Sure vacations are meant to be relaxing but they can end up being more stressful than your day job! Check out these top tips for avoiding traveling stress and relaaaaaaaax.

Pinkabilly

I’ve worked myself up into some fits of traveling stress on several occasions that’s for sure. But what a shame, this is our time out!

Check out the 10 tips below on beating vacation stress, I hope they help you chill!!

1. Learn Some Words

Language misunderstandings and misapprehensions can be incredibly frustrating. Take the time to learn some key words and phrases before you go that should help you to get your point across.

2. Prepare for all Scenarios

Don’t get caught out without that medication you can only get at home or the only shoes that you can hike in. Think through all the eventualities you might encounter and come prepared for each one. And don’t scrimp on travel insurance, it’s just not worth it.

3. Be Airport Smart

Airports can induce high stress levels so be airport smart: book your seats online and leave plenty of time for check-in so you can sail through onto your flight without a care in the world.

4. Take Two Clear Days

It takes two days to unwind from work and settle into your vacation. Fact. So don’t make any plans and take these days to ease yourself into your new surroundings and get used to doing nothing.

5. Get into the Zone

So you’re an incredibly efficient, organized, high-achieving individual. Not anymore – you’re on vacation! Relieve yourself from the pressure of trying to create the perfect trip – be flexible, go with the flow and everything will just slot into place.

6. Ditch the Kids

Not in a nasty way of course, but if there are facilities to leave the kids for a day or an evening – go for it. Take some quiet kids-free time and don’t feel guilty, you deserve it!

7. Don’t Over-Plan

Remember the goal of the trip is to relax. So as much as you’d love to go on every tour on offer and see everything in the guidebook, be realistic. Leave yourself some free-time each day, otherwise it’s just not fun.

8. Take the Easy Option

So the taxi’s more expensive and you could do the tour yourself but if it’s going to save you time and effort in the long-run, take the easy option – you’re on vacation!

9. Cut Yourself Off

This is an obvious one. You don’t need me to tell you that checking your Blackberry, or even facebook, every two seconds isn’t conducive to a relaxing vacation. Don’t do it!

10. Invest in Relaxation

For some people just being in the sun with nothing to do isn’t enough to help them relax. Book a massage, take a yoga class or practice meditation. Whatever you think will help you relax and unwind.

Got vacation stress stories?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming soon… How to Beat the Post-Vacation Blues. Don’t miss out, sign up to free blog updates below.

Let’s face it, everyone loves a freebie! Check out these 11 top tips for getting something for nothing and freeload your way around the world!

It seems that everyone’s after a bargain at the moment. Most of us don’t have wads of spare cash to splash out on expensive vacations.

So once you’ve managed to get away, why not score some extras as you go along??

C.P. Storm

Getting stuff for free is a lot easier than you might think. It’s also kinda fun!

Check out these 11 handy tips and watch your shame fly out the window!

1. Ask

Seems obvious doesn’t it? But you’d be surprised what you can get when you swallow your pride and just ask!

More often than not, people will be more obliging than you might think.

2. Smile

A smile can go a long way. A toothy grin and the recognition that you’re being a bit cheeky can make the world of difference.

3. Strike a Multi-deal

Whether you’re staying in a hotel for a good few nights or buying up the souvenir shop, recognize the value of your custom and propose a good-will freebie.

4. Make Friends

People do business with people they like. The same principle applies to getting stuff for free.

Have a laugh and a joke with the staff on reception and you might just find an exotic fruit basket in your room!

5. Complain

Just had the worst meal of your life? Don’t sit and fume about it. Make a polite complaint and the chances are they’ll be champagne and tiramisu coming your way.

6. Don’t Push it

No one likes being pressurized, so be cool and know when to back off. A laid-back strategy is guaranteed to get you further in the long-term.

7. Dangle a Carrot

Provide an incentive. You’ll find people much more accommodating after you’ve mentioned that big corporate booking or wedding reception that you’re planning.

8. Name Drop

Use your contacts. Remember that friend who works at Conde Nast or Lonely Planet? Well now’s the time to slip their name into the conversation!

9. Flirt

A shameless tactic but a fun one. Whether you’re trying to bag a flight upgrade or a free cocktail, 9 times out of 10 you’ll do better addressing a member of the opposite sex.

10. Try Stuff

Ah the beauty of the trial. After-shave, cosmetics or Italian ice-cream – whatever you’ve got your eye on, explain you’d like to try before you bye and lo behold that cute mini something is all yours…. absolutely free!

11. Exploit your Skills

Got a special skill or talent? Exploit it! Offer some free music/dance/comedy/magic in exchange for what you want. Genius!

Got more freebie tactics or funny stories?? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming up…How to Avoid Disappointing Vacations. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free blog alerts below!

Some superb travel links to save you money and make you happy … Enjoy!

1. 6 Strategies for Finding Low Airfares, Brad Tuttle @Budget Travel Blog

2. World’s Weirdest Hotels, from David Ewalt @Digital Download

3. Readers’ Travel Tips @Travel Rants

4. Beth Whitman on Solo Travel, Matt Gross @Frugal Traveler

5. Tuesday Travel Trivia, Aaron Hotfelder @Gadling

Coming up… How to get stuff for free wherever you go! You won’t want to miss this. Make sure you’re signed up for blog alerts delivered directly to your inbox/RSS.

Happy travels!!

China holds a fascinating allure for adventurers all over the world. But exploring China can be daunting. Get the inside track with these top tips from expert travelers.

With a population of 1.3 billion people, one of the world’s fastest growing economies and landscapes ranging from subtropical forests to deserts and mountains, who wouldn’t want to visit China?

It’s right up there on my travel to do list, but I’ll be honest, the thought of stepping off the plane into one of the hugest countries in the world does scare me a little.

If in doubt speak to people in the know, right? So… check out these top tips from the people who travel for a living  and explore China like a pro!

1. Avoid “Tourist” Rates

“If you’re comfortable staying at hotels where few of the staff speak English, you can avoid paying high “foreigner’s prices” by booking your hotels through elong.net or Ctrip.com – sites targeted at domestic Chinese travelers.

Edward Hasbrouck, The Practical Nomad.

2. Escape the Crowds

“Very few people speak English so a good phrase book is essential. Use the point at phrases method or bring a picture book, but as long as the Chinese is there you’re all set.

Planning on visting Guilin? … Head to Yangshuo instead.  Much less touristy and much more beautiful. You’ll get all the Benefits of Guilin with more natural wonders and great hiking.

Take a local bus to a nearby town for a more authentic and less expensive experience. Most towns have a few hotels and it’s easy to find a beautiful place for less.

Take an overnight train – go for the soft sleeper if your budget allows. They’re comfortable and clean and will save you the cost of a hotel. Another bonus is that you get to see the countryside.”

Reuven Levitt, Tripbase CEO

3. Beware of What You Blog

“The Grand Hyatt Beijing is perfect, no doubt about it! Fresh flowers skillfully laid out in my room and a meal never to be forgotten. The pool is laid out like an island resort, just amazing.

Go for lunch in an average Chinese restaurant. A simple meal there can be as fresh and satisfying as a luxury dinner!

Beware of subversive blogging from Shanghai: censure is common practice!”

Kent St John, Go Nomad

4. Be Respectful if Arrested

“If you find yourself about to climb a holy mountain, and the ticket office offers extra insurance, you might want to take it.

If walking in the street and you hear “chwaaaak”, don’t change your pace, or you might get a big fat yellow lurgee on your shoe.

If you’re really hot, push your shirt up your chest, like everyone else.

Speak in honorable and deeply respectful prose, especially if you get arrested, or are toasting government officials.

Drink the rice wine.”

Robin Esrock, Modern Gonzo

The World’s Most Dangerous Hike – Amazing!

5. Expect the Unexpected

”Coming from the western world, I’ve always found visiting China like going to another planet. Expect the unexpected and don’t take things personally!

Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Nonconformity

6. Get the Magic Card

“Ask your hotel’s concierge for a card of common destinations in the city. Get the concierge to write the corresponding Chinese characters. Indispensable for directing taxis!”

Paul Cayanes, Pau Travels Blog

”Taxis are abundant and inexpensive in China’s major cities, but most cab drivers do not speak English. Most hotels have business cards with their address written in English and Chinese and a space on the back where the Chinese name of a destination can be filled in.”

Wendy, Escape from New York

7. Go Further than Fried Rice

“Be adventurous with the food. There are so many great regional variations across China that travelers can miss out on the best food if they just stick to the dishes they recognize from their local Chinese take-out!”

Tim Hughes, The Boot

Planning a trip to China? Got more useful China travel tips? Post up your comments below, we want to hear from you!

Coming soon… the cheapest vacation destinations in the world. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free updates via email or RSS below.

Photo credits: Yangshuo by B_cool, Summer Palace, Beijing by d’n'c, Lanterns by Mike

Desperate to see the world but letting your finances hold you back? You don’t have to be a millionaire to make it happen. Check out these top budget travel tips from expert traveler, Nora Dunn.

Vietnam, China, Italy, Brazil… I’d love to set off on a long trip ticking off all these countries along the way but….. I never seem to have the cash!

Nora Dunn is a Professional Hobo, having sold off and packed up her life in Canada to travel the world full-time.

She’s adamant that you don’t need to be rich to travel the world!

Nora recently shared her traveling secrets with the online world. Check out her top budget travel tips below:

1) Get smart with flight bookings
Save up to 80% on airfare by looking where the standard search engines don’t – check out sites like  Which Budget.

2) Trade work for a room
WWOOFing (Willing Work on Organic Farms) is a popular way of trading work for accommodation, but there are lots more ways of trading a room for work.

3) Get free accommodation
Using hospitality exchanges, you can stay in somebody’s home for free, and arguably get much more out of your trip by staying with the locals.

4) Work whilst traveling
If you’re traveling long-term, you’ll need to consider various work options to keep the travel dollars flowing.

5) Get to grips with volunteering
Volunteer trips can end up costing more than you might have thought. Use reputable sources to get the most out of volunteering.

6) Become part of a community
Integrate yourself into new and foreign communities for all sorts of opportunities that are bound to save you cash.

7) Avoid THE biggest spending trap
Can you guess what the biggest waste of money is when traveling? Souvenirs! Don’t fall into the trap!

Be food wise
Where you eat, how you eat, when you eat… Food can be a big expense when traveling but following a few practical tips can make all the difference.

9) Roll with the punches
Travel will always present you with opportunities, provided your eyes are open to see them. Be flexible and you’ll surely benefit financially in the long run.

10) Rethink travel expenses
Budget for your trip before you leave. Check out Tripbase’s Travel Costs Calculator for estimates on daily traveling costs across the world.

11) Travel slowly
The less you move, the less you spend, and the more you’ll get out of each destination. It’s a win-win situation!

For more info, have a read of the full article: “Travel Full-time for Less than $14,000 a Year.”

And for even more money-saving tips, check out the new book: “10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget.”

Found these tips useful? Got more ideas for saving cash on the road?? Post up your comments, we want to hear from you!

Loads more expert traveling tips to come. Don’t miss out! Sign up for free updates via RSS or email below.

Photo: Nora volunteering.