Sheraton Expands Abroad

Should you stay in a chain?

I just read a news release that reported that Sheraton is expanding its resorts to include 12 hotels in China. The brand plans to open other resorts in Bali, Indonesia and in the Middle East. There are some benefits to seeing a brand that you recognize when you are traveling abroad. You have an idea of what to expect when you see that familiar name, and when the resort is part of an international chain, you can usually expect to have multilingual staff to help you. Although it is great to say in local hotels and resorts, too, sometimes you really want the familiarity of home in a foreign country.

I think that it’s even better when the hotel is decorated and styled in a fashion similar to buildings in the country you are visiting. Some resorts include native foods in the on-site restaurants, which is great. Although some guests tend to believe that when they visit an international resort that is based in a foreign country, you should definitely expect some differences in the resort. After all, you are traveling to a different country. You shouldn’t necessarily expect that place to be the same as the resorts in your hometown. Small touches, like large comfortable towels, like the ones that you might be accustomed to if you are American, electric outlets that you can use for your electronics, or staff members who speak multiple languages certainly can make you feel more comfortable when you are away from home. You might have a better chance of having some of these amenities when you choose a resort chain that you recognize.

Traveling on Foot

Use these tricks to find your way

When you are sightseeing in your own country, it’s relatively easy to find your way home. You can ask for directions in your native language and usually someone can point you in the right direction. What if you are in a foreign country and you do not speak the language. What if the street signs are in a completely different language. What if you get so lost that you have no idea of which way to turn to get back to your hotel? This can happen to you, especially if you are in a dense city . I was once so lost in South Korea that I had no idea of which way to go to get back to my apartment.

I had simply started walking and lost my way on my first day in the city. I was able to find a cab driver who helped me get home. What should you do?

If you are in an Asian country, you might not be able to read the signs that could help you find your way. What should you do? Take your address with you wherever you go. The address should be written in the native language. Always carry the phone number of a person who can speak the native language and English. If you get lost, you can call that person (hopefully on a cell phone that you have with you in the country) and ask your friend to translate for you. Most often people in small shops, banks, or other businesses are happy to help you. They might feel helpless if they can’t speak your language. Using these tips will help you save a lot of time and save you from some frustration.

Ever Thought About Touring Alaska?

Here's an ecotour to consider

Those of you who have always wanted to visit Alaska with your family should consider participating in an Alaskan adventure organized by Greenloons LLC, the company offers environmentally friendly tours to areas around the world. You can ask for recommendations to design your trip.

A sample itinerary for the Alaskan trip includes a stay at a bed and breakfast. The next day, once you are well-rested, you can explore the Tony Knowles coastal trail. This easy trail near Anchorage is about 11 miles long and leads visitors along the coast of downtown to Kincaid Park, according to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

This five-day sightseeing journing includes a three-day trip aboard a yacht where you can experience Prince William Sound. You can your family can see huge glaciers and gigantic mountains during this Alaskan adventure. Make sure that you have a good camera for this trip. You would certainly want to capture the images that you see and share them with your friends back home. 

If you have never seen a porpoise before, you just might get your chance to glimpse the porpoises and some sea otters, too. The trip takes voyagers to Harriman and College Fjords where they live and play. Did you know that the glaciers in College Fjords are named after universities? There’s a Harvard Glacier and a Vassar Glacier, to name a couple of them. When participating in a Greenloons tour, you will not only explore areas that you might not otherwise experience, but you will have the peace of mind in knowing that you are participating in tour that reduces harm to the environment. 

Safe Sightseeing Trips Abroad

When traveling to a destination for solo sightseeing, keep the following safety tips in mind. You should consider carrying a small bag that fits snuggly around your person. This bag is especially helpful for those who are traveling abroad a with a passport. Keep your money in this bag, because it will be more difficult for robbers to rip it away from you.

Avoid wearing large amounts of jewelry because it targets you as a person of wealth. Dress modestly during your travels. When hiking, be sure that you dress appropriately for the temperature at the highest point of your trip. I've heard stories of people going without jackets or even socks during hiking trips in hot sultry areas, but when the cooler temperatures set in during the trip, they are freezing and paying fellow hikers for extra socks.

Lock your belongings in a secure safe and make sure that your room is secure before you go. You should also make a copy of your passport, insurance, and ticket information for your return flight. Keep these documents in the safe. Keep a copy of the emergency number for your credit cards and your credit card number in the safe, too. If your credit cards become lost or stolen, you'll need this information to make the report to the companies or the bank.

You should contact your bank and let the representative know that you will be traveling abroad. Why? The bank might think that your transactions are suspicious and suspend your account. I had this experience once while abroad. 

 

Sightseeing With a Group

Meet New Sightseeing Friends Via Meet-up

 

Are you single and would like to explore an area or a destination? Although, it's fun to explore on your own, you might feel more comfortable visiting a new area with a group. If the people who are around you aren't into traveling, or if they never seem to have to time to visit places that you'd like to see, why not join a MeetUp group? Meetups are made up of people of similar interests who gather together for a variety of reasons. If you live in or near a mid-sized city, there are probably several different travel Meetup groups that you can join.

I've been to Meetups at restaurants, performances, and I even went on a hiking Meetup as a novice hiker. It was fun to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people and visit places that I wanted to see, but never seemed to have the opportunity to visit or have people around me who wanted to go.

The beginning of a new year is an opportune time to make plans and keep them. Stop making excuses and seek out opportunities to explore areas around you. Is there a state park that you've always wanted to visit? Do you want to try camping? Is there a play that you'd like to see? Maybe you always wanted to take a touristy city tour to see the sights in a city near you. The great thing about Meetups is that once you find a group of travelers, you can make suggestions for destinations and have a built-in crew to travel there with you.