then settle in to watch the skyline explode in a 14-minute lightshow that would make even a Pink Floyd fan shed a tear. A truly memorable and cost-neutral experience.

Churches – cleanse your soul, without the cost

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome – Some will argue it stands alone as the world’s greatest cathedral. And it’s free to enter. Cover your shoulders and prepare to be inspired – the spacious halls, larger-than-life statues, enough marble to make a cake decorator cry, and the masterpiece Pietà by Michelangelo all exist inside. Open daily except during Weds morning papal audiences.

Jama Masjid, Delhi – Immense and majestic, the Jama Masjid is India’s largest and possibly grandest mosques. And the majesty of scale is likely what the architects were going for – the courtyard alone can accommodate up to 25,000 of the pious. The only charge is to tip the guard; don’t forget to remove your shoes. Visit on a Friday to view the secluded Eastern Gateway. Closed during prayers 12:15 – 1:45.

Markets – browsing never costs a dime

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul – Massive, sprawling, labyrinthine, a stroll through Istanbul’s most beloved market will make you pine for a silver cabinet and a wife to wrap in scarves. World renown and unceasingly magical, the Grand Bazaar is page out of a Harry Potter book, with fewer potions. Always free, unless you’re a compulsive shopper.

Ben Thanh Market, Saigon – like the Grand Bazaar but on a smaller scale, and decidedly Asian. Haggling is welcome, if not entirely expected. Most stall-keepers will beckon, if not downright annoy, but feel free to browse. Keep a hand on your wallet, a finger on the shutter release and your eyes on the prize, the place is a feast for the senses. Also, one of the best places in the city to sample the local cuisine once the market starts closing down.

Museums – walk-in museums to spur that weathered creativity

Tate Modern, London – like other London museums, the Tate Modern is free to enter. A repository for the modern art lover in all of us, the Tate is housed in a Metropolis-looking former power station, the elements of which can still be seen in the galleries. One of Europe’s finest modern art museums. Rotating exhibitions.

La Noche de la Museos, Buenos Aires — If you happen to be lucky enough to be in Buenos Aires on the evening November 14, you’ll get this amazing night of free art and culture all over the city. Over 120 galleries, theater and dance troupes, film and multimedia events, and almost half a million people participate in this giant event. A big party really. Sundown till 2am. Cost: free.

Festivals – be lucky, catch one and revel

Celebrate Brooklyn, New York – New York’s longest running and most famed music and arts festival, 30 years and still no charge at the Bandshell in Prospect Park. (A suggested donation of $3 is requested, but if you’re hell-bent on getting a free show, walk on by).  The festival runs over the course of June and July with different events. Watch their Twitter feed for announcements. (Hint: lineup announcement, May 5)

The Love Parade, Berlin – The original Techno-crunch. Originally set up to celebrate the demolition of the Berlin Wall, the city has been hosting the often reproduced but never matched, sometimes scandalous, always jam-packed, raver cause-célèbre. It really must be witnessed to be believed, and all for the price of your trance fairy day-glo bikini costume. Not for the faint of heart, but worth the spectacle.

Gardens – free battery-recharging

Garden of the 5 Senses, Delhi – A garden entirely without zucchini, this rejuvenating park was specifically designed to “awaken all five senses” is located on its 20 acre site in the heart of Delhi. It accommodates plants, flowers, waterfalls, rock sculptures, bells, spirals and live music with which to recharge. The final sense? There’s a food court that serves a variety cuisines. A peaceful and no-cost way to escape the chaos of the Delhi streets.

Higashi-Gyoen, Tokyo – The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are among Tokyo’s most beautiful spaces. Covering a total of 52 acres, you can gaze quietly over wisteria and azaleas and contemplate the tenets of the Tao. The entry into the gardens is free along with the Sannomaru Shozokan: Emperor Showa’s prized art collection museum. Open 9am – 4:30.

If you have any other opportunities for free activities, no matter where they are, feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Or else plan and submit a trip that hits these destination with our free TripPlanner tool!

** all images link back to owner

With this in mind I expected his dream trip to be pretty exotic — he didn’t let me down.

To Glenn I posed the Your Agent’s Dream Trip question:

“Without having to state your reasons, and if cost was of no importance, what would be your dream around-the-world trip in 10 stops or less.”

Here’s what he offered. (Glenn lives in Oakland, CA but said he’d be willing to come across the Bay to catch his international flight. He’s nice that way.)

San Francisco, CA

Olso, Norway

Stockholm, Sweden

St Petersburg, Russia

Dakar, Senegal

Bamako, Mali

Accra, Ghana

Luanda, Angola

Manila, Philippines

Seoul, South Korea

return to San Francisco

Below is the TripPlanner solution to get Glenn to all these places. It also included London, Moscow, Johannesburg and Hong Kong as possible stopover opportunities for little or no extra cost.

See below for about how much Glenn’s dream trip will cost him, and then start dreaming! (Click the image twice for a closer look.)

If you would like a trip like this, or one more compatible with your own dream, start a TripPlanner session right now, or click the red banner below!

All Nippon 747 decked out in Pokeman livery

To the delight of women everywhere, All Nippon Airlines (ANA) will be the first airline to officially take a stance on the timeless toilet seat versus gender controversy.

According to an March 1st ANA press release:

Following numerous requests from passengers for this service, one women-only lavatory will be designated in the passenger cabin….and will be available for use by women passengers [only].

The women-only signage

This executive order comes after “numerous requests for this service.” Evidently 90% of women polled said they’d like to see women-only lavatories, especially on long flights. Sadly, the men’s poll showing a blatant desire for large screen televisions and remote controls went unfulfilled.

But never fear, men. You’ll still be able to use the women-only restroom. But only when “there are very few women on the flight”. Whomever is making that call… can’t be paid enough.

Stay tuned for other male/female relationship etiquette from the airlines coming soon.

If you like these kind of exhibitions, this one will blow your mind. With over 11,000 exhibitors from 180 countries it pretty much lives up to its hype about being the world’s largest.

Not an industry professional but want to take a look? Not to worry. The show isn’t just for insiders. Last year 80,000 of the 300,000 visitors were general public travel-loving folks. There’s sure to be events, activities and symposia galore. And no doubt plenty of schwag for the taking.

The show is on March 10 – 14, with the weekend dates open to the public. Tickets are €12 per day in advance or €14 at the door.

So pack your comfortable shoes, hop in a plane, train or automobile and get to Berlin. The most current trends in the travel industry will be on display. This year’s show is dedicated to the happy topic of industry sustainability.

Enjoy the show!