Pre Trip Inspection Checklist

We all believe that a pre trip inspection checklist for a school bus that is taking school kids for a trip to the local museum or aquarium is absolutely mandatory and should be conducted by all schools. However, when it comes to our own vehicles and a trip that we plan ourselves, we tend to take it a bit easy. We don't bother checking each and every single detail of our vehicle, and most often pay for it, literally and figuratively. We all know that conducting a pre trip inspection is all we need to do to avoid such a situation. But do we do it? Most probably not. That's because we're genetically engineered to realize our mistake only after we pay the price. But from this moment, that's about to change, We have for you a checklist for a road trip or a vacation that you may be planning, which involves the use of your own or a rented automobile. Check it out and use it.

Pre Trip Inspection Checklist for Vehicles

Whether it is a camping trip in the woods on the outskirts with your family or a road trip that you've planned with your friends, you simply must not compromise car safety in any way. Maximum accidents happen on the road and a major portion of those are due to the negligence of the driver. Negligence includes not conducting a thorough inspection using a complete vehicle safety checklist. Because honestly, if you don't bother to check to see if anything is wrong with the car parts, after knowing that you'll be using your vehicle continuously for quite some, then it's nothing short of rash and negligent behavior. Given below are all the things you need to keep in mind while checking your vehicle BEFORE you take it out for the long awaited trip.

Pre Trip Inspection Checklist for Vehicles
Exterior Inspection

• Wheels: Check to see that the tires have enough air and tire pressure. Make sure that they have a proper tread. Also check rims, lug nuts and check that the hub oil seals are not leaking
• Lights: Check the headlights to see that they work properly. Flash and check for high beam and low beam. Check the fog lights. Also check all the indicators: front and back, right and left. Also check that the hazard lights are properly working. Also the brake lights, stop lights and parking lights need to be checked.
• Suspension: The spring mount, springs and shock absorbers need to be checked for wear and tear.Glasses: Glasses include thd mirrors and the windshield. Make sure they are clean and free from dirt and grime. Wash them clean before setting out. The windshield wipers should also be checked.

Online Travel Deals

It is a fact that for many people, traveling has been considered a great way of spending their vacation time --- this, despite the fact that a large number of these people also travel extensively for work. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, you should be sure to investigate the variety of online travel deals available at your fingertips. If you don't, you're missing a great opportunity for saving money on your travel expenses.

Of course, there are some travelers who have plenty of money and don't worry about finding the best travel deals; however, if you're reading this article, we assume you're not in this camp!

Far and away the most popular place to find online deals these days is through the online travel aggregators such as Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, and Priceline. Though many of them initially focused solely on one segment of travel (such as flights or hotels only), these sites now offer price comparison shopping for flights, hotels, car rentals, and even package deals combining multiple components. These types of sites scour the internet to try to provide the best deals for any imaginable itinerary --- Priceline even offers a 'name your own price' option to possibly get even better deals. These

Although the travel aggregators outlined above offer some great deals, don't overlook the possibility of travel agencies. Many travel agencies advertise their offers online, enabling potential travelers to find their holiday destinations with discount packages. The travel agencies often have deals available that aren't publicized on the large websites. Sometimes this is due to the agencies finding last minute deals; other times, it is due to the fact that only a limited number of discounted packages are available, and the packages never even get published online.

Advantages Of Hiring A Travel Agency

One of the most enjoyable things to do that you cannot miss in your life is a vacation out of the country. Thinking about going to another territory to check out the places and encounter a whole new lifestyle is exhilarating. However, the trouble of organizing the entire trip may also be difficult. This empties you of the extra energy you could have used to do more work before going upon that much awaited trip. If you are located in California and you're simply considering going on vacation, it is advisable to work with a Los Angeles travel company.

A lot of people are afraid of the expenses which go along with finding a travel agent. However, only expert travelers know that employing such agent delivers much more benefits to you and helps make the overall vacation planning hassle-free. To highlight some great benefits of dealing with a Los Angeles travel company, here are some pointers:

1. Travel companies know their business. Many travel agencies talk with networks of hotels, airlines, and tourist guide agencies. When you use them, it will be simpler for them to organize the whole trip, as they have in mind the right people to contact.

2. Travel agencies assist with record processing. If you are a first time visitor and also the document specifications with regards to going on vacation are unfamiliar to you, it is advisable to work with a travel company. These people fully understand the needs required by every country plus they know how you can get them quickly. With a travel agency, you conserve time from homework and you're able to process everything more efficiently.

Best Winter Vacation Spots in US

Often summer months are looked upon as vacation time. However, it need not be. One can take vacations in winter as well. This winter you may want to be different and rather spend your holidays by taking a winter vacation. There are a number of vacation spots from which you can choose your winter vacation. One can choose to do a number of activities like snow skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, snow boarding, etc. With this, rather than spending your Christmas vacation at home, you will enjoy it outdoors. You will be able to enjoy a different hue of nature all together. In this write up, we will concentrate on some of the best winter vacation spots in US.

Best Winter Vacation Destinations in the US

Depending on what kind of climate you like, you can choose your family vacation destination. If you like warmer climes, then you will want to head down south for some good warm winter vacation spots. On the other hand, if you like snow covered mountains and are the adventurous kinds, then you will need to go up north and enjoy the snow clad mountains.

Hershey, Pennsylvania
This is one of the great winter vacation destinations. The time before and during Christmas is the best time to visit Hershey. It is in December, that they have Candyland running. The entire place is illuminated with a number of lights, also called Christmas lights.

Lake Tahoe
A lot of people look at Lake Tahoe as a summer vacation destination, however, it is also one of the top 10 best winter vacation destinations. It borders the states of California and Nevada. One can choose to do a number of activities there. Since, everyone in the family can pick up an activity of his or her choice in Lake Tahoe, it is one among the winter vacations for families. If you like to enjoy snow, then you will be surprised to know, that Lake Tahoe gets as much as 360 inches of snow fall in a year. Other than the numerous resorts, who offer a number of vacation packages, there are also the Rocky Mountains, which you may want to visit.

Utah
Utah offers a number of good winter vacation spots. If you are an outdoor junkie, then you have a wide variety of winter vacation spots from which you can choose your vacation. There are a number of ski vacations destinations, which you may want to try. The areas of Snowbird and Alta provide have best ski areas. Then there is the Park City and the Canyons, where you may want to take a vacation. It also has Utah's largest ski arena.

Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone National Park is one of the best winter vacation spots in US. Contrary to popular belief it is not only a popular summer vacation destination. The park is open also in winters. Choosing a winter vacation package offered will give you the program, you would want to undertake, when you are visiting the park. There are a lot of interesting things, which you can learn at this winter vacation destination in USA.

What Is Travel Insurance for Backpackers?

Generally speaking, travel insurance is insurance proposed to manage economical default or non conformance of travel companies, professional medical spending, and other losses incurred whilst vacationing. These scenarios can occur either in a domestic vacation (touring in your own nation) or around the globe.

Within the travel insurance range, there are also a wide variety of insurances that present protection to a range of travelers. Amongst these are student vacationers, business travelers, adventure vacationers, cruise travelers, overseas tourists, and backpackers, to name a few. All of these different kinds of insurance coverage deliver a distinct protection relating to the type of traveler.

Travel insurance for backpackers in specific, is a specifically customized insurance that supplies an inexpensive coverage for backpackers roaming around globe. So whether sunning oneself on dream shorelines, working your way around, or studying overseas, you will most likely obtain a backpacker insurance coverage at inexpensive prices.

Backpackers insurance is among the most demanded insurance plans in the travel industry since the backpacking niche has become even more recognized throughout the years. Since these types of insurance policies are low-priced, backpackers travel insurance is popular among young adults who travel on minimal funds. Several insurance providers and insurance policies might regulate the insured age (probably 40 years or less, depending), the type of travel you do (for example, gap years), and the longevity of the vacation (weeks or months, and even years).

Black Forest in Germany

The Black Forest is a forested mountain range in Baden-Württemberg state in Germany. It covers the German districts of Enz, Rastatt, Calw, Freudenstadt, Ortenaukreis, Rottweil, Emmendingen, Schwarzwald-Baar, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Lörrach, and Waldshut. This 120 mile long and 37 mile wide mountainous area covers approximately 4,600 square miles of the country. The area is preserved by the volunteers of Schwarzwaldverein (Black Forest Society), the oldest existing German hiking and mountaineering club.

This mountainous range is made up of gneiss rock, covered with a layer of sandstone. Some of the tallest mountains in this area include the Feldberg, Herzogenhorn, Belchen, Spieshorn, Schauinsland and Kandel. The Black Forest was an important mining region of the European continent in medieval times. Rivers such as the Danube, the Neckar, the Wiese and the Murg cut through the mountainous range, providing the region with ample water supply to preserve it's rich ecology. The tarn lakes present in this area, are evidence to the fact that the Black Forest was covered by glaciers during the last glacial period, the Würm glaciation.

The forested region here is particularly made up of pine and fir trees. Though, excessive lumbering has led to the depletion of forest cover in this area, efforts are being made to replenish it. The region is home to rare fauna such as horses known as the 'Black Forest Foxes' and the Hinterwalderberg cows. The giant earthworm, Lumbricus badensis, is only found in this area of the world.

The Black Forest is one of the booming tourist destinations in Germany. Tourists flock to the valleys in the vicinity of mountains like the Feldberg and the Belchen. Lakes like the Titisee and the Schluchsee also contribute to the beauty of this region. The Triberg waterfall on the river Gutach is one of the famous waterfalls in the Black Forest. The 14,000 mile network of backpacking trails present in this area, is suitable for activities such as cycling, trekking or cross-country running. For tourists who seek something other than nature, there are also a couple of museums like the Vogtsbauernhöfe; an open air museum showcasing the life of farmers of the region in 17th and 18th century, and the German Clock Museum in Furtwangen; displaying the history of the clock manufacturing industry. Even the mines dating back to medieval times have been re-opened as a tourism venture.

Cool Beach Vacation Destinations in Europe

There are many destinations in Europe, which are famous for the quality of their beaches, their temperate climates, and the excellent assortment of resorts that are available. These destinations can be the ideal location for a great beach vacation although many may not be places that you might think of at first. Here are some of the more popular beach vacation destinations for vacationers looking to relax in Europe:

Spain
In Spain, you can choose from beach vacation resorts along the mainland coasts on the Mediterranean Sea, or go to one of Spain's many island beach spots located on Menorca or Majorca. These areas are very popular and offer high quality vacation options at a reasonable price.

Croatia
Even though the mainland of Croatia is very beautiful, most tourists head for spots along the coast, especially along the Adriatic Sea. The most popular areas for beach worshipers include Sibenik, Zadar, Dubrovnik and the National Park Brijuni Islands. Croatia has an extraordinary coastline with beautiful beaches but keep in mind, some can be rocky or pebble based.

Turkey
If you choose Turkey as your beach vacation destination of choice, you will find friendly locals, a varied choice of clean and contemporary accommodations all for a very good value. Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean costs provide some of the most poplar beach destinations in all southern Europe. The best time to go to this area is between June and October, the waters are warm and the beaches are not as crowded.

Cyprus
Cyprus, especially the northern part, has all the fundamentals for a perfect beach holiday. With it's striking sandy beaches, warm turquoise colored waters and its assortment of cuisine from both Eastern and Western cultures, this destination has a lot to offer its visitors. Make sure to visit the lovely harbor town of Kyrenia when in this area.

Booking Business Travel

If you frequently find yourself in airports and hotels all over the country for business trip after business trip, the following tips for booking future business travel arrangements may prove helpful.

When booking your hotel, focus your search on those that offer special services for business travelers, such as access to high speed internet; fax and copier machines; courier service; continental breakfast; morning newspaper; iron, mini-blow dryer, and alarm clock or wake up call to your room; and courtesy toiletries at the front desk. To ensure that your surroundings will allow you to sleep well as well as think clearly and establish focus when you need to work in your room, request a room facing away from busy streets, highways, and ice machines in order to minimize noise during your stay.

There are several ways to make your trip easier during the flight booking process. Book your flights online to easily compare airlines and airfares, as well as to save on the extra fee that many airlines now charge for booking over the phone - which usually exceeds the fee that discount sites like Travelocity charge when they do charge a booking fee at all. Purchasing tickets online also offers you the convenience of being able to expedite your check in process by printing your itineraries and your boarding passes before you even leave for the airport, and also provides you with convenient back up copies of your information online in case you lose any of those vital materials during the course of your hectic travels.

Easy Camping Meals

Are you having a difficult time finding recipes for meals during your camping adventures? You don't want to bring a ton of ingredients along and too much materials to make meals during your trip, as it will add to the bulk and weight of your camping load. On the other hand, you don't want to have unappealing meals because the meals you have during your camping trip adds to the experience that you will have.

With my many years of camping experience, I have done many trials and errors with different meals to prepare while on a camping trip. My first time on a camping trip, I decided to bring along too many ingredients to prepare meals on the trip. I didn't take into consideration that I could not necessarily prepare meals like I would at home. I ended up not having the right utensils or materials in general to prepare certain meals. I ended up skipping meals and eating a lot of cookies and chips during the trip, because I didn't even think to bring a variety of snacks, as I was depending too much on the meals that I had planned. Needless to say it ruined my trip, as my appetite was not satisfied during my getaway.

Disney Vacations Homes For the Smart and Frugal Tourist

Any smart and frugal tourist will look for different alternatives on accommodations when they go for a trip and Disney Vacation Homes can provide an excellent alternative to hotels. If you have not heard of them and continue to stay in hotels during a vacation then, you will be quite surprised that there is another way of spending your vacation. To those who love going to theme parks choosing to stay at Disney World Pool Homes will make the whole trip even more memorable and less expensive. We all know how theme park tickets can eat up most of out budget and so looking for ways to make it more affordable is just a practical move.

Having watched several Disney movies on TV or in the theatres just creates an exciting feeling that you can get up close and personal with different Disney characters in Disney Resort. However, theme park experience can be pricey most especially if you choose to stay in hotels located inside Disney World. They can definitely give you a grand lifetime experience but you might spend a lifetime paying for that experience as well. Have you ever wonder why there are people who kept on coming back to Disney without getting so worried about the expenses? It is because they choose to stay in Disney Vacation Homes.

Luxury Vacations with Kids

Is your family complaining about how little time you're spending with them? Are they fed up of the long nights, and the missed concerts? Do they shy away from asking you to join them in anything fun, because they know that you don't have the time? Just feeling guilty about it does not solve the problem, does it? You need to act, and act right away. How about this? Why don't you plan a super vacation for your family and yourself? And not just any simple vacation or weekend getaway. A full-fledged family vacation! And when you're doing it, why not do it in style! I'm talking about some luxury vacations with kids! That's right, take your family away on an unusual vacation that they'll remember forever! Read on for some ideas about it!

Ideas for Luxury Vacations

A luxury vacation with kids may seem offbeat, but think about it this way. It will be a perfect make-up gift for them, when they see the amazing sights and activities that you have in store for them. A piece of advice though, keep this whole luxury family vacations idea a secret, and just drop the bombshell on them one day, and just revel in the excitement and glee that they'll express when you tell them. Alright then, let us see some ideas for where and how you can spend some luxury vacations with kids!

A Traveling Vacation
This idea, as the name suggests, involves a lot of traveling. For this type of vacation, you have two options. Either travel around with your family, within the United States, going to different historical, and contemporary tourist spots that you can visit. There are so many places to visit, that you'll be spoiled for choice. And if you're thinking international, then even better! Choose from international travel destinations, like Europe vacation where you can travel all around Europe, visiting and meshing with different cultures, not to mention some delicious cuisine too.

A Luxury Cruise
Another great idea, especially involving kids, is a cruise vacation. Go in for a long and luxurious Mississippi river boat cruise or an enchanting Alaskan cruise. Another fantastic option is to try out one of the many Caribbean cruises, that will give your family an experience that they'll never forget! But if you're planning an international cruise, then nothing to beats a Mediterranean cruise! Simply heavenly!

Great Family Vacations

Kids or adults, all are waiting for a holiday. It is the dream of the perfect vacation that helps us to escape from boredom and hectic schedule. We make a lot of plans for vacations, but not all of them are concrete. We just have thousands of ideas for where we should go on a vacation, but when the actual time comes, we go blank. Don't worry, this is natural, after all this blankness is not without any reason. First of all, the family vacation spots we think of before the vacation, do not seem that interesting when the holidays start. One feels that the place one is deciding is to go to, is not worth the hard-earned vacation. The second most important reason is the various opinions of the family members. There is hardly any family wherein all members wish to go to the same place! If the parents wish to go for a beach vacation, kids wish to go on hiking in the mountains, or vice versa! So it becomes very difficult to come up with common decision. Do not worry, simply scroll down as the following write up will provide you some great family vacations, which are sure to be liked by the entire family.

Great Family Vacation Destinations

Walt Disney World: If you and your family members aren't able to agree on one common destination, go to a destination which has all the things that all the family members wish to go to. There are many such great family vacations destination in America itself. Like Walt Disney World. As you must have heard, this is the land of magic! Young or old, everyone is sure to have a time of their life at this magic land. The first attraction, is of course the theme parks! There are so many theme parks there, and the best part, every theme park is different! So you will surely not get bored. Besides theme parks, there is a special Disney beach, where you can spend time taking sunbath. There are Disney resorts, where you can pamper yourself with mouth-watering food and spas! The lady of the house can also shop to her heart's content at the Disney malls! In short, Disney vacations are one of the best way to spend vacation as, this is one place where each family member can thoroughly enjoy!

Cruise Vacation: Who wouldn't like to stay in grand ships which are fully equipped to entertain you in every possible way? So if you have a thing for water and sea traveling, cruise vacation is the best idea for you. Swimming pools, ballrooms, various indoor sports have now become a common site at almost every cruise. Nowadays, some cruises, which are especially for families, have facilities like nursery, water parks, rock climbing, ice skating, etc. So before booking for any cruise, do a thorough research on which is the best cruise for family. Cruises which are not specifically for families, have more of a bachelor atmosphere with regular hard rock parties. Also book well-in-advance as cruises tend to get full very soon, you obviously don't want to miss this great family vacation idea!

Best Hiking Backpacks

Mountaineering and outdoor gear companies manufacture backpacks by taking into consideration three important factors, namely the purpose, the weight that is to be carried, and the posture of the user. Believe it or not, all these factors are deeply pondered upon and appropriate research and development is done and enough thought is put in, to make your hike and camping trip an enjoyable one. The best hiking backpacks are not just stitched up sacks that you can use for packing for a hike. They are engineered as per your convenience and comforts. Choosing the best backpacks for hiking is not a difficult job, but here's what you can do...

Choosing the Best Backpack for Hiking

Selecting a good backpack for hiking is not simple and a visit to the camping gear store will put you into further confusion. Here are a few points that you can consider while buying a backpack. First consider the volume of outdoor gear that you will be able to carry comfortably, because you are not able to carry a lot of stuff, a big backpack will tend to be very very uncomfortable. For small one day hikes, you will find that smaller, compact backpacks that fit snugly on your back and shoulders are more comfortable, and will give you a certain ease in movement. Most of these bag packs have extension flaps or faster facilities, on which you shall be able to put up your sleeping bag or bed roll. These bags also have certain external pouches that you can attach in cases is you wish to carry additional gear. Remember a backpack that is unbearable and uncomfortable might injure your back. When you are going for longer hikes and treks, you can carry a small strapped side bag to carry the extra load. Make sure that the straps are a bit broad and the inside of the straps and the back of bag is cushioned.

The bigger hiking bags are meant for a longer hike of a few days. Some of these bags may also have a 'frame' at the back. Choosing the best hiking backpacks from this range is always difficult, as the size is large by default and the bag is like a big cube-on. There are two good leads that you can use while purchasing such a bag. First, let it be comfortable for your back and shoulders. Secondly, after you wear the bag on your shoulders, it should barely touch your hips. Anything longer and shorter will create back pain and shoulder pain. Your hips sustain some amount of weight in such a situation.

Best Honeymoon Destinations in Central America

Honeymoon destinations are hard to find, always. The type of destination a couple would choose, depends solely on what their idea of a honeymoon is. Some want the adventure and some want to just dwell in the tranquility of nothingness. The best part about the best honeymoon destinations in Central America is that they'll offer you the best of both worlds. Central America vacation ideas include some breathtaking scenic wonders to some risky adrenaline adventures, so you will be offered everything you could ever ask for. Central America mostly has a tropical climate and lots of beaches for you to have some fun and enjoy each others company. Central American romantic getaways are famous tourist destinations globally, some of which are listed below. Take a look!

Some of the Best Honeymoon Destinations in Central America

Central America, called a subcontinent under some definitions, can be roughly described as the region between the two continents, namely North and South America. It includes the states of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize, Panama, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic as well. All these destinations have in turn, multiple spots for you to visit. On the west of Central America lies the North Pacific Ocean, while on the east lies the Caribbean Sea, giving you some great options in respect to beaches.

Destinations in Costa Rica
Undoubtedly, you will find some of the best honeymoon destinations in Central America here, as the main industry of the Republic of Costa Rica is tourism, which also gives us an idea about the number of options we have here. The first thing you need to do, if you're on a long holiday, is to visit all the 7 natural wonders of Costa Rica, which are Cocos Island, Arenal Volcano (Alajuela), Chirripo Mountain, Light Blue River, Tortuguero Canals, Poás Volcano and the Monteverde Reserve. At the Poás Volcano, the main attraction is the crater. Other attractions that make Costa Rica one of the best honeymoon destinations are the coffee plantations at Orosi Valley, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, and Manuel Antonio National Park. The Cocos Island is an eco-tourism spot, nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Destinations in El Salvador
El Salvador is the smallest country by area in Central America, but has some of the top honeymoon destinations in Central America. A country famous for its nightlife and numerous beaches, this should be your choice if you are looking for some absolute fun and nothing else. Every year, the country hosts a number of European and North American tourists. Some of the attractions you should visit together include the Coatepeque Lake, Laguna de Alegria and Moncagua (San Miguel). The beaches in El Salvador are renowned as Surfers Paradise, as they are among the top ten beaches globally, and have the best waves for surfing. Some of the best beaches here are La Libertad, Suchitoto, Playa Las Flores, Ruta Las Flores, Santa Ana, and La Palma. Also make sure you visit the village of Concepcion de Ataco and the San Diego Volcano.

What to Bring on a Road Trip

The spontaneity and excitement of a road trip is unparalleled by any other. And with the vacation time round the corner, a few weeks of fun on the open, wide roads, can be an experience of a lifetime. Having said that, road trips can be a nightmare if not properly planned. You obviously do not want to be lost in some god forsaken place, in freezing temperatures, eating refried beans and cheese burritos. So, for all those who want to make their trip a fulfilling and fun experience, make a checklist for the road trip. This should include a checking of your vehicle, preparing for emergencies, stocking in on your entertainment needs and getting your navigational tools in place. Oh, and I forgot the most important part of the road trip planning process, i.e stocking up the food and the drinks for the trip. I know this may go against the spirit of a spontaneous road trip, but believe me it will save you lots of hassles on the road, not to mention a significant amount of money. One of the most important part of road trip preparation, is to determine what to bring on a road trip. The obvious thumb rule when packing for a road trip, is that 'less is more'. So instead of stockpiling a whole lot of things into your car, make a checklist of what you need on the trip. Making a checklist is the best travel tip possible, as it ensures that nothing is forgotten in a last minute hurry.

Things to Bring on a Road Trip

Luggage Sets: Select the smallest duffel bag or a backpack that you can find, and try to fit in the stuff that you need for the journey, into it. Leave behind the big suitcases, as there are very few things less pleasant than having to haul a giant suitcase around, when traveling. For a long journey pack your clean clothes into small plastic bags and throw in a large laundry bag, for the soon to be dirty clothes. Also make sure to pack a pair of comfortable sandals and a good pair of hiking shoes for the journey.

Music: What is a good road trip without great music so whether you are in a car, van, or an RV, stock up the CDs for a long journey. However sometimes the ready-made playlists and albums can get quite boring. A great idea is to use an iPod and just borrow songs from the people you visit. Please do not count on the radio, unless you want to be stuck with bad twangy pop and Christian radio.

Camera: This is a must have for all those people, who are not quite so eloquent with words. Describing the fun you had on your great adventure journey can be easy, if you have loads of pictures. Well, you do not have to be a pro to get the right shots. With a simple point and shoot digital camera, you can show them to your grandchildren, when you are really old.

A GPS Navigation System: Say goodbye to your travel maps. GPS navigation systems with built in maps, are an ideal way of making the chances of your getting lost from slim to nil. It not only shows you where you are on the map but also provides real-time updates of your location. In addition, they offer automatic route-planning and turn-by-turn directions, making it virtually impossible to get lost.

Best Amusement Parks in America

I completely agree with what Doug Coupland says in the above quote. Indeed, this compulsion of turning to relationships for entertainment was what kept relationships intact. You see, as is with most machines and body parts, relationships often lose their functionality when they are not regularly oiled with the lubricants of intimacy, concern, communication and rendezvous. Now, you must be wondering what does this lecture on relationships has to do with best amusement parks in America, right? Well, I see amusement and theme parks as a great machinery to reinforce emotional bonds and packs a family of any other closed social unit tighter. Don't get my point? Doesn't it feel great to laugh with people you love? Isn't it a great relief to share your grief with you family and close friends? Didn't it feel awesome to scream together on the roller coaster ride the last time you visited an amusement park with your family or gang of thick pals? Now do you get my point?

Amusement parks never lose their appeal to us, no matter what age we are. As kids, they fascinate us with their wide array of games, rides and various other entertainment booths and food stalls. As grown ups, they remind us of our juvenile years when we had so much fun visiting these amusement parks. The rides that had once scared us as kids thrill our adult senses and watching small children re`cting the same way we did to those giant wheels take us on a trip down memory lane. Amusement parks always make me sentimental and before I get carried away any more by nostalgia, let's take a trip to some of the best amusement parks in America.

America's Best Amusement Parks

Although America is a treasure trove o entertainment and abounds in enchanting amusement parks, following are some of the best that you can take a trip to, especially if you're a tourist or on a vacation to the Americas.

Cedar Point, Sandusky (Ohio)
A sprawling 364 acre premise boasting of 17 roller coasters, 75 other rides, 10 daily shows and a water park is a thing to be reckoned with. Undoubtedly one of the best amusement parks in the US, Cedar Point is a thrilling escape for those who seek an adrenaline rush as well as for those who need a quiet break from life's rat race. No doubt, this is one of the best theme parks in America.

Walt Disney World, Orlando (Florida)
If it's anything to do with Disney, it's gotta be magical! Besides the tremendous amount of recreational options available, Disney World offers a wealth of ocular gratification in the form of beautiful landscapes and iconic imagery. A total of four different Disney theme parks, several water parks, shopping areas, concert venues, restaurants and food joints make this amusement park more of an amazement park! This theme park is definitely worth a visit in a lifetime, I must say!

South Asian Culture

The South Asian culture is a mixed bowl of a number of different influencing societies, nationalities, ethnic traditions and cultural heritages. The sub-continent is a pot pourrie from the Western-centric perspective and is commonly divided into natural geographic and cultural regions. The region comprises North Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, South West Asia, South East Asia and the Caucasus. Interestingly, and adding to the enigma of the region, Asia is not a distinct continent, geographically. It is distinctly home to commonalities in culture and there has been little or no unity within the natural framework.

South Asian culture comprises its art, cuisine, music, literature, philosophy, religions and the complex relationship between the common, traditional cultures. Home to Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, Confucianism and Christianity, South Asian culture is rich and varied. The nations of South Asia share an ethnic background and most of the territorial divisions have come up only in the recent past. These similar cultures were basically separated due to varying religious compositions. The culture springs from the rich early Indus Valley Civilization that saw the influx and mix of the Aryan and Dravidian races. The populace component of South Asia eventually mingled to form a unique common culture.

The major exodus from the northwest, near the borders of Afghanistan, saw a major influence on the religions of the sub continent, with the arrival of Islam. Though, in the traditional South Asian culture most divisions were based on religion, the commonalities are seen in common interests in sports, shared history, geographical conditions, occupations, lifestyles, food and dress. The temples and places of worship are architectural marvels and completely rebuilt, in the same style, every few years. The common material used in the building includes wood, thatch and stone.

How to Book One Way Car Rental

Booking a Car Rental:
Booking a one way car rental makes sense if you are taking a one way road trip and have other or no plans for a return journey. There are plenty of companies offering one way car rental. Nowadays researching online is the easiest and quickest way to find and book a one way car rental. Most rental companies have put online the detailed information regarding their rental policies and they can also be reached via email for more details.

Before contacting the rental agency, have a clear idea about -

• The destination you are headed for.
• The route you are planning on taking.
• If you are going to drive the entire way or if there will be another person taking turns at the driving.
• The number of passengers, if any, in the car.
• The type of car you want.
• Your rental budget.
• The details of your insurance policies, particularly the automobile and liability insurance policies and if these cover car rentals.

When searching for one way car rental companies, do the following -

• Find out if the company has offices and drop off places along the route you are taking or in the cities you will be visiting. Major car rental companies are more likely to have a high percentage of drop off places around the country. It also is reassuring to rent from a company with an established reputation. You stand a better chance of getting a quality car and less chances of being scammed or ripped off.
• Whether you book your vehicle online or at the car rental office, make sure you carefully read the rental agreement and restrictions and that you understand all the terms and conditions thoroughly. If you don't comprehend any of the terms, ask the agent to clarify them for you. You don't want to get into a legal bind for overlooking some detail.
• Find out if there is a penalty for no-shows.