Read full story for latest details.

Visit Melloh-Travel.com for more information on travel.

Read full story

You have lots of stuff to pack for your trip. How do you decide what stays and what goes? How are you going to fit it all in your pack and how are you going to carry it? Here are some tips to consider when packing for your backpacker trip: 

1. Buy a good backpack. Investigate the right kind of backpack for your trip and you will make your packing easier before you go and when on the road.  

2. Put your sleeping bag in first.  

3. If you are going to be camping get a tent that is lightweight and durable and pack it in the tent compartment in your backpack. 

4. Clothes – what are you going to take? Lay everything out on the bed. Now cut it down to half. If you’ve got something that’ll you’ll only wear a couple of times, leave it behind. You’re backpacking on a budget so it’s unlikely you’ll be going to any balls or ritzy restaurants. Pack your rain gear where you can reach it quickly. Make sure you have enough layers if you are going to colder areas. Don’t forget your gloves and hat. 

5. Cooking utensils should be packed where they won’t rub on your other gear and you want to make sure the hard edges don’t stick into your back. 

6. Food should be packed in outside compartments; you don’t want any crumbs getting into your other gear. Carry enough food for a day, just in case. Make sure you have at least one water bottle packed on the outside. And pack water purifying tablets if you are traveling to under-developed countries. 

7. Your mattress (if you’re taking one) should be strapped to the outside of your pack unless it’s small enough to fit on the inside. 

8. Camera! 

9. Have you got your map? What about a compass if you intend going off road on a hike? 

10. Don’t forget your matches, first aid kit, army knife, flashlight, batteries, sun screen and sunglasses. A whistle and insect repellant are good items to pack, especially if you plan on doing a lot of hiking. And toilet tissue. Just in case. 

11. Have you packed a decent pair of walking/hiking boots? These are essential because any backpacker will be doing a lot of walking. 

12. Put in a daypack. This will make day hikes and sightseeing much easier if you can have a smaller pack to use on shorter trips. 

13. Money, money belt, traveler’s checks and credit card. Along with your passport and necessary visas. Don’t take large amounts of cash and keep it safe while traveling. 

And there are other things you need to consider before you set out. Keep in mind the following: 

* Take out travel insurance. 

* Are you taking your mobile phone? If so make sure you have global roaming set up.  

* Do you need any vaccinations before you go? Make sure you check out what is needed for the places you are visiting. It’s also a good idea to get a dental check up before you leave. And if you are on any medications make sure you have enough medicine to take with you. 

* Give someone at home a copy of you itinerary and passport.  

* Check out the local laws and customs of the place you are traveling to before you get there.  

* Get to the airport in plenty of time to enable a smooth check in and time to say goodbye to your loved ones. 

Pack well and have a good trip!

For more travel information, visithttp://www.Melloh-Travel.com

More and more people are turning to Amtrak as a reliable way to travel for the holidays. After the terrorist attacks of 09/11/01, airport security has become increasingly difficult to get through. As a result, most airports have long lines and delays taking place around the holidays because they don’t want to become lax, even when it is busy. 
Traveling with children for the holidays can be stressful, especially if you are traveling with them alone. Keeping them entertained in a car for the trip is often a two person job so one can drive and one can play games or offer snacks to keep everyone in the vehicle happy for the duration of the trip.
Airplanes are very cramped and most people don’t do well with children roaming the isles or crying during the flight. For younger children, the amount of pressure that can build in their ears on an airplane is very painful. Being stuck on a runway for hours will definitely make children uncomfortable and these delays often happen around the holidays. If you have ever tried to change diapers in the small airplane bathrooms you’ll know that it isn’t an easy feat to accomplish. 
Amtrak is very family oriented, so this may be the best mode of transportation for your holiday travel. The cars are roomy and you are able to get up and walk around freely. There is plenty of scenery along the railway routes too for you to enjoy. 
If you are be going on a long trip for the holidays, Amtrak offers sleeping cars of various sizes. This is a great way for your children to have the room they need to take a nap and to play. Most of the family sleeping cars offer enough space for two adults and two children comfortably. 
You will find great holiday travel deals on Amtrak when you reserve a sleep car as well. Many times you’ll get coupons for free meals offered in the dining car. 
Make sure you make reservations for Amtrak early though. Their tickets often sell out quickly for holiday travel and they have a limited number of sleeping cars. You don’t want to be stuck without one or have to accept one that is too small for comfort because you waited too long to make your reservation.
Most train stations are very well set up and you can even leave your car there when you board the Amtrak for free. Most airports charge you by the day to leave your vehicle behind and that is an expense that quickly adds up. You can either have your family or friends pick you up at the train station for your destination or choose alternate modes of transportation. There’ll likely be rental cars at the terminal or you can take a cab. 
You can go online to find out the various destinations that Amtrak travels to. If they don’t go to your exact location, but within 100 miles, you may want to consider having someone pick you up there or to rent a car to go the rest of the way. Amtrak is affordable and much more comfortable than taking an airplane or traveling all that way in a car. 


For more information on traveling, visit:http://www.Melloh-Travel.com

Reasons to Choose Hawaiian Cruises

Nothing says vacation like Hawaii. Those who choose a cruise to any of the Hawaiian Islands are not likely to be disappointed. Although Hawaii is part of the United States, it holds and international feel for many Americans. Hawaii, unlike any other part of the United States has a culture and society all of its own. Hawaii even has its own unique language. This international quality coupled with a variable landscape that includes lush foliage, white sand beaches, towering volcanoes and tropical rainforests makes Hawaiian cruises such popular vacations. The floating palace that sails to ports throughout Hawaii pales in comparison to the natural beauty that the Islands have to offer. With a variety of islands, each featuring distinguishing characteristics choosing just one island to visit would seem nearly impossible. Luckily Hawaiian cruises offer passengers the opportunity to experience several islands during their stay.

Sample Itineraries for Hawaiian Cruises

Hawaiian cruises have so much to offer their passengers. The natural beauty of this setting is simply unparalleled. The fact that each island offers so many advantages makes it extremely difficult to choose an itinerary. Luckily there are a variety of options available most of which include port of call in many cities. One popular itinerary for Hawaiian travel is a fourteen day, round trip excursion that includes stops in several Hawaiian locations. This popular option departs from Los Angeles and after a five day voyage; docks at Hilo were guests can disembark to enjoy this area. The luxury liner then makes a series of one day trips to arrive at popular locations such as Kailua Kona and cities of Kauai, Oahu and Maui. The floating palace then spends three days at sea where the passengers can enjoy the comforts of the luxury liner before arriving in Ensenada, Mexico for a brief day of excursions. After this final day in Mexico the liner returns to Los Angeles where passengers disembark.

Ports of Call for Hawaiian Cruises

Popular Hawaiian cruises depart from Los Angeles, California, San Diego, California and Ensenada, Mexico just to name a few choice cities. Hawaiian cruises also offer a variety of ports of call locations where passengers can disembark and enjoy a new island that offers a completely new atmosphere as well as a setting that often varies greatly from the previous port. The varied terrain in Hawaii makes each port seem like a new country. Although the majority of ports of call offered on Hawaiian cruises are domestic, each one has a culture all its own and may seem like a foreign land to the passengers. Oahu is one of the many ports that offer a unique atmosphere. This port has a cosmopolitan feel but maintains a tropical beauty that is replete with lush foliage. By contrast the port of Kauai offers a much more naturalistic setting. This port which served as the backdrop for the popular Jurassic Park movie is perfect for the passengers who are interested in outdoor adventures. It offers a variety of activities such as hiking, kayaking and snorkeling for passengers to enjoy the intrinsic beauty of the island.

For more information on Hawaiian Cruises

One of the emerging methods of travel in the United States in recent years has been around for over a century - the railroad. Amtrak, the leading railroad for personal travel, has made great strides in providing fast and convenient travel for millions of customers each year. With over thirty routes throughout the Unites States and Canada, why not travel by train to your next vacation destination. Traveling on an Amtrak train line can provide you and your family with a ride to remember. The great service and excellent accommodations provide a wonderful start to your vacation.

During your trip by train, you will likely find that traveling by train is far easier than traveling by car or plane. Although train rides may take longer than flying in an airplane, you also get to take in sights along the way. For people who are afraid of flying, trains provide the perfect option.

Amtrak trains also offers something airplanes don’t - private rooms for long trips. On most Amtrak trips that span through the night, trains are used that feature, private suites for those who choose to purchase them. Inside you will find a bed and accommodations that will remind you more of a hotel room than a train. Suites can be purchased to sleep up to four adults, a great convenience for those who find it hard to fall asleep sitting up.

Given the fact that trains are much larger than airplanes, you are typically allowed to bring more luggage with you on a train than you are on an airplane. Amtrak’s baggage guidelines allow passengers to carry on two bags and check up to three pieces of baggage. Most Amtrak lines will also allow you to bring bicycles on board. As is standard with airplane travel, baggage exceeding fifty pounds is not permitted onboard and all baggage must pass through security checks before being placed on board the train. There are also a number of prohibited items, including firearms, explosives, weapons, flammable material, and corrosive chemicals. Security at train stations is often just as tight as it is at airports, so have no fears over your safety aboard the train. Given that the train is limited to staying on its tracks, there is little chance of high jacking.

Like airplanes, Amtrak trains offer both coach and business class seating. On some Amtrak train lines, including Acela Express and Metroliner, business class is the lowest option for seating. These lines offer first class seating as well which is considered a step above business class. If you are looking to save money, try not to book your train tickets on these lines.

If you are traveling with young children, a train may be the perfect choice of travel. Although the trip will be longer than flying on a plane, the train offers the child many more features to keep them occupied. Many train lines travel through a number of major cities en route to their destination. In doing this, passengers are given full views of surrounding areas and any sights that may be in close distance to the train. This can be exciting for young children to see. The train also offers a dining car that passengers are able to walk to during its hours of operation. Set up like a restaurant, the dining car offers everything from meals to simple snacks, like a bag of chips. Taking a walk to the dining car for a snack can be the perfect time filler for a young child.

If you travel on a train and decide that it’s the best method of travel for you, you have the option of enrolling in the Amtrak Rewards program. Through the program, frequent Amtrak travelers are able to earn reward points for miles they travel on Amtrak. Like frequent flier programs, the Amtrak Rewards program rewards frequent passengers with points that can be redeemed for tickets, gift certificates, merchandise, and, given partnerships, even airline miles.

When planning your next trip, why not try a ride on the train? It can be a great experience and a fun trip for you and your family. You will most likely find that a trip on Amtrak is well worth your money.

For more information on travel, visit

http://www.melloh-travel.com