Expatriate Medical Insurance

People often view the opportunity to travel as a perk or a reward. After working hard it’s nice to be able to hop on a flight and get away. But for some, work and travel go hand in hand. If the thought of making a career out of traveling sounds appealing, take a look at the following suggestions for getting started in the travel business.

Be a Travel Writer
Take a trip and write about it – sounds pretty great. The truth is that it takes a lot of hard work to build your brand as a legitimate travel writer. Positions with magazines and websites are extremely difficult to come by. You will probably have to blaze your own trail for a while. But as you build a portfolio of work, the opportunities to sell yourself to paying customers may increase.

Be an Air Courier
Admittedly, this is not a job that pays well, if at all. But if you have a business that you can run from anywhere, it can be an exciting way to travel for little or no cost. How you use the experience of being a courier is up to you – maybe start travel writing. The key is that you have the opportunity to travel.

Work on a Cruise Ship
Before going down this road, you should ask yourself what kind of job you would want on a cruise ship. Some of the positions are significantly more demanding than others and the pay varies greatly. The hours are long, you sleep in small areas, and you will probably be away from family for months at a time. Also important to remember: As a member of the cruise ship staff, you are the one providing the vacation. On the plus side, you get to see beautiful locations and you have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

Numerous other options are available for getting started in the travel business, from being a flight attendant to leading missionary trips. The suggestions above are just a few ways to get started.

Source: “Work in the Travel Industry” DreamTravelJobs.com (http://www.dreamtraveljobs.com/) Accessed December 8, 2011

Many people think budget travel means cutting out enjoyable activities, staying in cheap hotels, and eating junk food. However, if you do it correctly, you can travel Europe on a budget and still see most of the major attractions without sacrificing experiences. Here are some travel tips that will be light on your wallet, but have a major impact on your trip:

Travel Off-Season

Many European cities and countries have seasons in which they are quite popular, and some have times when there are hardly any tourists. For instance, the Alps are quite popular in the winter, but during that season other European countries will be less crowded. Research your destination because traveling during off-season will allow you to find cheaper deals on hotels and attractions.

Search for Hotel/Flight Deals

Use the Internet to find the best deals on hotels and flights. Sometimes, that might mean searching for awhile, but it will be worth it in the end. Occasionally, you can find hotel and flight packages to save you money.

Walking Tours/Bus Tours

If you are interested in historical landmarks or places with modern significance, many cities have free walking tours. Bus tours might cost you a little more than what you want to spend, but you will be able to see a lot in a short amount of time.

Museum Passes

Museums are popular destinations throughout the cultural centers of Europe. Often, cities or countries offer visitors with passes entry into many museums for one flat fee. Additionally, many museums are free to the public.  If you are running short on cash, consider exploring these low-cost cultural options.

Dine Responsibly

Just because you are on a budget, it doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy good food. A trip to Paris might call for a five-star dining experience, but many European cities have excellent street food and local restaurants with low-cost cuisine. Don’t think about it as going to travel Europe on a budget; think of it as seeing parts of the world many tourists miss.

Public Transportation

In many cities, you can purchase subway and bus tickets ahead of time. Doing this will save you money and you will be able to travel right away when you get to your destination.

Do you like to plan out every last detail of a vacation? Or is your perfect vacation one in which the elements are all planned out beforehand, and all you have to do is pay the bill? If the latter option is more to your liking, consider the following tips for choosing the right travel package:

Online or Agent

Decide your comfort level. Websites like Triporama are out there if you feel confident you can make the plans online. If you prefer to have an actual human being guiding you through the process, find a reputable travel agent. Group travel, in particular, is one area in which it is nice to have a great travel agent in your corner. Talk to friends and get some referrals to help identify an agent that understands your needs.

Party Size

A family of four may find a package with some decent discounts. A party of ten typically makes the pricing a lot more attractive. Before you book a trip, consult with your family or some of your closest friends. You have a lot more leverage and buying power when you are part of a large group.

Ask Questions

Travel packages can sometimes have a lot of small print. You may not want to handle all the details, but you need to ask the questions that are important. Are the packages guaranteed? Who do you turn to for customer service? Are there any additional fees that aren’t listed in the initial agreement? To make the most out of your trip, you are going to want that peace of mind.

Confirm the Choice

Travel agents are different and so are travel package companies. Before you sign on the dotted line, check out the references. Talk to people who have experienced the package before. Chances are that if others have had a great time, you will, too.

Selecting the right travel package can be challenging. Follow the tips listed above to ensure that your experience is a memorable one.

Source: “How to Choose the Right Adventure Travel Package” HowtodoThings.com (http://www.howtodothings.com/travel/choosing-the-right-adventure-travel-package) Accessed December 8, 2011

Costa Rica is a beautiful and diverse nation located just north of Panama in Central America. When traveling in Costa Rica, you can expect to see lively rainforests, towering mountains, and breathtaking beaches. The ecotourism industry has exploded recently, and has become a significant part of Costa Rican economy and culture. With 25% of its landmass protected by the government, the country is proud to open its 20 national parks to foreign visitors looking to experience the best that the planet earth has to offer. Here are some of our favorites:

Manuel Antonio National Park

Perhaps the most popular of the Costa Rican national parks, Manuel Antonio National Park is home to many types of flora and fauna. While taking a walk down one of the many walkways, you can spot animals such as: raccoons, coatamundi, agouti, two-toed sloths, and a few types of monkeys. While inside the park, you can fish, scuba dive, snorkel, surf, sea kayak, river raft, mountain bike, go horseback riding, or just relax on the white-sand beaches. There are many hidden treasures to discover within the park.

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most remote parks. Corcovado is reachable by foot, horseback, plane or boat, but you’ll have to leave your car at home. The park houses the largest continuous span of primary tropical rain forest north of the Amazon basin. There are six trails running through the park, and guided tours can be arranged.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Cloud forests like Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve occur in tropical and subtropical mountain environments where atmospheric conditions allow for cloud cover within the forest itself. The unique, fog-like clouds make the woods an excellent home for moisture-loving varieties of plants such as orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines and mosses. Like most of the parks in Cost Rica, Monteverde offers hiking trails, bird watching, and guided tours.

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is not known for its hiking trails, but rather its network of canals, estuaries, and jungle lagoons. Most of the lodges around the area offer exciting tours of these bodies of water. Tortuguero also features a beach that is home to the most important nesting site of the green turtle. Other animals that are common in the park include: fishing bats, three-toed sloths, iguanas, poison dart frogs, and three types of monkeys.

Whether you like water sports, hiking, relaxing on the beach, learning about the environment, or bird watching there is something for everyone traveling in Costa Rica!

Finding the right travel guide for India can be difficult. India is a large, diverse country full of unique regions and influences. With such a rich variety of historical sights to see and cultural experiences for tourists to take in, it can be difficult to know for sure that you’ve found a guide that will take you to the places you want to go. We thought we would make planning your trip a little easier with this collection of the most popular tourist destinations in India.

Taj Mahal

Considered one of the great wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is located in Agra, India. The “Crown of Palaces” boasts impressive architecture and a regional historical significance that attracts 2-4 million visitors annually.

Bandhavgarh National Park

The home to the highest population of tigers in the country, Bandhavgarh National Park lies within the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India. Once home to the white tiger, the park still houses tigers, nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, and wild boar.

Beaches of Goa

India is known for pristine beaches, and the small state of Goa has twelve of those beaches. Goa is located in southwest India and offers visitors numerous cultural attractions and exciting cuisine.

Bombay

The capital of Maharashtra, a bustling port city and the country’s commercial hub, Bombay is a modern city that breaks most of the stereotypes of India. While visiting the city, be sure to check out Bollywood, home of the famous Hindi film industry.

Camel Safari

Camel safaris are actually a common way to tour India’s northern desert territories. If you are interested in camel safari packages check out Camel Safari India for more information!

Rajasthan

The state of Rajasthan is home to the romantic city of Udaipur. Built around Lake Pichola, the city is often referred to as “the Venice of the East”. The rest of the state is known for its castles and forts.

Tea Plantations

Many people know that India is famous for its tea. If you enjoy drinking tea, visit one of the many plantations to watch tea pickers at work and see how the leaves are processed. Visit the famous towns of Darjeeling, Assam or Nilgris for some improved plantations.

If you want to browse a few more destination options, or want to add things to your list of places to see and things to do while you are in India, check out The World Travel Guide for even more great travel tips.

In today’s economy, travel can be extremely expensive. The price of airline tickets makes it almost impossible for many people to travel, but you don’t have to let high airfares keep you grounded. There are plenty of ways to find super cheap flights to all kinds of exciting destinations.

Web Services

Many people have begun using sites such as Expedia and Orbitz, but sometimes these major search engines don’t actually have the best prices. Airline companies also own some of these sites, so results can be biased to push people toward one provider over another. If you are going to use one of the search engine sites, be sure to check a couple of different ones.

Be Flexible

The more flexible you are on your travel dates, the more luck you’ll have when looking for those super cheap flights. If you are flexible on the time of day you will be able to book cheaper flights.

Allow for Layovers

Many people insist on flying direct, and while this allows for more time at your destination, it can result in a higher price for your plane ticket. If you use search engines or other web services, allow them to search flights that have layovers. If you contact an airline directly to purchase your boarding passes, make sure they know you are willing to have layovers in your itinerary.

Frequent Flier Programs

Many credit cards and airline companies have frequent flier programs that allow you to use points in order to book super cheap flights. Credit card reward programs sometimes build up points based on your purchases. If you already have a credit card, see if you can sign up for a frequent flier program. Airlines give frequent flier points based on the number of flights and the amount of money you spend with that airline.

Keep an Eye on Prices

If you have decided to take a trip, check multiple times before booking your flight. Airline prices are in a constant state of fluctuation, meaning they rise and fall on a daily basis. Bing has a great system for predicting if prices on a given flight are likely to rise or fall.

At the end of the day, all it takes to find super cheap flights is patience, persistence, and just a little bit of expertise. Good luck and safe travels!

The most important reason that anyone goes on vacation is to get away from their daily life. One of the best places to do that is the relaxing and calming atmosphere of a tropical beach. Travelers also want the best accommodations and service they can get while on vacation. The ability to provide both of these aspects to vacationers are what make the all-inclusive Caribbean resorts such a popular destination for tourists year round. Because of its cheap costs and accessibility, the area has seen a rise of just less than 1 million visitors this year according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

For an all-in-one price a stay can be booked at one of these resorts.  The price usually includes your room, meals, entertainment and drinks during the stay.  It can also include activities and classes about wildlife in the area as well. This makes this style of vacation a welcome option for travelers who want to know exactly how much their vacation is going to cost before they get there. A tourist who does not like surprises should definitely consider a Caribbean resort for their next vacation.  There are a large number of these all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Here are five of the most popular:

Ritz Carlton St. Thomas

This all-inclusive resort is on the Virgin Islands. It is known to be one of the classiest and most elegant resorts in all of the Caribbean. Its beautiful grounds and scenery help attract thousands of visitors every year.

Parrot Cay Resort and Spa

Despite its close proximity to the United States on the island of Turks and Caicos at only about 600 miles from Miami, this resort is still very hard to access because the island is so small. Its inaccessibility makes it an attraction for celebrities who want to get away.

Sandy Lane

This resort on the island of Barbados is one of the biggest in the Caribbean. It has a 7,500 sq. foot pool, 3 golf courses and many other amenities to keep an entire family entertained for the whole trip.

Caneel Bay

This getaway on the island of St. John’s is great for the vacationer who likes nature. It is smack dab in the middle of seven beaches and the rooms are all made of wood and stone from the area.

Sandals

This “couples only” resort company boasts locations on many of the islands. They are great for a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a newly married couple on their honeymoon.

These are just some of the great options for those who wish to use a Caribbean resort for their next vacation. The accessibility, low price and tropical atmosphere are what make them so popular. There is something for everybody in the Caribbean islands.

Source:

Caribbean touts tourism surge not seen since ’08, Danica Coto. http://www.caribbeantravel.com/news/caribbeannews.aspx?year=2011&contentid=B6370FA4-DD9E-4FD9-AEAD-3E8090CC6D0B. (Accessed September 29, 2011).

Located on the Bay of Manado on the northernmost point of the island, the former Dutch colonial settlement now serves as the provincial capital for North Sulawesi. With no shortage of things to do in this travel destination, here is a little of what you can expect to experience in “The Land of the Smiling People”:

Water sports

No island experience would be complete without scuba diving and snorkeling, available at the nearby Bunaken National Park, which includes the island of Bunaken. Other great scuba diving spots are Bangka and its surrounding islands to swim with the schooling fish such as snappers, fusiliers and surgeonfish; the Lembeh Strait, where you can see the pygmy sea horse, hairy frogfish, Mandarin fish; or Sangihe Talaud and its surrounding islands to see the unusual rock formations.

Fort Nieuw Amsterdam

Built in 1658 by the Dutch East India Company, this historical structure is where East meets West.

Eco-tourism

Active volcanoes like Mount Lokon, Mount Klabat and Mount Mahawu surround Manado. It is also known for its lush rainforests.

Christ Blessing Statue

Like much of Southeast Asia, Indonesians practice a mixture of religions. Manado’s wealthy suburb of Citraland is home to what is billed as Asia’s second tallest – and the world’s fourth tallest – statue of Christ. This statue features Jesus posed with his arms outstretched blessing the city.

Manado’s Sam Ratulangi International Airport is one of the main ports of entry into Indonesia. The area offers a variety of accommodations from budget hotels to five-star hotels and the Tomohon Highland Resort.

Visitors may want to skip the skinned bats and rats, a local delicacy at Tomohon, but there are other aspects of the area’s hot and spicy cuisine that may be appealing. Visit one of the eateries on Wakeke Street for a breakfast of tinutuan or bubur manado, a Manadonese rice porridge mixed with vegetables and potatoes, or cassava served with fried- smoked tuna or skip jack fish, ebi cake, tofu, soya bean cake and salsa.

Sources:

Visit Manado. http://www.visit-manado.com (Accessed September 22, 2011).

Maybe you were not able to edge out the other candidates who received a coveted Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University, but do not get discouraged. There are plenty of other study abroad program options for graduate students.

Study abroad programs are available through a variety of institutions and in a wide range of disciplines that can take students to nearly any country in the world. Here is a sampling of programs featured on StudyAbroad.com:

ARGENTINA

International MBA: The Mente Argentina organization will prepare the student to conduct business throughout South and Central America.

Language: Immerse yourself in Spanish through the language programs in Buenos Aires facilitated by the Center for Study Abroad.

AUSTRALIA

Arts and Humanities: The University of New South Wales will help you build on your undergraduate studies in arts and humanities disciplines.

Motorsports: In addition to educating those with a need for speed, Edith Cowan University also provides educations in Aviation and Game Design.Sciences: You may want to study Earth and Ocean Sciences, Environmental Sciences or Biological Sciences at University of Otago or James Cook University.

CHINA

Comparative Education: Beijing Normal University offers a master’s degree program that enhances education majors’ understanding of multicultural education.

International Law: The Johns Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies offers an intensive program taught entirely in Mandarin.

Language: The Center for Study Abroad facilitates study of Chinese dialects in Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong.

ITALY

Business: The European University of Rome offers an MBA program in Rome.

Fashion: Polimoda Institute of Fashion Design and Marketing offers master’s programs in Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Fashion Management and Fashion Merchandising. Students participate in three-month internships.

Languages and culture: The Center for Study Abroad offers programs in Florence, Rome and Salerno for those wanting to study Italian. Temple University operates a campus in Rome where students can take a graduate seminar in Aesthetics and Cultural Studies.

Sources:

Study Abroad. http://www.studyabroad.com/ {Accessed September 12, 2011).

The prospect of working abroad in Chile can be both exciting and a little scary. However, diving into the culture is one way to become acclimated to your temporary or permanent homeland. Here are some suggestions that will help make your move seamless to this South American nation:

Landing the job

The nation’s emerging prosperity means its citizens increasingly require a basic knowledge of English in order to be competitive in the global market. Though in the past just about anyone who knew English once could walk into an emerging country and get a teaching job, teachers in today’s Chilean economy require some experience and certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Certification can be acquired online or in-person. Chilean culture values face-to-face communication, so it may be best to start your search once you’re there.

Working conditions

Unlike most industrialized nations, which have a 40-hour workweek or less spread over five days, the workweek in Chile, generally, is six days. Also, expect to earn the equivalent of $5 to $10 per hour.

Housing

Being the capital, Santiago naturally is the place with the night life, dining and cultural options as well as public transportation. Some organizations may arrange for a homestay, which is a good way to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you’re more inclined to strike out on your own, believe it or not, Craigslist may be a good place to start. A local classified paper, Mejores Datos, is an excellent source for apartments, houses, roommates and furniture.

Socializing

One of the greatest challenges of moving to a new country is developing a support system of friends and acquaintances. Most likely you will develop relationships at work, just like at home. But you also can look for opportunities to meet people by joining or starting recreational groups that engage in activities you enjoy, like soccer or knitting. Chances are you will also get a little homesick, so getting involved with a group of ex-patriots, such as the American Association of Chile or Expat Exchange should get your spirits up.

Things to do

For your free time, visit http://www.chile.travel or http://www.sernatur.cl, a Spanish-language tourism site to learn about the best places to ski and snowboard in the Chilean Andes, bike the Atacama Desert or learn about the culture and heritage of the island of Chiloé. These sites also are great for learning about events, shopping and dining for those attracted to city life.

TransitionAbroad.com, http://transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/teaching_english_in_chile_resources.shtml (Accessed September 15, 2011).