New Zealand Mirror Travel » Australia Travel Tips

Air Travel Tips for Travelers with Health Issues or Disabilities

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:15:27 +0000

Travel by air for people with health issues, handicaps, disabilities or special needs, can be challenging. The following air travel tips will help make your flight and trip, whether domestic or international, easier, cheaper and safer.

When making your travel reservations, request any carts, wheelchair services or any other transportation you’ll need. Fully describe your limitations and needs. Get your airline ticket and boarding pass well ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in any lines. You’ll be able to arrange travel at a discount, get better travel deals, and avoid last minute travel headaches.

Talk with your airline representative or travel agent regarding the type of restrooms that are on the airplane. Call your airport and find out as much information as possible about the restrooms and handicapped parking at the airport.

You’ll need to find out how you’ll be boarding the airplane at each of the airports involved in your trip. You may need another type of airplane or alternative route so you’ll have Jetways, or jet bridges, into the plane from the airport and not have to worry about stairs.

One year my mother and I were going to fly out of the San Jose, California airport and discovered after we arrived that we had to go outside on the ground level with the wheelchair to the tarmac. Four airline employees had to carry my mother in the wheelchair up the steep steps to board the plane. This might be impossible if there are weight issues.

Think about what seat arrangement will work best for you needs. Would an aisle seat make it more convenient to get to the restroom? You’ll want to avoid sitting in the emergency exit row. The passengers in this row may be asked to help others in an emergency situation.

Let the airlines and flight attendants know if you have any assisting devices. Find out the best way to store them so they arrive without damage.

Always keep in mind what you can do easily and without assistance, as well as situations that would require help.

Can you transfer to seats by yourself? Will you need a transfer board or assistance from airline staff?

Consider hiring a travel nurse if you have serious health or medical issues. There are traveling nurses networks.

Can you describe your wheelchair, scooter or walker, dimensions, weight, type of tires, type of batteries, etc.? You may need to take along spare batteries. You also may need to rent or buy a travel wheelchair.

Make sure to mention to your travel agent or airline representative any assisting devices you may need or already have like canes and crutches. Do you need a slow pace or are you a slow walker?

If you will be traveling through different time zones, how will jet lag affect your situation?

Consider how the following will be of concern during your trip and discuss with your travel agent: upper body strength, communication ability, speech issues, voice issues, vision problems, hearing problems, heat issues, medication needs, oxygen requirements, and dietary requirements such as gluten-free meals.

Try to arrange or book your air travel through experienced travel agencies or tour operators that specialize in disabled travel. There are a large number of agencies throughout the U. S., Canada, Europe, Australia and many other countries.

Just in case you need them, it’s also good to know if there are any travel agencies that specialize in disabled travel at your destination, for return travel, local resources or travel services.

At the airport let airline boarding personnel know that you may need extra time to board the plane. Sit close to the door at the gate so you’re called first and then board at a comfortable pace.

After the plane has landed, never get off the plane until you see or have your assisting device, wheelchair, travel wheelchair, etc. Flight attendants have to stay on the airplane until the last passenger leaves. They will help you while you’re on the plane but once you’re off the plane they won’t be able to help you.

Make sure you carry your medications and back-up prescriptions with you onto the plane, along with doctors’ names, addresses, fax numbers for faxing prescriptions, phone numbers, medical diagnosis, names and dosages of medications you’re taking and any allergies you have.

Photocopy passports, airline tickets, American Express Travelers Cheques, credit cards, any important papers.

Carry your health insurance information with you on the plane. Know what you’ll do if you encounter a health problem or medical emergency on your trip. Get travel insurance to ensure less costly medical assistance. These emergency bills may not be covered under your health insurance policy. It’ll ease your mind to have this back-up travel insurance and prevent costly emergency medical charges on your trip. Emergency medical costs can run considerably higher than standard medical fees.

These air travel tips should provide good insurance and help make your airplane travel, with health issues, handicaps, disabilities or special needs, easier, safer and cheaper.

Sydney Australia – Travel Tips

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:15:25 +0000

Sydney Beaches

Sydney is renowned for its beach-side suburbs, which include Manly, Bondi and Cronulla plus plenty more. During summer, these beaches are packed full of swimmers, who flock to enjoy the city’s beautiful sandy beaches. Like Rio de Janiero and Los Angeles, Sydney is somewhat unique in that it’s a major metropolis surrounded by beautiful beaches, making it an ideal holiday spot. If you’re heading to the beach in Sydney, don’t forget your sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen, as the UV rays here are extremely high.

Trains, buses & ferries

A combination of all these modes of transport is the best way to enjoy both the tourist and resident experiences of Sydney. A rental car is best acquired for trips outside the CBD; the nearby Blue Mountains are just one of many scenic destinations you can reach from Sydney if you have a vehicle. Within Sydney city itself, however, public transport can very often be faster than driving. Sydney’s integrated ticketing system, permitting travel across trains, buses and ferries on a single ticket, makes traveling on any mode of public transport easy.

Of all the trips you can take in Sydney, the ferry to Manly is a great one for any tourist, offering great view of the Sydney skyline and its beautiful harbour. Ferries can take half-an-hour to travel from Circular Quay to Manly, a refreshing tour itself and a great way of seeing the city. To catch the Manly Ferry, you’ll need to head to the terminal at Circular Quay: easy to find right between the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Landmarks

The Centrepoint Tower, Sydney’s largest building, rises high about the Sydney cityscape and is an amazing sight to behold from Darling Harbour. The elevator ride and revolving restaurant at its top are well worth doing for the 360-degree panorama of Sydney on a fine day.Like any major destination, Sydney has its fair share of tourist attractions. In Sydney, though, it really is worth seeing all the famed attractions: Bondi Beach, Manly, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour…. All these places really do live up to the hype, and it’s great to cross them all off your list before you go on to enjoy all the rest of the things to do Sydney has to offer.

Sydney CBD

The central city of Sydney is an interesting mix of old and new architecture, parks, and streets, with many unique characters represented. Take a wander around and see what you find. Don’t miss The Rocks: this re-developed historic precinct is located just outside the main financial district, and offers a blend of the original colonial settlement and early Sydney architecture with the latest in Sydney culture.

Eating in Sydney

In multicultural Sydney you’ll be able to sample a variety of cuisines, including Asian, Indian, European and Middle Eastern dining. Fine food venues in Sydney can often be found overlooking the harbour, or along the waterfront at Darling Harbour and the Rocks, meaning a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The city has many tourist hangouts, however if you want to experience real Sydney cuisine, find where the locals eat and go there.

Prices are generally a little more expensive than Brisbane and other major Australian cities, in keeping with the higher cost of living here. There is a national Goods and Service Tax (GST), to which tips can be added at your discretion, though these are by no means necessary.

Sydney Fashion

Sydney is home to names like Akira Isogawa, Marcs, Morrisey and Collette Dinnigan, so for those fashionistas amongst us, you won’t want to skip taking a stroll down George Street for your fix. Take a look also at The Rocks precinct for boutique shopping and hip haute couture. Sydney is home to a lot of Australia’s glitz and glam, so fashion is a major commodity in Sydney. That said, most Australians are fairly laid-back about dress sense, so you won’t need to worry about dressing up unless it’s a formal occasion.

5 Argentina Travel Tips for the Foreign Study Traveler

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:15:26 +0000

Have you ever thought of hopping a plane for spring break in Argentina? Maybe you want to study Spanish in Buenos Aires or learn the Tango in Mendoza? Too difficult, you say? No way, but there are a few things you need to know when traveling abroad. Take advantage of the following top five travel tips for your next trip to Argentina and make it an experience to remember.

1. PASSPORTS – Argentina visitors that are citizens of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will require a passport for entry. US Passport applications can be obtained at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html, with routine services taking up to 10-12 weeks from the date you applied. A Visa is not required for a tourist stay up to 90 days, for longer stays contact your local embassy for information. In the U.S. — Contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy, 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202/238-6460). For more information, try http://www.uic.edu/orgs/argentina. In Canada — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, Suite 910, Royal Bank Center, 90 Sparks St., Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5B4 (tel. 613/236-2351; fax 613/235-2659). In the U.K. — Contact the Embassy of the Argentine Republic, 65 Brooke St., London W1Y 4AH (tel. 020/7318-1300; fax 020/7318-1301; seruni@mrecic.gov.ar).

2. CURRENCY – The current exchange rate is 3 to 1 for the US dollar to the Argentina Peso. The Peso is made up of 100 centavos. Money is denominated in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos; and coins of 1, 2, and 5 pesos, and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos. US dollars are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but in the rural areas of the country pesos are the currency of choice and exchange locations are less abundant. American Express traveler’s checks can be exchanged at offices located in Buenos Aires at Arenales 707 (tel. 11/4130-3135), Bariloche, Salta, San Martan, and Ushuaia. Outside of these locations there are very few American Express exchange offices, so when traveling to remote locations be sure to plan ahead. Many of the hotels do not accept credit cards, so check in advance before you assume you can pay your bill that way.

3. CAR RENTALS – Argentines drive very fast in comparison to U.S. drivers and do not always obey traffic lights or lanes. The seat belt law is in effect, though few locals actually wear them. U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in greater Buenos Aires, but you need an Argentine or international license to drive in most other parts of the country. When driving outside the city, remember that autopista means motorway or highway, and paso means mountain pass. It is not advised to drive in rural areas at night as cattle roam free and are hard to see in the dark. Fuel is about $1 per liter, or $4 per gallon. Car rentals are available at Hertz, Paraguay 1122 (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S., or 11/4816-8001 in Buenos Aires); Avis, Cerrito 1527 (tel. 800/230-4898 in the U.S., or 11/4300-8201 in Buenos Aires); Dollar, Marcelo T. de Alvear 523 (tel. 800/800-6000 in the U.S., or 11/4315-8800 in Buenos Aires); and Thrifty, Av. Leandro N. Alem 699 (tel. 800/847-4389 in the U.S., or 11/4315-0777 in Buenos Aires). Car rentals are more expensive in Argentina with compacts starting at $50 to $60 per day, ask for special promotions.

4. ELECTRICITY – Electricity in Argentina runs on 220v. Most U.S. laptops run on either 110v or 220v, check yours to determine which one you have. A transformer and a European style adapter will be necessary for any other small appliances. While most luxury hotels will have these items for your use, some smaller or rural hotels will not. Cyber cafes called “Locuturios” are common in Buenos Aires and other major cities, where you can connect for an average of $1.00US per hour.

5. SEASONS – While those of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are used to the seasons that we have come to know, you must remember that things are in reverse south of the equator. The summer months in Argentina are December thru February, perfect for a trip to Santa Cruz. However, Buenos Aires has a very hot, humid summer so it is therefore better to visit in the spring and fall (November or March). If winter sports are what you are looking for, then the winter months of June thru October would be when to plan your next trip.

These tips will certainly give you a leg up when planning a trip to exotic Argentina. Traveling to a foreign county does require a little effort, but the experiences you will gain will last a lifetime. The world is such a global community that visiting and understanding another country’s culture only brings people closer together.

Argentina is waiting for you, start planning your trip today?

Campervan Travel Tips

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:27 +0000

Drive Campervan Safely

If you are experienced driver then you already know that driving campervan is something different then driving a car or any normal 4WD. For your successful campervan travel, every one should be aware of some safe sides, some helpful tips and also some dangerous circumstances which may be exist during your trip.

If you are going to hire campervan then you must be careful about the vehicle equipment and other basic things. And if you owned the campervan then you must check all fundamentals of the vehicle.

Before Leaving You Should:

Check your vehicle that it is fully equipped or not.

Check mirror of the vehicle and adjust it optimal for road scene.

Take enough food and water storage.

Check vehicle condition and service it if found necessary.

Campervan Travel Tips:

You should check brake, tires, spare wheel, equipments and other necessary

part of vehicle.

While driving your campervan take care about it’s size. Because it needs more care when you turn it because of its extra length.

You should take care when you break speed on busy highways.

Keep Campervan and tow vehicle engines well tuned to conserve energy and reduce emissions.

In Emergency You Should:

It will be helpful sometime if you make aware some one about your touring plan, because in some situation they can guide how to help you.

Put your seat belts on while campervan is running smoothly on highway.

In worst condition be with your vehicle, because it will be easy to find vehicle instead of an individual.

Try to complete driving in the whole day. I would be better then driving in night in strange areas.

Some other matter should not be ignored while you are going to enjoy your trip and want to save some memorable moments for your life long.

Always have travel insurance when starting your trip, so that you will have financial support if an accident happens. Discuss with your insurance trader to ensure that you, and any other drivers, are covered.

Drive carefully in strange areas to avoid accidents, but if accident occurs, the situation should be approached the same way you would deal with an accident in your own car. You will be more alert, and arrive at the campground with abundance of day light to get set up and settled in before it gets dark outside. This gives you a chance to relax and get have a rested for another day of travel, and to enjoy some of the facilities the campground has to offer.

Some certain points keep of in your mind when drive to Campervan :-

Your cell phone is switch off.

Be sure to engine warning lights.

Best position the seat and head fetters.

Safely to all loose objects in your Motorhomes.

Concentrates to your drive without any unusual thought.

Comfortable driving distances in a day are around 300kms.

If you feel you are getting tired pull over and take a rest or find a rest

area and stay the night.

The Aussie Campervans provides a range of weather forecasts and observations to assist you in planning your trip.