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 Claudia Fenner is a writer, photographer and travel enthusiast who is a stay home mom of three in Dix Hills. She loves to plan her family’s vacations and helping her friends and relatives with their vacation ideas. |
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Pack your bags… it's travel time! "I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." ~ Mark Twain Keeping in touch with family and friends back home is now incredibly easy and inexpensive with the advent of cell phones and apps. Viber is a free texting and calling app. You both download it on your smart phones and voila..free texting and phone calls. Viber isn’t the only app that provides that service, WhatsApp, Google voice, Google hangouts, Facetime, Skype and Facebook messenger to stay in touch for free. Another popular travel app is Citymaps2go. You can download maps from just about any city you will be visiting and then use them on your vacation. Since the maps are already downloaded on your phone you don’t need Wi-Fi to use them. When it comes to booking a hotel you can make sure you get the best price by comparing the rates that you can book on the hotel website to the rates on discount websites such as www.kayak.com. Kayak is a great site because it shows you the rates on many of the discount sites. If you find a lower rate within 24 hours of booking, you can file a claim, they confirm it and lower your rate to match it. As well as making it worth your while to do the extra legwork. Marriott’s “Look No Further Guarantee” will not only match the rate but will take off an additional 25%, which is great for a stay of a few days or longer. If you plan to do a lot of international travel you might consider applying for “Global Entry.” As a pre-screened Global Entry member, you arrive in the United States, check-in at the Global Entry kiosk and you're on your way.. You can apply online at www.cbp.gov, and then have to appear in person for an interview and fingerprinting. The cost is about $100 for 5 years. Some credit cards such as a Platinum American Express reimburse you for the $100 if you charge the fee on their card. Once you have Global Entry you will always be allowed to go on the TSA Pre-check line even if you are not flying internationally. For great free port guides on your next cruise try www.tomsportguides.com. Last but not least, if you happen to own more than 100 shares of RCCL stock you can get $100 or more off your next RCCL, Celebrity or Azamara cruise just for being a shareholder. Click on www.rclinvestor.com to see how to claim your benefit. Safe and fun travels to all! |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 