Best Hotels to Work From

Traveling on business? It's likely you will be working out of your hotel, so which hotels offer the best services for business travelers?

According to Forbes, the following are best bets.

• Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Work areas complete with fax, printer, dual-line telephones, and wireless internet are available at standard fare prices. Also take advantage of the nearly 2 million square feet of meeting space.

• Le Meridien in San Francisco's financial district boasts that business travelers can "practically roll out of bed right into their meeting." The hotel has high speed wireless internet, 24 hour room service, ample meeting and event space, and plenty of travel rewards.

Checking in with Fortune magazine, they recommend:

• Ace Hotel in New York City. Enjoy free wireless internet, faxing, printing and copying services, a ballroom for corporate events, trendy restaurants, and even indie movies on demand.

• The Crosby Street Hotel in London provides free Wi-Fi, ample meeting space, and a 99 seat screening room.

• In Chicago, head to The Elysian. Though you will spend $395 and upwards, this hotel claims to "bring the office to the room." Staff members are trained and prepared to handle most any business request, including executing a Power Point presentation

Smart Traveling: Outsmarting Thieves at Home and Abroad

Tourists are often targets for thieves because they carry cash and other valuables. To avoid falling victim to theft, here are several steps you can take.

Use a Money Belt. Money belts are small, zippered pouches that fasten around your waist and remain hidden under your pants. Put your cash, passport, and other important personal items in the money belt, instead of carrying a wallet or purse.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Don't leave your camera on the table at a restaurant or sitting next to you at an event. Wear it around your neck or keep it completely out of sight.

Use the Hotel Safe. If you plan on leaving valuables in your hotel room, use the hotel safe.

Don't Flash the Cash. Keep only a limited amount of cash on your person, and when you use it, only pull out what you need, not your entire wad.

Stay Alert. Always be aware of your surroundings, and what is happening around you.

Fun Social Networking Sites for Travelers

IgoUgo
IgoUgo won the Webby Award for Best Travel Site in the US in 2005, and it’s only gotten better. Not only can you compare rates on all sorts of trips and travels, you can read stories and tips, share your travel experience, ask questions in the forum, view photos from traveler’s top picks, and much more. As a bonus, contributors to IgoUgo are awarded GO points, which can be redeemed at online retailers and used for frequent flyer miles.

TravBuddy
With TravBuddy, not only can you share reviews, memories, and photos, you can find travel companions and meet new friends. Create a profile page, and personalize it with travel maps, games, and more. Trav Buddy is free, and has been featured in PC World, Real Simple, and Budget Travel.

Ten Tips for Traveling with Pets

1. Consult with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy enough for travel.

2. Make sure your pet has the appropriate vaccinations, such as a current rabies shot. Many airlines will require a health certificate.

3. Find pet friendly airlines and lodging in advance, and ask what constitutes pet friendly—do they require a deposit, is there a designated pet area, etc.

4. Make sure your pet is wearing an identification tag with a phone number where someone can be reached.

5. Find a transport crate large enough to accommodate your pet and his or her belongings, such a food and water bowls, blankets, toys, or a litter box. If you're traveling by air, check with the airline for transport crate guidelines.

6. If your pet has never traveled before, take him or her on a few trips in the car to find out how he or she will react.

7. During the trip, make sure your pet has food and water. Be aware, however, that your pet may not eat or drink much during travel.

8. If your pet needs any medication, make sure to have enough on hand for a few extra days in case your traveling takes longer than expected. It is also a good idea to have a small pet oriented first aid kit on had.

9. If traveling with a cat, always keep the cat in the crate. A dark blanket draped over the crate will help keep the cat calm and quiet.

10. Prepare for the weather. If a hot streak is expected, make sure your pet is hydrated. If it's going to be cold, include a blanket in the pet's crate. In any event, avoid leaving your pet in the car alone for extended periods of time.

Urban Hiking: Exploring Cities on Foot

The word "hike" usually conjures up images of dense woods, towering trees, and wildlife. A recent article in Eco Salon http://www.ecosalon.com/guide-urban-hiking-tips/ however, explores the idea of Urban Hiking—exploring cities on foot.




What can an Urban Hike entail?

Walking residential neighborhoods.

Exploring communities within the community, such as China Town, or Little Italy.

Hiking districts, such as antique, art, or food districts.

Journey to city parks.

Make sure to take your camera and capture the city's unique architecture.

Survival Tools and Signals to Get You Rescued

Is your vehicle equipped with survival gear? How would you fare if you were trapped somewhere and needed to be rescued? How Stuff Works put together a list of survival tools and signals for such an event. Here are the top three:

Fire. According to the article, the internationally recognized distress signal is three fires in a triangular formation, or three fires in a straight line about 80 feet apart.

Smoke. If it is daytime, smoke sends a better signal than fire. Three puffs of smoke in the air is the international signal for trouble. You can achieve the three puffs by covering the smoky fire with a wet item, such as a jacket or blanket, then pulling it off.

Mirror. A mirror or other shiny object can help you signal an airplane or helicopter flying overhead. Tilt the object back and forth to get their attention.

Lesser Known Sites That Can Save You $ on Airfare

These smaller, relatively unknown sites may be your solution to affordable airfare.

SkyScanner.Net includes a wider variety of budget options than the traditional aggregators. SkyScanner also allows you to search rates for an entire year, which is extremely beneficial if you like to book early, or have a flexible schedule.

BudgetFlightFinder.com helps you find budget airlines that fly a specific route.

Tripeedo.com searches across dozens of carriers and aggregators and opens their sites on a separate window. This allows travelers to view any advertised specials any flights they might not otherwise see.