10 Ways to Be a Less Annoying Travel Companion

from The Independent Traveler website

"Traveling with other folks is like a crucible; without careful monitoring of pressure and temperature, things can very quickly get hot enough to melt someone at some point. Having a battery of tactics toward being a good traveling companion can keep your trip (and your friendship) from going up in flames."


Here's their top Ten Ways to Be Less Annoying



1. Disappear now and then
2. Have a good time when you're apart, and share when you return.
3. Adjust to your companion's traveling style.
4. When it is time to move, move. 
5. Have an opinion.
6. Do what you are best at. 
7. Don't nick the other person's stuff without asking. 
8. Pay your fair share, but don't overreact about money.
9. Roll with it.
10. Don't judge.

Read the full article   


Here's a few tips that I would add:


11. Don't empty out your suitcase/make-up bag/ backpack/shopping bags all over the room, especially if we're moving on to another hotel room in a day or two. 
12. When using the toilet for what should be personal reasons, shut the darn door!  Ewwwww.
13. Related to #12, if there is a fan option in the toilet, please use it. 
14. We didn't travel 8000 miles across the globe to watch MTV or The Andy Griffith Show, damnit. News shows and weather forecasts are okay, however. And watching anything in the native language can be fun and instructive, so that's okay in moderation.
15. Remember that your roommate is not your mother. 


Yours in Travel and Adventure,

Q&A: Getting seats on a plane ... together

Don't you just hate it when you spend a fortune on airline seats only to find that you and your travel partner are seated miles apart? The Overhead Bin blog shares these tips. You can read the full article here.

Here are some other tips for getting the seats you want on an airplane:

• If a seat chart is not available when you book your flight online, call the airline or the ticketing agent as soon as possible to request seating.
• If you don’t get a seating assignment — or don’t get the seats you’d like — call back again a week or two before your flight.
• As the day of the flight gets closer, check the online seating charts or call the airline to see if other seats have become available.
• Check in online as soon as you can. Some seats, especially exit and bulkhead row seats, are not released until the day of the flight.
• Get to the airport early and check the seating chart at the check-in kiosk or ask the gate agent if any better seats are available. Some airlines will offer discounted upgrades or first-class seats at good discounts at the check-in kiosks.
• And, yes, once onboard you may find another passenger willing to swap seats to allow two people to sit together. But don’t count on it.

Egypt - I Would Go Back In A Flash

The Crowds at Karnak are Temporarily Gone

Near & Far travelers explored Egypt together in October of 2010, just a few months before the revolution. It was a great trip with the only flaw being the huge crowds at special places like the temple at Karnak and the Sphinx.

Truth be told, if I had the time and the means, I would go back to Egypt right now. The tourism industry has been hit hard and they really want your business. Great deals are aplenty. This time I would personally spend more time in Luxor and also explore Alexandria. I would hire one of the many credible on-site tour companies and a private driver.

If you would like to do the same, contact me and I'll get you set up in style and comfort, without breaking your budget.

As with all Near & Far Journeys you will enjoy extra educational materials and in-depth pre-tour travel advice.

Read this recent article in the NY Times about traveling to Egypt now.

Yours in Travel and Adventure,

Sara Jane Crane
913-677-6336
nearandfarjourneys@gmail.com
nearandfarjourneys.com

Best cities to travel to in 2012

Stockholm

Lonely Planet names a surprising list of next year's up-and-coming tourist destinations.

Forget what you know about these unusual choices for best city. Their standings on this Lonely Planet list don't go without merit.

New stadiums, global events, pop culture, festivals, and a little bit of fresh paint have all made these cities the next stand out stars of 2012.

Read more: Lonely Planet: Best cities to travel in 2012 | CNNGo.com 

More Reasons to Travel: The World's Best Foods

The world has voted and we now know the name and origin of the world's most delicious food. But have you eaten it?

Read more: World's 50 most delicious foods: Readers' picks #3 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/eat/readers-choice-worlds-50-most-delicious-foods-012321?page=0,2#ixzz1bcvxwv9i

Did you know that Pho is pronounced "fuh"? I had no idea. But, I do love it.

How to Avoid Flights That May Get Cancelled

Anyone who says it's about the journey, not just the destination, has never stood at an airport gate and learned that their flight is canceled. Last month, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report about whether airlines are canceling more flights now than before. The answer: Yes.
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/18/8385631-how-to-avoid-flights-that-may-get-canceled
(Tip from Sara: This is just another reason to let a tour company handle your flights. Let them deal with the rebooking !)

Is it Coincidence or is Venice Really Calling?

Near & Far travelers Mike and Laurie (Peru 2007) are currently off on the "Toast to Tuscany" tour. While preparing materials for their trip, I found myself falling deeply in love with all things Venice. Since that time, it seems that several times a day I run across something Venetian related. Is the Universe pointing me towards "The City of Light"? Perhaps. But meanwhile, allow me to share this really cool video and website.

Venice Backstage. How does Venice work?
Venice is not just a stage set. It is also a city with a resident population, which has productive activities, transportation and services. But how does the “Venice system” work? How do the tides in the lagoon behave? How are the canals formed? And the embankments? What’s under the buildings?
Directed by Nicolò Scibilia (teodolinda.it). Motion graphics: pholpo. Produced by Insula spa, operational division of Venice Municipality.

venicebackstage.org