5. Barrier Islands, North Carolina

This spot is ideal for scuba divers on a budget who don’t want to dig out their passports for a great location. While most of the spots on this list are marine life havens, Barrier Islands is known more for its wreck diving. Wrecks from the 16th century along with more recent ones including a German U-Boat from WWII make up the over 600 shipwrecks in this area. This spot is also much less crowded year round than most top scuba destinations, though diving in the winter does require a heavy wetsuit.

4. The Islands of Turks and Caicos

Although these islands are increasing in popularity with tourists during the winter months, traveling there in the late spring/early summer months can allow you to beat the heat and the crowds. Here, the government prizes the environment above all else, so divers can enjoy reefs and drop-offs untouched by man. Dolphins and eels abound in the best spots, so divers can enjoy some of the beautiful marine life that the Bahamas have to offer. If you want to see humpback whales, though, you’ll have to brave the crowds and go during the peak months of December through March.

3. Blue Hole, Belize

This sinkhole in Belize attracts the most adventurous and experienced divers, but the areas around it are suitable for divers of all skill levels. Tour guides will take you to Shark Ray Alley, a prime spot for marine life, or you can explore on your own and check out the numerous caverns and wrecks surrounding Belize. Belize hosts the second largest barrier reef in the world and is a great location for divers who also enjoy underwater photography.

2. Yap, Micronesia

You might be a little puzzled by this one, but we love this site particularly because no one has heard of it. This little island is a favorite of scuba divers and animal lovers alike because of its marine life. This spot is one of the best to catch a glimpse of the beautiful manta ray. Along with the manta ray sightings, divers can enjoy swimming with sharks and sea turtles. The best part? Yap is still without a resort hotel or strip of loud bars, so it’s just you, the water, and some of the most hardcore divers in the world.

1. Heron Island, Australia

This island is one of the best stops for divers looking to explore the famous Great Barrier Reef. The Reef is equivalent to the Amazon Rainforest in its biodiversity. Thousands of fish species, great white sharks, and other beautiful sights abound, and Heron Island is at the heart of it all. It offers over 20 diving sites within a relatively small area, and includes options for all skill levels. The most experienced divers can check out adventure diving opportunities or a nighttime dive to take the experience to the next level.

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Picking up city guides at the local visitors center can give you the chance to pick up a map that will save time en route, and help you make the most of the areas you cover. Walking into local shops and asking the employees working there for suggestions on what to see and do usually yields positive results from those who work in the area day in and day out. Getting a City Pass that can be used at several popular attractions, like those offered in New York, Toronto, Chicago and other cities, are often cheaper than paying the regular ticket price to see them independently, which can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

If you’re into the arts, stopping by a local coffee shop to scour the local publications or newspaper for upcoming events will be well worth your time. Going on architectural tours, boat tours, and walking tours are also a good way to get an overview of the top sites and history of a particular location. Family Duck Tours and other silly spin-offs have invaded many cities like Philadelphia and Seattle, offering tourists a chance to see city skylines by water and by land.

Perhaps the best way to make the most of your travels is simply by finding tour apps that are specific to the place you’re visiting. Tour apps often allow you the flexibility to see and learn what you want to without being on a time crunch to make a specific tour time at a defined location. These self-guided tour apps highlight everything from noteworthy parks, historic B&Bs, beloved shops, local fun facts, past residences of influential people, and more.

For example, Savannah has an interactive app called Historic Savannah that provides anyone with a smartphone the opportunity to take a self guided tour through the rich history of downtown. The Historic Savannah app is incredibly informative, entertaining, and easy to use, with suggested routes that allow you to begin the “tour” whenever, wherever. The app even features a pop-up virtual tour guide with site-specific information based on your current GPS location.

Regardless of where you end up or how long you stay, apps like this give you the freedom to tailor your travels to your wants and needs. While some of these travel apps cost money, most are no more than $10, and they’re considerably cheaper than taking an actual tour. No need to wait in line for tickets, make advanced reservations, or fight to the front of the group to hear the tour guide speak. Additionally, when you go home, you can enjoy having a memento on your phone with pictures and relevant information to share your experience with family and friends.

Book for one early enough

Advance booking not only gives the limo driver a chance to be on time, but it also saves you cash. Last minute booking tends to make the traveler desperate, and they may end up picking on any limo company that comes around without getting a glimpse of other better services that are available.

Ask for any discounts

When calling various limo companies, do not be afraid to ask if they offer discounts. You’re likely to come across a few that offer bonuses, especially if your trip falls during a special occasion such as Easter holidays or Christmas.

Take advantage of the membership

Membership is sometimes offered to frequent travelers. If you are one of them who visits the region often, be sure not to miss out on the benefits. This will help cut your expenses down.

Just like any other transportation, ensure you chose a limo company that is reliable. You wouldn’t like to miss your flight because a driver took a long turn trying to locate where to pick you up from. Choose wisely, for example, one that has many successful years of experience. You could seek previous customer testimonials through their website and the internet in general to help you make the right selection. Be sure to get a breakdown of their costs to avoid going outside of your set budget.

Go for a limo company that is fully insured and licensed. An insured company gives you the confidence they have concern for both the driver and the client. In case of an issue such as theft or an accident, you will both be compensated. A licensed company will give you assurance the drivers are well qualified to meet your expectations and the company is not an illegal one.

Who wouldn’t want to travel in comfort and style?

Back then, limos used to be for the celebrities and the rich but nowadays you can find a cheap airport limo service that meets your budget. Why not be among the growing number of those enjoying the comfort of this transportation option!

Wet and wild

The obvious choice of activity on the sun-drenched Spanish coastline is the diverse range of watersports such as waterskiing. Waterskiing is a popular activity in the Costa del Sol because it’s something the whole family can enjoy. Whether you just want to have a go or take a professional lesson, it’s a great way to see the coastline from the sea and to make the most of the Mediterranean water.

Meet the marine community

Another water-based option involves getting up close and personal with Spain’s marine life by trying your hand at snorkelling. Or, if you want to take the plunge, there are lots of diving instructors in the Costa del Sol who will be happy to show you what lies beneath. The Spanish coral reefs are home to fish, crabs and lots of other sea creatures which you might be lucky enough to spot.

The sky’s the limit

TeamXtreme in Malaga offers an exciting array of extreme sports, from paragliding to helicopter flights to jetskiing, ideal if you want to get straight out of the airport and into the action. If you’d prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, maybe their caving or trekking tours will be more up your street. They can also offer racing days out in go karts, quad bikes or 4x4s, or for those seeking the discipline of formal classes, why not try their Mixed Martial Arts class?

Scenic hikes

There are lots of hiking routes in the Costa del Sol for a range of ability levels. Dedicated walkers may want to attempt the route to the summit of the El Torcal stone ‘sculptures’, an amazing series of natural stone formations that resemble human carvings. For those wanting to break into hiking, or wanting a more casual walk, there are lots of clifftop walks or coastal forests to explore, all with stunning views over the sea or the cities.

A fairway to go

If you consider yourself a bit of a Tiger Woods on the fairway, pack your clubs and get yourself on one of the Costa del Sol’s thirty golf courses, most of which are within just a short driving distance from the coast. Courses tend to be open throughout the year, so it’s a good place to go for your winter golfing fix.

The Costa del Sol is so much more than a beach destination. In between sunbathing and devouring the fine food on offer, have a go at one of the many all-year activities to make the most of your sunny stay.

However, if you are the kind of person who cannot do this, there are a number of other options you can try out. For instance, you cam intentionally make it difficult to get extra money when you are in the new country. One of the ways of doing this is to leave your main credit card at home.

Sounds crazy, right?

Well, these days you can easily apply for a prepaid credit card and then use that for purchases. The benefit of doing this is this card will only let you spend what you want, and you will not need to worry about being in debt afterwards since it will be prepaid. You can simply load it with the money you anticipate to spend, and then leave all your other credit cards at home. This way, even if you run out of cash, you will still be within budget.

Of course, you may think this is not a good idea since it means that you may not have money to tackle emergencies such as an illness. However, there are number of ways of avoiding this including:

• Get travel insurance: once you have the prepaid credit card, you can then pay for travel insurance for you and whoever you are travelling with. This way, issues such as loss of baggage, robbery, and illness will be covered by the insurance company even if you don’t have money.

• Pay for the services you will need in advance: you can also pay for utilities such as your hotel room, car hire and the air ticket back home. This way, even if you run out of money, you can easily keep surviving and even get back home even if you don’t have any way to get quick cash.

Overall, whether you’re dining in Bombay or shopping in Banff, you don’t want to end up in too much debt after your trip is completed.

First, let’s look at the old rule vs. the new rule. Originally, a diver was required to be at least 12 or older in to qualify for junior certification. The new rule declares that children 10 and older are now eligible for junior certification. The only organizations that are going by the old, standard rule are the YMCA and the NAUI for the time being.

So, what’s the reason for this sudden change? Many are convinced that the age change will further promote the sport and make it available to more people. There are adults who love to scuba dive, but are hindered because they have younger children who cannot join them. Now, with the new rule in place, more families can enjoy family dives on their resort trips. As the future of diving is unfolding, experts are becoming aware of the fact that people diving as a family are one of the keys to making scuba diving even more popular.

There are still exceptions to the rule, however. It is still the instructor’s decision as to whether a child is mature enough to take the plunge. Just because you’re at the age of 10 doesn’t guarantee that you can suit up. Also, in PADI, children are limited to confined water of 20 feet at first and then introduced into 40 feet of open water. A certified adult or an instructor must also accompany juniors. They are certainly not allowed to dive alone.

More scuba diving rules can be found here.

• Hotel selection – Kenya has a number of hotels good and leisurely in its own standards. However, it often is best to select a venue that is not too common if you’re looking to relax, as they tend to be overcrowded and thus you will not have peace and privacy. Make a list of your top choices and peruse through the client views of each venue on the Internet to make an informed choice.

• Enroll for packages – This is a sure way of having fun while still cost cutting. Different hotels have different packages for their client’s interests. It’s possible to get that dream spa treatment, massages, and sauna for a much reduced cost if all are purchased as a whole. Relax and spoil yourself. You are there on holiday, after all.

• Travel and tours -This involves making an itinerary of the various tourist attractions that you plan to visit. Get a tour guide and, if possible, create a quorum so rates are cheaper. Being in a group also makes it more fun, as people interact and look out for one another. Take the time to enjoy Kenya’s beautiful nature as you meet new people. Ask for a highly recommended tour guide – one that is friendly and informed – and you will not regret it. Your trip will be unforgettable!

• Arrange payments early – While on holiday, it is common nature that people tend to overspend, so it’s important to make sure you plan for this. Chances are you will want to get loved ones souvenirs, and you also will want to spoil yourself. Arrange payments early to avoid overspending and overdrafts, check your account and do your credit card payment online in the comfort of your hotel room, and start your month afresh while on holiday to avoid financial mishaps.

• Befriend the Kenyan people – You can learn a lot and save yourself a lot of frustration if you go the extra mile and create a few friends. Kenyans have diverse cultures that you can get a better understanding of if you find someone to interact with. And who knows, when you decide to come back for another visit, you can have that someone that will always welcome you!

• To start with, settle for an airport limo service that is in proper sync with your travel plans. To be precise, the hired airport limousine should be where it is supposed to be on or upon your arrival.

• Check on the driver’s professionalism. In simple terms, check whether the company’s chauffeurs are registered with the proper regulating bodies. And while at it, ensure that they are in possession of the right and updated operational licenses, including driver’s licenses.

• Check the details (make, year of manufacture, model, etc.) of the available limos for hire to ensure your selection is really what you want.

• Before settling for any of the available service providers, seek references and recommendations from previous users.

• After you have hired the limo of your dreams to take you to and from the venue of your special occasion or even to and from the airport, beware of such things as toll fees, taxes, parking fees, and fuel surcharges. Although most of these expenses are included in the final hiring agreement, it is always best to double-check and make sure.
• When not riding in the hired airport limo, you should make sure your valuables accompany you at all time

Airport Limousine Etiquette

1. Don’t insist on having more people on a particular ride than what is legally allowed.

2. Respect the hired vehicle on the inside and outside. For instance, it is at the chauffeur’s discretion to decide whether the privacy partition is down or up and you can guess why this is so.

3. Underage drinking, use of narcotics, standing through the sunroof, smoking and so forth aren’t allowed while riding in a limousine. If these events occur while on your ride, then your limo hire contract may be terminated without a refund.

5. After the ride, it is customary to offer a gratuity of approximately fifteen to twenty percent to the chauffeur. For a nice touch, the gratuity funds should be stuffed in an appropriate envelope.

If you’re an art and music aficionado, there are plenty of galleries and performances you can go to free of charge. One example of a free gallery is the Gallery Chuma, which is rich with history and culture of the city. They feature art created by the Gullah descendants of African Americans before the Civil War. Classical European art can be found as well, at the Sylvan Gallery, right in the middle of the antique district. As for music, you can watch a performance by the Youth Orchestra of the Lowcountry for free on most nights.

There are many attractions that one is strongly encouraged to see during their relatively short visit to Charleston. The Old City Market is one of these attractions. Located in the heart of downtown, this market is situated indoors and offers a wide variety of goods: anything from blow grass, woven baskets, knock-off sunglasses, movie posters and Salt-water taffy. Delight in the sights and sounds and the people you meet there. If you’d like to do some shopping, venture over to King Street for window-shopping and maybe even some people watching. See the street where some very memorable scenes from the Notebook where filmed.

There are even some free adventures for the kids! Your kids are sure to enjoy the Citadel Dress Parades that happen on almost every Friday when military classes going on. It’s the full ensemble: swords, rifles and official uniforms…complete with triumphant music. You can also visit the Citadel Museum while you’re in the area, which is also free. Then, make a stop by the Red Barn. There is no admission charged to visit the barn. It has a petting zoo with goats and ponies.

About the Author

This guest post was contributed by the good folks at the Governor’s House, a historic bed and breakfast in Charleston, South Carolina.

Reference: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/free-charleston-traveler/#

Take the mass export of American restaurants, for example. In 2001, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Beijing, China. (http://www.beijing.com/) Though I had toured Europe previously and been to Mexico and Canada many times, this trip to Beijing was the furthest from my “comfort zone” that I had ever been. Imagine my shock when I stumbled upon the all-too-familiar green awning of Starbucks whilst sightseeing in a local Beijing neighborhood! Since my trip, I understand that Starbucks has opened and subsequently closed a location at Beijing’s famous and historic Forbidden City, which dates back to the 1400′s.

When is enough enough? Do you find these familiar sites comforting when you are traveling or do you head out to dine with the locals and shy away from any chain restaurants? The news that McDonald’s is planning to open a restaurant in the food court at the Louvre in Paris shocked many this past fall and critics decried the juxtaposition of Botticelli and Big Macs. However, with a Virgin Megastore and newly opened Apple Store in the same Louvre shopping center, is McDonald’s any worse? Also, the French apparently are the second biggest consumers of McDonald’s per capita, behind only the United States, so is this opening entirely appropriate?

I know when I’m traveling, I’m hoping for some exposure to local culture, customs and cuisine. That’s not to say that I don’t sometimes queue for some typical tourist attractions like Michelangelo’s David in Florence or the Buda Castle in Budapest, but I do hope for an authentic experience dining-wise and stop short of meals in McDonald’s in a new city. I was definitely put off by my Starbucks experience in China and am a bit sad to see these types of places dotting historical sites in most all of the countries I’ve visited since. I will admit though that I have ordered and sampled a Diet Coke in pretty much every city I’ve visited I guess we all have our vices!

I’m curious to know what others think about feeling at home whilst traveling abroad. Are there certain things that you need to have that you would also have at home? Do you go for a 100uthentic experience and stay away from all familiar products? Or, do McDonald’s and other fast-food chains offer you a nice home away from home that make all those scary menus written in a foreign language disappear as quickly as you can say “I’ll have fries with that?”

About The Author:

This guest post was provided to Reef-N-Rail by one of our guest authors Ben Lukes. Ben runs the website nebinfo.com which focuses on agriculture, farming, ranching, crops, and other such “farmy” type things.