1. Hitchhike in Europe Only When Needed
Transportation in Europe may not always be clean, useful, or comfortable, nevertheless hitchhiking is becoming increasingly more hazardous worldwide. If you find you should hitchhike in Europe, use extremist caution and don?t overlook your instincts if something does not seem right.

2. Choose Your Hitchhiking Location Wisely
Steer clear of trying to hitch a ride on a highway or remarkably curved road that might put you or drivers at risk. Cars having to stop on roads anywhere high speeds are required is not safe for you or the drivers. As an alternative, try to hitchhike from rest stops or gas stations where you can preserve your safety and where cars are stopped. It?s also possible that someone may call the police if you try to hitch a ride on a dangerous roadway or freeway where hitchhiking may be against the law.

3. Ride in the Front Seat When Hitchhiking in Europe
The backseat of a car places you in a more vulnerable sit. Some cars have child safety locks in the back. You need to be able to bolt at the first sign of danger, so if you have to ride in the back, test that there is no child safety lock impeding you from opening the door from the interior.

4. Keep Your Bags with You
At any suggestion to put your luggage in the trunk, politely decline. Keep your luggage close to you?at your feet or on your lap. At a moment when you may possibly need to get out of the car quickly, you want to be able to grab your things as you go.

5. Keep Documents, Money, Valuables on You
As through every other time you travel in Europe, you must keep your records on you in a separate wallet beneath your cloths. That way, if a thief takes your main bag, you will still have identification and money in case of this, or another, emergency. Keep all cell phones and other pricey devices well out of eyesight as well.

6. Hitchhike in Europe with a Friend
Regardless if you are male or female, it?s always smart to hitchhike with a friend. A potential criminal will less likely be able to pull anything funny if you and a friend are watching each others backs.

7. Know Your Destination But Be Vague
Always have available a map so that you know where you are going. When hitchhiking in Europe, it?s best to give a general location for a location a short distance away that way, if you suspect the driver has less-than-good intentions, your ride will be short and the driver wont know your final destination.

8. Note the Vehicle Type When You Hitchhike in Europe
When hitchhiking in Europe, note details of the car (make, model, color and/or license plate number) before you get into the vehicle. If something goes wrong, you can give details of the driver to the police.

9. Dress for Weather and Safety
Make sure you pack items of clothing that are weather friendly and water-repellent in case you find yourself hitchhiking in windy weather. Also wear cheap older clothing that give the impression you may be carrying valuables on you.

10. Dont Hesitate to Turn Down a Ride
Negotiate for a ride prior to you get into the vehicle when hitchhiking in Europe. If anything makes you suspicious, dont be scared to politely turn down the ride. Foreigners are seen as particularly vulnerable and anyone giving you a ride may try to get money or other things from you. In addition, dont ride with someone you cant exchange a few words with. You do not want any unspoken expectations from the driver for giving you a ride.

2: Use your camera’s P mode.
Shooting in AV, TV or Manual modes gives you the greatest deal of control and any decent photographer will rarely use anything else, however if wandering around a city, use P mode. This sets the camera to Auto for ISO, shutter speed and aperture whilst allowing you to change any settings if necessary and giving control over the flash, and when a shot comes along and you have no time to think, all you need to do is compose the shot and shoot. Better to give control to the camera than to miss the shot completely, and if you find you have longer than you thought you can flick back to one of the other modes for more shots.

3. Use a long zoom for candid shots.
I love shots of people living their lives, but as soon you whip out your camera, any naturalness goes straight out of the window. Using a long zoom can allow you to observe from a distance and capture natural shots without disrupting or being disrupted.

4. Choose your lens and stick to it.
Dust is the bain of the photographers life so when out in the field, you don’t want to be changing lens and letting dust in. Pick a suitable lens for your shoot and stick with it.

5. Find a new perspective.
You can guarantee that famous landmarks and places have been photographed from every position possible. Try to look at your subject from a new perspective – climb a tree, stick out the rain – you’ll find yourself with something that 99% of people wouldn’t have.

6. Check your batteries before leaving home.
This sounds obvious but not checking battery life and having your camera die on you at the crucial point is a common problem. Charge your batteries, take a spare and avoid kicking yourself for such a simple mistake.

7. Be polite.
No one likes people shoving a camera in their face. If you are taking a picture of someone you don’t know or of something that they might be protective over, common courtesy can go a long way. Just ask and most of the time they will say yes and you might even get an interesting conversation out of it.

8. Use a filter.
If you’ve spent hundreds of pounds on a lens, you want to make sure you keep it protected. For a fraction of what your lens cost you can get a filter that will save you alot of grief.

9. Get insurance.
Most travel insurance policies only cover a small amount of personal possessions so it is worth making sure you have camera insurance that covers you in the country you are in.

10. Back up your images.
The longer you travel, the greater the risk of damage or theft to your memory cards. Losing the photos you have taken is often more painful than losing the equipment itself, so make sure you back up your photos either online or on CD. Or both. You can then keep these with you or send them back to someone to keep hold of until you get back.

While women can be considered street smarts, they can still sometimes fall in traps. The next important travel safety tips are dedicated to all travelers, particularly women. The tips can be categorized as part of the common sense, women intuitions and a general idea on how to be safe on streets.

1. Dress up properly. If you are new in a place, make sure that you are dressed appropriately. You do not want to stand out in the crowd and attract significant attention from robbers. You should not also wear expensive and even fake pieces of jewelry and carry big bags as those may also compromise your safety. More often, wearing a wedding ring makes sense.

2. Study the place. Before you go out for a walk, make sure that you have studied your destination’s map. Holding a map while walking on streets can give thieves a hint that you are new in the place. After studying, you can just bring a small organizer or pocket note with your listed important landmarks. You may also want to ask your hotel’s concierge for the places that should be avoided. Walking during the day is also safer than at night.

3. Carrying your valuables. Money, documents and cellular phones are just some of the important things that must be with you when traveling. It is better to carry a small bag where your body can wrap around it or a belt bag that you should wear tightly around your waist. If possible, bring only one credit card, identification ID and photocopies of your travel documents. You must also familiarize yourself with the foreign currency before using it.

4. When you are astray. Consider asking directions to a family or women with children. This will make you safer and free from robbers or stalkers. You may ask for directions or the landmark of the place and say that you will meet somebody there so they will not suspect that you are alone.

5. If something bad happens. Remember that thieves attack at times that we do not expect so make sure to run, fight and yell as loud as you can to catch attention from other people.

Traveling is a great way to explore new places. However, as a woman, you must be alert at all times to ensure that you are not leading your vacation into a nightmare. If possible, prefer to travel with someone than alone. Even though the above tips can be annoying and make you paranoid throughout your trip, still keeping an open mind will certainly make your vacation successful, satisfying and remarkable.

The Impact of Foreign Mosquitoes on the Galapagos Islands

Different mosquito species draw from a variety of sources to get the blood they need for reproduction.  Some species choose mammals preferentially, while others prefer birds or even reptiles – interestingly enough, mosquito species seldom stray from their preferred feeding sources.

However, in the Galapagos Islands, one species of mosquito is exhibiting an unusual new behavior.  The Aedes Taeniorhynchus, or black salt marsh mosquito, has traditionally chosen mammals and birds for feeding.  Now, it has begun to feed on reptiles, particularly the Island’s famed marine iguanas and giant tortoises.

At first, it was thought that these mosquitoes were a new or foreign species that had been artificially introduced to the Galapagos Islands.  In fact, there are two species of mosquitoes found on the Galapagos Islands that have apparently been introduced by humans in recent memory.  Further research, however, has shown that these mosquitoes have actually been there for quite some time – possibly as long as 200,000 years.

Researchers believe that the fact that these black salt marsh mosquitoes have begun to change their feeding habits may be evidence that they are currently undergoing a period of evolutionary change.  The differences between the A. Taeniorhynchus mosquitoes found in the Galapagos and the A. Taeniorhynchus mosquitoes found on the mainland are so vast, that they can almost be classified as different species.  In fact, becoming a new species may be exactly what the Galapagos Island mosquitoes are doing.

The real threat is that with tourism increasing, a new mosquito species could easily be introduced to the Island, one that carries a disease that affects animals – particularly the reptiles or birds for which the Island is famous.  The wildlife of the Galapagos Islands is very isolated and has little resistance to disease.  This means that the introduction of a new disease could have serious and perhaps irreparable consequences, devastating this incredible natural resource.  All it would take is for one mosquito to catch a ride aboard a plane headed for the Galapagos and the remarkable wildlife there could be wiped out forever.

Right now, the government of Ecuador has begun requiring planes flying in to the Galapagos Islands to be treated with insecticides both inside the cabin and hold, and outside the plane as well.  Similar requirements have been suggested for ships, but none have so far been implemented, as many cruise lines are concerned about the cost and logistics associated with these processes.

Presently, researchers believe that the largest mosquito based threat to the Galapagos Islands is from foreign mosquitoes being introduced, rather than changes in the native mosquitoes.  Consequently, they plan to let evolutionary changes in the native mosquito run their natural course.  Hopefully they are right, and the steps the Ecuadorian government is taking to prevent the introduction of foreign mosquitoes will be effective.  Otherwise, the great ecological resource that is the Galapagos Islands could be wiped clean from the map, destroying a fascinating ecosystem that isn’t represented anywhere else in the world.

A good way to stop this from happening to you is by writing a list. A good way of writing the list is to carry it around with you for a day, that way you can write down everything you need in an average day.

The main items we tend to forget are typically the items that we really need such as phone chargers, first aid items and our cameras! We need these items particularly our camera- after all we want to remember our holidays!

When packing it is important that we are aware of the restrictions that airlines tend to be placing upon us particularly where baggage weight is concerned. With the average weight allowance being 15kg that does not leave us with much to work with.

Lots of people are now purchasing their toiletries and sun creams inside the airport terminal after security in order to get the most out of their suitcase allowance.

The liquids situation at UK airports states that no liquids with a volume over 100ml ca be taken in hand luggage (before security.) We can of course purchase toiletries etc with 100ml and upwards volumes after security check in.

Top items to remember/ usually forgotten items

Phone charger

Hair Straighteners

Contact lenses solution/ glasses

Camera/ Camcorder

Sunglasses

European health card (replaced E11form)

Although taking a camera on holiday is great for providing us with memories a camcorder can give us real experiences and can tell our friends and family more about our holiday than maybe we can, as the small details are there to see. Whether it is aHD Camcorder, digital camcorder or a mini dv camcorder this piece of equipment will allow you to keep your memories of your holiday fresh.

Having a list of Vancouver events does benefit both local residents of the city and people who are on vacation in our Lotusland. Having your own list of Vancouver events at hand can give visitors as well as residents the convenience of choosing best events and activities to attend. With the huge variety of events and activities happening all at the same time in the city, you will have an easier way of selecting what to do and where to go if you have a list of Vancouver events.

The activities and events that take place in Vancouver cover quite a number of interests, and every tourist and local can find a few for themselves. There are concerts, workshops, exhibitions, conferences, movies, theatrical shows, day tours, and so much more for you to enjoy. Whether you are looking to have some good fun with your family, enjoy the city life alone, or if you are looking to meet new people, there is always a plenty of events in Vancouver to choose from.

Some of the events in Vancouver are annual and happen on fixed dates and months each year. Therefore, celebrations dedicated to these events also revolve around these dates, like Mother’s day in May or Father’s day in June. Pottery classes, soap making workshops, flea markets, sailing club open houses and sales are a few examples of Vancouver events and are a special and wonderful present for a mom or dad on their special day. Other events in Vancouver are casual occasions, such as musical concerts or traveling shows. Whether you are in the city on a scheduled business trip and are looking for a reprieve from your daily grind or are planning on visiting specifically for such events, it does pay to know about events in Vancouver in advance. You can plan your days and nights according to these events and according to your interests. For example, if you are a jazz fan, you might want to plan a trip to Vancouver for the Jazz Festival, which happens annually in Chilliwack on the first week of May. If you are into crafting, the Crafting Expo is organized first week of May in Vancouver and is an annual event as well. Knowing what events take place during your stay in the city will help you maximize the time you spend here and will help create more beautiful memories. With a list of Vancouver events to plan your days and nights here you can be sure that there will never be a dull moment during your stay here.

How many times have you had this experience that the weekend you had waited for so anxiously has finally arrived, you are all up for fun and excitement, and you don’t know where to go? Plenty of times, as all of us… The truth is there are an enormous number of events being organized in the city; you just need a convenient tool to look for them. Having a list of Vancouver events does benefit both local residents of the city and people who are on vacation in our Lotusland. Having your own list of Vancouver events at hand can give visitors as well as residents the convenience of choosing best events and activities to attend. With the huge variety of events and activities happening all at the same time in the city, you will have an easier way of selecting what to do and where to go if you have a list of Vancouver events.

The activities and events that take place in Vancouver cover quite a number of interests, and every tourist and local can find a few for themselves. There are concerts, workshops, exhibitions, conferences, movies, theatrical shows, day tours, and so much more for you to enjoy. Whether you are looking to have some good fun with your family, enjoy the city life alone, or if you are looking to meet new people, there is always a plenty of events in Vancouver to choose from.

Some of the events in Vancouver are annual and happen on fixed dates and months each year. Therefore, celebrations dedicated to these events also revolve around these dates, like Mother’s day in May or Father’s day in June. Pottery classes, soap making workshops, flea markets, sailing club open houses and sales are a few examples of Vancouver events and are a special and wonderful present for a mom or dad on their special day.

Other events in Vancouver are casual occasions, such as musical concerts or traveling shows. Whether you are in the city on a scheduled business trip and are looking for a reprieve from your daily grind or are planning on visiting specifically for such events, it does pay to know about events in Vancouver in advance. You can plan your days and nights according to these events and according to your interests. For example, if you are a jazz fan, you might want to plan a trip to Vancouver for the Jazz Festival, which happens annually in Chilliwack on the first week of May. If you are into crafting, the Crafting Expo is organized first week of May in Vancouver and is an annual event as well.

Knowing what events take place during your stay in the city will help you maximize the time you spend here and will help create more beautiful memories. With a list of Vancouver events to plan your days and nights here you can be sure that there will never be a dull moment during your stay here.

How many times have you had this experience that the weekend you had waited for so anxiously has finally arrived, you are all up for fun and excitement, and you don’t know where to go? Plenty of times, as all of us… The truth is there are an enormous number of events being organized in the city. Having a list of Vancouver events does benefit both local residents of the city and people who are on vacation in the Lotusland. Having your own list of Vancouver events at hand can give visitors as well as residents the convenience of choosing best events and activities to attend. With the huge variety of events and activities happening all at the same time in the city, you will have an easier way of selecting what to do and where to go if you have a list of Vancouver events.

You’ve saved the money, you’ve applied for the passport… wow, you’re practically ready to pack. But wait… just having made the decision to get a passport and go to Europe is only the first step. There are more decisions to make. Let’s think through some of this.

How much time do you have? One week will have you concentrating on an area or a city… two or more weeks lets you tour around a bit more.

What part of Europe do you want to go to? It’s not like you can just go to Europe. That’s like saying you want to see the United States. There are big areas to be covered, and you need to choose an area to see even if you have several weeks.

Do you just want to see it…? Visit the highlights like maybe London, Paris, Rome, and see the big sights? Or… do you have an agenda? Do you want to find family roots and do a little genealogy research? Is there a festival you’ve always wanted to see like the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona or The Gathering and Highland Games in Edinburgh?

Do you concentrate on one or two countries or try to do a grand circle of Europe?

Do you take a tour? Set up a Custom tour? Or do you want to take your first trip to Europe all on your own and find your own way?

So how will you answer these questions?

If you’re a student, you may be able to travel for the summer… good for you. You won’t find a better way to add to your education! If you’re retired, you can stay as long as your finances will allow… AND you can travel during shoulder seasons when there are fewer crowds.

If you only have one or two or three weeks, try for those shoulder seasons to maximize your experiences and minimize the lines. Try to limit yourself to a country a week. Even at that you’ll just be getting an overview of the area you choose to visit.

A tour can be a good idea and can take some of the anxiety out of your first trip to Europe. There are so many tours offered that you can easily choose one that goes to the area you want to visit for the length of time you want to spend, and you can even get tours that specifically go to those festivals or visit gardens or let you explore just castles. Your hotels will be taken care of and many of your meals too. It’s good way to build your confidence abroad.

If groups just aren’t your thing, being an independent traveler on your first trip to Europe is not difficult either. There is so much information on the internet that it’s easy to plan it for yourself and leave yourself more flexibility.

Just sit down with a pencil and paper and make the decisions one at a time, and that long awaited first trip to Europe will be a reality.

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