More Airlines Offering Child-Free Zones

Scoot Airlines, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, announced that it will let passengers pay about $14 to sit in a "child-free" zone. Children under the age of 12 are banned from sitting in this "Scoot in Silence" area, which will span rows 21 to 25 on its flights. This area also offers a few inches of more legroom. Scoot offers flights to Singapore, Sydney, the Gold Coast, Seoul and Nanjing. The airline joins Air Asia X, which also offers child-free zones. Air Asia X launched its "quiet zone" in February. Children under 12 aren't allowed to sit in this zone, which is composed of rows 7 - 14 in the premium cabin on some of its flights to Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Nepal and Korea.

10 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling

Wherever you're traveling, and whether it be for vacation or business, of course you want to remain healthy. Here are a few tips to help out.

1. Reduce airport stress by allowing plenty of time to check in and get through security.

2. Always carry any medications with you in your carry-on, in their original containers.

3. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and shoes during your flight.

4. Eat lightly before and during your flight (and pack your own food).

5. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water both during your flight and for the duration of your trip.

6. Try to stand up and walk around the airplane cabin every once in a while.

7. Never purchase foreign medications unless you are familiar with them.

8. Make sure to wear sun block at tropical locations or in high altitudes.

9. Utilize hotel gyms, or if your hotel doesn't have one, go for brisk walks at least every other day.

10. Try to get a room with a refrigerator and microwave (or at least a refrigerator). That way you can stock it with your own food from the store, and have more control over what you eat.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today for assistance with booking your next trip!

10 Helpful Tips for Packing Light

With practically every airline charging fees for checked bags these days, many travelers are trying to find ways to avoid checking bags all together.

Packing light has many advantages besides just avoiding airline fees. For example, you don't have to stand around for an hour waiting for your bags to show up on the baggage carrousel upon arrival at your destination and there's no chance that your bags will be lost or damaged en route. It's also easier to get through busy airports and train stations with fewer and smaller bags, and it makes it simple to take public transportation, rather than relying on high cost taxis and limos.

Here are some tips and suggestions for packing light, and fitting all your travel luxuries into one easy, carry-on bag.

1. Make a Packing List base on items and clothing that you know you'll need on your trip and stick to it! Try to avoid bringing items that you think you might need.

2. Wear layered clothing when you travel, that stretches and breathes giving you more room in your bag.

3. Pack wrinkle-free clothing as much as possible.

4. Rolling your clothes instead of laying them flat in the bag will provide more space.

5. Select one or two color scheme. Sometimes it's a good idea to add a few items with dark patterns, such as plaids as they help hide wrinkles, stains and dirt.

6. Reversible clothing, especially tops, are great choices since they effectively double your clothing choices.

7. Pack clothing that will dry quickly as you may need to wash some items during your trip.

8. Consider using a dual-purpose bag (suitcase/backpack combined) if you're going to be doing a lot of walking.

9. To simplify things for yourself, consider buying toiletries such as shampoo and toothpaste during your trip.

10. Make sure to follow the TSA 3-1-1 Liquid Rules;

Any liquid or gel packed in your carry-on bag must fit in a container that is a maximum of 3 ounces.
1 Quart: Containers carrying your liquids and gels must be packed in a clear, plastic bag that is no larger than 1 quart and has to be able to close completely.

1 Person: Every person is allowed to bring one clear, quart-size bag of properly sized containers noted above. Many stores have increase their supply of toiletries that meet the TSA guidelines.

Contact a Professional Travel Agent today to get started booking your next vacation!

Spain is Changing it's Travel Policies with Gibraltar

Spain says it is considering retaliatory measures towards the British Territory of Gibraltar that could include a 50 Euro border crossing fee. Spain is upset because Gibraltar is buidling an

artificial reef that is causing damage to fishing grounds. The proceeds of the fee would be used to help Spanish fishermen who have lost out because of the damage to the fishing grounds. Tax investigations into thousands of Gibraltarians who own property in Spain could also be launched. Spain is also considering closing airspace to planes heading to Gibraltar airport as well as changing rules to increase tax revenue from online gaming companies based on "the Rock". 

The Spanish ambassador was summoned to the British Foreign Office last week to explain why people crossing the border were having to wait up to seven hours in sweltering heat. Britain has held sovereignty over Gibraltar for three centuries and its 2.6 square miles is home to 30,000 people, with an economy dominated by off-shore banking, internet gambling operations and tourism. Ownership of the territory has long been a point of contention between Spain and Britain. The latest tensions began 10 days ago after Gibraltarian boats began dumping blocks of concrete into the sea near the territory.

Some Airlines are Now Weighing Carry-ons

Airline passengers are being warned they could face excess baggage fees at the check-in desk as handbags are being weighed. Travelers are being left confused by different carry-on luggage policies across airlines, and have been urged to closely read the individual allowances and also check baggage size. In Asia budget carriers Tiger and Jetstar weigh handbags as part of 10kg, two-item domestic carry-on limits. Passengers flying with airlines that have self check-in kiosks can go to the gate without their cabin bags being weighed, but may be pulled up by staff if they appear to be carrying too much. If a trip entails more than one airline be sure to check the luggage policies of both of them.