22 Jan 09 Taking your Laptop Abroad
Many people, especially those going away on business, will take their laptop computers with them. However, this opens up a few new concerns that you have to deal with. First, if you’re travelling abroad, you need to make certain that you have a voltage adaptor. If you don’t, you may risk damaging your laptop by plugging it in to outlets that run on a different voltage. Be certain you know if you’ll need an adaptor or not, and if you do, be sure you get the correct one. It’s also a good idea to find out about internet access if you need it. Not all hotels provide internet access, and in some cases, you may have to pay for it. You may also have to go to an internet café or other location to get internet access. Always keep an eye on your laptop, especially if you’re using it in a public place and are alone. If you need to leave your table for any reason (to order or to go to the restroom, for example), take your laptop with you. It may seem like a huge hassle, but it’s better than having your laptop stolen. Be sure to write down the serial number and other important information about your laptop and your laptop accessories just in case it’s stolen. This way, you’ll be able to give the authorities all of the information they need to track down your computer. It’s also a good idea to make a copy of all of the information on your laptop and leave it in a secure place at home in case your laptop is stolen or damaged during travel.
Tags: hotels, travel, travelling abroad
06 Jan 09 Cancelling Your Holiday
No one wants to do it, but sometimes life simply interferes with your plans and you have to cancel your holiday. It can be more than disappointing, though - cancelling your plans can actually be very frustrating, and not just because you won’t get to travel. You may, in fact, actually lose money! One of the most important things to know when booking transportation, lodging, and event tickets is the cancellation policy. Many places do allow you to cancel up to 24 or 48 hours in advance, but some, especially events, may not allow refunds at all. If that’s the case or if you’re cancelling at the last minute, there are a few things you can do. First, of course, is that you can just take the loss. However, if you were planning to travel with friends or relatives, you can ask if you can transfer the reservation or ticket to them. This way, at least someone gets to make use of it. You can also ask if you can have credit instead of your money back. Some businesses are willing to give credit for a later stay or ticket but are not willing to refund money. Because of these policies, it’s very important that if you are going to have to cancel your holiday that you cancel it as early as you can to avoid penalties. If you’re cancelling a trip, it probably means you’re already caught up in anxiety over something. There’s no need to be even more anxious about losing money. If, however, the reason you’re cancelling is because of something that does not actually conflict with the dates of your trip (such as losing your job or an unforeseen expense), you may still want to take the holiday. If you can’t get all of your money back, why lose it? Take a break, get out of town, and worry about other situations once you get back.
Tags: holiday, lodging, reservation, transportation, travel
