A world of travel wonders await those who dare

How many fantastic destinations are still waiting for you to discover them? So many you probably haven't even heard of them all.
         

For the travelers on your Christmas list, make it easy for them to navigate the world with these four new travel books, which are part inspiration, part explanation:

“1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die,” updated 3rd edition, by Patricia Schultz (Workman, $24.95): The “1,000 Places” bucket list trend began in 2003 when Schultz published the original “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” guide, describing don’t-miss spots around the world. Now comes the 3rd edition of the North America volume, which is probably more useful to the traveler in your life than the original.

Completely updated, it now includes sights like the High Line in New York City, St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, and Fogo Island in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s a good gift because it should prompt a little competitive bragging among family members on Christmas morning, when each person figures out how many spots he or she has already been to, like Mackinac Island and Niagara Falls. That’s two. Only 998 to go.

“Must Eat Paris: An Eclectic Selection of Culinary Locations” by Luc Hoornaert (Lannoo, $24.95.) This book, part of a series, may become quickly outdated, what with restaurants closing and opening at the speed of light. For now, it is a detailed guide to Paris dining, much of it off the beaten track. Divided by regions of the city, it includes famed spots like Septime and  a whole lot of Paris’ obscure restaurants tucked into small corners of various neighborhoods. For foodies only.

“Wild Beautiful Places: Picture Perfect Journeys Around the Globe,” edited by George Stone (National Geographic Books, $40.) This gorgeous gift book highlights 50 world destinations beloved by photographers. Destinations include Ilulissat, Greenland; Sable Island, Nova Scotia; the Albanian Alps and the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines. You’ll be inspired. You’ll also be getting out a map to figure out exactly where these remote places actually are — and trying to figure out how to get there.

The Holiday Travel Myths You Should Never Believe

With the candy eaten and the costume photos emoji’d on Facebook, our cultural attention now turns to the holidays, and, more specifically, to all that dreaded holiday travel. After all, the holidays are the busiest travel season of the year and always a total nightmare, right? Not necessarily. Here are some travel myths people follow that you’ll give thanks to ignore.
         

1.You Should Fly On The Tuesday Before Thanksgiving

One of the most commonly held myths is that there’s a specific day you should be getting into the air. It tends to flip-flop between the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thaksgiving (depending on who you ask), but the basic idea is that if you avoid the “busiest travel day of the year,” you’ll have a much better turkey day. Except, well, Thanksgiving doesn’t even come close to being the hardest time to travel.

2.There Are More Delays On Thanksgiving

Allegedly, Thanksgiving sees more delays than any other time of the year, but the numbers don’t lie: Last year, the Thanksgiving holiday saw 15% of flights delayed and less than one percent of flights canceled in the US. That’s two percentage points below
the yearly average. Yep, that means you have a better chance of making your flight on “one of the worst travel days of the year” than you do on a random weekday.

3.The TSA Will Unwrap Your Presents And Take Your Food

It should tell you how sick the TSA is of this particular myth that they have a whole blog post about how, no, they probably aren’t going to unwrap your presents. That said, they do reserve the right to open wrapped packages if they set off an alarm or trigger a sensor, so consider leaving metal objects, electronics, perfumes, and the like unwrapped, and look at what needs to be checked as opposed to carried on.

Click Frenzy travel sale

When Click Frenzy's first standalone online travel sale, Travel Frenzy kicks off, it promises to offer up to 70 per cent on travel and travel-related products. But will it cope with demand?

That's the prediction of Click Frenzy managing director Grant Arnott, who also promises savings on single purchases during this special event could reach into the thousands of dollars for savvy bargain hunters. "Australians love a bargain and they love to travel," says Arnott. "We're expecting huge interest and huge savings."
But will shoppers find bargains that aren't already out there in the market? The proof of the pudding is likely to be in the eating, as Arnott isn't giving away any specifics of what's on offer. Buyers will have to wait till the sale begins, 7pm AEST, Tuesday October 18.

Travel Frenzy is a spin off of Click Frenzy, a series of online sales events timed to coincide with the busiest shopping periods in the year. The sales run for 24 hours straight and are a one-stop-shop for bargain basement offers from a participating online retailers.

After noticing high interest in the travel section of Click Frenzy in the past few years, " … but limited offerings compared to fashion and home wares deals", the travel-only sale was conceived.

Click Frenzy is based on the US Black Friday physical sale day and Cyber Monday event, held each year after Thanksgiving and which are considered the kick off of the Christmas season. Billions of dollars in sales take place.

Small, beautiful Mediterranean islands – readers’ travel tips

Winning tip: Walking on Sifnos, Greece

Sifnos, in the Cyclades, provides a mix of beautiful beaches with a few cafes, restaurants and bars. There are great hiking trails that will lead you to remote, quiet beaches; and delightful hilltop villages with independent boutiques and tavernas. The hiking trails of over 100km are well signposted and maintained by the authorities with a website that provides details of each trail (difficulty level, point of interest, distance and more) and detailed, downloadable GPS maps. We particularly liked trail 4, a loop that offers great panoramic views, solitude, and two beaches to ourselves at Fikyada. For a sundowner and dinner, head to Apollonia and don’t miss the bakeries that offer traditional Greek pastries and baked goods. Melopita, a cheese pie with honey, is a must. I stayed at Villa Antoniadis (from €50 a night) at Platis Gialos: it’s a B&B five minutes’ walk inland from the beach. It has a large pool and friendly owners, who serve delicious and indulging breakfasts.

          
Astypalaia, Greece

This butterfly-shaped island in the Dodecanese is the true arthropod of the Mediterranean. Three minutes away from Livadi beach is Kalderimi “hotel” – actually a group of traditionally built houses (doubles from £50 a night B&B) with a clear view of 13th-century Guerini Castle’s Venetian splendour. While staying on this isolated island, we felt truly at peace with the world. Among the island’s attractions are its caves, with fantastic formations of stalactities and stalagmites. Caves have always been a part of Greek mythology and Astypalaia has some glorious examples.

Bahamas Added to List of Travel Notices for Zika

The Centers for Disease Control on Tuesday added the Bahamas to the list of destinations where local mosquito transmission of Zika has been confirmed.

             

The Bahamas—an archipelago in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida—attract about 450,000 tourists annually.

The CDC recommends travelers “practice enhanced precautions” at destinations where Zika has been confirmed. Pregnant women should not travel to the Bahamas, according to the CDC, and women who are trying to get pregnant should talk to their doctors.

Zika can also be spread through sex, so partners of women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should also follow precautions.

While most people who contract Zika virus do now even show the typically mild symptoms, the virus has more serious implications for unborn babies and can cause microcephaly. There are also much rarer Zika virus complications that can cause paralysis and death.

The Bahamas join dozens of other destinations, including most recently Miami Beach, on the CDC's travel notices.

10 Travel Tips for Seniors

With people living longer and healthier lives, more seniors than ever are travelling and seeing the world. This enriches both the sojourner and the fortunate countries receiving a more mature and affluent tourist—one who can more fully appreciate what the destination has to offer. There are, however, a few things for the senior vacationer to consider. Following, are 10 travel trips for seniors:

1. Take Advantage of Senior Discounts

You have lived a long time, worked hard, and contributed to society. Many times the public will actually try and reward you for this. For instance, in the United States the National Parks offer a discount to senior citizens. Before you go to a museum, park, or elsewhere, check to see if there is a senior discount offered. This will help you save money on travel, and allow you to treat yourself in other ways.

2. If You Have Health or Mobility Issues, Consider A Younger Travelling Companion

One of the unfortunate things that can happen with aging is the decline in mobility; this, however, does not need to stop you from seeing the world! If mobility is an issue for you, and you are single, consider a younger travelling companion. There are many younger people longing to see more of the world, and let's face it, it's normally the crowd over 50 who has more cash. Consider offering to pay for most of your companion's way in exchange for her help. Be sure, however, to make the terms of your companion's responsibilitiesclear. For instance, you may require that your companion help you to and from museums, restaurants, etc. Are you comfortable being alone, or would you like your companion with you at all times?Are there certain hours in the day which you would like your companion to be available? (Young people often like to stay up late, and may wake up late). Define these terms before the journey. If you don't have a trusted child, grandchild, or friend with whom you feel comfortable, get a referral from someone. The chances are that the younger person will be thrilled, and it will be a mutually beneficial relationship and experience.

3. Travel to Your Destinations Slightly Off-Season

One of the enviable things about being retired or on a pension is that you no longer have to "punch a timeclock." You can come and go much more easily when you please. Why not beat the crowds, and travel somewhere slightly off-season? For instance, travel to the Greek Islands in September rather than mid-summer when most of the tourists are there. Most people over 50 want a more relaxed journey and don't care as much about the "see and be seen" mentality during peak season (one of the advantages of maturity). Rates are usually lower slightly off-season, and it's a great way to cut costs.

4. Enjoy Senior Rewards – You Have Earned It!

Most younger folk have respect for the older crowd, and want to show that respect in various ways. For instance, a young man may offer that you take the first cab coming down the street. Thank him warmly, and then take the cab! You have paid your dues to society by working hard, and contributing to the overall good. If an airline employee or someone else offers you the option of going to the front of the line, go, and don't feel guilty about it. You have taken your turn at waiting in line like everyone else for years.

5. Look at Travel Options of Over 50s Only

Are you looking for more luxurious and exclusive travel options? Why not consider an over 50s only home swap through IVHE. You can swap your home or vacation home with a more mature crowd. This is a great opportunity and can help you save money. Find out more about luxury home exchange options.

6. Be Spontaneous – You Are Not as Tied to A Schedule

Even if you're normally a very regimented person, why not consider travelling spontaneously? Surprise someone you love with an impromptu getaway. Interestingly, creating a spur-of-the-moment travel adventure can actually save you money, in some cases up to 50% off your accommodations.

7. Consider a Luxury Home Exchange Option

Remember when six persons sharing a hotel room seemed like fun? If you're like most people, this was probably when you were young. As we mature, so does our need for more space and finer accommodations. A luxury home exchange option with IVHE.com is a great way to give you and your loved ones the space and amenities you have grown to expect; additionally, it lets you use one of your biggest assets, your home or your vacation home to your advantage.

8. Invest in Travel Insurance

Travel insurance can cover the cost of everything from an unused airline ticket to medical services while traveling. The good news is that seniors can more easily afford to pay for travel insurance; the bad news is that they are more likely to need it due to underlying health conditions. Not only are the elderly more likely not to be able to leave on holiday because of ailments, but seniors take longer to recover once injured or sick. If you are hurtor ill on vacation, make sure that you call your travel insurance company to file a claim and ask them to define what will and will not be covered. And remember, you can appeal a decision with a travel insurance company just like a regular health insurance company.

9. Call the Airline In Advance If You Have Special Needs

The airline industry is well-acquainted with travelers who have special needs. Make sure you call ahead well in advance of your travel date, and call again close to your travel date to confirm wheelchair use or other special requests. If an employee assigned to help you does an especially good job of taking care of you, don't forget to tip; this encourages good service in the future, and will help to make the journey of others with distinctive needs more pleasant.

10. Fly First Class On An Overseas Flight If You Can

We all know how much more expensive a first-class ticket is, but the older you are, the more you should consider giving yourself this gift. Most of us have been in coach and longed for a chance to stretch out our legs and lie flat. Many airlines now offer beds during overseas flights, and the difference is astounding! Not only can you arrive at your destination less jetlagged, but it is simply easier on your body. But whether you are flying coach or first class, make sure you get up to stretch your legs! According to the American Society of Hematology, seniors are more likely to develop a blood clot during flight ; getting up and walking around can help to alleviate this risk.

While there are factors for seniors to consider when travelling, don't let it stop you. The blessings of a pleasant journey are hard to quantify, and will engender many happy memories. Enjoy your golden years and bon voyage!