Major Travel Scams to Avoid

Many travelers become victims of travel scams at least once in their lifetime. However, it’s possible to avoid scams while traveling. You just need to be suspicious and use common sense. And, whenever a deal seems too good, think twice. What’s more, if you get a tourists guidebook, read it carefully. You will find most scams in your destination country in that guidebook.

Here are the major travel scams that you are likely to encounter in almost any global travel destination:

Taxi Overcharge

This occurs when a taxi driver tells you that the vehicle has a broken meter and asks you to pay more than you expected. You can also see their meter go faster and higher than expected. To ensure that you are not a victim of this travel scam, know the amount that you should pay for a ride. You can ask the hotel staff about the cost of your ride to your destination to know the right rate to negotiate for.

Closed Accommodation

A taxi driver can tell you that the hotel you booked is closed or overbooked. This is a scam. I mean, there is no way you could have booked the hotel if it was closed or overbooked. So, just ignore the taxi driver and insist that they take you there. Alternatively, take a different cab.

Free Items

This scam happens when a stranger pretends to be friendly. After holding a conversation with you for a few minutes, they will place a free item like a friendship bracelet on you. They can also ask you to hold an item for them. Once you accept the free item, they will immediately demand money from you. And, because you don’t want to cause a scene, you will most likely comply. To avoid this scam, never accept free items from strangers while traveling.

Basically, these are the three major travel scams that you should avoid whenever you travel. Be extra keen on what strangers tell or give you. Most importantly, use common sense and be suspicious whenever you travel.

Living a Travel Life- Knowing When to Make the Next Move

Traveling is a form of art. And, people express it in different ways. However, many travelers are not sure about the right time to make the next move.

When to Move to the Next Destination

Anticipation builds before you make a trip. Preparation instills the confidence that is required to go on a trip. When setting off, you are most likely excited or nervous especially if you are a novice voyager that is eager to explore for the first time.

But, the initial buzz will wear off after extended trips and long stays at a foreign land. That’s when you should consider moving to your next destination.

Traveling Abroad

When traveling abroad, it’s wise to examine your travel motives and your approach towards it. For instance, when you make a three-month trip to a foreign country, you won’t have much time to settle. Thus, you just need a place where you can rest at night and get quality meals. The goal of your trip in this case is not to know the place like a local. You simply want to explore and adventure.

But, if you plan to go on a long-term vacation or relocate abroad like an expat, you must make a different decision. This implies that you should find a place to settle in a foreign land. You also need to decide on the duration that you will stay there and make detailed arrangements.

Live Your Desired Life

Perhaps, the most important thing is to live a travel life. As a traveler, you have the freedom to travel to any destination that you desire. Many travelers make trips to foreign countries to enjoy the freedom or change that comes with it. Nevertheless, there is definitely a time when you will just want to stay at home. That’s why you should know when your duration at a travel destination comes to an end and make the next move.

Amazing Volunteering Opportunities for Travelers

When traveling, you might wonder whether volunteering is a good idea. The internet provides information on great volunteering opportunities for travelers. Local, non-profit organizations give travelers opportunities to engage in worthy causes. Nevertheless, it’s wise for a traveler to volunteer to do something that they love. Here are some of the volunteer opportunities that you should consider when traveling.

Wildlife Protection

Different travel destinations have non-profit organizations that focus on protecting wild animals. If you want to volunteer to do something that will help in the preservation of Mother Nature, consider participating in the activities of such organizations. Some of the activities that you can do when you volunteer to work with wildlife protection organizations include getting confiscated wild animals back to the wild. You can also take care of wild animals like the adorable, cheeky and clever spider monkeys.

Teaching

There are travel destinations where you will find local children that don’t know how to speak English. Teaching English to such children will provide an awesome international travel experience. You will also have a great opportunity to interact with the locals and learn more about their culture. Local people will also be more welcoming towards you once you volunteer to teach their kids.

Studying the Marine Life

Some organizations provide opportunities to travelers that want to volunteer in research or study of the Marine life. For instance, an organization can welcome travelers that want to volunteer in studying the population of dolphin around an island. Another organization can also welcome travelers to volunteer in studying the negative impact of tourism on the numbers and behavior of dolphin.

Basically, the decision to volunteer while traveling is personal. If you have always wanted to volunteer in a foreign country, you should consider volunteering. Doing so will give you a chance to enjoy a real-life experience at your travel destination. Nevertheless, you should volunteer to do something that you really enjoy to make your travel experience unforgettable. Feel free to visit www.orbitz.com for your traveling booking needs.

Cebu Island is quickly gaining popularity. It is located almost at the center of the Philippines Islands and in the Visayas archipelago. Is has a narrow coastline and mountain ranges that reach 3,300 feet high as well as multiple hills throughout the island. Its main attractions are its coral reef, fishing, and the smaller islands that surround it. The best places to dive are at the northern end of the island at Malapascua and Bantayan islands. If you want to get back to the noise of civilization you can always hit Cebu City which is as alive as any other capital.

Cebu Westown Lagoon is an exciting idea for families. It has a water park for kids and Jacuzzis as well as slides for adults. If you’re a fan of flowers then Terrazas de Flores is a must see as it is the first ever terraces flower garden in the Philippines and is breathtaking. If you haven’t had enough flowers be sure to visit 10,000 roses in Cordova.

The Cube isn’t a ruin left behind by old inhabitants of the old such as the moai in Easter Island for instance but despite being a modern work of architecture it is still one of the most visited sites on the island. The Temple of Leah located in Busay, like The Cube, is a beauty to behold influenced by Greek architecture and with a lovely view of the city, is one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island despite not being completed yet.

If you’re a fan of pork then Cebu’s lechon is a dish you have to try. It’s been labeled by a tv show host as the best pork dish ever. If you’re looking for a restaurant with a nice view then head over to Lantaw Floating Restaurant which has a variety of dishes and has a lovely view of the sea and city. Larsian is another restaurant you can go to for the best barbecue food in Cebu.

Want some competition? There’s at least one running event per week at Cebu that often have participating Kenyans as well. Be sure to check online beforehand in order to find out about the event taking place during your trip.

Cebu is a magical place that suits people of all tastes. If you’re into diving and activities such as running you’ll find what you’re looking for and if you’re someone who loves nature and flowers you’ll also be satisfied. At the end of the day you get to pick your choice for a delicious meal.