foXnoMad » Advice

What Is The Schengen Zone And How Do Schengen Area Visas Work?

Anil P. — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:52 +0000

Visas aren’t the most interesting subject to read about though they happen to be the most discussed topic on this blog. Much of the confusion that fuels the questions behind that forum revolves around the continent where 50.7% of all people (477 million) [PDF] travel per year – Europe. The Schengen Agreement and Area are both visa topics you should brush up on if you’re headed to Europe for more than 3 months in any given 12 month period so you don’t unwittingly break any rules.

That Europe, by the way isn’t just the European Union (EU) and in fact isn’t all of the EU anyway, here’s what you need to know.

Where Is The Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area currently consists of 26 countries in Europe including Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, and Greece. You can see the full list of current members here. Some notable exceptions are England and Ireland (both EU but not Schengen). Several countries you might not expect also part of the Schengen Area include Estonia, Latvia, and Malta. Bulgaria and Romania are likely to join the Schengen club later this year.

So Why Should You Care About This Funny Sounding Area?

Because in terms of travel and visas, Schengen member states are essentially the same country. Across the Schengen Area, those of you from countries who do not require visas (including the United States, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Brazil) are permitted to stay 90 days out of every 180. That means the entire Schengen Area, not just the Schengen member country you’re visiting.

This is where most people get confused – you can only stay within the entire Schengen Area for 90 days out of every 180. So, if you spend 1 month in Germany, then fly to France for a month, go visit your friends back in Turkey (not Schengen) for 2 weeks, then head to Spain for 6 weeks you’ll officially be overstaying your Schengen welcome. Want to spend two months in Austria then hop a train to Slovenia for 2 months? Well, that’s a no-no too.

These rules are, of course, the general ones and apply to most people but not all. For instance, New Zealand citizens have visa-free travel for 90 days out of every 180 in each individual Schengen nation. (A rare exception.) Check with the appropriate embassy for the specifics given your circumstances – don’t just take my word for it as visas can be complex and laws change quickly.

Only 3 Months In 26 Countries? The Reasoning Behind The Ridiculousness

Yes, these are the same folks who came up with the bright idea of a single currency without a framework to support it but actually the Schengen rules are very convenient – especially for Schengen residents. Citizens of member states can travel and live in the others without visas. Plus border crossings are more efficient without constant passport checks. (Checks are optional for each country at their discretion so always bring your travel documents when crossing any border.)

Most people take vacations and trips much shorter than 3 months and the Schengen Agreement while driving up visa costs (for those who need them) has steadily increased tourism to Europe. The Schengen Area isn’t going anywhere but rather, will continue to grow.

How Can You Stay Longer Than 3 Months In The Schengen Zone?

Residents of most countries will need to fill out a long-stay visa application at the embassy of the specific country they’ll be arriving in first (e.g. Sweden). Generally, long-stay visas must be applied for from outside the Schengen Area.

Long-stay visas are only allowed for up to one year. Afterward, from your point of entry into the Schengen, you’ll be free to visit the members states within that time. The Schengen rules don’t allow you to travel for more than a year within the Area so if you really fall in love with a country and want to stay longer than 12 months, you’ll need to file for a residence permit with that specific country.

What Happens If You Overstay?

That’s a question I’ve covered in depth before but to sum it up for short overstays upon leaving the Schengen Area you may face a fine. For longer overstays a ban for a number of years is possible. An overstay of even 1 day (remember it is 90 days not 3 months out of every 180 days) can hit your pocketbook and cause you problems so don’t risk it if you don’t have to. Finally, if you are behind the Schengen borders and simply couldn’t pull yourself away on time, you’ll likely find it easier avoiding being caught at passport control if you leave from countries that aren’t as culturally diligent about timekeeping. (*cough* Greece, Spain *cough*)

The more punctual peoples of Europe (Germans are notorious for catching short over-stayers) could cause you problems but in the end it all depends on the person you come across at passport control. The only way to not have any problems is to know and follow the rules.

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How To Earn Frequent Flyer Miles Without Getting More Credit Cards

Anil P. — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:00:17 +0000

Although opening up various credit cards tied to airline miles deals are great ways to rack up points quickly, they tend to be limited to residents of the US. Regardless, credit cards aren’t the only way to earn a chunk of frequent flyer miles at once. Multiple debt accounts can also have drawbacks like potentially damaging your credit, annal fees that can be difficult to keep track of, and high interest rates.

So rather than getting more plastic, let’s use what’s already in your wallet to rack up points for a free flight or two even if you don’t fly all that often.

First Get Yourself Organized

One reasons the airlines are comfortable with mileage programs is they know most people don’t keep well enough track of them to redeem rewards before they expire. Luckily for us there’s free Awardwallet to keep track of all your accounts in one place and online.

Awardwallet recently introduced the OneCard; a physical card (that looks like a credit card) that keeps all of your mileage accounts in one place. Show it at the airport, hotels, etc. and with one swipe you won’t miss out on miles due to a jet-lagged memory. OneCard starts at a recommended donation of $10 but I’ve got free upgrade codes – the first 5 people can use free-amqrmr for a Pro account.

Remember the best strategy for earning useable miles is to stick to the most versatile airline in each of the major alliances. A United Mileage Plus account is ideal on Star Alliance since their miles work for almost all of their other airline partners. For the Oneworld alliance go with American Airlines (AA). Now, that doesn’t mean you have to always fly United or AA; just use your mileage account numbers with them for all of their partners.

Reclaim Recent Flights – Most airlines left you claim miles 12-24 months after you’ve flown so you might have two years of miles waiting for your account.

An exception is when you’re constantly flying the same airline (say for routine business trips); in those cases it might be advisable to break with the convention above to earn a few more perks with the given airline.

Shake What Your Bank Gave You

Chances are you already have a credit or bank card that you can put to use to earn miles. Almost all airlines and partner programs have online stores connected with large retailers like Apple, Starbucks, and Sony and more. Typically you can earn an extra mile or three for every dollar spent on things you would buy anyway. WebFlyer also has an updated list of any special online store deals that might currently be going on.

Travel Related Things Can Earn You Miles – Car rentals, hotel stays, train rides…pretty much anything that you typically associate with traveling can earn you frequent flyer miles. Aforementioned WebFlyer talk has an updated list of all the current promotions. Don’t forget to ask for point credit and have your mileage account number handy.
Subscriptions Can Be The Path To Mileage Bonuses – Many things that require monthly or annual fees like Internet at your house, mobile phone contracts, and cable television often has mileage bonuses associated with them. You’ll need to check with your primary alliance airline store (e.g. United Mileage Plus) but keep miles in mind for anything that has a recurring payment.
Large Purchases And Loans – It’s surprising how many banks and airlines offer huge point bonuses on top of car loans and approved mortgages. Again, it comes down to checking and the best place to start is online with the airline.
Graduate College – Yes, you can earn miles along with your college degree. [EDITED: this deal is currently expired.]
[EDITED] Use Smart Apps – Although it’s only available in the US for now, reader Vinny points out the free reward earning app, Checkpoints which lets you earn miles and reward points by visiting stores and making purchases. Think foursquare with benefits. (Thanks for the tip!)

You can further take advantage of your existing credit cards by scouting for balance transfers at 0% interest. Many reward and point cards still offer mileage bonuses (albeit reduced by around 35-50%) for balance transfers.

Get Hacking

There are a number of forums online specifically designed for “travel hackers” looking for the best frequent flyer deals.

FlyerTalk is arguably the most established of these forums but new MilePoint has a much slicker and social interface.
MileMaven is a strong bonus calculator especially useful for hacking specific routes.
Frequent Flyer Master – This ebook is a bit dated now and relies quite a bit on credit card offers but has some included bonuses the serious travel hacker will find valuable.
7 Ways To Bump Your Frequent Flyer Earning Up A Notch – Pets, points, and more.

If the term “hacking” makes you uneasy, there’s a more straightforward way to accumulate miles that might otherwise go to waste.

Ask Your Family And Friends For Leftover Miles

There are probably people in your life who’ve flown in the last year or two and couldn’t care less about their accumulated frequent flyer miles. You can save those miles from falling into Vulcan’s black hole by asking them for a transfer to your account. That costs around $25-100 depending on the airline and miles but can be a great gift travelers can ask for on birthdays or around the local holiday season.

[messy desk photo by: andhij]

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My Picks: 4 Unexpected Travel Destinations You Can Visit Before They Become Hits

Anil P. — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:00:50 +0000

The world is a very big place and keeping all of it in mind is no easy task. Having traveled to over 40 countries now, I’m often asked what my favorites, bests, and worsts are – which usually leaves me with no solid answers to give. There is one question, typically unasked, where destinations I’ve visited pop into my head with ease. Countries around the world that probably don’t jump to the tip of your mind but can save you money, while giving you experiences plenty of other tourists aren’t having right now.

I’m taking something of an intellectual leap to say these countries will become major travel hits – though geographically and economically conditions are in their (and your!) favor. Slightly offbeat and waiting for their booms, these are places you can visit right now and have a bit all to yourself.

1. The Philippines

Although this country composed of 7,000 islands isn’t a secret – there aren’t any real travel secrets – it’s routinely overlooked by travelers headed to Thailand or South Korea on the southeast Asia trail. I’m not discouraging you from visiting those fine countries but there’s a less well traveled path right across the China Seas. The diversity within the islands themselves don’t do its official borders any justice as the Philippines is one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet.

Despite it’s highly advantageous exchange rate and general low cost of travel, the Philippine tourism industry has been quite stagnant. Averaging only a 2.5% increase in foreign tourists over the last 15 years (compared with Thailand’s 15%) this year will be different. In the first 3 months of 2011 alone, the Philippines has seen more than half of its 2010 visitor numbers. Don’t worry though, most of those travelers were from only 4 countries, so you’ve got time to see San Augustin Church, ride around in a Jeepney, lay on one of my favorite beaches, and not be disappointed.

Flights are inexpensive from key regional cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Sydney, but there are also good deals to be found from New York, Dubai, and New Delhi.

2. Oman

Oman was practically an afterthought on my part prior to seeing it in person while I was visiting various Gulf states last winter. After having seen one of the most surprising landscapes I’ve come across in my travels, I now appreciate that near oversight while remaining slightly embarrassed I didn’t know any better. You could drop Oman in any part of the world and it would still look like a set from a science-fiction show – but what really makes it jump out at you is how different it is from its glitzy, shiny, metal neighbors.

It’s not that Oman isn’t loaded with oil money like Bahrain or Qatar; (it has a strong GDP per capita actually), but it has chosen to retain its authentic exterior. A wise move by a royal family who’ve largely avoided Arab Spring with smart and swift reforms. You can visit the Wadi Shab waterfalls, Al Alam Palace, and enjoy the most beautiful corniche in the region – all less than an hour flight from popular Dubai.

Muscat, the tiny capital city jutting out into the Indian Ocean has been conquered by the Persian, British, Ottomans…but not tourists yet. Of course there are visitors, mostly from other other Arab nations, though it’s still yours to be had for much less than Manama or Doha.

3. Chile

As writer and Chile-expat Eileen Smith tells me, Chileans often refer to their country as at Earth’s butt-end. The capital Santiago isn’t the easiest city to find flights for outside of some major cities in South America. Yet for enticement it’s got over 6,400 kilometers of coastline waiting upon arrival. The Andes Mountains also happen to run along the opposite eastern border and it’s one of the easier countries on the continent to travel. Low crime rates and good internal transportation though not a nation without a troubled recent past, Chile is subtle – well, except when it comes to sandwiches.

Santiago is also famous for its “coffee with legs”, probably appropriate for a country known to be on the backside of the globe.

4. North Cyprus

It’s not common to find practically the same landscape, food, and culture split into two parts of an island. One that’s very cheap and the other that’s overcrowded and expensive; yet that’s the travel situation in Cyprus right now. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is one of these 3 unrecognized states that’s seeing a tourism boom between the embargo cracks. There are a number of ways to get to the TRNC, mostly from Turkey, but you can also cross over from the southern part of Cyprus, visit on a Mediterranean cruise, or hop a flight from London.

In practically every political and economic manner the TRNC is stalled – except when it comes to tourism. Despite its aspirations to reunify in 2003, that failure has actually helped tourism to the north. Not on the Euro and motivated to draw in tourism revenue, the TRNC is much less expensive than the rest of Cyprus – often considered the most expensive place in the European Union, if not the entire world. Lots of people are catching on – would you rather have breakfast for 7 Turkish lira or the same at 15 Euros – there’s still time to see this country in a bottle; despite it’s uncertain future.

The Few Of The Many

Searching for hidden travel gems requires someone else uncovering enough of the sparkle for your to see from afar. Though much like in the process of finding the best places to travel on a weak dollar, the best deals are often right across a border from the worst. Borders don’t contain cultures; but do a better job of holding economic systems together – a nice perk for your wallet.

Whether or not these 4 places end up becoming hits or not; they’re some of the most surprising my preconceptions have come across and might catch your fancy too.

[top photo of woman by hkvam]

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How To Get From Your Desk To All The Places You Want To Travel

Anil P. — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:00:54 +0000

Sometimes the distance from your office desk to a place you’ve been dreaming about, like Spain, can seem further than the moon. Sure, you want to go places but how do you actually get from that desk you’re reading this from to those far-flung destinations? It’s easier than you think and it’s not your wallet, family, or job that’s stopping you.

Narrow Down To Get Out Of Town

The hardest part psychologically of any task is getting started; yet ironically, that’s exactly the best way to combat procrastination. Sounds quite easy but you’ll need to create short, artificial deadlines to get yourself moving. When it comes to travel, these are the first fun steps to overcoming your mental obstacles.

Where do you want to go? Everywhere isn’t an acceptable answer, even I had to define that for myself.
Make memorable lists. The average human short term memory can only hold 5-9 items at a time and we tend to chunk items into groups of 2 or 3. A short travel list (and short lists in general) help you stay focused and let you visualize your traveling goals – a tactic that greatly improves your problem solving skills according to Penn State University [PDF]. Pick 3-5 countries or cities and we’re on to the next phase.
Your death is not an appropriate deadline. Pick a better time frame than some vague concept of a “bucket list” and then shorten it by 25%. Much like backpacks, our plans tend to fill all of the time allotted for them.

You now know roughly where you want with have a timeline for when – putting you about 90% closer to actually hopping on that bus, plane, or train. To increase your chances of success further, tell your friends the specifics you’ve come up with. Peer pressure is a powerful motivator for a social species like ours and using Jume.in you can share your goals and progress with friends online.

Stop Convincing Yourself You Don’t Have Enough Money

Our brains are frightfully biased and we tend to only see the information that confirms we’re right. Think you don’t have enough money to travel? You’ll probably convince yourself just that while smoking a cigarette before heading to the mall to buy a new pair of shoes you don’t need. Two tactics from above will help us get over that monetary hurdle – getting some actual costs and chunking the total into short goals you check off along the way.

Get Relative Airfares – With Kayak Explore you’ll get an idea of what international flights cost to go where when. More importantly it will reveal cost-effective connecting cities so you can potentially use a multi-city flight to see more places for less.
Flying Isn’t The Only Way To Travel – Check Seat 61 for train routes and Eyeflare has a handy rundown of major bus companies in many parts of the world.
Use Frequent Flyer Miles – Get set up in 8 minutes, complete with a ~~fake~~ valid-but-not-your US mailing address for credit card point hacks.
Beat The Airlines At Their Own Game – Using a very powerful tool you’re likely starring at right now.

Traveling isn’t nearly as expensive as you may think it is. Try flying in the off-season, staying in a hostel, and ditching these 7 things for boosted savings.

Wait, I’ve Got A Job!

Well, good for you! Jobs typically pay us in stuff called “money” which can be exchanged for cool things like flying in hot air balloons. Having a job generally helps you travel due to disposable income it can provide you with. That said, it might be a good time to ditch that job altogether with a career break you can put on your resume to get a better job when you return. Those of you in the United States can get personal peer pressure (the good kind) with the Meet Plan Go! events happening across the country on October 18th.

Only You Can Do What’s Due

Digital assistants like Remember The Milk can keep you focused and get you traveling by tracking your planning-saving-traveling process but only you can put those tools to use. National Geographic’s travel photos of the day can keep you inspired on those long days at the office before a trip and Boss Key can make you seem more productive than you really are.

Just don’t slack on yourself or the future. Traveling is enlightening. And nobody returns regretting having seen the world.

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Do I Need A Pacsafe To Protect My Valuables While Traveling?

Anil P. — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:00:05 +0000

This is a question that pops up in my inbox frequently and one that backpackers often have during the mid-to-latter part of the travel planning process. A Pacsafe is certainly something to consider while you’re choosing the right backpack but let’s focus on whether you need one to keep your electronics and other valuables safe.

What Is A Pacsafe?

I should clarify that Pacsafe is a brand name referring to the company that makes several travel security products; but also the common name for that company’s most popular product – a stainless steel wire mesh that covers the exterior of a backpack. That mesh which can be locked to some fixture in a hostel, hotel, or guesthouse. Pacsafe aren’t specific to backpacks technically (though they tend to shaped for them) and can be fit around other handbags as well as some smaller bags and suitcases. There are also some competing products out there, though for the sake of simplicity I’ll stick with calling all backpack-protecting steel meshes Pacsafe for the rest of this post.

How Does A Pacsafe Protect Your Stuff?

Exterior-fitting Pacsafe work by making your backpack mostly slash-proof, protecting it against someone who might slice through the fabric to steal your things when you’re out, say, sightseeing. Pacsafe are also designed to be locked on to things like radiators and the like that are bolted down so someone can’t bolt with your entire bag. It’s worth noting that the company Pacsafe and others make some form of internal steel mesh that can protect some of your things while you’re actually traveling but for the most part a Pacsafe goes into action when you’re not around.

Sounds Good In Theory: The Drawbacks Of A Pacsafe

Much like our waistlines, backpacks tend to gain weight over time if they go unchecked and a Pacsafe will add 600 grams (~1.3 pounds) to your luggage. That’s not an insignificant amount of weight, especially when considering most airlines’ upper limit before fees is around 20 kilograms (~47lbs).

You can of course put your backpack on a diet to compensate for the added gravitational down force if you’re willing to take it on.

In addition to the added weight, a remember the physical space inside of your bag a Pacsafe will take – 16 x 10 x 5 cm (or 6 x 4 x 2 inches) – under ideal conditions. Ideal conditions meaning that you’ve been able to wrap up the Pacsafe how it came first packaged; which for many (including myself) requires summoning the powers of magic helper elves or drinking enough vodka not to notice. Pacsafe also tend to be quite cumbersome to take on and off, requiring some practice to get the technique down on a consistent basis.

Yet There Are Advantages, Even If You Don’t Have Magic Elves

I may have made Pacsafe seem like a nightmare not worth its weight in security but they can be very useful in particular travel situations. Guesthouses, in particular, are a good example as they typically don’t have safes and realtively little security from the outside. (Camp sites are another good example.) They can also give you added protection against cleaning staff and others who may have access to your room legitimately while you’re not around. Those of you carrying specialized equipment (e.g. video and sound) in one bag may also think about a Pacsafe depending on where you may be traveling and staying.

Pacsafe also not only protect you from bag-slashers, but also from those who know how to undo a zipper whether it’s locked or not.

How To Get (Close To) Pacsafe Security Without A Pacsafe

Pacsafe tend to run around $75-100, a cost you can save on with some preparation and alternative tools. You won’t be able to get the exact kind of security a Pacsafe provides (it’s hard to beat a backpack covered in steel mesh bolted to a pipe in a hotel bathroom) but you can get pretty darn close while remaining a bit more conspicuous.

Start With Planning – Most hotels and hostels will list whether or not they have lockers on booking sites (I recommend you always travel with a least 1 large padlock) and it’s something you should look for.

Before we go on, remember to focus your protection on the things that need protecting most – electronics, jewelry, and other valuables. I once had socks stolen from me, I can’t say I was too broken up about it and you too should compartmentalize what counts most.

Lock Your Zippers – Two locked zippers are often enough to deter most opportunistic thieves who generally don’t have much time to waste. Airport baggage handlers (or the TSA), hotel staff, and shifty dorm-mates go for the easiest targets and simple locks can put you ahead a step. For added protection you can even use a laptop lock to loop through the zipper locks to secure to something bolted down.

You may be able to get away without a Pacsafe but can still use Pacsafe – the company’s products, that is. Pacsafe make many smaller bags with the steel mesh built-in, which protects you against bag slashing and is inconspicuous at the same time. They also make smaller, lockable travel packs for passports, wallets, and other, smaller, essential travel items.

So, Do You Need A Pacsafe?

For most people, the answer to this question is going to be no. I travel with more electronics than the average traveler – having traveled with and without a Pacsafe I’ve come to the conclusion many of its benefits can be had with things you’re likely already traveling with. That’s not to say a Pacsafe shouldn’t be a part of your backpack security system – just that it’s not an essential component or the end all to theft on the road.

Typically common sense and adding time to a potential theft is enough to protect your belongings, rather than using a more visible, brawny solution.

[photos by: Sheep"R"Us (Pacsafe), The Prudent Cyclist (yellow lock)]

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How To Use Thermodynamics And Light To Get What You Want When Traveling (And Everywhere Else)

Anil P. — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:00:10 +0000

Most of us are pretty far removed from nature, relying heavily on technology, chemicals, and anecdotal information to solve our most common problems when traveling. It’s often the case when we’re presented with routine travel annoyances like mosquitoes that we turn to the store, dishing out cash for the latest remedies for ancient ills. Nature on the other hand has given us a brilliant set of physical laws that you can hack to save money and time when you, say, bump up against a hot sleepless night in Morocco.

Deter Flies With Bags Of Water

The first time I noticed plastic bags hanging from the thatched roofs of small kitchens in Boracay, the Philippines, I was perplexed. Even more so after I was given the explanation that these bags filled with water keep flies away. It works since the bags of water refract light and magnify the movement around them, giving the flies a false sense of motion (and potential things swatting at them) keeping the pests away.

Kill Bed Bugs With A Hot Car

Bed bugs are hopefully a problem you’ll never run into while staying at hotel or hostel but if you do happen to wake up with their itchy bites, you’ll want to kill any stowaways that might have hopped a ride on you backpack. Notoriously hardy, bed bugs can’t survive temperatures higher than 45 Celsius (115 F) for more than a few hours. Cars left in direct sunlight during the summer months can easily reach temperatures over 48C (120 F) even if the weather is much cooler outside. Leave your packed luggage in the back seat or trunk if you have any suspicions upon returning home.

Have A Wet Blanket So You’re Not One In The Morning

Soaking a blanket in cold water, then ringing out the excess, is a method of keeping cool at night attributed to the ancient Egyptians (and aptly called the “Egyptian Method”). Seems this trick, which helps cool you by drawing heat away from your body through evaporation, is still in use in modern Egypt. I was recommended several times while I was there by locals to spritz a bit of water on my blanket, sheets, or pillow to avoid tossing and turning due to the heat.

Get What You Want By Not Losing Your Cool

Despite the contemporary notion that keeping your cool ices getting your way, current research from Stanford suggests that slightly raising your temper might help you win more arguments. Getting what you want with airline representatives, overzealous touts, and hard bargainers can often be as easy becoming (or pretending to) be slightly agitated. The key term being slightly; otherwise you flip your advantage – a page out of the Art Of War that’s still relevant today.

Add Those Conspicuously Missing Dollar Signs

Ink may just be stains on paper our eyes detect using visible light but how those stains are drawn have a huge impact on our wallets. Exactly why adding dollar signs to the prices on menus makes us spend less isn’t quite known but I suspect it might have to do with making costs more “real” in our minds. We don’t associate the number “7″ with “7 dollars” (or whatever your home currency). Try writing things out $7 or $7.00 on your next trip and see how your simple travel budget fares.

Extend Battery Life By Beating The Heat

The batteries that power your gadgets produce heat as a byproduct of the chemical processes that give your iPhone and other electronics energy to function far from an outlet. Keeping those batteries cool can extend each charge since heat works against efficiency but this is especially true if you travel with a laptop. Setting your laptop directly on your warm thighs shaves precious minutes off each charge. A case between your body and computer is one of 8 ways to extend batteries on each charge.

Other Ways To Bend Light To Shape Your Traveling World

Light and temperature are two fundamental aspects of our universe we’re so accustomed to we often neglect their presence – and uses. Considering light is vital to taking better photos, critical to the picture editing process and traveling against the weather can often help you save on airfare. Hot weather’s appetite suppressing effects can be simulated by consuming spicy foods for busy travel days where dinner might be a late one and capsaicin can help you burn calories on the road.

Some people focus their cooling efforts on their feet (plentiful blood vessels and relatively large surface area) which is an efficient way to make use of a tiny room fan or a few ice cubes when a fresh breeze is scarce. There are of course many other ways to manipulate thermodynamics and light to make the world work for you and I’d love to hear some of your best tricks. Feel free to drop your hottest advice (sorry for that pun) in the comments below!

[dollar signs photo by: Zabowski]

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The Simple Answers To Your Most Frequent Travel Insurance Questions

Anil P. — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:00:38 +0000

Travel insurance admittedly isn’t the most interesting realm of travel talk, making it subject to hearsay, rumors, and massive gray areas. All perpetuated due to a lack of discussion and by the insurance companies and travelers alike. Sure, getting travel insurance is easy, but finding out what’s covered and how to use it isn’t quite a clear cut and often full of disappointing surprises if you’re not prepared.

You might be asking what happens if your laptop is stolen or you break a leg in Qatar – to more grave situations like needing to go home or have someone make medical decisions for you.

Do I Need Travel Insurance?

There are two extremes in opinion when it comes to travel insurance from ‘never travel without it’ to ‘it’s a waste of money’. Usually those opinions are formed by people who’ve either had the need to use travel insurance, know someone close to them who has, or has been traveling for years without an incident. The truth is most people’s insurance needs fall somewhere in between. It’s an important question to ask, especially for longer trips, and should you get travel insurance is a topic I’ve covered in dept previously worth a gander.

Is Travel Insurance A Scam?

Insurance companies don’t exactly have the best reputations and the world of travel insurance tends to be murkier waters in general. There are, however, many legitimate travel insurance companies who offer short term coverage, extended travel plans, and those for expats permanently living abroad. The big names floating around are World Nomads, IMG, TravelEx, and HTH Worldwide comes recommended by fellow vagabond Sherry Ott.

How Much Does Travel Insurance Cost?

The answer to this question varies widely. In addition to the usual health insurance variables (age, drug requirements, etc.) travel insurance depends much upon which country you’re a resident of, where you’re going, and for how long. Generally speaking though, for a middle-aged single male or female, costs range from about $100-350 per month traveling to and from a range of countries.

You can compare travel insurance rates on sites like InsureMyTrip, call the travel insurance companies directly for lower quotes, and use tactics from The Art Of War to get the best price.

What Isn’t Covered?

I can’t stress enough how important it is to read the fine print of any insurance policy as they vary quite a bit – generally speaking for routine travel insurance the following are NOT covered: preexisting medical conditions, prescription drugs, pets traveling with you (though there are policies that cover them), sexually transmitted diseases, and anything you do while drunk or high. Don’t get pregnant either. Also, every single policy has wording against you being stupid; be sure to check the exact definition.

Insurance companies also tend to try and make unpredictable events seem expected, wiggling their way out of reimbursement; usually they give you a 3 day window after calamity to cancel a trip. (Here’s how to decide just when to cancel travel plans.)

What about electronics? Most companies cover cap claims between $500-2,500.

How Do You Actually Use Travel Insurance And File A Claim?

Typically you send an email, use an online submission form, or for more serious or involved claims make a phone call. You need to keep all of your receipts, doctor notes, and anything else that can prove what you’re claiming to the travel insurance company. This process can go smoothly but usually requires a bit of verbal jiu-jitsu so the more paperwork you accumulate the better. Knowing the details of your policy helps as well; you should use the fine print to adjust your terminology accordingly.

I don’t mean that to say file a false claim, just make sure you use the best wording for your situation to get the most out of your coverage. Also, don’t volunteer information, let the insurance company do the asking and make your claim as soon after the incident as possible.

How About Getting Killed, Being Unconscious, Or Angry Bird Attacks?

Having spent a few hours on hold with various travel insurance companies I found out these basics for when things really go wrong or an ostrich pokes your eye out. (Again, it all varies. I’m just a guy on the Internet. Read and confirm each specific policy!) Basically, travel insurance acts as a secondary insurance to your existing coverage if you have health care back at home. Travel insurance covers the emergency abroad (hospital costs, etc.) and will usually get you back home if the doctors determine you need extensive care.

In the case you’re killed or unconscious for any length of time (hopefully not of course) the information on you is used to contact anyone they can find. Some allow you to designate an emergency contact but the general rule of thumb is to carry a policy print out clearly identifying at least the phone number and name of your insurance company back home. Also, don’t get close to ostriches.

The Details Are In The Devil

Most travel insurance companies post the details of their policies on their websites though often there are gray areas for your particular travel situation. The phone (or via Skype) is the best way to get the details you need. Stick with it, get names, and jot down policy numbers for the things you’ve learned in case you end up having to use them down the…or on the road.

[top photo by: Kathrin & Stephan (kiwi first aid), snejb (question mark), guntzooki (con artist), Images_Of_Money (pictures of currency), EdWohlfahrt (bottle of pills), Peter Prodoehl (telephone), dtaylorcreative (ostrich)]

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4 Months After Revolution: Why You Should Take Advantage Of Egypt’s Rare Travel Window Of Opportunity

Anil P. — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 06:00:15 +0000

Several months removed from a dramatic national uprising and a few more before nation elections, travelers have a rare opportunity to take advantage of a low-cost Egypt relatively free of large tourist crowds. Adaptability, ingrained into an Egyptian culture that’s seen waves of rulers, conquerors, and traders has resulted – perhaps unsurprisingly – in a country quickly back to life-as-usual.

That is, except for tourism; still slow to recover mostly due to apprehensions abroad about political instability. Now, on the heels of the January 25th Egyptian revolution, yet before the potentially turbulent fall elections, present a rare time to visit a budding nation without the normal crowds or costs.

Egypt’s Current Travel Stability

The question of whether it’s safe for foreigners to visit Egypt is one that you may still not be able to shake post-revolution. You can read more about whether it’s safe to visit Egypt right now but basically the country is stable, generally safe, and nearly all major incidents are far removed from popular tourist spots. Aside from the unmistakable red, white, and black bands of the Egyptian flag waving from (seemingly) everywhere and the sounds from occasional political demonstrations, you’ll likely be oblivious that Egyptians recently ousted their government.

Ironically enough, usually the best time to continue with your travel plans is relatively soon after you should cancel them.

Egypt is what I like to call travel-stable; meaning there are problems that make headlines, scare some, but are extremely unlikely to affect travelers. Those incidents, like clashes between groups of demonstrators for example, are those you really have to go out of your way to be involved in. The best safety precaution to take in travel-stable places is a dose of common sense.

Keep The Great Pyramids For Yourself

Granted, a Wednesday afternoon is a relatively quiet time even for the only remaining wonders of the ancient world, but I was shocked to count less than a total of 100 people over 2 hours visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza. Even the persistent camel touts, who all seem to speak 15 languages (and had “lived in Istanbul” in my case) seemed pathetic sitting along desolate paths just waiting for anyone to converse with.

There aren’t many reliable statistics on how hard Egypt’s tourism industry has been hit recently but a stroll down Cairo’s famous Khan el-Khalili souk reveals many foreigners have decided to take their vacations elsewhere. Too bad for them, but great for you.

The Best Of Egypt Is Still There

It’s not the kushari, Sphinx, or pharaohs that will have you drinking from the Nile as they say in Egypt, but the culture of an incredibly warm and welcoming people. While it’s true that anywhere, people are what make a culture, Egyptians seem to have a twinkle of optimism in their eye post-revolution; eager to tell any and all visitors about it.

The government is different and the political future hazy on a cloud day though the food, history, and tourism infrastructure are more than intact. Hotels have lowered prices to help fill their empty beds and food is about as inexpensive as you’ll find anywhere in the Middle East. For all of Egypt’s recent changes politically, hardly any have changed travel there.

The Pre-Election Window

Egyptians are in the process of reconstructing their government and molding a clump-of-clay democracy after rapid waves of change. There is still quite a bit of work to be done with the next set of uncertain changes and steps likely to take place during the upcoming September elections.

Eager-and-open Egypt isn’t the same and won’t be from this point forward. Visitors will get a feeling that most Egyptians feel optimistic at this crossroads in their 4,500 year history. This combination of stability, travel recovery, and breath of historical fresh air won’t last beyond September’s parliamentary elections and the presidential elections a few weeks after.

I noticed a few more tourists in the days right before leaving Egypt last month; enjoying the calm sweet spot of travel after a revolution or disaster. Those are the opportunities that get you the best deals and set up travel memories to be had after you’ve left. Head to Egypt right now and you’ll see the country’s future from the beginning, served with a side of ancient temples and shisha along with your Nile.

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Is It Safe To Visit Egypt Right Now?

Anil P. — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 06:00:25 +0000

What now makes Egypt one of the best travel deals in the world at the moment might also be keeping you from visiting the Middle East’s most popular travel destination. Months after Egypt’s January 25th revolution, the country’s travel slate has been wiped clean and at the surface has begun to return to normal.

Demonstrating and democracy-building aren’t the sort of activities most tourists travel for and by-in-large if you avoid the occasional local flare up traveling in Egypt isn’t any more dangerous than it was in early January.

What It’s Like Now In Egypt

Having spent the past few weeks in Egypt, the most common question I was asked wasn’t about the Pyramids but rather if it was safe to travel there. In Cairo, aside from the remnants of the burned out Ministry of Internal Affairs building and the now routine Friday afternoon demonstrations in Tahrir Square, you’ll find the Egyptian variety of normal going on.

That normal is the inconsistent variety – a common theme in Egyptian culture.

You’ll witness in remarkably chaotic traffic with incredibly skilled drivers, insincere but slick touts, and a strong sense of community across classes and ethnic groups. Egypt is chaotic but not in a state of chaos.

You don’t really begin to notice the effects of the January 25th revolution until you talk to Egyptians. From them you’ll learn there is a general state of uncertainty that masks a potential instability; one that most travelers will be oblivious to during their stay in Egypt.

Localized Incidents You Can Easily Avoid

Probably the most important element to understand about Egypt, post-revolution, is that the entire nation is not currently in a state of uprising. There isn’t anarchy on the streets and daily life goes on routinely. Two recent clashes in Cairo’s Imbaba and Ain Shams districts were at times and specific places that a traveler would have to go out of their way to get mixed up in.

Avoid large demonstrations outside of religious sites or government buildings and stick to pharaohs and feluccas.

That’s basically the state of travel security in Egypt at the moment, you’ve got to go out of your way to get yourself caught up in major trouble.

Those of you reading via email will need to click here to see the video below.

Major Objectives Accomplished

With Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarek now resigned, the major point of mass protests makes another national uprising unlikely in the near term (before the upcoming September elections). Still, there are loud but peaceful demonstrations of all size and subject popping up frequently in peculiar places like crowded metro stations. All the result of a new found and rather unfocused democratic freedom, these visual clues are the few you’ll witness from the January 25th revolution.

I walked the Cairo’s busy streets at all hours, strolled around Tahrir Sqaure countless times, and drove past heavily armed soldiers outside of a courthouse keeping guard during a controversial trial. When I went to take a picture of them, all I saw were smiles for the spectacle a lone traveler in Egypt has become these days.

Ironically enough, while many think it’s a terrible time to visit Egypt, it’s one of the best. In the coming days I’ll be writing about catching Egypt at it’s best and making the most out of a rare travel window of opportunity.

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Combating 2.5 Million Years Of Evolution – How To Prevent Your Paleolithic Brain From Scaring You Out Of Travel: Part 3

Anil P. — Thu, 26 May 2011 06:00:49 +0000

In Part 1 you learned to look past your eyes and in Part 2 of working around your Paleolithic mind, you found out your brain prefers efficiency, often at the expense of time-consuming logic. Today, in final post in this series, you’ll find out how to be wrong but still right; while at the same time turning your brain into a virtual casino of travel gains.

Dissing Cognitive Dissonance

You’re always right. At least, according to your own brain. Cognitive dissonance, a fancy term to describe that familiar state we find ourselves in when we hold two conflicting beliefs. Those conflicts can come about when we’re exposed to new information or challenges in life. Sitting around mulling why you made a mistake for days isn’t very useful when there are foods to scavenge and large animals that want to eat you.

For example, let’s say you really want to go to Morocco, but know it will take 3 months of saving to do so. Instead, you go out every weekend, blowing the money you were saving on one too many beers.
3 months later, you haven’t gone anywhere. To alleviate the guilt and perhaps embarrassment at the failure, your brain kicks into action.
Take a deep breath, you’ll be right at the end of this.

Cognitive dissonance is a complex state but shortly there are two major ways it’s resolved in the brain.

Rationalizing: Well, I did have fun and not taking a trip this year isn’t so bad. I mean, I like that bar a lot and drinking is a good time so it was a decent trade off. Besides, Morocco is hot this time of year.
Dismissing: Morocco is hot and it’s not like I wanted to go there that badly. It will always be there, besides I’ve heard it’s not that great.

Your brain is trying to alleviate all of the negative feelings you have about not accomplishing your goal. Yet, when you admit to yourself you’ve failed, that same mental defense can work in your favor by making you feel positive about a second attempt. The first time was a bust but you’ll get to Morocco, avoid the guilt by having a few quiet weekends, and save your party for Marrakesh. Being right all the time has it’s perks, you know.

Old Brain Over New Brain

The older systems in our brains tend to take priority over our (newer) higher functions located primarily in the frontal lobe right behind your forehead. That means your emotions can, literally, get the best of you despite all what the facts to tell you. The stronger you feel about something (positive or negative) the less emphasis your brain puts on raw data.

Driving to the airport is far more dangerous than flying around the world – but who cares, falling 10,000 meters to a fiery death is much scarier. (At least in your head. Although you’re scared right now and probably won’t listen, 76.6% of people survive plane crashes.)

It goes along with your imagination, emotions heighten your ability to visualize leading to more vivid memories real or otherwise. Most of you probably don’t dream about numbers and spreadsheets at night or have an emotional response to them (aside from dread). Our brains don’t like risk – at least when there’s a perceived loss.

The Ultimate Cave-Brain Shortcut

That is perhaps our biggest Paleolithic shortcut, one that’s easy to manipulate, and the most fun to implement.

We don’t like risk but are willing to throw all the rules out the door for a potential gain. You won’t be able to trick, coerce, or coax yourself into traveling to all the places you want unless you see some value in it. People who try to convince you the world is scary, or traveling is frivolous, do so because they don’t see the gain of expense. Without the experiences themselves to visualize being in your traveling shoes.

Paleolithic brain isn’t all bad however, millions of years of evolution has made our species quite adept at recognizing patterns (like languages) quickly, honed our social instincts to avoid danger, and embedded nomadic tendencies in our DNA. Human beings are the only species to inhabit all 7 continents (except foxes) and can be found adapted to all of our planet’s land environments because someone – maybe your ancient cousin – decided to step out and see what was beyond the next hill.

Fortunately for you, their genes are still floating around in your cells. The rest, is up to you.

Catch up with Part 1 and Part 2 of this series in case you missed them.

[photos by: Brent Danley (hominid skulls), hurleygurley (Jell-O brain)]

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