While traveling, many novices unwittingly spend a lot more money then they realize (or need to). This of course helps the local tourism industry o the country one is visiting. But for those who likes to save some money (gee I wonder where I’ll find someone like that), then these are a few tried and proven tips to help you save boat loads of money especially if you travel frequently.

For those who are planning on traveling for indefinite periods of time, it is highly advisable to consider renting an apartment to stay rather than shack up at a cheap hotel or even hostel. Many countries have niche services where travelers can rent for short periods of time so check those out and compare prices to see what works for you.

Try to shop as the locals do instead of shop around in the “touristy areas” of a country. Those areas are very easy to spend much more than usually would be necessary to the locals of a country. For instance you should consider buying food and water from local town supermarkets as opposed to restaurants at the heart of the tourist hot spots as an example.

Aside from flight costs, there are costs associated with traveling within a country you are visiting as well. Perhaps you should consider sticking to one area of a country per trip as opposed to try to visit a dozen places within a week or two. The reason clearly is because travel costs can mount up the more you travel. After all, travel, even if it’s by bus, train, ferry, etc, costs money.

Those are a few common ways to save money while traveling. Hopefully it’s sparked your imagination for your own journeys as well. If you simply calculate all the potential savings you could have by following these and a few other tips, some of you may even kick yourself for traveling so expensively in the past when you could have saved so much so easily!

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Going to Disney World can be quite a bit of work. However, the right planning can make your vacation less hectic and much more memorable. Here are some quick tips to get you started in the right direction.

1. Hotels: When making a decision about what hotel to stay, look at the age of the children. Staying on property can make it easier for the family. Disney provides the transportation to the parks in easy to use buses, boats and monorails (the kids LOVE these). Also, when you buy goodies and gifts in the park, they will deliver it back to your hotel, which means less packages to carry. The meal plan is also available for Disney guests and during certain times of the year, it is an amazing deal.

2. Character Meals: If you plan to attend a character meal, book it early. These meals can be booked solid for months, so be sure to make this a priority during your planning. If you plan to visit during a holiday, it is highly recommended that you book every dinner in advance.

3. Fastpass: In Disneyworld, guests can obtain tickets to popular ridse in advance, valid during certain times of day. If you take advantage of this service definitely Fastpass the rides that are popular. All the hotels have maps of the parks. Grab one and check the rides you want to Fastpass beforehand. For example: Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and Winnie the Pooh Ride. Tip: The Fastpass ticket will indicate a time that you can go on the ride, say 1:20 to 2:30pm. Disney will allow you to use that ticket anytime after 1:20 pm, the ticket does not expire at 2:30pm. Also, after 1:20pm, you will generally be allowed to collect another Fastpass ticket.

4. Parking: If you stay at a Disney hotel, there is no charge for parking at the theme parks. That’s a significant savings of $9-$10 per day.

5. Rain: Rain in Florida can be funny, it often comes and goes quickly. Bring your own rain gear- ponchos are a fortune in the parks!

6. Room Location: When arriving at the hotel ask for a room that is not near the main pool. While quick access to the pool is beneficial, after a long day at the parks, it can be very loud. Try to get a room that is a little farther away from the pool area for a more relaxing evening.

7. Other Alternatives: Prices of Disney hotel are sometimes the same as the other off-property hotels. Another place to stay is the rent a condo outside the park. This can often be a great deal for extended families that want to stay together. There is an enormous amount of development going on around the parks and you can often get great deals for 3 and 4 bedroom houses. Also, what’s nice is that Disney allows you to drop off guests at the entrance, so you don’t have to park the car even if your entire party is not going in that day. Grandpa and Grandma can drop the family off and go for the day. To find all places to stay in Disney for you family vacation, go to Family Vacation Critics.

8. Baby Centers: There is a Baby center in every park. These are great places to feed a baby and get out of the sun. The Animal Kingdom has a play area for children.

9. Dealing with MCO: Orlando International Airport can have very long lines. If you take an early flight lines will be shorter and you do not have to arrive 3
hours in advance. No kidding, it can take that long in Orlando so don’t cut it short.

10. Parades: Parades can be crowded! If you are going to a night time parade, it’s best place to sit in the front of the parks (for example, in the Magic Kingdom - sit by the oval on Main Street). This way you can make a quick get away OUT! Also, find a spot
early, at least 30 minutes in advance. Best parade is the Spectro Magic Parade in the Magic Kingdom.

Remember Disney can be crowded so choose the dates wisely. If you don’t want to hit the crowds, you will probably settle for either long lines and cool temperatures (end of December and most school holidays) or hot temps and short lines (Summer). Disney is
still my favorite vacation with my family. I still remember my memories as a child going with my parents. Seeing Disney through my children’s eyes is always a TREAT!

Monica Levine-Sauberman, Chief Critic, Co-Founder and CEO FamilyVacationCritics.com

Ms Levine- Sauberman boasts a history of achievement in fundraising, social issues, and management. She was the coordinator for a fundraising project at a prestigious hospital and monitored several programs for hospitals in the tri-state area.

She conducted therapy groups for all ages- from young children to the elderly. With her skills, she opened up a studio called True to Form, which helps women with aging ailments. Developing Familyvacationcritics.com focuses on helping enrich lives when it comes to building memories on vacation. Fondly remembering her family trips, ones she will never forget, she wants everyone to have a great family vacation.

Ms Levine-Sauberman earned a BA in Psychology from New York University and a Masters degree from Columbia University in Social Work.
Email: monica@familyvacationcritics.com

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Untold Story of Ethiopia

When you hear the words friendly and multicultural one thing comes to mind - Ethiopians. Known as the horn of Africa, Ethiopia has a lot of undiscovered treasures.

This East African country is a land of wonder and enchantment, a country with one of the richest histories on the African continent, a land of contrasts and surprises, of remote and wild places, home to cultured and friendly people who are descended from some of the world’s oldest civilizations.

Ethiopia is the land of the fabled Queen of Sheba, home of the Ark of the Covenant, the birthplace of Coffee.

Addis Abba

The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, has so much to offer visitors: the Historic Route, covering the ancient town of Axum, with its amazing carved obelisks, Christian festivals and relics, including the Ark of the Covenant; Gondar, with its castles and palaces. At Dire Dawa you can see cave paintings considered to be thousands of years old. Addis Ababa is home to the African Union.

Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines has a vision to be Africa’s World Class Airline that ensures satisfaction of its customers and other stakeholders.

Ethiopian Airlines will continue to contribute its share towards the development of trade and tourism in Ethiopia through the provision of essential air transport. Ethiopian Airlines will also strive to maintain its role as a major player in aviation in Africa.

Economy

Ethiopia’s economy is based on agriculture, accounting for half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some millions of dollars but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching.

In December 2005 the International Monetary Fund voted to forgive Ethiopia’s debt to the body. Under Ethiopia’s land tenure system, the government owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants.

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