Know Your Camera Before You Hit the Road

Before you leave on that big trip, take the time to know your camera. Afterall, you are likely to see things that you will never see again. And you don't want to miss that once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity because you can't use your camera properly. Spend some time with camera in the weeks preceding your trip.

Know your lenses, which have traditionally been divided into three basic categories: normal, wide angle, and telephoto.

Normal lenses provide about the same perspective as the human eye and are usually in the 45mm-to-60mm range (again, in 35mm format equivalent). On most zoom cameras, the normal focal length is typically in the middle area of the zoom range. Normal lenses offer a straightforward view of the world that is well-suited to documentary-type images of subjects like architecture or landscapes.

Wide-angle lenses are superb at reaching out their wide-open arms to take in a sweeping view of the world. Those in the 28mm-to-35mm range are the most useful and popular. Creatively, wide-angle lenses can be used to heighten perspective by exaggerating the distance between near and far objects or, when you're shooting upward, the height of nearby objects (exaggerating the height of a tree or a church steeple, for example). Wide-angle lenses are good for a range of subjects, including landscapes (especially where you want to elongate spatial relationships), architecture (when you want to create dramatic or slightly distorted shots of exteriors), and in any situation where shooting space is tight. They also provide inherently greater depth of field than other lenses.

Telephoto lenses have focal lengths that range from about 85mm (great for portraits) to super-telephoto lenses of 300mm to 600mm (lenses in this range are often used by sports and wildlife photographers). All telephoto lenses bring distant subjects closer, and the longer the focal length the greater the magnification. They also effectively compress space—cramming a city skyline into an overlapping two-dimensional pattern of geometric shapes, for example. Use a telephoto lens or zoom setting when you want to make distant subjects appear closer.

Top Ten Travel Innovations

Budget Travel asked its readers to vote on the top ten travel innovations of the last ten years. Here's how the voting turned out.

10. Online maps
MapQuest, Google Earth, and other online mapping tools make any first-time visitor a seasoned traveler before he or she even arrives in a place.

9. Digital photography
You can "take hundreds of photos" with a digital camera and "see right away whether you got the right shot"—so you don't have to "pay heaps of money to develop a ton of photos that didn't turn out."

8. Online flight check-in
Nothing has helped "shorten wait times at airports" like the ability to "bypass lines at the ticket counter" by checking in for your flight on the Internet and "printing your boarding pass at home."

7. GPS navigation
Driving is so much easier with a global positioning system to show you the way.

6. Worldwide ATM access
Being able to withdraw money from your bank account anytime "on almost every street corner in the world" alleviates the stress of "running out of cash" after "the banks have long since closed for the day."

5. Cell phones
Having the option of "checking the hours of a tourist attraction," reserving a table at a restaurant, or "making a hotel booking from the road" is a "huge travel blessing."

4. Global Internet access
A "cheap and convenient" way to keep in touch when you're traveling, the Internet is available today even "in the most remote parts of the world."

3. TripAdvisor
With "real people" sharing their "unbiased opinions" about hotels, restaurants, and tourist sights, TripAdvisor offers travelers the kind of "detailed information that guidebooks never have the space to include."

2. Online travel booking
Before the Internet, travelers were "limited to brochures, a few books, and travel agents" to help them plan and book their trips. Now, with websites like Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, and Priceline, "anyone can be their own travel agent."

1. Roller bags
Unlike "the old suitcases with four wheels and a strap," today's roller bags have retractable handles and two wheels—"a simple concept" that keeps them from tipping over easily. "People of all ages and physical abilities" can now "move quickly through busy airports without having to carry heavy luggage." These bags have "changed absolutely everything" about travel.

Special Wolf Treks Offer

The news of late has been filled with stories of the financial world, but the old adage runs true: "Every cloud has a silver lining." We are responding by offering an unprecedented chance to save. Reserve your spot on one of the following programs by February 3, 2009, and you will have an opportunity to save up to $1,500 per couple*.
		France, Normandy Regular Price ----------------------> $2,790 Early booking discount---------> -$100 Special Promotion ---------------> -$275 Discounted Price - $2,515 land only, per person. Limited Space available. Air arrangements are available upon request for an additional cost. For more information about the trip or to book online, click here.
* Make your reservation on one of the programs mentioned in this email by February 3, 2009 and instantly Save $750 per couple. When making your reservation don't forget to mention Promotional Code ECOM09. Upon receipt of your deposit we will send you a coupon worth $750 per couple to be used towards your next trip with AHI. You must travel before 12/31/2010 for the coupon to be valid. This offer is only valid for new bookings and not combinable with other offers. Note: The total discount amount is $750 per couple per trip and a $100 per person discount is already reflected in the on-line price

Think Before You Pack

Now that most airlines are charging $15 to check a bag, more travelers are carrying on things they used to check. Airplane overhead bins cannot handle the extra volume. That means more passengers, usually those who board last, find that there is no room in the overhead bins. Weary flight attendants then gate-check any bag that cannot fit under the seat in front of the passenger. The bags are put into the belly of the plane and returned to travelers at the gate upon arrival. While theft isn't a large problem, who wants to put a $600 digital camera in the cargo hold? Be sure that you pack any valuables or fragile objects in your smaller carryon, such as a backpack, that will fit under the seat in front of you.

Take Your Best Shot: Travel Photography

From time to time, I'll offer photography tips for taking better photos. We all want to preserve the memories of a wonderful trip -- new friends, beautiful scenes and memorable places. First and foremost, take a lot of photos, especially if you are working with a digital. Unless you are a professional photographer, you can't be certain one shot will do it. At the end of each day, review photos and discard any that are out of focus and unappealing.

Landscape Mode

What It Does - Makes everything in a scenic photograph—from nearby trees to mountains in the distance—look equally sharp.

How - The size of the opening in the lens, known as the aperture, is reduced to let light into the camera from different distances. This creates an even focus across the entire image.

Tips - The setting is useful for more than just landscapes—you can also use it when photographing a large crowd of people. When switching to landscape mode, the focus is fixed at infinity. There is usually no need to check focus before taking a picture. However, if there are objects in a scene, lock focus on one that is about a third of the way between the nearest and furthest object.

An Ounce of Prevention

If you are taking medication, always carry more than you think you'll need when you travel. You never know when a flight delay or weather conditions may cause your 10-day trip to become a 12-day one. Hurricanes or even snow storms can strand travelers for days. Be prepared. Always carry your medications in their original containers. And, carry a list of your medications, including the strength (example: 100 mg. Imitrex), in a separate location. If you lose your medication, you can better communicate with foreign medical personnel about your needs if you have a list readily available.

Traveling with Food Allergies

Budget Travel had some great suggestions for those travelers with food allergies. Before you leave home, create a menu of simple—and safe—dishes you can order abroad (your favorite ethnic restaurant may be able to help you out). If you're going on a tour, ask the operator about regional differences in the food that may affect you. Chat rooms, such as chow.com, provide helpful advice from other travelers on specific dishes to avoid.

Carry a note card that clearly states, in the language of the country you're visiting, what foods you can't eat. Showing this to the wait staff at a restaurant will prevent trying to explain your restrictions. You can order the cards in about 30 languages at selectwisely.com (from $6.50) and allergytranslation.com ($7.50).

Many airlines will cater to your particular allergy needs by preparing special meals, such as ones that are gluten- or lactose-free, if you call ahead. Eating in restaurants at off times will ensure that waiters focus on your needs. Call ahead to give restaurants more time to prepare, especially if they need to make changes to a dish. And if you feel like your waiter doesn't understand, ask to speak to the people in the kitchen.

Reviews and Photos from Wolf Treks Trip to China

Our Wolf Treks China travelers had a wonderful time in 2008. Randy Ham, an Alumni Association associate executive director, hosted the trip, and he reports that lots of new friends were made as our group traversed China. In fact, the group got together in Raleigh after the trip to share a meal, memories and photos from the trip. Feedback from our travelers included these comments: "a broad exposure to China and her history and people with excellent accommodations,""covered all the places I wanted to see and allowed for some rest time without too much time on the bus," and "high quality, good price and an exciting destination." Lots of photos were snapped as our Wolf Trekkers explored Beijing. To see the photos, visit our China folder in Flickr. We will be repeating this trip in fall 2009. To receive a brochure about this trip, send an e-mail to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu.

Singing in the Airport

Houston's Bush International Airport is setting up karaoke booths for travelers, just in time for the holidays. One was to be up and running last Thursday afternoon, reports USA Today.

For the past two years, officials have invited choirs and bands from high schools and churches to perform at Bush and Hobby airports during December. Karaoke seemed the next logical step, said Caroline Schneider, assistant airport manager for customer service.

"During the holidays, we have a lot of our novice travelers," she said. "We thought while they are waiting, they can just sing a song."

Aspiring vocalists can choose from hundreds of song titles, Schneider said. Small prizes will be given to the singers.

Treatment of Altitude Sickness

The best way to prevent acute altitude sickness is to ascend slowly (over a period of several days) to higher altitudes. Limiting physical activity for the first few days may also help. Acute altitude sickness is usually not a serious condition, and it resolves on its own with rest and over-the-counter analgesics for pain control. Maintaining adequate hydration may also help reduce the symptoms of acute altitude sickness. Besides moving to a lower altitude, you can treat mild altitude sickness with rest and pain relievers. The drug acetazolamide can speed recovery. This drug balances your body chemistry and stimulates breathing. If you have symptoms of altitude sickness, avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and narcotic pain medications. All of these can slow your breathing, which is extremely dangerous in low-oxygen conditions. If the condition becomes severe, immediate descent to a lower altitude is recommended, as well as medical treatment.

Symptoms and causes of Altitude Sickness

Occasionally our NC State Wolf Treks trips take travelers to high altitudes. In locations such as Peru (we have a spring trip scheduled), Tibet or Ecuador, travelers can experience altitude sickness, which occurs when you cannot get enough oxygen from the air. This causes symptoms such as a headache and loss of appetite. It happens most often when people who are not used to high altitudes go quickly from lower altitudes to 8,000 feet or higher. You may get a headache when you drive over a high mountain pass, hike to a high altitude or arrive at a mountain resort. Mild altitude sickness is common. In the United States, more than 20 percent of the people who visit the western mountains experience it. Experts do not know who will get it and who will not. Your age, sex or physical fitness play no role in whether you get altitude sickness.

The symptoms of altitude sickness include:

• headache. The headache is usually throbbing. It gets worse during the night and when you wake up.
• loss of appetite.
• Nausea. You may vomit.
• Feeling weak and lazy. In severe cases, you do not have the energy to eat, dress yourself or do anything.
• Inability to sleep at night.
• Dizziness.

Your symptoms may be mild to severe. They may not start until a day after you have been at a high altitude. Many people say altitude sickness feels like having a hangover. Altitude sickness can affect your lungs and brain. When this happens, symptoms include being confused, not being able to walk straight (ataxia), feeling faint and having blue or gray lips or fingernails. When you breathe, you may hear a sound like a paper bag being crumpled. These symptoms mean the condition is severe, and travelers should seek immediate medical assistance. Altitude sickness be deadly.

Solving Medical Problems When Traveling

A traveler going abroad with a preexisting medical problem should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic names of prescribed drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to ensure that required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics.

If you wear eyeglasses, take an extra pair with you. Pack medicines and extra eyeglasses in your hand luggage so they will be available in case your checked luggage is lost. To be extra secure, pack a backup supply of medicines and an additional pair of eyeglasses in your checked luggage.

If you have allergies, reactions to certain medications, foods, or insect bites, or other unique medical problems, consider wearing a “medical alert” bracelet. You may also wish to carry a letter from your physician explaining required treatment should you become ill.

If an American citizen becomes seriously ill or injured abroad, a U. S. consular officer can assist in locating appropriate medical services and informing family or friends. If necessary, a consular officer can also assist in the transfer of funds from the United States. However, payment of hospital and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.

Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form. Although many health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States. Medical evacuation can easily cost $10,000 and up, depending on your location and medical condition.

The Social Security Medicare Program does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. Consider purchasing a travel insurance plan that will cover medical expenses and evacuation. The Alumni Association's recommends USI Travel Insurance Services. We worked with USI for more than 10 years, and we have never had a complaint from any traveler who has purchased their insurance and then needed to use it.

To facilitate identification in case of an accident, complete the information page on the inside of your passport providing the name, address and telephone number of someone to be contacted in an emergency.

Passport Expediting Services

Your trip is just days away, but when you pull your passport out of the safe you find it has expired. Yikes! Fortunately, there are companies who can solve the problem. Passport expediters increasingly have become a go-to resource for panicked travelers, especially since the tightening of border regulations since 2007. The departments of Homeland Security and State have already implemented a rule requiring a passport (or similar documentation) for air travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. By June 2009, a similar rule will take effect for land and sea travel.

The government offers expedited service to U.S. citizens, but it can take up to two weeks from when the application is received in the mail. If you need a passport within days, you're advised to visit one of only 13 regional passport agencies spread throughout the country. Expediting fees are $60, plus shipping, on top of the $75 to $100 cost for a new, renewed or replaced passport.

For those who are unwilling or unable to visit a regional agency, consider an expediting service that can walk you through the process and essentially take your place in line. The result? You can have that passport in as little as a day and delivered to your doorstep. Depending on the need for speed, these companies charge between $100 and $300 per person -- in addition to the fees charged by the government for the passport itself.

Though services can handle the filing, you're required to gather important identification materials (a birth certificate or an expired passport), fill out the paperwork, secure passport photos and go to a local processing center (typically a post office or courthouse) to have everything vetted and placed in a sealed envelope to be sent to the expediter. But after that, the services do take over. The best of them can also answer questions and make the process simpler.

Here are a few names of expediting services: RushMyPassport.com, It's Easy Passport, CIBT and A. Briggs Passport and Visa Expeditors.

Check out Yapta.com

Budget Travel reports that you can now receive an e-mail alert when an award seat becomes available on a route you're interested in flying. Search for an airfare on Yapta.com and click "including award tickets" to begin tracking the flight. Yapta (Your Personal Travel Assistant) will automatically send e-mail alerts if either the price drops or a seat available for frequent-flier point redemption becomes available. The service is free and works for on Alaska Airlines, Continental, Delta, United, and U.S. Airways.

Yapt.com also will help you find your ideal flight options by entering your travel dates, times and personal preferences. Yapta will offer up a list of recommended flights that closely match your travel criteria. If you've already purchased a ticket through an airline and the price drops, Yapta will give you explicit instructions on how claim your travel credit. Or for a fee of $15, Yapta will call the airline and get it for you.

You must join to use Yapta, but the membership is free.

National Geographic Photo Contest

What is your vision of heaven on Earth? Share it with National Geographic. To create Visions of Paradise, National Geographic asked their world-renowned photographers what they consider paradise. Now, they're asking other world travelers to do the same. Entries will be accepted online from Oct. 21 to Dec. 21, 2008. Each week, the general public is invited to vote on a new batch of Editor's Picks, and the most popular will be featured on the site. The Editor's Picks will also be judged by an expert panel who will select 20 winners at the conclusion of the contest. Winners will receive a customized edition of the National Geographic book Visions of Paradise with their photograph as the cover image. To enter, find out more about the book, and read the official rules, log on to www.nationalgeographic.com/myvision.

Paperless Check-In

According to Budget Travel, some airlines are using paperless check-in with passengers who have smart phones and PDAs.

It started with Continental Airlines. But others, such as British Airways, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, Alaska Airlines and Air Canada developing ways for customers to check-in for a flight, via Web-enabled devices such as iPhones and Blackberries.

Airlines are using similar, but not uniform, procedures. Delta scans the boarding pass directly from your mobile device. Register your cell phone number to receive a text message with a boarding pass bar code. Hold up the screen of your cell phone under the airport security scanner, rather than show a paper boarding pass. (As always, you have to present a government-issued photo identification too.) Delta is testing the service at LaGuardia Airport.

Similarly, passengers on American Airlines flying nonstop domestic flights from Chicago O'Hare, LAX and Orange County John Wayne Airport can check-in at AA.com and choose to receive an electronic boarding pass via e-mail, in the form of a two-dimensional bar code. In contrast, British Airways will fax the boarding pass, send it directly to an airport kiosk or check-in desk, or send it in an e-mail to be printed later.

"Premium Economy"

There is still a way to buy some comfort on long international flights even when your company, or your own bank account, won't cover thousands of dollars for business class, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"Premium economy" is seeing a recession resurgence.

A dozen international airlines flying to the United States., including British Airways PLC, Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., All Nippon Airways Co. and Scandinavian Airlines System, now offer extra legroom, wider seats and seats that recline lower in premium economy cabins for a few hundred dollars more than coach tickets.

It's about the same space you get in domestic U.S. first-class cabins. Some carriers even include perks like early boarding, access to faster airport security lines, better meals, amenity kits with tooth brushes and sleep shades, and power outlets at seats. Earlier this year, Qantas Airways Ltd. launched premium economy and Japan Airlines Corp. expanded its premium-economy cabin to New York and San Francisco flights, with Chicago and Los Angeles planned next year. Air France-KLM SA will add it to Air France fleet-wide next year.

The holdout for this feature? U.S. airlines.

Be Prepared at Security Checkpoint

Everyone who travels by air goes through airport security checkpoints. These checkpoints are operated by Transportation Security Officers from the Transportation Security Administration. Help yourself and all of those in line with you by being prepared. This keeps lines moving, and your experience more pleasant.

Take metal items such as keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) out of your pockets. Put these in your carry-on or in a plastic bag. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal, such as heavy jewelry, clothing with metal buttons or snaps, belt buckles, hair barretts or underwire bras.

Pack your coats and jackets in your baggage when possible. All coats and jackets that you are carrying must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat or jacket to the checkpoint, you will need to either pack it in your carry-on baggage or put it in one of the bins we provided.

You may be additionally screened because of hidden items such as body piercings, which can set off alarms. If you are selected for additional screening, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to a pat-down search.

Traveling Shoes

Save those bags when you purchase loaves of store-bought bread. They make a perfect fit for packing shoes when you travel. Their oblong shape allows you to slide in one or more pairs easily. The bags keep your shoes covered and your clothes clean from dirt. The bags are particularly helpful if your shoes are wet and need to be separate from other items in your suitcase. To clean up leather shoes when traveling, pack some Pledge Wipes. Just go over your shoes with a wipe, and they'll look freshly polished.

Share The Gift of Reading

Instead of bringing home all of the paperbacks you took to keep you busy on planes and trains during a trip, register them with bookcrossing.com and leave them behind for other travelers. The BookCrossing Web site is earth-friendly, and gives you a way to share your books, clear your shelves and conserve precious resources at the same time. Leave it on a park bench, a coffee shop, train station or hotel room -- anywhere it might find a new reader! Then the book is off for its own travels, and you can have fun tracking its adventures as it is passed on from person to person.

A New Set of Wheels

A Budget Travel reader made this suggestion for new luggage. He replaces the cheap plastic wheels with rubber Rollerblade wheels, which are more durable and better survive the wear and tear of traveling. You can purchase Rollerblade wheels at sports stores.

Travel Medications

In a recent issue of Budget Travel online, a reporter interviewed Dr. Richard Wenzel, an expert in infectious diseases at Virginia Commonwealth University. He lists 11 items that should be in every tourist's first-aid kit when they travel.

Pepcid Complete
The drug eases heartburn by combining a stomach-acid reducer with an antacid. "But be careful mixing antacids and antibiotics—it can reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic," Wenzel says.

Band-Aids & Neosporin
"I bring a bunch of Band-Aid sizes on trips to treat everything from a blister to a banged-up knee," Wenzel says. And Neosporin keeps cuts from getting infected.

Advil
The ibuprofen in Advil not only reduces pain and fevers, it also can relieve inflammation of the muscles and tendons after a long hike—Tylenol doesn't do that at all.

Ultrathon Insect Repellent
Repellents with higher concentrations of deet protect longer against bugs. "Find something with 30 percent deet or more," says Wenzel. Ultrathon is a 34 percent deet lotion with a time-release formula that lasts up to 12 hours.

Dramamine
Dramamine helps prevent motion sickness when taken at least 30 minutes before traveling. "It also makes people drowsy," Wenzel says. "So don't take it before flying if you know you'll have to drive when you get off the plane."

Imodium A-D
When diarrhea strikes, Imodium can stop the symptoms within 30 minutes, unlike Pepto-Bismol, which takes up to six hours to kick in.

Benadryl
In addition to alleviating hay fever symptoms, this drug can be used to treat hives and an itchy nose or throat caused by food allergies.

Neutrogena Sunscreen
Many Neutrogena sunscreens are made with a formula called Helioplex, which the company says helps stop UVA absorbers from degrading too quickly—making the sunblocks last longer.

Zithromax
Wenzel says this prescription antibiotic is the most effective diarrhea cure—especially in places like India and Thailand where bacteria are becoming more resistant to Cipro. For quick results, he recommends taking four 250-milligram pills with Imodium.

Cortaid
Cortaid Maximum Strength anti-inflammatory cream contains 1 percent hydrocortisone, which is the highest concentration available without a prescription. The cream soothes rashes and bug bites.

Readers responded with some changes and additions. Many readers recommended bonine over dramamine, saying it lasted longer and didn't cause drowsiness. Others voted for moleskin as well as band-aids, particularly for use on blisters on your feet. And some readers showed concerned about toxicity of DEET products, saying that natural mosquito repellants work just as well.

Explore Moscow, Paris and Beijing with 3-D Maps

Some of the best of National Geographic's Traveler’s 3D Insiders Maps are now online. Discover the best ways to explore Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, and the Vatican City by clicking on the cities’ interactive maps and getting hints from local experts. At Krasnaya Ploshchad, Moscow’s Red Square, visit the 200-ton bronze Tsar Bell, or, on the opposite end, stop by the Kazan Cathedral. In 1936, the 200-year-old cathedral was destroyed by Stalin, and, by memory and old photographs, the red-and-gold wedding-cake shaped icon was rebuilt in the 1990s. Says Father Vsevolod Chaplin, archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church, “It’s an expression of the dark night followed by the resurrection. It means that Russia is alive again." Click here for more interactive maps from Traveler.

Airport Wi-Fi Service

It seems there are fewer and fewer direct flights to any destination, which opens the door to missed connections and vulnerability to bad weather. If you want to make your layovers more enjoyable and more productive by using your laptop, you may want to check out this this Web site: http://www.travelpost.com/airport-wireless-internet.aspx. The site lists airports across the nation, providing information about availability of Wi-Fi, cost (if applicable), service providers and hot spot locations. It's a very comprehensive list. The site also offers the same information for 80 international airports. Finally, it offers pricing for Wi-Fi access in airline clubs. Only Continental and Northwest off free club Wi-Fi access. Before your next flight, check the list to see which airports offer free Wi-Fi and which ones charge. It can make a difference in how you spend your layover. The site also provides valuable hotel information which can be helpful if you become stranded due to bad weather, missed connections or airplane malfunctions.

Spring trips: Paris, Peru, Patagonia and Normandy

Now is the time to book your spring travel, and Wolf Treks has a tantalizing array of options designed to meet your need for adventure. If you have never been to Paris, take this opportunity to visit the City of Lights, March 7 to 15, 2009. Spend a week exploring Paris on your own or via optional excursions. The land-only cost of this trip is $1,799 per person. Early booking discount: $100 if booked before Nov. 15, 2008. To learn more, click here. Call 800-627-2586 for airfares. .... Or maybe Peru and enchanting Machu Picchu are more to your liking. Wolf Treks offers an 11-day odyssey (April 13 to 23, 2009) to Peru designed to uncover its archaeological, cultural and natural treasures. Visit Lima, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. The cost for this trip, air inclusive, from Raleigh is only $3,795 per person. To learn more, click here . Call for pricing from your hometown. ... Or discover the urban allures and untamed landscapes of Chile and Argentina (April 7 to 19, 2009). Begin in cosmopolitian Buenos Aires before leaving behind the city life to explore the alluring natural beauty of the region. You'll see idyllic lakes, snow-capped Andean peaks and spell-binding coastal panoramas before ending your journey with a cruise of the waterways of southern Patagonia. Experience glittering glaciers, lush forests and fascinating marine life. Pricing for this land and cruise extravaganza begin at $4,995 per person. Airfares are separate; call for pricing from your hometown. To learn more, click here. .... Or spend a week in Normandy (April 20 to 28, 2009). Visit a pivotal place in history: the D-Day beaches. At the Normandy American Cemetery, understand the enormity of American sacrifice and pay your respects to those who gave their lives. Explore charming Honfleur and magnificent Mont-St-Michel. Eat the finest cheese of Normandy and sip a little Calvados. Book this trip for only $2,695 per person, land only. Early booking discount: $100 if booked before Dec. 9, 2008. Call for airfare pricing from your hometown. To learn more, click here.

For information about any Wolf Treks trip, contact Kathy Hart at 800-627-2586 or 919-515-3375. For a complete list of 2009 travel opportunities, visit our Web site at www.alumni.ncsu.edu/travel.

Popular Egypt Trip Almost Full

Only 10 spaces remain on our popular Egypt and the Eternal Nile trip (March 27 to April 12, 2009). Egypt has dazzled visitors with its archaeological wonders for centuries, ever since the Ancient Greeks visited the pyramids. From the frenzy of Cairo to the millenia-old tombs and temples of Luxor, the country transports the visitor back to the first great civilization in humankind. Watch Nubian history unfold on a luxury cruise of Lake Nasser. Follow in the wake of Cleopatra as you cruise the Nile to explore the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens. End your journey in Alexandria, "the pearl of the Mediterranean." And we're offering this 17-day journey, air inclusive, from Raleigh for only $4,095 per person. To learn more about the itinerary or see a brochure, click here. Call 800-627-2586 for pricing from your hometown. To receive a brochure, send an e-mail to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu. Be sure to include your name and full address as well as the brochure you are requesting.

Holland and Belgium Bike and Barge Tour Discount Extended

Brochures for our Holland and Belgium Bike and Barge trip (April 24 to May 2, 2009) were mailed late, so our tour operator, Cross Culture Journeys, has extended its early booking discount to Oct. 31, 2008. We invite you on this spring trip that offers a balance of action and leisure, a close-up experience of the Flemish countryside in spring, and the camaraderie of biking and small-ship cruising. Board the intimate, 24-passenger barge Merlijn in Amsterdam for a journey through the waterways of Holland and Belgium. Cycle about 25 miles each day on a seven-speed hybrid bike through the region's gentle landscape, accompanied by an experienced cycling guide. Then rejoin the ship for a three-course dinner and a relaxing evening.

Your route takes you into several cities rich in artistic and architectural heritage: canal-laced Amsterdam, dynamic Antwerp, the university town of Ghent and beautiful medieval Bruges. The Merlijn will spend a night in each of these cities, allowing time for evening walks and morning tours. If you'd like a different balance of biking and leisure, feel free to spend the day on the barge as you watch the passing landscape from the sundeck. Since you'll be in Holland during tulip season, consider the option of starting with two days in Amsterdam on your own. You could see the famed Keukenhof Gardens and have time for some of Amsterdam's outstanding museums and restaurants.

The ship takes only 22 guests, so we encourage you to reserve your cabin now. This is an exclusive NC State departure. To make a telephone reservation or for more information, call Wolf Treks Travel Coordinator Kathy Hart at 800-627-2586. To read more about the trip, click here. The land-only cost of the trip is $3,395 per person. Early booking discount: $100 per person for reservations made before Oct. 31; pay in full by the same date and take off an additional $100 per person. Call for roundtrip airfares from your hometown. Questions? Send an e-mail to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu.

NC State Exclusive Trip to Egypt

The Egypt brochures have just arrived in the office and should be in mailboxes soon. If you would like a trip brochure, please contact me at k_hart@ncsu.edu. This Odysseys Unlimited small-group tour, which limits participation to 24 NC State travelers, is slated for March 27 to April, 12, 2009. It sold out last year in less than a month and the feedback from travelers was very good. The trip offered "great historical value at a great price," wrote one Wolf Treks traveler. This 17-day historical journey begins in Cairo, where you'll visit the acclaimed Egyptian Museum, the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, the Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza and Old Cairo. After a flight to Abu Simbel, you'll board a deluxe cruise ship to explore Lake Nassar, visiting temples, the famous statues of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari, Nubian temples, the avenue of sphinxes at Wadi el-Seboua's "Valley of the Lions and the impressive Aswan High Dam. In Aswan, you'll change ships as you cruise the Nile, stopping to explore ancient Egyptian temples, the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the dramatic Temple of Hatshepsut and the enormous Colossi of Memnon. After two nights in Luxor, you'll end your journey in Alexandria, the great city of antiquity founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. , where you will visit the Fort of Quaitbay and explore the city's Greco-Roman heritage. Priced at $4,095 per person roundtrip from Raleigh or Charlotte, this trip is a excellent value. It includes accommodations at deluxe and superior class hotels, six nights aboard deluxe ships, 34 meals, all in-country transportation and a professional Egyptologist tour director. To see a complete itinerary, click here.

Safeguarding Cash, Credit Cards & Passport

Nothing can ruin a trip faster than lose of your cash, credit/debit cards, driver's license or passport. To avoid loss, it's always wise to carry these items in a travel security pouch that can be worn under your clothing. They have ones that fit around your waist, hang around your neck or strap to your leg. While it may be slightly uncomfortable, you are much less likely to loose anything of value. You can carry a small amount of cash in your purse, pocket or pack for easy access, but the rest should be stashed safely below your clothing.

If you're traveling with another person, divide your credit cards (it's always wise to travel with two cards) so you're not both carrying the same ones. If one person's wallet gets stolen or lost, you'll still have cards you can use.

Make several photocopies of all your cards and passport to keep separately. Take a copy with you, give one to a travel companion if you have one and leave one at home with a family member or trusted friend. Be sure to include the toll-free numbers for reporting lost or stolen cards. U.S. toll-free numbers work in some but not all foreign countries, so also list a non toll-free customer service number that can be called from abroad. Don't place your photocopied list in a checked suitcase where dishonest security personnel or baggage handlers will find it. Select unlikely containers for the travel card and passport photocopies. Tuck them into an extra pair of rolled-up socks or tubular toothbrush container in your carry-on.

Wolf Treks Travel: New Zealand & Australia

Brochures just arrived in the office for our New Zealand and Australia trip next spring, March 1-14, 2009. This fabulous trip offers five days in scenic New Zealand. Remember the beautiful scenes from "The Lord of the Rings." Then you jet off to Sydney, Australia, for a warm Aussie welcome. Spend three days exploring Sydney before ending your trip with a cruise on the Great Barrier Reef, where you'll have the opportunity to see a wealth of sea life, from playful dolphins to lumbering sea cows. The cost of this 15-day extravaganza begins at $4,495 per person, double occupancy, land only. Book before Oct. 8, 2008, and save $500 per person, making the trip only $3,995 per person. The trip costs depends on the level of cabin chosen for the Grand Barrier Reef cruise. Airfares are separate. Gohagan, our tour operator, provided these roundtrip airfares quotes to me today: $2,393 per person from Raleigh/Durham and $2,447 per person from Charlotte. If you want to use frequent flier miles to reach Los Angeles, you can reduce the roundtrip cost to $1,985. I checked these prices on farecompare.com, and they are very competitive. The flights from New Zealand to Australia and the internal flights within Australia are included in the trip base cost. To receive a brochure, send me an e-mail at k_hart@ncsu.edu. To read more about the trip, click here. Questions? Call me at 800-627-2586.

Weather or Not?

Chilly and raining or sunny and warm? The weather can make a big difference in how you pack for your next trip. Where do you get accurate and reliable weather information? Travel experts rely on weather.com for the latest weather forecasts for 98,000 destinations worldwide. The information is updated every 20 minutes. Get current conditions, tomorrow's forecast, the weekend outlook and the 10-day forecast. Find temperature and rainfall averages, records and a radar view. Learn about pollen counts, air quality and UV. You'll also be updated about flight delays for nearby airports as well as traffic backups. This site offers a wealth of valuable information for the traveler.

Travel With Patience

I traveled this week for the first time since the airlines began charging for checked bags. In an attempt to avoid bag charges, people are bringing onboard everything but the kitchen sink (or maybe that was what was inside the large bag that woman kept trying to force under my seat). It seems to take longer than ever to board the airplane as folks are looking for places to stow their bags. Be sure you're at the gate at boarding time if you want to find space in the overhead bins. Those who board last can expect to find the bins full with only the option of shoving bags beneath the seat in front of them. Expect airplanes to be jam packed as the airlines have reduced the number of daily flights. Combine full flights with passengers carrying on lots of luggage and it can take 15+ minutes to deplane. That was my experience on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Portland, Ore. While you're packing shampoo and tennis shoes, also be sure to pack some patience. Air travel seems to require more of that than ever.

The Perfect Seat on Your Next Flight

Preview detailed seat maps, including where to find the power outlets as well as that extra inch of legroom, for 73 models of aircraft on 39 different airlines at seatguru.com. Like most airlines these days, the site is no frills, but you'll never get stuck next to the bathroom again. Use, the site's color coding, to determine which seats are considered superior and substandard. Know the width of your seat and whether to expect a personal TV, overhead TV or nothing at all. In-depth seat specific comments denote seats with limited recline, reduced legroom and misaligned windows. Before you board, know where to find the galley, lavatory, exit row and closets. Visit seatguru.com before selecting your seat on your next flight.

Global Food Recommendations

If you're a foodie obsessed with good food, then turn to chowhound.com before you hit the road in the United States or abroad. Foodies from around the world share information, including their secret finds, about restaurants from Paris to Shanghai, Portland to Miami. Before your trip, post questions on chowhound and you can get insight into the restaurant scene in the city where you will be visiting. The site features interviews with experts, videos of local culinary customs and food blogs. You can subscribe to weekly e-mails, learn more about wine and spirits or find a recipe for the perfect key lime pie or margarita.

Wolf Treks Active Travel in 2009

Wolf Treks offers three active travel programs in its lineup of 2009 trips. In late April (April 24 to May 2), enjoy the beauty of Holland and Belgium by cycling the countryside during the day and enjoying the luxury and intimacy of a 24-passenger barge in the evenings. Get a close-up experience of the Flemish countryside in the spring while enjoying the camaraderie of a small-group. This is an exclusive NC State departure with only 22 spaces available offers a $300 discount for early booking and payment. If you had rather explore the countryside on your own two feet, then join Wolf Treks for a Walk of the Emerald Isle, May 2 to 11. Stroll along Killarney National Park, the majestic cliffs of Moher, the secluded harbors of Dingle Peninsula and the cultivated gardens of Garnish Island. You are sure to see hundreds of postcard images during this walking adventure. In the fall, explore Tuscany on foot, Sept. 22 to Oct. 1. Walk the streets of Florence, the countryside of Chianti, the medieval fortress of San Gimignano, the fertile fields of Cortona and the hills of Montepulciano. Both walking tours will be limited to 30 participants. NC State is partnering with Wake Forest University for both trips. Book early. Questions? Call Kathy Hart at 800-627-2586. Or send e-mail to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu. You can book any Wolf Treks trip over the phone with a credit card.

More Airfare Bargain Tips

Travelers often can get a better deal with a vacation package instead of purchasing air and hotel separately. Airlines and hotels are often more willing to provide deeper discounts when airfares are packaged together. That way, their competitors can't determine how much they are reducing rates. Orbitz estimates that you can save as much as $228 by booking a five-night package instead of purchasing the components separately. Also, look for flights at alternative airports. Depending on the distance from your home or destination, check pricing at smaller regional airports. For example, it can be cheaper to fly to Midway Airport (outside Chicago) than O'Hare. Or consider adjusting your travel dates by a day or two. Travelocity, Zuji.com and other sites offer flexible date searches that show the lowest airfare for your route as long as four months in advance. To evaluate prices, Kayak.com offers a trend chart that shows whether prices for a particular flight have been going up or down. Farecompare.com displays the lowest published fare over the next 11 monthsto more than 200,000 destinations. Another site, Farecast.com, predicts whether prices will go up or down in the next week. Finally, if you see a good deal on an airfare, don't hesitate. Buy it now. Even another 30 minutes of checking other Web sites for a better deal can cost you.

Airline Coupons

Like clothing chains and catalog companies that offer discounts to employees, repeat customers and those who sign on to their electronic newsletters, airlines quietly offer coupon codes to travelers who sign up for their weekly e-newsletters and frequent flier programs. The downside to this strategy will be that your inbox will be overwhelming. But Airfarewatchdog.com monitors such coupon specials and posts them on its Web site. Savings can be as much as 20 percent. Airfarewatchdog.com is the only airfare alert and comparison site that includes fares on all airlines, including Southwest.

Health Insurance Abroad

Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the United States can cost more than $10,000. U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the country. Likewise, Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs in foreign countries. Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form. Although some health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States.

I strongly recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance, which is designed to cover medical expenses and evacuation as well as offer reimbursement for trip cancellation, interruption, delay and baggage loss/delay. The Alumni Association recommends USI Travel Insurance Services, a leader in the in the alumni travel industry. They offer three levels of benefits designed to meet your budget and needs. In the five years that I have run our Wolf Treks Travel Program, I have never had an alum have any problems in filing claims with Travel Insurances Services.

To facilitate identification in case of an accident, complete the information page on the inside of your passport providing the name, address and telephone number of someone to be contacted in an emergency.

A traveler going abroad with any pre-existing medical problems should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to make sure any required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics.

First 2009 Brochures Available

Early 2009: The Wolf Treks office has brochures available for Tahiti, India, South Africa and Chile/Argentina. Australia/New Zealand is in production and will be in the office in the new few weeks. We have extended the discount deadline for India to Aug. 15. Also, please note that our North India travel program is an exclusive NC State departure with only 24 travelers. I do have a gentlemen who is seeking a roommate for the Tahiti trip. Please call 800-627-2586 or 919-515-0508 if you would like to be a roomate. To get a brochure in the mail for any of these destinations, send an e-mail to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu.

Upcoming travel: We have 12 Wolf Treks travelers leaving for Alaska in just a few days. I can't wait to see the photos from this cruise. In early August, we have 16 headed for the Swiss Alps. Erin Cleghorn, one of our associate executive directors, will be hosting this trip. For fall, our China trip is full, and Randy Ham, another associate executive director, will he hosting our 24 Wolf Trekkers as they travel from Beijing to Shanghai. Our Italy departure has space for only a single traveler. Our Italy departure is shared with Michigan State University, who is providing the host, a retired professor.

Spaces on Young Alumni Travel Program to Spain

Our Young Alumni Wolf Treks trip to Spain (Iberian Discovery - Sept. 13-21, 2008) still has openings. It will be a small group of young alumni travelers from three universities, which will give the group maximum flexibility. The trip schedule was designed with young professionals in mind, departing on a Saturday and returning eight days later on a Sunday. The itinerary begins in Madrid and takes you to Granada, Toledo, Costa Del Sol (with an option to visit Gibraltar) and Seville. The land-only cost is $1,498 per person, based on double occupancy. Our tour company can book your air or you can book your own. To learn more, click here. Make your reservation with a $500 deposit, and you will be billed for the remainder of the trip cost (which is due immediately because the departure date is only 75 days away). Please contact Kathy Hart at 800-627-2586 or Orion Worldwide Travel, our tour operator, at 800-846-6998 (ask for Amy Cibor) if you have questions.

Speedy Passport Processing

The processing time for passports have been significantly reduced since last summer when I waited 10 weeks to get my renewal request processed. Amidst a flood of angry letters and calls to members of Congress, the U.S. Department of State increased the staff of the Passport Services Office to handle the increased volume that came when laws were looming to require passports for all international travel, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The date for the implementation of that requirement was pushed ahead to 2009, and the state department hired more staff. An alumni staff member recently received his passport in five days with normal service. This was not a renewal, and he did not pay for expedited service. The U.S. Post Office is not encouraging expedited service for passport applications or renewals unless you need the passport in less than a month. But if our staff member's experience is any indication, you can expect even faster service.

Wolf Treks Travel: Exotic North India

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, watch tigers in Ranthambore National Park and experience the colorful markets of North India's cities. This journey will take you to Delhi, Agra, the lakeside jewel of Udaipur and traditional villages near Jodhupur and Jaipur. It will encompass majestic forts, ornate temples and richly decorated palaces that were witness to the complex history of the region. You may extend your journey to Varanasi, the sacred city on the River Ganges, and to the great temple complex of Khajuraho. Return home enriched by your stay in this land of diverse heritage and enduring traditions.

To learn more, click here to download a brochure with an itinerary, hotel information and pricing. Make your reservation by July 20, 2008, and save $300 per couple/$150 per person. Pay in full by the same date to save an additional savings of $300 per couple/$150 per person. To get a brochure in the mail, contact Kathy Hart.

2009 Wolf Treks Trips

From Australia to Alaska and Chile to China, the Alumni Association’s Wolf Treks Travel Program has a destination sure to pique your interest. In 2009, Wolf Treks offers 25 worldwide destinations and two in the United States. There’s sure to be a destination that fits your budget and style. All of our trips are educational and provide a knowledgeable guide well-versed in the destination’s history and culture. For those who seek active travel, we offer three options for walking or biking that combine health and education.

Last year, more than 150 alumni traveled with the Pack. All of our post-trip surveys were favorable and 35 percent of our travelers are repeat customers. Some alumni have taken more than four Wolf Treks journeys. Our travelers praise our tour operators for the quality of the guides, accommodations and food, planning, ease of travel and the camaraderie they build with fellow travelers.

Come join us in 2009 for a Wolf Treks journey! To get on our brochure and electronic travel mailing list, send an e-mail with your name, mailing address and e-mail address to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu.

Tahiti: Jan. 23 to Feb. 4
North India: Feb. 5 to 21
Australia & New Zealand: Mar. 1 to 14
Paris: Mar. 7 to 15
Egypt: Mar. 27 to Apr. 12
Argentina and Chile: Apr. 7 to 19
Treasures of Peru: Apr. 13 to 23
Normandy: Apr. 20 to 28
Barge and Bike Holland and Belgium: Apr. 24 to May 2
Galapagos: Apr. 30 to May 11
Walking the Emerald Isle: May 2 to 11
Cruise the Baltic Sea & Norwegian Fjords: May 26 to June 7
Cruise the Mediterranean: June 13 to 21
National Parks of the West (Albuquerque to Jackson Hole): June 17 to 26
Village Life in Dordogne: June 18 to 26
Bohemia: June 23 to July 1
Alaska: July 23 to 31
Scotland: Aug. 16 to 25
Classic China and the Yangtze River: Sept. 21 to Oct. 5
Walking through Tuscany: Sept. 22 to Oct. 1
Lake Garda and Swiss Alps: Sept. 24 to Oct. 1
River Cruise: Burgundy and Provence: Sept. 27 to Oct. 9
Serengeti and Zanzibar Explorer: Sept. 27 to Oct. 6
Portrait of Italy: Oct. 3 to 19
The Blue Voyage (Turkey): Oct. 10 to 25
Yuletide Traditions in Salzburg & Vienna: Nov. 28 to Dec. 6
Israel: Dec. 12 to 21

St. Maarten

My husband and I just returned from Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, "the friendly island," where we traveled with some friends. I wanted to pass along some of the things that we learned about this beautiful but quirky Caribbean island ruled by the Dutch (southern half) and the French. Traffic slows to a crawl at some times of the day and bridge openings can bring vehicles to halt for 30 minutes or more. No stoplights regulate traffic so you can't be timid and you often have to rely on the kindness of others. To make it all just a little more unpredictable, motorcyclists consider the the center line a lane of their own. But traffic aside, St. Maarten has a lot to offer. We stayed in the Simpson Bay area, which we ultimately decided was an excellent location. We could walk to many good restaurants. The beach was quiet and sheltered.
We arrived in Sint Maarten hungry and tired from an early morning Raleigh departure. A seatmate on the plane recommended Toppers, an open-air restaurant near our condominium. It was an excellent choice. My grilled squid appetizer and grilled chicken salad were flavorful and tender. My husband's beef brisket was tender and the mashed potatoes were made from scratch (not a box). We were off to a great start. The next morning, we began the day with another suggestion, a French bakery called Le Sucriere. The ham and cheese croissant and the pain au chocolat made a great start to the day. Monique, our waitress at Toppers, suggested that we explore the market at Marigot on Wednesday. Merchants and artists were selling everything from t-shirts to spices and jewelry to table linens. The Marigot waterfront was lined with French bistros and the streets with upscale boutiques. Just up the road (everything is close by on a 37-square-mile island), Grand Case is a gourmand's delight with a concentration of outstanding French restaurants as well as a smattering of beach shacks serving good and generous amounts of local fare.
Beaches are bountiful, but the two that draw the most attention are Sunset Beach and Orient Bay. Locals and tourists gather at Sunset Beach to watch the sun set over the ocean while sipping drinks at the Sunset Beach Bar and watch the planes takeoff and land (no more than a few feet about their heads) at Queen Juliana Airport. While the sunset was lovely, I couldn't understand the lure of smelling jet fuel exhaust. Orient Bay, a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach, had something for everyone, including beach chairs and umbrellas, bars serving a medley of alcoholic fruit drinks, beachside cafes and a plethora of water sports. Just keep in mind that the beaches at Orient Bay are clothing optional, although the naturalists primarily congregate at the north end of the beach. Women sunbathed topless on any Sint Maarten/Saint Martin beach.
The Caribbean cruise liners routinely dock at Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten. The town caters to cruising tourists as its streets are lined with duty-free, tax-free shops and boutiques, restaurants and casinos. Jewelry is the primary lure, as shop owners stand outside their stores promising tourists 60 to 70 percent off retail price. They offer gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, tanzanite, amethyst, turquoise and more in an endless variety of settings. At Monique's suggestion, we visited Philipsburg on Friday when only two cruise liners were in port. Otherwise, the streets and shops can be congested.
Because of traffic, we ate many of our meals in Simpson Bay. Our favorite breakfast haunt was Zee Best. They served outstanding savory crepes, including my favorite, La Popeye, filled with spinach, onion, cream and cheese. Alongside the crepes, we drank freshly squeezed orange juice and munched on sweet pastries. For natural juices and food, Top Carrot was a top choice. For dinner, we enjoyed the fajitas at Jimbo's, the grilled shrimp and risotto at Saratoga and the mussels in wine and grilled red snapper at The Wharf.
We tried several evenings to find music suitable for dancing. Cherie's, Soprano's Piano Bar and the Red Piano Bar came recommended, but none offered the music or atmosphere we sought. The music at Cherie's could only be considered entertaining if you had consumed more than four rum-loaded drinks in less than an hour.
Sint Maarten/Saint Martin lived up to its name as the friendly island. We enjoyed our visit and look forward to a return trip.

An Ounce of Prevention

If you're planning a trip abroad, don't forget to call your bank and credit card company before boarding the plane. Sudden changes in your account activity, such as frequent withdrawals or charges in a foreign country, can trigger a fraud alert and cause your bank or credit card company to freeze your account. To prevent being stranded without funds, be sure to make that important call before traveling. With my bank, I send an e-mail message to the customer service department alerting them of my travels. I tell them specifically where I am going and the dates of travel. If you have never before used your ATM card outside of the country, call your bank to ensure that your card is part of an international network such as PLUS or Cirrus. International ATMs only use a four-digit pin. If you have a longer pin, call the bank and convert it. And, if your pin is based on letters rather than numbers, convert the letters to numbers before you leave. Many foreign ATMs only have numbers on the keypad. Keep in mind that most ATM's abroad will only let you access the primary account on your card. My credit card company now has an option on its automated directory for leaving vacation information. Using the phone keypad, I entered by credit card number, security code and dates of travel in addition to speaking my name and countries of travel. The process took about three minutes. Finally, don't forget to get your credit card's international number for reporting a lost or stolen credit card.

Traveler's Checks or Debit cards?

Wolf Trekkers frequently ask me about purchasing traveler's checks for use during their adventures. While traveler's checks were once a necessity for international travel, the prevalence of ATMs throughout the world have almost eliminated the need for them. I urge travelers to carry a debit card (with a four-digit pin) and one to two credit cards. Notify the bank and credit card company that you will be traveling abroad, providing them the specific country or countries of destination. Use your credit card as much as possible for purchases in stores and restaurants. Use your ATM to get currency for smaller purchases from street vendors, taxi cabs or drug stores. There will be a charge for using the ATM, so don't make daily withdrawals. Anticipate your needs and withdraw $100 to $200 in local currency to see you through most of the trip. During your travels, do not keep your credit card and debit card together. You don't want to have both lost or stolen at the same time. I also urge travelers to take at least $50 per person in one-dollar bills (U.S. currency). Despite its current lower value, many foreigners like to be tipped or even paid in U.S. dollars. If you do choose to purchase traveler's checks, be sure to get smaller denominations. Restaurants and shops often will not or cannot cash larger denominations.

Walking Shoes

When Wolf Trekkers seek my advice about what to pack, the first thing I always mention is comfortable shoes. No matter what the destination, you're likely to do lots of walking, whether it's in a museum or down cobblestone streets. You're often climbing on and off buses and walking on uneven terrain. Comfortable shoes with fexible soles are paramount. Nothing can ruin a trip faster than blisters on your feet. Men accept this advice readily, but women sometimes balk, favoring fashion over comfort. With a little effort, women can find shoes that offer both comfort and fashion. Several shoe companies make stylish mary janes that are attractive, lightweight and versatile. They can be worn with khakis during the day and a skirt in the evening. For women, check out Born, Clark, Birkenstock, Merrel, Finn or a good brand of athletic shoes. Kelby Carr of France Travel suggests these shoes. For men, Hush Puppies, Rockport, Timberland, Ecco, Clark and Born are often mentioned. Of course, Crocs, as ugly as many people consider them, are always comfortable. But to keep yourself from standing out in crowd, choose a more subdued color. Rick Steves has a Graffiti Wall devoted to the topic of comfortable shoes with more than 75 postings from seasoned travelers. Whatever the shoe, be sure to buy them and break them in several weeks before your trip. Even good shoes can cause blisters the first time they are worn. Provide your own comments about good brands of walking shoes.

Traveling With Food Allergies

The March issue of National Geographic Traveler outlined some important points about traveling with food allergies. Several Wolf Trekkers with allergies or food intolerances have traveled with us. For them, we need to take extra care. Be sure to inform me and the tour company of your allergies. First and foremost, if you use an allergy medication, carry it with you at all times. Never place needed medications in your checked baggage, and do not remove medications from prescription containers. As an extra precaution, carry a note from your doctor in case you are questioned by airport security. For restaurants, carry a wallet-sized card that outlines what foods you cannot eat in English and, if possible, in the language of the country you are visiting. For translations of your dietary restrictions, visit Allergyfreepassport.com to create translations in six languages (Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian and Greek). At meal time, be sure your server understands your needs, and don't hesitate to ask to speak to the chef if you are not sure that you're being understood. Large and small, family-owned restaurants are equally capable of accommodating you. When your food arrives at the table, double check that your requests have been met. For air travel, request special meals and pack snacks in case of delays. To see what type of meals international carriers can accommodate, click here. Also remember that airlines need advance notice of special meals, preferably at the time of booking. If your allergies are contact based, ask to preboard to wipe down your seat and the one next to it. And keep in mind that the earlier in the day you travel, the cleaner the plane will be. I hope these tips will make your trip safer.

I have just received and posted the photos from our Wolf Treks travelers who visited South Africa in late January. Traveler Anne Regans reports that the group was treated to array of African big game. They came across three male lions - a father and two sons - just after making a kill and filling their bellies. The big cats were lazing around like house cats, lying on their backs and soaking up the sun's rays, says Anne. In addition to the lions, our Wolf Trekkers saw elephants (the photo to the right), giraffes, zebra, hippos, water buffalo and an array of beautiful birds. At the Cape of Good Hope, Anne said the group was surprised when they were greeted by a beach teeming with penguins. In addition to their game safaris, the Wolf Trekkers also visited Cape Town, Johannesburg, Soweto and Victoria Falls. The poverty of Soweto was heart-breaking, Anne says. Post-trip feedback from the group shows the trip a winner. "The food was outstanding and the accommodations first-class," says Anne. As a result of the response, the Wolf Treks Travel Program will repeat this trip in 2009. If you want to be the first to receive a brochure for this trip, send an e-mail to alumni_travel@ncsu.edu. Ask to be placed on the South Africa mailing list.

Wolf Treks:China and Yangtze River

Don't pass up the opportunity to explore China. Visit China less than a month after the Beijing Olympics and see what others will see only on a television screen. Join other Wolf Treks travelers as they explore China and the Yangtze River Sept. 16-30, 2008. See Beijing, the Great Wall, the famous Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian, the pandas in Chongqing and cosmopolitan Shanghai. Cruise down the Yangtze River through the beautiful Three Gorges. This trip is designed for a small group of no more than 24 travelers and only 14 places remain. Having been on this trip, I can say it is eye-opening. China is a country in transition, and this trip offers you a glimpse into the traditions of the past and the promise of the future. See the growing struggle between a communist government and an increasingly capitalist economy. Jackie, our 2007 China guide, was literally born in a cave 48 years ago. Today, he speaks almost perfect English, owns a business headquartered in Shanghai and occasionally guides American tourists. He can openly criticize the government, shaking his head over policies and restrictions. Thirty years ago if he had uttered those criticisms, he would have been sent to a farm or factory to work from dawn to dusk or killed. Today's young Chinese know little of this recent past. They are full of optimism as they work to buy apartments, cars and electronics. They are waiting later to marry as they attempt to build wealth for themselves and their parents. But Jackie says that China's biggest challenges for the future will be the three "P's:" population, pollution and politics. The Chinese population continues to grow despite penalties and fines imposed on couples who have more than one child. Can China sustain its population with food and energy? With the economy on hyperdrive, factories are spewing pollution and an alarming number of Chinese now own cars. National Public Radio reported that 1,000 new cars are added to the streets of Beijing daily. Jackie worries that China's pollution may be the proverbial noose around his country's neck. Now is the time to see China because it is changing before our very eyes. Join the Pack for this once-in-a-lifetime journey.