Japan is among the priciest countries to travel to in the continent of Asia. The high cost of travel and living is offset by its rich, fascinating culture and its wealth of places to explore. With a few simple tricks, traveling to the “Land of the Rising Sun” doesn’t have to cost quite as much.
A large portion of your travel budget will go towards the airfare, but you can potentially pay a little less by visiting Japan during off-peak season. Do some research on public holidays like New Year's Golden Week which takes place in late April to early May and then plan your trip accordingly.
The next thing you’ll need to determine is lodging. If you’d rather not do the traditional hotel experience, you could consider staying at “kissas”, Internet cafes of sorts that are open all night and provide showers plus snacks to munch on. You can also stay in a private room at a youth hostel or one of the capsule hotels. These hotels provide sleeping pods that offer just enough space to maneuver in.
As you’re exploring Japan, you’ll need to figure out a way to get around the island country. Strongly consider opting for a bus over a train if time is not of the essence as these are comparably cheaper. In fact, you can purchase an all-day bus pass for about 500 yen, that’s roughly $5 dollars.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 30 Sep 2016
Age should not be a factor when it comes to travel, and that’s precisely the idea behind a quickly emerging service that allows older travelers to satisfy their sense of wanderlust. In a situation where a guardian or caregiver cannot travel with the person they’re responsible for, there is the option to use what’s called a “skilled traveling companion”.
Traveling companions for older adults is still a relatively new concept without any firm statistics on how many are providing such services. However, they are quickly becoming a popular option here in the United States as well as in Asia and Europe among aging populations that have the money and leisure time, but may not have the capacity for the rigor that’s often involved in travel. Whether it’s an older individual looking to enjoy a vacation, grandparents wanting to attend an important family event abroad, the number of seniors seeking to travel continues to swell. However, these people may require assistance with things like luggage management, navigation through a busy terminal, or moving through security checkpoints.
Research shows that travelers age 65 or older now comprise close to 20 percent of domestic leisure passengers in the United States, and there is little doubt that number will exponentially grow. The federal government has forecast that the number of adults 85 and older in this country may reach 14.6 million in 2040, a significant increase from six million in 2013.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 28 Sep 2016
Researching destinations on Google is one of the first things prospective travelers will do before booking their trip. Perhaps realizing this, the tech giant unveiled a new travel-related app earlier this week appropriately called Trips, described as “a personalized tour guide in your pocket.”
Trips is a traveler’s dream come true, especially for those traveling to a certain destination for the first time. The app provides in-depth city guides, curated tips from experts, and recommendations that are tailored to your Google activity. These recommendations can include eateries, sights, and activities that Google—using its robust algorithms and predictive technology—thinks you might prefer.
Using a fusion of its massive knowledge and what it already knows about you, Google’s travel app can provide one of the most customized travel guide experiences capable of functioning as a personal tour guide of sorts than one that simply provides generic travel information. In fact, the app includes an option to automatically build an itinerary for half the day or the entire day. Just like with Google Maps, you’ll be able to see operating hours and reviews of a business or attraction.
If you’re concerned about your data usage or won’t have access to a mobile phone abroad, Trips will let you download your guide for offline use, highly convenient if you’re somewhere where you’re unsure whether Wi-Fi or cellular data will be available.
Google Trips is available for iOS and Android devices.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 22 Sep 2016
This summer managed to break several records on the heat index, which only reinforces the need to take into account the environment when you’re traveling. After all, tourism accounts for about five percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions per the UN’s World Tourism Organization. On top of that, the number of travelers continues to grow. In just the first four months of the year, nearly 350 million people took an international trip, an increase of more than five percent compared to 2015.
Traveling “greener” doesn’t necessarily mean staying at an eco-lodge or visiting a rainforest, it’s more about taking into account where you’re off to and why. You can begin by choosing to rent an electric vehicle during your next trip or staying at a hotel that’s LEED certified, which means it’s designed for optimal sustainability.
The bulk of the travel and tourism industry's carbon footprint is made up of transportation. Choosing the most environmentally friendly method of getting around will depend on where you’re going, but you can take the time to evaluate your options. Would you be willing to take a train instead of a plane? Why not consider using public transportation to get to the airport?
There are simple things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re okay with it, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door a day or two so that the staff doesn’t clean your room every single day, using up excessive energy. Simple steps like turning off the lights or the television when you leave the hotel room may seem small, but they do play a role in becoming more environmentally conscious the next time you travel.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 21 Sep 2016
You’ve decided to take a trip to a city that you’ve heard a lot about but is entirely unfamiliar to you. Where do you begin? Your smartphone can be hugely beneficial in helping you develop an itinerary and find amazing spots around town. Let’s explore some apps that can help you explore the city.
The best way to learn more about a city’s best-kept secrets is to ask the locals, and that’s precisely the idea behind Spotted by Locals. Using suggestions hand-picked by locals familiar with the city’s best spots, there are guides for more than 60 cities around the world.
Speaking of locals, Meetup has been around for years. It is essentially one giant listing of local groups and events that are happening around the city which cover a number of different interests. Find something that grabs your attention and you can add yourself to the group. This is a great way to meet new people while also participating in something you’re genuinely excited about doing.
For an all-inclusive city travel guide, check out Musement which covers more than 300 destinations in the world using “tailored content” and essentially functions as a pocket travel guide showcasing the best bars, restaurants, attractions, and even local concerts that may be happening soon.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 19 Sep 2016
