Cancelled flights are just one of the woes that can disrupt a holiday – but getting compensation isn’t always straightforward. Photograph: Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters In the coming week thousands of holidaymakers will be returning to drudgery. Not just to the day job but the baffling, often futile, attempts to claim redress for a ruined trip. As holidays become ever easier to book online, more travellers are finding their idyll becomes a nightmare due to incompetence, indifference or downright fraud. Here are some of the most common problems, and how to put…
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How to Make Sure Your Shoes Are Comfortable When You Travel
I’m a huge fan of taking walking tours when I travel. Walking tours are a great way to see a city, and if you opt for a food tour you get to sample some of the local cuisine, take in the sights, and get a little exercise in the process. It’s a great combo. That is unless you decided to wear the wrong shoes. Uncomfortable shoes, or shoes not designed for walking long distances, can make a walking adventure a painful idea rather than a pleasant excursion. Travel + Leisure recently spoke…
Read MoreLove adventure sports? Follow these tips to stay safe when you give in to fun
Adventure sports are unique in their adrenaline-inducing capabilities, owing to the thrill and ‘risque’ factor involved. However, a sports lover must venture into such extreme activities after being educated into the art of taking a ‘calculated risk, say experts. Niharika Nigam, business development director at Jumpin Heights, lists some precautionary measures that need to be kept in mind: * Research on your destination and associated safety measures: The success and failure of this industry comes down to one primary aspect and that is safety. One should do some primary research…
Read MoreHow to Get Student Loans When Returning to School
If you’re looking to advance your career or increase your earning potential, going back to school for a master’s degree or professional certification can be an important step. However, the cost of returning to school can be expensive. According to education resource Peterson’s, tuition at a public university totals nearly $30,000. A private university could cost you close to $40,000. If you don’t have that much money in the bank, and few people do, you’ll likely have to turn to student loans to cover the bill. How to get student loans…
Read MoreHow to Poop When You’re Traveling
Photo: Mackenzie Greer Traveling really takes it out of you—except when it comes to poop. That can stay with you for days, making your vacay a lot less enjoyable. Here’s what causes that constipation frustration, and what you can do to keep that from happening. If you’ve ever gone on a trip and failed to drop a load for a few days straight, you’ve experienced vacation-induced constipation (VIC), or travel constipation. You feel backed up, look bloated, and want nothing more than to unleash the crappin’. It’s basically the dreadful opposite of traveler’s…
Read MoreInteresting Animals To Look Out For When Travelling In The US
While the United States may be home to some of the most beautiful natural and urban landscapes, it is also home to a variety of unique wildlife often found nowhere else in the world. With over 3,000 native species ranging from birds and insects to formidable beasts like the grizzly bear, there’s something for every type of animal lover. As much as heading to the local zoo is a popular choice for the most inexperienced tourists, you’ll likely end up seeing the same caged up animals you can find back…
Read MoreKerala travelogue: What to eat, where to stay, and when to visit God’s own Country
We began our descent into Kochi at 7:30 pm. There wasn’t much to see outside – it was almost dark – but from what little we could make out, the land seemed to be dense with trees, and the air heavy with moisture. Narrow streams, which we decided were the famous backwaters, snaked through the land. And judging by the thick clouds we’d just dodged moments ago, it was raining. Perfect. This was an accurate description, we would learn the next day, when the bright morning sunlight made everything look…
Read MoreSeven Things to Do When You Are Going Solo
You’ve been planning your vacation for months, and you’re finally there. You’ve checked into your hotel, settled in and feel like you can conquer the world. But before you do so, here are a few things to make the experience better and hassle-free. Yes, you are welcome: Grab your hotel’s business card You’ve gotten yourself a great deal on a quaint hotel in the heart of the city, but the flip side of such fortuitous discoveries is that when you’re lost wandering the city, you can’t always ask people for…
Read MoreUdaipur travelogue: What to do, where to eat and when to visit the city of lakes
The first sound that greeted you at the arrival lounge of Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport was Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu’s. The flat screen TV, hoisted on a pillar, was playing Pooja Bhatt praying in a temple, and Sanjay Dutt doing what he does best: singing Tumhe Apna Banane Ki Kasam Khai Hai in Sanu’s voice. My mother tugged at my father’s shirt, “You remember the last time we came here? Everyone was playing songs from Sadak. It’s happening again!” Last time was 25 years ago. This was my first visit…
Read More12 Things You Must Do When Moving to an Old, Dilapidated Property
It’s the dream for many people: taking on a property that needs a complete facelift. From redoing the gutters to plastering up cracks, you’re not just putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls and choosing nice new carpet. You’re doing a huge job – close to building your own property. While it’s incredibly rewarding, and often cheaper than buying your dream home already finished, there’s a lot of things to do, and it can be tricky to keep track of it all. Not only do you have all…
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