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.