Rising gas prices are putting a damper on many of the travel plans for the summer and holidays through out the summer season.  Not only are people concerned about paying the price at the pump, many are also worried about what those rising prices are doing to every day costs (like groceries).

The news reports in print and on the small screen are not helping the concerns.  They regularly report doom and gloom about the things that are still to come.  It is no wonder people are closing up their pocketbooks and turning away from the traditional family vacation.

Some people are just looking for vacation options closer to home.  The idea is that if they can save on the travel expense then they can still afford to enjoy a getaway – although the getaway may not be as far as they originally planned.

The travel industry is scrambling to try and entice people to come their way.  Some locations are offering tax rebate specials to lure vacationers.  Others are just crossing their fingers and hoping for the best.

Concerns will only continue to grow if the prices at the pumps (and the stores) continue to rise.  Those consumers who were planning for shorter vacations or vacations closer to home may decided that costs are just high.  Then again, many will just adjust their plans once again to take into account the fuel costs.

Between the increased warnings and the actual increased prices of gasoline, people are traveling less this season.  How much damage that will cause the travel industry is yet to be seen.  It may be that local “tourists” manage to balance out the equation and in the end the industry is not as damaged as some may suspect.  In the long run, the fuel “crisis” may turn out to be less of a problem than the experts are predicting.

Getting through the security checks at the airport can be a stressful event if you’re not prepared.  As more airports tighten up security measures to ensure all bags and items are checked in appropriately, you may soon find many items you used to take along in your carry on no longer meet the TSA requirements.

Packing only the items you need for your carry-on bag can be a daunting task, but you’ll need to downsize that bag as much as possible to not only get through security, but also make sure it fits easily into the overhead bins or under the seat during the flight.  Here are some of the essentials you need to pack your carry on:

1.    Reading materials. Longer flights may encourage a few hours of quality reading, so pack at least one or two novels, magazines or newspapers to accompany you on the flight.
2.    A Ziploc bag of fluids or liquids.  A Ziploc bag of your miniature-sized hand lotion, contacts solution or other cosmetics is the easiest way to ensure your carry on items will pass through the system.  Pack these well ahead of time to avoid delays.
3.    Personal music player.  Take along the iPod or MP3 player, but make sure you pack it near the top of your bag so you can take it out easily to pass the security checks.
4.    Eye mask.  If you have a long flight ahead of you, take along an eye mask that will help you sleep better.  You’ll be much more refreshed and alert when you arrive at your travel destination.
5.    Travel journal and writing instrument.  Take along your journal or diary to capture some thoughts or ideas from your trip, or in anticipation of your upcoming destination.  Flying gives you some personal time to reflect, relax and capture your experience.

Leaving pets at home while traveling isn’t always practical, and many airlines accommodate for pets by offering carriers and special passenger areas for animals – all at a fee, of course.  Still, as Americans try to balance the budget for regular roundtrip and one-way airfare, many are realizing that pet travel fees are also on the rise.  Major airlines across the country are hiking up pet travel costs in addition to baggage handling fees, the cost of food and even imposing restrictions on ticket purchases.

Fees for traveling with pets can be as much as $100 each way, and while these include baggage handling and food costs, they don’t help the budget-sensitive traveler looking for ways to cut expenses at every opportunity.  Airlines such as JetBlue, Continental Airlines and U.S. Airways are just a few major carriers that are imposing higher fees this summer and Fall, and even charging extra for kennels and other pet carriers.

Still, some airlines are taking the lead on making air travel more pet-friendly with incentive programs and bonuses to help travelers make the most of their trip.  Continental Airlines offers a PetPass Program that allows travelers to earn rewards based on miles traveled with their pets; this can offset some of the fees and costs associated with pet travel, and make it easier to stick with just one airline in order to cash in the rewards at a later date.  Midwest Airlines runs a similar program with its Premier Pet Program, offering free trips for frequent travel and allowing pet owners to rack up travel miles on each trip.

For pet owners that insist on only the best, Virgin Atlantic Airlines offers an exclusive specialty package for all pets; their ‘welcome aboard’ pet package provides a special passport, a Virgin collar tag and even pet toys to keep pets happy and satisfied throughout their trip.  Pet programs may not be the ultimate solution for lowering pet travel costs, but do make it easier for pet owners to enjoy freebies and attractive options for future travel.

The rising cost of gas prices has many consumers rethinking every aspect of their lives – from what they eat to where they work and live.  Everyone is struggling to find new and inventive ways (or old tried and true methods) of saving money at the pump.  Family vacations are some of the first casualties of this finance war.

Instead of pushing the vacation on to the back burner, why not use some simple methods to have a great vacation even with higher gas prices.  There are a number creative ways to keep the vacation plans from breaking your bank.

 1.      Check with hotels in the area you want to travel.  Some are offering vouchers for gasoline to get you to stay at their locations.  You would be able to save the cost of the gas to get your vacation underway.

2.      Make a few budget adjustments to compensate for the higher fuel costs.  You can take out some of the activities that you planned to do or maybe downgrade your hotel to something a bit less costly.  Getting a location with a kitchen would allow you to cook in instead of eating out and that alone could save you a fortune.

3.      Stay closer.  Most people plan vacations for far away when there are many great activities and events right in their own back yard.  Search your community and state tourisms sites to see what great things you can do without going to far from home.

4.      Make it a group trip.  Traveling will cut all the costs because you will be dividing them among the group.

There are a number of ways to plan a great vacation even with gas prices climbing to record highs.  Instead of staying home, get creative with your getaway.

When you’ve done your homework for finding the best deals on hotels and flight packages, there are still savings to cash in on from the car rental. Car rental costs can become an outlandish expense if you turn to the wrong company or sign up for a package you don’t really need. Add mileage expenses, too much insurance and other fees, and you may be left with a bill that costs more than your hotel stay. When you’re working with a tight budget – or just want to travel smart – use some of these strategies to save on extra car rental costs:

1. Don’t pick up the car from the airport. Track down an actual office of your preferred car rental provider to avoid hidden surcharges, airport fees and higher-than-average rates. In many cases, you’ll be able to find a car rental company only a few blocks form the airport.
2. Shop online before calling the car rental company. Whether you prefer Hertz or Avis, go online to find discounts and deals from travel websites before you call the rental company. Few rental companies match the fares posted on budget travel sites and search engines, so it’s up to you to locate the best price before you get a quote from the service provider.
3. Fill up the tank before you drop it off. Most car rental companies will charge you an exorbitant mile-per-gallon rate for topping off the tank after the drop off. Head to the nearest gas station before dropping off the car so you can pay the average price of gas, and give the car rental company the receipt.
4. Review insurance coverage options. Most car rental companies offer a set of different types of insurance, but will ‘recommend’ one of the most expensive. If you have homeowner’s insurance, you may be covered for rentals as well. Take the time to consider your options, and avoid overpaying for coverage you don’t really need.
5. Book a package. If you’re using an online flight booking service, take a look at package options where the flight + car or flight + hotel + car options are all rolled into one. This can reduce fees and extra booking charges, and may even help you get a better rate for your trip.

Of all the places to meet other singles, airplanes have to be among the toughest. First of all, how can you be sure whether the person sitting across from you is actually as attractive as they seem or whether your vision is being adversely affected by the recycled air and cabin pressure.

Most people don’t think about hooking up with someone they meet on an airplane. They are preoccupied with thoughts or worries about what they are going to do when they reach their destination. They are uncomfortable. They’ve already seen the in-flight movie several times. The person behind them keeps kicking their seat. The last thing they care about is the fact that one of their fellow passengers finds them attractive.

Sometimes, no matter how many smiles you throw someone’s way, they are always going to be returned with a frown. But, finding romance aloft is possible. Would-be lovers just have to remember that the game is much different in the sky than it is on solid ground.

Looking to pick up someone on an airplane? You have to get up the courage to make your move. After than, you have to figure out what you move is going to be.

1. Think about what you have in common with passengers on your flight. You are probably going to the same destination (see #3), or at least laying over at the same airport. If you’ve been there before, you can offer some insight about where to eat or grab a cup of coffee. If the airport is new to you, you can ask the attractive person in the seat next to you for some advice about restaurants or cafés. Either way, it is the perfect segue to “would you like to join me for a bite to eat?”
And what about the nasty airline meal or the boring in-flight movie or the baby who has been crying for the whole trip? If something bothered you during the flight, chances are it bothered everyone else on the plane too. No one wants to hear complaints though, unless they are offered in a good natured or sarcastically humorous way, “That was the best mystery meat sandwich and wilted salad that I’ve ever had!” Most people are not entirely happy to be on an airplane, so saying anything that lightens the mood invites a positive response. Get the hotty next to you to smile or laugh is always a good start.

2. Talk about your destination. If you’ve been there before, you can dish out advice. Everyone likes an expert. The best-case scenario is that the beauty in seat 44B has never been to the destination and will naturally be interested in getting the lowdown. If she is familiar with the city, you can compare notes. And, if you are heading somewhere for the first time, ask for advice, “You look like you know your way around (insert city or country). Can you tell me where I can get a good meal? (Insert small talk about food here). Would you like to join me?” You can keep asking questions to push along the conversation until the critical moment when you let your attraction be known.

3. Offer to buy some extras. As airlines tighten their belts, complementary items are disappearing from the cabin. You might get a free bag of heavily salted peanuts, but you then have to pay $2 if you want to wash them down with a Sprite. Normally, this would cause you to curse the airline. But, the god or goddess in 44B has changed all that. Now, you are praising the recession. 44B’s mouth is dry and you can earn some points with them for only two George Washingtons. If a conversation ensues, you can switch to Jack and Coke and even another round of Planters. In a way, this strategy is similar to what you might employ at a singles bar. But remember that there is not much of a party atmosphere on an airplane. You don’t want to throw around too much money on alcohol until you get to the club. A cocktail on an airplane is more of a way to take the edge off. Fellow passengers, airplane staff, and, most importantly, the person you are trying to impress will be put off by someone hitting the joy juice too hard.

4. Compare travel stories. Here again, it’s best to start with something that lightens the mood. A funny thing has probably happened to you on an airplane sometime in the past. Or at least, you can make up something humorous or even plagiarize some material from one of those old Airplane! Movies.
Find out if the person you like is excited about their destination. If they are, they’ll be more than happy to talk about it with you. And, if their not excited, you can encourage them to talk about past travels that they enjoyed. You can throw in a few tales yourself, as long as you make sure the conversation is not one sided.

5. Offer entertainment. Have you ever notice how many people on an airplane simply sit and stare straight ahead or look out the window at the unchanging horizon. Sure, they flip through the in-flight catalog or magazine. Maybe they check out the movie, if there is one. But, for the most part, air travel is boring. That’s good news for you and your love life. You can set off in search of romance armed with an iPod, a book or magazine, or, better yet, a computer or personal DVD player. If you are lucky enough to be sitting next to someone attractive, nothing will get their attention better than a movie. Push play and offer an extra set of headphones to them when they glance over to see what you are watching.
Or, offer a comment about what you are reading when you see them give it a casual look.
Conversation about movies or books comes easily to most people. Go with it, throwing in some mild flirtation when the opportunity presents itself.

Some things that might hamper your romantic, mid-flight endeavors: air sickness, unexpected turbulence, the fact that the attractive person you have your eye on is sitting on the other end of the airplane. These are unavoidable, but can be remedied with easy fixes like Dramamine and patience. Sometimes it’s easier to approach someone in an airport after a flight rather than walking up to seat 44B and trying to flirt while the people in 44A, 44C and 45A-C look on. Some of the same conversation starters might work in the terminal as well as in the airplane cabin.

And even if you fail in your attempts at romance, there is always the return trip.

Travel agents can be the best way to get great deals on trips and to get insider tips on vacation destinations. The key is to find the travel agent who will meet your needs and your plans despite your budget. It is a lot like finding the right contractor or doctor. Instead of just picking a name at random from the yellow pages, take some time to look around, ask around and meet with available agents in your area.

1. Talk to family and friends (and even strangers in the grocery store). See who they know or have used in the past. As the travel industry continues to grow, so does the number of individuals that service it. It seems that everyone has a relative or family friend in the industry these days. Get recommendations – but ask for the good, the bad and the ugly on anyone that is suggested.

2. Meet with potential representatives. While it is okay to get leads from others, you need to meet the agents in person. Find out what their experience is and even ask for references. Be sure to ask for references of people who didn’t have the best vacation experience. It is important to see how the travel agent handles problems or difficulties.

3. Ask about her personal travel experience. Is her travel all book knowledge, or has she taken the time and money to visit the sites herself. First hand knowledge can be more valuable than all the degrees in the world.

4. Check online or with the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if there have been formal complaints against the travel agent or the company that she represents.

Once you find the travel agent that is best for your needs, make an appointment to sit down and talk with her. Be sure you give her all the information needed to plan the perfect vacation experience for you and your family: budget, interests, special needs or wants, and the importance factor of the different elements (where are you willing to compromise if it is needed).

Be sure that any plans your agent makes are only tentative until your final approval. Even though she is the expert, take a little time and effort to do some research of the suggestions that she makes. In the end, no matter who makes the arrangements, it is your vacation (and money) that is on the line.

Taking an adventure trip is not just for the experienced. As the interest in these sports has continued to expand the opportunities to learn the basics has also expanded. Now you can find a tour that specializes in giving you the experience, training and know-how you need to take you where you want to go.

Up, up and away. If you have always longed to climb the highest mountain, then Pro Guiding Service is at your service. They have put together a great course to help you learn the extreme sport of Rock climbing. Women’s Intro to Rock Climbing will help you learn some of the technical aspects of rock climbing and a lot about yourself that you probably didn’t know. Some of the basic information will be movement on the rocks, top rope set-ups, anchor systems, and lead climbing. You do need to be physically fit, but previous rock climbing experience is not required.

Sailing can take you away to where you always wanted to be. If you’ve never been before then Women traveling is here to help. Their Learning How to Sail in San Diego Adventure will give you hands-on instruction at the J-World Sailing School. You will learn sailing basics so no previous experience is required. The basic boat-handling and terminology will get you flying down the San Diego Bay in no time. The ultimate goal of this experience is to give you a since of competence and confidence when boating.

Snowboarding is new to many of us, but Peak Adventures is opening this world to any one willing to venture into it. The experience includes transportation, rentals, and a lift ticket along with expert instruction. Be sure to bring a snack and a lunch because you will definitely work up an appetite.

Something fishy is in the air at the Annual Fly Fishing School. You will be efficient at light and heavy weight fly rods, hooking, playing and landing your catch before you finish up here. The trip includes the school, lodging, equipment and even a guided fishing tour. If you want to learn to fish for trout and salmon then this is just the place for you.

It is possible to learn something new and have a relaxing time. Many of today’s vacation tours and packages are custom designed to give you an amazing experience and send you home with a new skill. The best part is that you are traveling with other women who want the same learning experience as yourself.

It isn’t easy finding Mr. Right. More often than not you end up with Mr. Rightnow. This is especially true when you go on holiday or just getaway for the weekend. For the most part, people that are on vacation are just interested in the temporary good time and not looking very far in the future. There are some places that are more inclined to offer long term opportunities and some things that will help you with that as well.

1. Avoid the party goers. That means traditional Spring Break, Mardi Gras, and New Year’s destinations are not the place to go to find your mate for life. These might all be great trips for letting it all hang out, but they are not know for creating lasting relationships.

2. Take a cruise. There are many cruises available these days around themes, activities, and even relationship status. Find one that is all about the singles and give it a go. Pick a cruise that you would enjoy anyway. If you don’t find Mr. Right then you will still have something to show for your time and effort. Besides, if you are busy enjoying yourself you are more likely to develop lasting relationships instead of focusing on making that perfect match.

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3. Make it a real adventure. Don’t just go looking for Mr. Right, but take an adventure trip as well. There are several companies that offer trips specifically for singles. These intense opportunities will help you bond with the people around you which means forming lasting relationships that you will carry away from the trip.

4. Go on a mission trip. Helping others is good for you and the other people that are helping others are the kind you need to be looking through to find Mr. Right.

5. Learn as you look. Take a course or class where the travel is included. When you find Mr. Right on the trip then you know you will have at least one thing you can continue to do together as a couple.

The key to finding Mr. Right on your vacation is to not look for him. Instead, plan a vacation that you would love, look for opportunities to share the experience with other singles, and then let nature take its course. The best relationships are those that are formed from mutual interests. Let the trip of a life time be the foundation of a life time together.

The more you do something, the more comfortable you become with the task. For people who don’t have the chance to stay in hotels (because of necessity or because of choice) the task of reserving a room, checking in, and even staying in an unfamiliar place can be daunting. Here are some tips to make the stay one you remember because of the good experience.

1. Get a local number when you make your reservation. Most companies have one location that does all the booking. You rarely talk with the local hotel, but you should. Confirm your reservation with the local number, change your check-in time (if you need or want to), or just work out where your room will be located.

2. When you check in, ask if there are any discounts available. Even if you reserved your room at a higher rate, the hotel will often match its lower rate if there is one.

3. Ask to look at the room before you accept it. It may be in a location that you don’t want (away from the main building or lobby or even near a construction zone). If it doesn’t meet your expectations than ask for another room.

4. Smaller hotels often offer better safety, simply because there are fewer guests for the employees to keep track of so it is easier to spot someone that does not belong.

5. Lock and bolt the doors when you walk into the room. Never give someone the chance to come in behind you. Make sure your key is ready before you get to the door so that you can walk right in.

6. Check all the windows and any between doors to make sure they are locked.

7. Keep the curtains drawn so that no one can see into the room. This is particularly important when you are on a ground floor.

8. If you want maid service then call the front desk and ask for it. Putting a sign on your door just announces to the world that you aren’t in the room at that time.

9. Do put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door even when you aren’t in the room. It gives the impression that the room is occupied.

10. Inspect your final bill for any charges that you did not agree to pay. Talk to the manager if there is a problem. Don’t wait until you get home to try and fix it.

Staying at a hotel can be even better than staying at home – especially for moms who usually have to do the laundry. Just remember that you are a customer, but at the same time don’t be too over-demanding. Also, remember to leave good comments and not just negative ones. Management is just as interested in the employees who are going above and beyond their job descriptions.