Jasele Oita's Blog A weblog about everything

Travelling is always exciting. The thought of new places that you have never been to, the aimless walking about and discovering new and interesting places is overwhelming. This very sense of being overwhelmed sometimes puts you at a complete loss of what to do and where to go. Sometimes you tend to go back home and regret that you missed out on some places and on doing a few things that you wanted to do. So before it happens to you on your next trip, read this and try them out – you will not be disappointed.

Cuisine – the local food is one of the first things you must try. Take a walk down to the local marketplace; you are sure to find enough food shops that will serve up some of the local fare. Do not forget to ask for the local specialities, the food the country is famous for, etc.

Nature Spots – try to make a list of all the nature spots in the location you are visiting. Like its food, every location’s nature spots are unique in geographical structure and are yet another way of seeing the world. Take along a good camera and click away.

Exciting Activities – ask around and find out what kind of exciting activities are available. If you are by the coast, there is sure to be snorkelling, diving and maybe even surfing. Find activities that you do not have access to at home and try them all out. Travelling is all about experiencing different things and having fun.

Nightlife – try out the nightlife scene during your stay. It might be interesting to see how their nightlife is in comparison with yours back at home. If you are in a city famous for party festivals, then by all means, go ahead and party all night!

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik is located on the southern tip of Croatia. It is situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Dinaric Alps. Dubrovnik is encircled by a 1940m long wall and has forts, towers, bastions and casemates as well.

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city remains the same over the years even though it did sustain quite a bit of damage during the siege in 1991/92. The city was restored and remains one of the most popular tourist spots in the world.

The city looks the same due to a municipal by law passed in 1272 which states that the integrity of the city’s original structures be considered when planning changes in Dubrovnik. Reconstruction in the city in 1667 following an earthquake took all the original structures of the city into consideration and ensured that there were not any radical changes.
Take a walk down the ‘pedestrian only’ old city area and relish the feeling of having stepped back in time. If you are an ardent lover or history and old architecture, being in Dubrovnik will be a dream come true.

Some of the must visit locations include:

Church of Saint Blasius – built between 1706 and 1714, it is named after the saint who it is said appeared in a vision and forewarned of an invasion by Venice.
Fort Minceta – located on the North of the wall and was built between 1319 and 1464. The name of the fort comes from the family on whose land it was built.
Orlando’s Column – constructed between 1418 and 1419, it was built to symbolize the freedom of the city.

Everyone has trouble with airlines – the more serious your issues are, the more you want to make an official complaint or even go to the length of suing the airline. However, it is not as simple as that. There are procedures you must follow in order to lodge travel complaints regarding airlines, and here are a few pointers:

Research indicates that close to 80% of airline travellers experience issues with airline service. It is a daily occurrence and must not be ignored. If you experience any such issue such as bad service, delayed flights, lost or damaged luggage or anything else that puts you at an inconvenience, then you must not hesitate to voice your concerns. Not only does this help the airline iron out your problem, but hopefully, this will ensure that they up their service levels. Chances are you might even be compensated for the inconvenience.

Most airlines go to great trouble to right the situation and take the necessary action. However, increasingly, passenger complaints are being overlooked. If this happens to you, and if your situation is a serious one, then consider taking your complaint to court, and sue the relevant airline in a small claims court.

This however is not as easy as it sounds. Most people choose to let things be, as they would rather not go to the trouble of seeing the whole process through and consider it an absolute waste of time and money. To sue an airline requires a fair amount of work, which starts with getting yourself a lawyer and then working yourself forwards from then onwards.

Airline issues are on the rise and are mostly attributed to poor performance by airline companies towards their passengers. The numbers are alarming with as much as 90% of complaints by airline passengers being made on a daily basis. One of the factors to such a high figure could be attributed to the fact that airline passengers not being aware of how to resolve their complaints, and that airlines are guilty of constantly ignoring such cases.

As an air traveller, you have certain privileges, and yes, of course, you can fight for them. Do not forget however, that you need to fulfil some obligations as a traveller. If an airline does not acknowledge your complaint and take the necessary steps, then the time is right for you to go ahead and undertake some legal action. Remember, however, that it is crucial that the airline be found liable; it is only then that you can file an official complaint. Therefore, before you make a complaint, it is imperative that you check every bit of information beforehand.
If and when you encounter any kind of airline issue, make sure you report it immediately to a customer service agent. This way, you give the airline the time and opportunity to resolve it straightaway.

Making a complaint is fairly serious, so take the time to process what happened. Review the situation a few times, and go over every detail. Evaluate if you really do need to make a complaint. If you decide that you need to, then make sure you have all the necessary details to prove your issue. It is very important that you do not let your emotions takeover; stay firmly rooted, and be as diplomatic as possible.

If, in the odd chance, your complaint goes ignored, then you should move on to the next level of writing a letter of complaint and sending it across to the high management of the airline. Include all the important information.

If all this still does not get the airline to resolve your issue, then you final resort is going to court. You might like to take a look at the ‘Sue the Airline’ guide. Remember, if you are a dissatisfied customer, you have every right to make a complaint – and it is the airline’s responsibility to see that it is rectified.

If you are planning for a nice, long holiday, then you have plenty of preparations to do. You have to make sure you take everything with you, because suddenly realizing you have left something important back at home is such a nasty surprise. So, here are a few things to be mindful of before you head off on a long vacation.

First, unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment such as your television, radio, computer, air conditioner, and so on. This will help cut down the cost of electricity bills when not at home as well as the risk of a possible fire. You also do not want to make it evident that you are not at home, especially to prowling burglars. Ask a neighbor if they could drop by your house daily to pick up the newspaper and mail. You could also set your house lights on timers so that your house does not look empty and unoccupied.

If you are not sure of the location of where you plan to holiday, buy yourself a map that is easy to decipher. This ensures that you do not get lost on the way. Also, do some research into the weather at the destination. This is absolutely important.

Next, take your car for a full check up before you embark on your holiday. Ensure that everything is in good condition, so you avoid any possible mishaps or delays on the way.

If you have pets at home, make sure that you have made the necessary arrangements. Ask a neighbor or a friend to take care of them, and instruct them on feeding patterns. Also, give them your contact numbers and other important contacts such as your veterinarian, the pet shop, etc.

Another good idea is to have a checklist to make sure you have everything you need jotted down, so you have something you can check against before you leave. This way, you will have a superb holiday! Enjoy!

In France, there are thousands of camping sites – however, finding some of the best camping sites is not difficult. Look at reviews of known camping grounds and talk to others who have actually spent time camping around France.

Keep in mind however, the best campsites are not the commercially and often ‘well-known’ ones. Some of the smaller sites are unique and appealing. Be patient and do a lot of research and you are sure to find a camping site that fits your requirements.

One of the more popular camping grounds in France is the Romarins, ze. Found near Monaco, this camping site is located in the hills and gives you a great view of the coast from your tent. The calmness and quiet of this camping site is unmatchable, while the surrounding rosemary and olive trees just add to the charm. Do not expect modern amenities like a swimming pool.

Les Ormes, St. Etienne de Villeral is also another great camping site in France. This one is far more modern and comes complete with rattan lounging seats and a designer pool as well. Fashioned after a famous ‘tent’ hotel – it houses many a comfortable spring bed. The campground looks exactly like one right out of a picture book, and comes complete with vineyards. The wine here is sauvignon and semillon grapes at Chteau Monbazillac.

For something by the sea, the place to choose is Les Criques de Porteils in Argels-sur-Mer and then if you feel the need to be surrounded by an agricultural ambience, then choose Domaine le Poteau in Castlenau d’Auzan.

If you are visiting Italy and are getting tired of seeing nothing but world-class art in the Rome museums, there are other, more esoteric options available for you. In fact, Europe has some of the quirkiest and sometimes just plain bizarre museums in the world.

Hungry vacationers should make the National Pasta Museum part of their Rome sightseeings. Exhibits cover the history, production, nutritional values and consumption of Italy’s dietary staple. If you can’t work up an appetite while visiting this place, you might not ever eat again.

One of the quirkiest London excursions is the Royal London Hospital Museum. Located on the hospital grounds in the crypt of the Anglican Church, this museum reviews the past history and famous cases of London’s most well-known hospital. A significant display highlights the most famous patient in the hospital’s history: John Merrick, otherwise known as “The Elephant Man.”

Even if you can’t plan your Sicily vacation so that it coincides with the famous Agrigento almond festival in mid-February, now is still a good time to visit the island. Before Easter, Sicily is at its best, with clear spring light and reasonable temperatures. When the weather’s mild, take in Castello Normanno, built in 1072 by Count Roger I, and bask in the views of Mt. Etna and the coastlines. Or make a trip to the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) and discover why Agrigento has been called one of the most beautiful cities built by men. Go now, before the big crowds trickle in for the summer. The Sicily Region’s official website (in Italian) is http://www.regione.sicilia.it/.

What Provence vacation would be complete without a visit to stunning Nice? This winter, in addition to strolling along the Promenade des Anglais and into the Place Masséna, stop by the Nice Carnival February 13-March 1. This centuries-old festival is awash in dazzling colors, street theatre, flower parades, music, dance and folly. Nice’s mild, sunny winters, lush Mediterranean landscape, and distinctive light make this city the perfect backdrop for the carnival. This year’s theme is concealment: costumes, masks, and the art of deception. Don’t miss the spectacle—or the chance to don a disguise and create a little mischief! The details can be found at the Nice Carnival official website.

It used to be that planning a vacation was a long and arduous process, especially for those who were interested in visiting a foreign country for the first time. There was airfare to price, accommodations to locate, and tours or other activities to plan. If you were lucky, perhaps you could find a good travel agent who would be able to make all of the arrangements for you. However, dealing with such a professional didn’t always mean getting the best price possible or even that your vacation plans would turn out precisely the way you wanted.

Luckily, the Internet has made finding all inclusive vacations far simpler in the modern era of travel. It’s a snap to compare prices on different websites without even leaving the comfort of your own home or office. Not sure which travel agents to trust or what all inclusive resorts meet the needs of you and your family? Look for reviews from other vacationers who have experienced them.