How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Holiday Travel

June 29th, 2009 | Posted by ridgway in Travel - (0 Comments)

No one wants to have their holiday travel plans ruined due to their vehicle breaking down, so make sure you give it plenty of attention before hand. Complete a thorough check of all the routine items on your vehicle. The oil should be changed and you will want to check all the fluids including the transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and brake fluid.

Don’t wait until something breaks on your vehicle to replace it, especially when you are traveling for the holidays. Carefully inspect all of the hoses for signs of wear as you never know when they will end up breaking. If you haven’t used your windshield wipers for a while make sure they are in good condition.

Have someone stand behind your vehicle so you can make sure both of your turn signals work as well as your break lights. Replace any bulbs that are burned out or seem to be dim. Do the same for your headlights on both low beams and high beams. This will ensure other vehicles are able to see you coming and know when you are planning to stop or to turn. It is a good idea to carry fuses in your glove box so that you can replace any that may burn out during your travel for the holidays. (more…)

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How to Get Ready to Travel for Your Holidays

June 25th, 2009 | Posted by ridgway in Travel | Travel Tips - (0 Comments)

Going to another country for the holidays is a great way to learn about a new culture. In some instances the travel is to visit family that is located there instead of just for a vacation. Regardless of the reason why you are traveling to another country during the holidays, you need to make sure you are prepared for the trip.

For most countries you are going to need a passport with a photo ID. This will allow you to remain in the country for a specified amount of time. Generally, this time frame is from 30 days to 90 days. You can take your passport photo at any post office, but it is going to take several weeks to get it back. There is an expedited option and it is very expensive. If you wait until the holiday time to obtain your passport it is going to take much longer, even for the expedited option. (more…)

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Protect Your Jewelry When Traveling

June 19th, 2009 | Posted by ridgway in Travel - (0 Comments)

If you have travel plans in your future, think carefully if you really need to take all your expensive jewelry. The risk of theft, loss and damage increases as soon as you start your trip because you are in new surroundings, doing new activities and often in tourist areas that are the target of pickpockets, thieves and con artists.

If you are traveling out of the country, check to be sure your jewelry insurance covers your property when you are traveling outside the United States. Because the risk of theft is so much higher in foreign countries, some insurance companies only provide domestic coverage.

To avoid inviting crime, plan to dress inconspicuously to blend into the environment, especially when in another country. When traveling internationally, consider taking and wearing no jewelry. Criminals assume all tourists are wealthy so if you choose to wear jewelry, turn rings around so the diamonds are not showing and avoid dangling earrings. Large, expensive-looking jewelry is an attractive target and it is easy to snatch dangling earrings. (more…)

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