Top tips for solo travelers

Travelling solo brings challenges from luggage logistics to long-distance navigation.
Whether it comes naturally or not, most people could use a few tips when it comes to hitting the road on your own.
Solotravelgirl.com's Jennifer Huber has travelled on her own through Afghanistan, Cuba and the United States. Huber took the plunge after realising how many adventures she was missing out on by waiting for people to follow through on plans. This is her advice to fellow solo travellers:
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CONFIDENCE
You may need to start with baby steps, but solo travel will definitely boost your confidence, according to Huber. So take yourself out to lunch, see that museum on your next business trip or take a brief road trip on your own. Before you know it, you'll be taking a page from Huber's book and camping in California or hopping on a plane to Kabul.
DRIVING
Planning and preparation are particularly important for road trips, warns Huber, who never heads out without a GPS or having Google Maps loaded on her smart phone. She also believes in tyre and fluid checks, as well as an old-fashioned road map for backup in case of technology failure. When road tripping in the United States, Huber stresses the power of AAA memberships for discounts and tyre-changing support.
SAFETY
Huber advises common sense for the budding solo traveller. "If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't," she says.
To avoid risks during hotel stays, Huber only books rooms with interior entries and makes sure the desk staff doesn't mention her room number out loud while she checks in. Journeywoman.com's Evelyn Hannon also sees hotels as a hot spot for safety concerns, and cautions against telling new friends where you are staying. If you want to meet up for an activity, says Hannon, choose a neutral and busy spot.
DINING
Hannon has faced the solo-dining conundrum and suggests that until you're comfortable eating alone in restaurants, reading materials will help pass the time. They are also, says Hannon, a helpful conversation starter. She advises that while eating in a cafe, solo travellers keep an English language book or newspaper on their table. English is an international language, and if you have reading materials close by, someone will inevitably strike up a conversation. Likewise, says Hannon, you can be the first to initiate an exchange if you notice someone with a book title you've previously enjoyed.

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/

5 places to visit for cheap

Location, location, location.

It isn't only true for real estate. Your vacation location can be the best way to save money when going on a trip

Some locations are cheaper during their off-season, while others are developing tourist towns.

Do your research as you look for a place to visit, you might find places that you wouldn't normally think of.

Here are 5 places to travel to for cheap:

Ireland:

Travel Weekly's Editor-in-Chief Arnie Weissmann told NPR.org, Ireland was hit hard by the recession. Traveling to Ireland is cheaper because airfare and hotel prices are falling.

Las Vegas:
In 2008, thousands of hotel rooms were built in Las Vegas. Because the need to fill the rooms is high, prices for the rooms has decreased, said Weissmann to NPR.org.

Caribbean Islands:

Planning a trip to the Caribbean Islands is cheaper when you go during hurricane season. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are outside of the hurricane zone, but still offer deals, according to NPR.org.

Pittsburgh:

Considered to be the most liveable city in the U.S. in 2010, Pittsburgh is a developing tourist spot, said USA Today. The city has various theaters, museums and even a zoo.

Cadiz, Spain:

According to USA Today, Cadiz, Spain is a great and cheap alternative to Spain's Costa del Sol. The city is keeps its charm without all the tourist traps.

Source: http://www.news10.net/news/local/article/135957/428/5-places-to-visit-for-cheap

Top 10 Beaches in the World

10. Poipu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Poipu Beach

Poipu beach is not only beautiful but the best family oriented beach out there. There are so manyactivities here that can keep your family entertained for hours such as diving, surfing or even going up on a helicopter ride to see the crescent shaped beaches from above. Poipu is nice and shallow creating a perfect natural wading pool.

9. Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Ipanema

The infamous Ipanema Beach in Rio brings in thousands of tourists annually. Although, unlike many other tourist swarmed beach, Ipanema also attracts its locals during the summer months. Keep in mind that Bikinis are taken to a whole new level on Ipanema, less is definitely more here.

8. Clifton Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Clifton Beach

Going to the beach to tan, play in the sun and seen or bee seen? Then this is where you need to be. The Atlantic waters are so cold you are better off on the sand. Separated by boulders, Clifton Beach is made up of a series of white sand beaches. The area is dotted with interesting cafes and restaurants, all perfect places for people watching.

7. Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Nungwi Beach

Birthplace of rock legend Freddie Mercury, Tanzania is also home to Nungwi Beach, one of the most romantic beaches in the world. Bringing your loved one here for long walks amongst the banana palms and coconut trees while staying at a luxury resort overlooking the white sands wins you brownie points for life!

6. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Is., Queensland, Australia

Whitehaven Beach

Whitehaven Beach is the most famous beach on Whitsunday Island. The pure white sands on this beach are a product of dead coral that has been ground down over time. The Whitsunday Islands themselves are made from dead coral that came from the Great Barrier Reef. The beach is surrounded by beautiful green forests and creates a stunning view.

5. Matira Point, Bora Bora, Tahiti

Matira Beach

Bora Bora boasts many beautiful beaches but the best by far is Matira point. The water is an unbelievable turquoise blue and is very romantic. Bora Bora is known as the romantic island for a reason!

4. Phi Phi Is., Thailand

Phi Phi Island

The beaches on Phi Phi Island are remote and perfect for you to live out your “Stranded on Paradise Island” daydream…to the extent that this daydream involves reggae bars and restaurants that is. Phi Phi Island is actually two islands in southern Thailand, Ko Phi Phi Don, where Long Beach, or Hat Yao in Thai, is located, and Ko Phi Phi Leh which is much smaller and not as ‘developed.”

3. Larvotto Beach, Monaco

Monaco

One of the most glamorous beaches in the world, Larvotto is renowned the world over for its topless sunbathing amongst the who’s who of the European elite. It is in the center of everything that Monaco is known for.

2. Pink Sands Beach, Harbor Is., Bahamas

Pink Sand Beach

The name says it all! Pink Sands Beach’s mile wide pink beach is perfect for those looking for a private and intimate getaway. With a backdrop of a blue sky, “picturesque” is an understatement

1. Anse Source D’Argent, La Digue, Seychells

Anse Source D'Argent

Anse Source D’Argent is simply paradise on Earth when it comes to beaches. The soft sand, calm waters and rock formations topped with beautiful greenery creates a stunning beach unlike any other. Coming to the Seychells is one thing, but being on this beach is another world altogether.

Source: http://beaches.uptake.com/blog/top-10-beaches-in-the-world.html

8 of the Most Beautiful Mountains in the World

Ama Dablam – Eastern Nepal

First climbed in 1961 by the team of Mike Gill, Barry Bishop, Mike Ward, and Wally Romanes, Ama Dablam is a mountain in the Himalaya range of eastern Nepal. Literally meaning ‘Mother and Pearl Necklace’ the peak was adopted by UK’s Invesco group as their worldwide logo and signature. After a 2006 avalanche a climbing permit along with an officer are required before you can climb Ama Dablam.

Shivling – Uttarakhand, India

The Shivling mountain, so-called because of its status as a sacred symbol of the Hindu god, Shiva, literally means ‘the phallus of Shiva’. Considered one of the most stunning peaks of the Garhwal region, the mountain soars 21,329 feet high. The Tapovan meadow which lies between Shivling and Gaumukh has become a popular pilgrimage site due to the stunning view of the mountain from that location.

Machapuchare – North-Central Nepal

Machapuchare, or ‘fish tail’, is revered by locals as sacred to the god Shiva and therefore has been declared off limits to climbing. At about 1,500 feet taller than Shivling, Machapuchare has never been climbed to its summit. The only known attempt at accomplishing the feat fell 50m short, after which the mountain was declared forbidden to climbers.

Matterhorn – Italy/Switzerland

Matterhorn has the distinction of being an iconic emblem of the Swiss Alps even though it isn’t the tallest peak in the region. Because of its status as a huge tourist attraction and one of the best known mountains in the world, authorities have taken extensive measures to build tourist facilities to make the mountain more accessible to novice climbers.

Fitz Roy – Argentina/Chile

Named Fitz Roy by Francisco Moreno after the Beagle’s captain Robert FitzRoy, the mountain is isn’t the tallest peak in the region and is less than half the size of some of the Himalayan peaks. However, extreme weather conditions and the difficulty of the climb has won the mountain the reputation of being extreme. The mountain is alternatively known as Cerro Chaltén.

Sajama – Bolivia

Sajama is better known as a volcano (though extinct) but is technically a mountain of volcanic ash. The highest peak in Bolivia, it is 21,463 feet high and is known for some of the tallest trees in the world, at 5200m. The first attempt to climb the mountain came from Joseph Prem in 1927, though the he wasn’t successful until August 1939 with the help of Wilfrid Kuehm. To their credit they took the much more difficult southeast ridge to accomplish the feat.

The Rockies – Canada/US

The Canadian Rocky Rockies have five national parks located inside, including four that comprise the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site. We opted to profile the Canadian Rockies because they’re older, heavily glaciated, and have a very distinct appearance (sharp peaks separated by deep valleys). Mount Robson and Mount Columbia serve as the mountain’s highest peaks at 12,972 and 12,293 feet respectively.

Pumori – Nepal/Tibet

Lining the Nepal-Tibet border, Pumori – or ‘Unmarried Daughter’ – is a popular climbing route in spite of avalanche danger. Because of its proximity of Mount Everest, Pumori is often endearingly called ‘Everest’s Daughter’. The view of Everest from here is considered to be one of the best, given clear weather conditions.

Source: http://webecoist.com/

Travel tips, advice to save money during summer break

Summer vacation is quickly approaching and many students are naturally travelling to various locales. Whether it's interning in London, taking a drawing class in Italy or just backpacking through Europe, I have a few tips to use while travelling.
First off, make sure you have quality luggage with sufficient space for all your essentials.
Less is more when travelling. Leave room for souvenirs and other items you think you may acquire along the journey.
Don't cram everything into one huge suitcase. Allocate your belongings between a large suitcase and a versatile carry-on. This helps avoid outrageous airline baggage fees.
You may find that there are many different transportation options—buses, trains, taxis, bicycles, walking, etc. Of course, the cheapest way to get around is your own two legs.
You'll get to know the city by walking the streets. Be sure to budget appropriately before you leave town. All the rates are published online so you won't have any surprises.
If you plan on travelling around Europe, check baggage regulations for specific airlines you may be using for weekend trips. Don't be afraid to plan some of your weekend excursions now while travel fares are cheaper.
Once you arrive and settle in, take note of nearby ATMs. Bank of America is a partner with Barclays and other international banks, which can help to avoid pesky ATM withdrawal fees. You'll need cash because many small shops don't accept credit cards.
Also, credit card identity theft is common so carrying cash is the safest bet while travelling abroad.
When shopping around town, always ask for student discounts and be prepared to show some sort of identification to prove it. Leave valuables at home that make you a target for theft.
Make a point to befriend locals. They know the best places to buy groceries and toiletries. They'll tell you about the best clubs and what parts of town to avoid. To get the most authentic travelling experience, do not rely on your American friends.
Be smart when spending abroad, but remember that you only live once. Don't neglect yourself experiences you'll regret later in life.

Source: http://www.smudailycampus.com/

Who wore it best? Keira Knightley vs Alexa Chung

They’re both skinny Brit gals with a brunette bob and boyfs in bands so it kind of make sense that these two should share the same taste in clothes.

Both spotted in this cute Phillip Lim 3.1 frock, Alexa Chung chose hers for the sunshine filled Coachella festival, picking out some matching Phillip Lim 3.1 sandals to co-ordinate whereas Keira was snapped looking rather more wrapped up on a chilly British evening leaving the Comedy Theatre.

We love Alexa’s carefree styling but think this might be slightly too dressed up for a laid back festival so we’re choosing Keira Knightley. Do you agree?

Source: www.heatworld.com

American Idol Results: Haley in Final Five, Casey Cut

Wheeling native and Harper College student Haley Reinhart didn't have to wait long to find out her fate on American Idol Thursday.

Reinhart was the first contestant to learn that she was safe and would be advancing to the final five. Reinhart had been among the bottom three in terms of votes the previous week and she has flirted with elimination four times this season.

Not as fortunate was Casey Abrams, who was eliminated this week. The bottom three also included Jacob Lusk and Scott McCreery. Abrams previously received the fewest votes in the competition but was "saved" by the judges. There were no more saves Thursday.

Reinhart's success this week was not surprising. She performed "Beautiful" by Carole King Wednesday and received mainly glowing comments from the American Idol judges.

"I just saw God," Steven Tyler said. "I heard God in your voice. You nailed it."

"You have one of the best voices in this competition," Jennifer Lopez said. "Amazing."

"I didn't love the beginning but the end was great," Randy Jackson said. "The end was were I got a little bit more excited, the beginning was a little boring for me."

Early on in the show, the contestants answered questions from fans. Reinhart was asked who was her favorite all-time great American Idol contestant?

"There is so many greats I don't know if I can put it into one, I've watched the show forever," Reinhart said. "As far as uniqueness Adam lambert he just did things with his voice...the talent. Whoa."

Reinhart also mentioned other past winners such as Kelly Clarkson.

"I got to give props to Lee [DeWyze]," Reinhart said. "First of all, he comes from the town [right] over from me. Him and Crystal [Bowersox] they had such a unique cool rock style."

Reinhart and the other four American Idol finalists will return to the stage Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Fox.

Source: palatine.patch.com