Europe Travel> How to find a good travel website

Text by: Tanya Munshi

Getting the cheapest airfare for travel can be the hardest part. That's where a thorough online research will help you find the cheapest airfare and discounts. And how do you go about this hunt? A range of travel portals will give you options of itinerary and its respective fares. But then again, you are faced with another dilemma as to which is the best travel portal!

Here are some tips to help you find reliable websites that will offer you a good deal on airfares.

1. Check if the travel website is registered under any authoritative body – such as the Better Business Bureau.
2. Some travel websites have a tie-up with several universities and only specialize in student traveling. These websites are worth a try.
3. Read up testimonials for the given website to give you an idea about the feedback of the service and fares offered by that site.
4. Remember, you need to be a student to avail of special airfares, so try not faking any details. Usually the travel website will verify your details from your school for further processing.
5. Reconfirm the special discount rates that are offered to you are inclusive all taxes.
6. Student travel websites should offer valuable inputs and updated travel information to its readers.
7. Ideally, the travel website should offer you flexible options such as – date change, one way fares, and open tickets etc.
8. The travel website should be able to provide you with links to other local/ international travel agencies, hostels and hotels in Europe for you to make prior bookings once you reach there.
9. And yes, don’t forget to bookmark the sites that you have short listed.
10. Popular student travel websites worth checking out are –
    www.studentuniverse.com
    www.statravel.com
    www.travelcuts.com

Travel> Planning your vacation? A checklist

Text by: Tanya Munshi
Planning a trip with family and friends is exciting. You look forward to the break, no housework -- just pure relaxation and merriment. For a break it doesn't really matter whether it's visiting a new place or an old favourite. The idea is, a trip has to leave you rejuvenated. However, it can get quite frustrating when you reach the destination and find that you've forgotten your sweater or to inform your friend to collect a package on your behalf. To prevent such calamities here are some handy tips.
1
Checklist
Begin with a checklist of all the things you need to carry. We always tend to think that the packing will be done in no time. But certain things can go amiss. Like a toothbrush or a comb.
Carrying an extra pair of clothes and under garments, apart from the normal set is a good idea. What if you get drenched in the rain while on a trek? Wearing sneakers or walking shoes are always best, whether you're traveling by bus, train or airplane. Keep the fancy shoes for a dinner in a restaurant, not for long travel hours.
2
First-aid kit
Packing a first-aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic cream, cotton wool, painkillers is a must. Don't forget medicines for an upset tummy, headache, car sickness and indigestion. Carrying a diary with all emergency numbers is a wise thing to do. This will save time in hunting for the number when you need it. Keeping a stock of some dry food items such as wafers, chocolates, cookies is also recommended.
3
Inform a neighbour, friend or relative
Give them all the details of where you're going as well as phone numbers. Should there by an emergency you will be contacted immediately. Carry a travel iron, a couple of clothes hangers, as well as a small packet of washing powder with you during your travel. Always carry some sunscreen, a pair sunglasses, cleansing lotion, foot cream, talcum powder and a good deodorant.
4
Glass bottles or perfumes
Avoid glass bottles, perfumes and creams as far as possible. Seal all bottles of shampoos, lotions etc with cello tape or with play clay, which you can remove and reuse. This will prevent any potentially disastrous spills or leakages.
Avoid carrying too much jewellery, cash and other valuables, unless required. Passport and currency should always be kept in your coat jacket or waist pouch. Never let it out of your sight! Keep the number of your hotel, friend or relative handy. You may need to call up the place in case you're lost. The best thing to do would be to take directions to the place before hand, this would save a lot of time and effort.
5
Before leaving home
Ensure no food items are left open. Everything should be secured well inside cabinets, air-tight containers or in the refrigerator. All the lights and fans should be switched off. Ensure no leaking taps. Doors and windows of your house are secured. The dustbins in your kitchen and other rooms have been cleared. All your jewellery and valuables are deposited in a bank locker.
6
Final checklist
~ You need not switch off your refrigerator even if you're going for more than a week. In fact, it is better to keep it on and running and use it to store all the extra food grains and ration. This will prevent the food from getting infested with insects.
~ Your air/ bus/ train tickets, house and cupboard keys and immediate cash are in your hand bag. Keep all your travel tickets safe.
~ All the plug points of your television, stereo, geyser, microven etc are removed.
~ The oven and the gas stove are closed.
~ Inform the milkman and the newspaper boy to stop delivering milk and the morning paper.