What You Need to Know about Travel Gift Cards

date 14 Jun 2010 | category General

Maybe you want to give someone you know a gift and you just don’t know what. Well, if that person likes traveling, a travel gift card could be just what you’re looking for. You’ll hear some people say that gift cards are not a “personal” gift, but often it’s better to let the receiver choose exactly how to spend their card than give something “personal” that is perhaps more to your taste than theirs. And if you know more or less your friend’s or relative’s upcoming travel planes, you can adapt your travel gift card perfectly to their needs.

A travel gift card works like any other gift card. You purchase it by putting the value on it that you want to give the recipient. As the traveler uses the card, money is deducted from the card for each purchase they make.

There are basically two different types of travel gift card. One is a plastic card that looks like a regular gift card you would get from any store. These can be easily stored in your wallet or purse like a credit card. The other type is an e-card that is received in the recipient’s email.

If you’re giving a plastic travel gift card, the traveler must have the gift card in hand in order to use it. This means that if you’re giving it for a special date, you will have to order it early so the card can be delivered on time. You can choose to have the gift card sent to you and then give it to the recipient personally.

Alternatively, when you order from the travel provider, you can arrange for it to be sent directly to the recipient. Plastic gift cards, while easy to store, can also easily be lost and used by someone else. Therefore they should be treated carefully like cash.

E-cards work differently because they are sent to the recipient’s email address as soon as your purchase transaction is cleared. This means they can make a great last-minute gift for someone who loves to travel. However, you must be sure you have the person’s correct email address.

The email will include a code or a gift card number the recipient must use to redeem the card. These can be a little more secure than plastic travel gift cards. They are nearly impossible to lose as long as you keep the original email.

Travel gift cards can be purchased to pay for an entire trip or for a part of the trip. They are available from hotel chains and airlines. They can also be used to pay for bed and breakfast stays. If you would like to give someone a cruise, you can get a gift card from a cruise line.

Before purchasing your travel gift cards, be sure to read over the terms and conditions. Each travel provider has different conditions of usage for their gift cards. You wouldn’t want to spend all that money and find out that the recipient couldn’t use it after all. As well, some gift cards have expiration dates.

Travel gift cards are a wonderful way to help vacationers stretch their travel budgets. By giving a travel gift card, you can pay for the majority of a trip or just pay for a few luxuries to make a trip extra special.

Review: Guard Alaska Bear Spray

date 09 Jun 2010 | category Reviews,Travel Safety

Guard Alaska™ Bear Defense Spray

If you are an outdoor enthusiast who frequently ventures into bear country, you should carry a bear spray for your own safety. It should be carried in a quickly accessible location on your person in case you have to use it to scare off a bear that’s on your trail.



The Guard Alaska Bear Spray is a highly effective and recommended bear repellent, which has been scientifically proven to be extremely powerful. It is recommended for use on all bear species and is registered with the EPA (Environment Protection Agency). The spray range is between 15 – 20 feet. I like the fact that the Guard Alaska Bear Spray is environmentally safe to use and does not contain any ozone destroying chemicals.

In my opinion, bear spray is a must have if you are planning on having a “bear-free” time in the great outdoors. It could safe your life and is certainly worth the money spent.

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

Telluride, Colorado: Great Scenery and Open-Air Activities

date 08 Jun 2010 | category Destinations

Telluride, Colorado, offers lots of different activities and terrains, and for that reason, it’s a perfect holiday spot all year round. In the winter, you can ski on some of the best slopes in the world, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking sceneries you can imagine. And in summer you get to see multi-colored fields filled with wildflowers and great festivals.

The town of Telluride is situated in a rugged canyon in the heart of Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. Stunning mountain views are accessible almost everywhere you look. If you take a short drive to the Lizard Head Pass summit, you can get an even better view of the San Juan Mountains. For those who love waterfalls, a visit to the two-pronged Bridal Veil Falls and the scenic Bear Creek Falls is a definite must.

During the summer months, Colorado offers an explosion of color with wildflowers springing up everywhere. Against the backdrop of the snow-topped mountains, it is a sight you won’t forget. It is a beautiful setting for your summer vacation.

In the winter, skiing is the most popular activity for visitors to Telluride. But during the summer months there is also a lot to do. One activity you can do in the summer is to ride the gondola from the town of Telluride to Mountain Village. The gondola is free during the non-ski season and is a perfect viewpoint for the gorgeous mountain scenery.

In the summer you can also go fly fishing in mountain streams, hiking up mountain trails, mountain biking, and taking in exciting cultural events and concerts. Telluride also offers restaurants, shops and spas for your relaxation and enjoyment.

Another reason why Telluride is popular during the summer is its temperate climate. For those who want an escape from the extreme heat of summer, this can be an ideal time to visit. The average temperatures in July and August are around the upper 70s. You might even find you need a sweater or a jacket in the evenings.

Over the summer, Telluride is well known for its fun-filled summer festivals. From late May through October, Telluride offers an event almost every weekend. They include the Balloon Festival, the Wild West Fest, the Bluegrass Festival, the Wine Festival and much more. You will always have a new activity to take in during your stay.

One more thing you can do while visiting Telluride is experience its exciting rivers in a whole new way. A white water rafting or kayaking trip will give you a great opportunity to discover picturesque canyons, lush riverbanks, abundant local wildlife and exciting rapids. A rafting or kayaking adventure will ensure this is a trip you remember for years to come.

Whether you visit Telluride in the winter to enjoy its famous skiing or during the summer to take in the flowers and festivals, you’ll be sure to have an experience of a lifetime.