Wheelchair Accommodations While Traveling

1. If you’re not able to walk long distances, request an airport wheelchair when you make your reservation. If you plan on traveling with your wheelchair, let the airline know beforehand what type of an assistive device you have. Passengers with battery-powered wheelchairs have to arrive at the airport at least one hour before standard check-in time.


2. When making your plane reservations, request a seat with a flip-up armrest, which will make transfers much more manageable. A bulkhead is a divider that separates the classes or sections of a plane. These seats have extra legroom and are therefore easier to get in and out. Although not required by the ACAA, some airlines will routinely block bulkhead seats for passengers with limited mobility. 


3. The ACAA also entitles you to stay in your wheelchair (if it has non-spillable batteries) until you get to the gate. Once you get to the gate, your wheelchair will be taken down to the cargo area, and you’ll be transported to your seat in a high-back aisle chair if you can’t walk. Once you get to your destination, your wheelchair or scooter will be delivered to you at the gate. 


4. Bring assembly and disassembly instructions (in Spanish and English) for your mobility device with you to the airport. The ACAA requires that if a wheelchair or scooter is disassembled for transport, it must be returned to the passenger correctly assembled. Having assembly instructions available to the staff who’ll be helping, you’ll make things easier. 


5. Planes that have more than one hundred seats have storage space aboard for one manual wheelchair. This space is available on a first-come basis, so try to get to the boarding area early.


6. Before you board the plane use the airport bathrooms since they tend to be easier to access. Airplane bathrooms are small, and you need to be able to walk a few steps to use them. So have a backup plan such as wearing a diaper, in case you have an accident, it’ll be easier to clean up.


7. Remember, many people are on crutches or wheelchairs, and airline staff have their protocols for helping such passengers. Ask for priority boarding and request special services staff to assist you. 


8. Book hotels, tours, and trips to places that are wheelchair accessible. Pre-planning is vital, so you don’t end up somewhere where wheelchair accessibility is not a consideration. If the location is not accessible and you have the funds, you can make the place convenient for you. By paying for private transportation and traveling with your wheelchair ramp, adaptive equipment, and a travel partner who can help you manage your equipment and help you access the location you’re visiting. Check out Curb Free with Cory Lee for examples and strategies used by Cory Lee on how he travels the world in his power wheelchair.

Read: How to Travel the World in a Wheelchair or on Crutches

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

How to Travel the World in a Wheelchair or on Crutches

How to Travel the World in a Wheelchair or on Crutches

Traveling requires special planning and preparation if you’re in a wheelchair or on crutches. The complexity of your trip will grow depending on your level of disability. By understanding the variables that could slow your journey, you can plan accordingly to overcome them. 

If you’ve recently had surgery, speak to your doctor regarding travel restrictions. Typically, after surgery, you’re at higher risk for blood clots for up to six months, and plane travel increases the risk even more. When scheduling your flights, extend layovers between connecting flights to decrease the risk of blood clots. Keep in mind that the longer the trip, the higher the risk. 

If your mobility is limited or you’ve recently had surgery, make sure you are moving your body every 1-2 hours for a few minutes to reduce the risk of blood clots. If you’re able to stand supported, do toe raises. If you can’t stand, then move your limbs while seated and complete isometric exercises. For example, press your hands together in a prayer position as hard as you can for ten seconds. You'll feel the tension in your chest and arms, yet your arms didn't move at all. For your legs, push your feet into the ground as hard as you can for ten seconds, so you’ll feel the tension in your feet and legs. These are isometric exercises, where you have the static contraction of a muscle without any visible movement in the angle of the joint allowing your muscles to pump and circulate blood through the limb, which significantly reduces the risk of blood clots. Keep in mind to maintain your weight-bearing precautions if you have any. For example, if you’re not supposed to put weight on your leg, don’t stand on it; instead, use isometric exercises.

Before you start your trip, learn the rules so your trip will go smoother. The Americans with Disabilities Act covers people in the USA while on the ground, and the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) covers access on all flights to and from the US. Familiarizing yourself with the laws will help you understand what accommodations, facilities, and services should be available to you. It’s a good idea to carry a copy with you in case you have issues with staff who may not be familiar with the accommodations they are required to provide you according to the law. If you have access-related questions, you can call the disability hotline operated by the US Department of Transportation at (800) 778-4838. If you have any pre-trip questions regarding the security screening process, contact the TSA at least 72 hours before your flight at (855) 787-2227. 

Once you arrive at the airport, if you can’t walk through the metal detector unassisted, let the airport security or Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent know. They will take you aside, hand-wand you, and give you a manual pat-down. Let the agents know if you have any sore or tender body parts before the screening. You also have the option for a private screening, if you prefer, with a companion of your choice present.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

The Harmful Effects of Cold

The Harmful Effects of Cold

Frostbite is caused by cold temperature damaging tissues of your body, usually your ears, nose, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes. Frostbitten skin will feel numb and look white or gray. Frostbite is not painful; you won’t notice as it sets in slowly and causes tissue damage. When it's freezing, you have to keep pinching your nose and cheeks to make sure there's still feeling left.

On below freezing days, don’t wash your face in the morning, so you don’t remove the natural oil produced by your skin and lose the protection from cold weather it provides. 

Hypothermia occurs when you're exposed to cold weather for a prolonged period of time, and your body temperature drops below 95˚F (35˚C) and loses more heat than it can make. Hypothermia causes shivering, clumsiness, confusion, tiredness, or urinating more than usual. If not treated quickly, hypothermia can be deadly. 

Being exposed to cold weather for prolonged periods of time can cause a heart attack. Because it causes your heart to work harder than usual to keep you warm, which increases your heart rate and blood pressure.

Beware of prolonged exposure to cold weather, wear warm clothing, and if you’re still cold, seek shelter somewhere warmer. These were some of The Harmful Effects of Cold. Learn the harmful effects of heat by clicking here.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

The Harmful Effects of Heat

The Harmful Effects of Heat

Avoid excessive sun exposure and drink extra fluids when traveling in warmer climates to avoid dehydration. Dehydration can cause irritability, constipation, headaches, lower your blood pressure, cramping, and fatigue. Dehydration is the number one reason for hospital visits. 

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to loss of water and salt through excessive sweating. If heat exhaustion is left untreated, it can lead to heatstroke, which can have long-term health effects. 

A heat rash occurs when sweat ducts get clogged and trap perspiration under the skin. Sunburn is a result of excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

To protect yourself from heat, wear light-weight clothing, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity. The skin needs to be moisturized to prevent dry or flaky skin. Within ten minutes of bathing, apply body lotion help retain moisture in the skin. Water-based moisturizers are recommended for hot weather because they are typically lighter weight than oil-based moisturizers. Sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher is ideal for most people year-round. These were some of The Harmful Effects of Heat. Learn the harmful effects of cold by clicking here.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

How much water should you drink when traveling

How much water should you drink when traveling

The minimum amount of water you should drink is eight glasses a day. However, you can still become dehydrated and suffer health effects from drinking eight glasses of water.

One year, I traveled to Egypt in July, and the temperature reached 122 degrees Fahrenheit, the hottest and driest weather I had ever experienced in my life. At first, I was surprised to see how few tourists were visiting the pyramids until I realized how difficult it was to travel under such hot and dry conditions. I had to carry three 1.5-liter bottles of water in my backpack at all times. Whenever I was talking to someone, I had to take a drink of water before I started speaking and before I could finish the sentence because my mouth would become incredibly dry. It felt as if someone was shoving hot cotton in my mouth when the scorching air entered my mouth. I noticed that I was barely going to the restroom, as I lost most fluids through my mouth when I spoke in the hot air and from all the sweating, I was doing to keep my body temperature stable. 

At home, I’m running marathons, wrestling, and involved in multiple sports. At times I exercise up to eight hours a day. However, in this hot climate, I only walked or used public transportation as much as possible to avoid the sun.

I ended up staying inside during the hottest parts of the day and still averaged twelve 1.5-liter bottles of water a day. That adds up to forty-eight glasses of water, just to feel comfortable and carry on normal daily activities. So, don’t limit yourself to eight glasses of water. The amount of water you need is going to depend on the climate you're visiting versus the climate you're accustomed to, and your health, activity level, and conditioning.

As a general rule, drink water whenever you feel thirsty. Your body will let you know when you’re thirsty. Don't ignore the feeling of thirst or it will go away, and you’ll drink even less water, which will only put you at a higher risk for heat-related problems.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

Gap Year Travel

Gap Year Travel

A gap year is usually time off between high school and college. The difference between a vacation and a gap year is that the gap year may last any length of time, up to a year or more. A gap year can be life-changing. Spending time living abroad nurtures creativity, opens your mind, and will unlock a life full of adventure.

A gap year may involve a variety of things like backpacking, time out between careers, a short gap year, or a sabbatical. A gap year can be valuable time spent between life stages; traveling, volunteering, and working abroad, or doing all three.

While staying in an ashram in India, I met several people on a gap year vacation from around the world. The dorms were twenty cents a night, and the meals were eight cents. So, for forty-four cents, you could cover your meals and housing for a day. These types of prices allow people who are going through divorces, breakups, career changes, traumatic life experiences, breaks from school, or just about any other situation a person might go through, to take a gap year and recalibrate. I’ve met people in Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Africa having such experiences. 

Because of the low prices, people can stay away for extended periods of time and merely reset. I’ve met some fascinating people who were in unfortunate life situations. Many had tried therapy without making any progress, and the only way they were able to overcome their circumstances was to getaway. If you’re going through a rough patch in your life, I would seriously recommend taking a gap year to heal yourself. As a clinician of twenty years and who has worked with thousands of people, I've hardly ever seen anything more effective.

For more gap year travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

Best Travel Apps - TOP 37 APPS

Here are the best travel apps to help you have a smooth travel time!

1. XE - Free currency converter allows you to calculate live currency and foreign exchange rates. 


2. GlobeTips - will advise you on how much to tip in more than 200 countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. 


3. Tricount - for trips with friends, family members, or simply splitting the cost between groups. Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don’t have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip, currency, and invite your travel mates to join you. Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount and the app splits everything evenly. You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up at the end.


4. Metric Conversions - this app makes easy conversions in volume, weight, temperature, area, and more. 


5. TripLingo - will help you sound like a local abroad. You select a destination and download the country pack, such as France. The app will translate your voice into French, image translator, selection of key French phrases, Wi-Fi dialer so you can make calls from abroad (you must add the credit, starting at $10), tipping section, safety, and cultural norms to help you blend in. The phrase section has tabs on humor and fun, nightlife, and flirting, all of which you can download and access offline.


6. Speedcheck - lets you test your internet connection on both Wi-Fi and cellular networks, keep track of your speed tests and contribute your results to a crowdsourced map of Wi-Fi Hotspots that shows the speed of each hotspot. You can use the included Wi-Fi Finder to find Free and Fast Wi-Fi - in Hotels, Cafes, Restaurants anywhere in the world.


7. Google Translate - instantly translates 103 languages, words, phrases, and web pages. The app also allows you to translate any poster or printed text in real-time using the camera on your smartphone.


8. Hopper - tracks flight prices and gives you periodic updates on whether you should buy now or wait. It doesn't just tell you to wait to buy your ticket but gives you a date when the price will likely rise. You can book reservations through Hopper as well.


9. Kiwi.com - is used to book flights, hotels, car rentals, even activities, and tours. The app provides information on destinations, airports, how to find lounges, ATMs, and luggage storage during a layover. The Nomad feature, has flight itineraries mapped out for you in packs, like the Tour Europe option. This one has a customizable itinerary featuring the cheapest way to enjoy three to five nights in Barcelona, three to five nights in Amsterdam, and three to five nights in Paris.


10. FlightStats and FlightAware - allow you to get the latest flight information. Quickly access global flight status by flight number, airport or route, and watch the flight travel to its destination with the flight tracker. 


11. LoungeBuddy - offers access to premium airport lounges around the world, regardless of the airline or class you’re flying. When you create a trip in the app, it tells you which lounges you have access to based on the airports you’ll be transiting through, as well as how to purchase access if you don’t already have it. 


12. Priority Pass - gives you access to more than 1,300 lounges and provides meal vouchers at select airport restaurants across the world. You’ll have to pay an annual fee to be a member, and an additional fee to enter each lounge depending on your membership. Use the app to pull up the lounges or restaurants that you have access to, including photos, hours, amenities, and specific location information.
    Several premium credit cards offer free Priority Pass membership for all cardholders.

13. GateGuru - Comprehensive airport information on shops, restaurants, and other amenities in both domestic and international airports. 


14. Timeshifter - helps you avoid jet lag before your flight takes off, and offers in-flight and post-flight suggestions. The app relies on neuroscience research about sleep and circadian rhythms to provide personalized recommendations for each traveler, taking into consideration your age, gender, normal sleep patterns, specifics about your trip, and travel plans. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap, or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine. 


15. SkyGuru - an app designed by pilots that provides weather and turbulence forecasts for the route you’re flying. If you’re fearful of turbulence or flying, it allows you to be mentally prepared. 


16. Hotel Tonight - last-minute discounts on rooms booked the same evening or up to seven days (up to 100 in some markets) before your stay. Available hotel rooms are categorized by basic, luxe, charming, and high-roller. The app has features such as being able to save favorite hotels and scroll through reviews, user-generated photos, rewards programs, and the daily drop feature. The daily drop gives you personalized deals with a special price only valid for fifteen minutes after unlocked. 


17. Roomer Travel - If you have to cancel a trip last minute, this app and website help people sell prepaid reservations to others who can use them, usually at a lower cost. It can help you recoup money that might otherwise have been lost, and it can also help you save money if you buy a reservation from someone who can't use it.


18. Hilton Honors - allows you to see a map of the hotel layout and tap on the exact room you’d like when checking in via the app. Options include upper-level rooms, near the elevator, or a specific view (ocean or pool). Other features allow you to pre-order your favorite pillow type, request specific snacks and beverages (at an added cost), check out, view your points balance, and elite status benefits.


19. Roadtrippers - helps you organize your road trip. Roadtrippers lets you plan out your driving route, book hotels, and activities along the way. The app is useful for finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions as well as cool restaurants and can’t-miss landmarks you can bookmark.


20. PackPoint - The app shows you what to pack based on the length of your trip, the weather in your destination, and the activities you’re planning. If you are using laundry facilities in your destination, PackPoint will allow you to account for washing your clothes and wearing them multiple times. 


21. AllTrails - lists of trails for hiking and walking around the world with pictures, maps, and directions to trailheads. It helps you find the best outdoor places when you're in an unfamiliar area.


22. Culture Trip - an SEO-driven website that runs articles with headlines that start "The Top 10" or "The Best Places." Locals write the content, and the app lets you save articles to wish lists. Make your wish lists for each destination or theme you're interested in (Salsa, Snorkeling Spots, etc.), and you can save the Culture Trip articles for your reference.


23. GasBuddy - it helps you find gas by location and price either in real-time on your phone or via its website. If you can save money by driving a little farther down the road, GasBuddy will let you know. It's available in the US, Canada, and Australia.


24. Google Maps - the best travel app for exploring destinations in most parts of the world. You can plan trips, star attractions, group attractions together, or save your maps offline so that you won't get lost even if you don't have data on your phone. Google maps also gives you directions in different forms (walking, driving, public transit, or ride-hailing), with time and distance information included. 


25. iExit - travel app for driving trips, tells you exactly what's near every highway exit. You can mark your favorite chains, and the app informs you if there's one coming up on your route, including gas stations, ATMs, and restaurants. 


26. Rick Steves Audio Europe - If you’re planning a trip to Europe, travel writer Rick Steves has an app for European travels with dozens of audio files. Some give you background information on a particular city or region, while others are audio guides for navigating popular sites. 


27. TripAdvisor - one of the most comprehensive online sources for travelers with background information about different cities and regions, plus highlights of what to see and do. It has reviews of hotels, restaurants, and activities, written by members of the TripAdvisor community, as well as photos from their travels, so you know what to expect before you arrive. It also allows you to make reservations for any of the previously mentioned services through the app.


28. TripCase - a free app that helps you organize your trip by making an itinerary for you. The itinerary can include flights, accommodations, rental cars, restaurant reservations, and more. To make an itinerary, you forward travel confirmation emails to TripCase, and the app organizes the information for you. When you open the app, a complete chronological lineup of your trip is waiting for you. You can also manually add details to your trip.


29. TripIt - helps you organize your itineraries, travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel and Airbnb booking info, rental car reservations, ferry tickets, and driving directions. It creates an organized itinerary for you by finding confirmation emails in your inbox and pulling out travel information. You also have the option of forwarding emails to it instead of manually entering details and sharing travel plans with others. 


30. Meetup - is an app for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies. The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, family-friendly meetups, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema, and much more. You can join groups to get updates on particular events you may want to participate in, and the app can even help with networking, as there are many groups dedicated to business and technology. 


31. Viator - specializes in tours and packages, from daily excursions to week-long adventures with transfers included. 


32. Wanderu - allows you to search for buses and trains the same way you search for flights. You can also use it for flights, car rentals, hotels, Amtrak, Megabus, BoltBus, and other ground services.


33. Happy Cow - helps vegan and vegetarian eaters locate more than 100,000 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmer’s markets, and grocery stores in over 195 countries around the world. The app also allows you to organize by gluten-free, cuisine type, read reviews, and get recipes on the app as well.


34. Triposo - allows you to download city guides, maps, and walks in your destination that works offline. You can also read about the background of the city you’re visiting, weather, safety tips, what to see and do. Triposo also offers options for booking hotels, restaurants, tours, activities, and experiences in over 50,000 destinations. 


35. Smart Traveler - specifically for U.S. travelers, you can see what visas and vaccines you’ll need before traveling and where to find help if you need it during your trip. Register your trip on the app, which gives your information to local embassies and consulates in your destination. If there’s any disaster or tragedy, the local embassy can contact you to see if you need help.


36. TripWhistle - maps your location and allows you to text or send your GPS coordinates or location easily. It also provides emergency numbers for firefighters, medical personnel, and police in nearly 200 countries. 


37. ByPost - Postcard Creator

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations

Traveling with credit cards

Traveling with credit cards

Use a credit card for all your purchases while traveling with credit cards; credit cards will give you the best exchange rate offered that month.  Just make sure it’s a travel card that doesn’t charge the 3% foreign transaction fee. While you’re at it, get a credit card with the best travel rewards programs.  

    Don’t use your credit card for a cash advance, the fees and interest rates are much higher.  The interest rates on cash advances also begin immediately instead of having the 30-day grace period.

    If the merchant requests to charge your card in U.S. dollars instead of the local currency, decline it.  When paying with your credit card, always pay in the local currency. This is a trick called dynamic currency conversion.  The exchange rate is usually the worst, and the merchant can add fees on top of that. Make your charges in the original currency and let your credit card company figure out the exchange rate.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations. (Cheap Flights Book 1)

Travel Vaccinations

Travel Vaccinations

Vaccinations, in my opinion, are an excellent investment, especially if you’re going to be traveling.  Danger has to be measured by the probability of that danger actually happening. Whenever possible, it's best to take steps to lower the likelihood of something happening to you.  For example, wearing a seat belt will increase your chances of surviving a car accident by 80%. It doesn't mean it’s 100%, or that there are any guarantees you won’t get hurt wearing one, but it will increase your chances of survival.  

    Travel Vaccinations lower your risks of getting sick.  I’ve had several friends over the years who became extremely ill or died in other countries.  I’ve also had patients come to the hospital where I work who had contracted illnesses in other countries and suffered unnecessarily due to inadequate preparation.  Don't put yourself in this type of situation if you can avoid it. A vaccine is one of your first lines of defense, the easiest and most cost-effective.  

    Check out the CDC website, which has the best available information anywhere.  It has the most comprehensive information on how to prepare to visit any place on the planet.  It has every country organized from A to Z, so you can just click on the country and get information on how to prepare to visit that location.  It includes travel warnings and emergencies happening in that location, recommended vaccines and medications, a safe and healthy travel section, a healthy travel packing list, travel health notices, and what to do after your trip if you're not feeling well.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book:

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations. (Cheap Flights Book 1)

Women Traveling Alone Tips - Solo Female Travel

Women Traveling Alone Tips - Solo Female Travel

Be extra sensitive to local female customs and make sure you are observing them.  Keep in mind that most of the world has different social norms for men and women. The world has many different customs and cultures.  Take the time to understand and learn from other cultures, and don’t try to force your ideas on others. Enjoy yourself, this is not the time to make a stand for social justice.

    Remember that a single woman traveling alone is not the norm, so you’re always going to attract more attention.  Even still, the travel trails are full of single female travelers, but they tend to be smarter than their male counterparts and avoid problems. 

    Avoid attracting attention and blend in as much as possible; buy some local loose clothing to avoid unwanted attention.  Dress conservatively and don’t wear too much make-up. Wear glasses to avoid making eye contact with people and possibly giving the impression that you’re looking for friends. Be open to spending a little more to stay in better areas, pay for Uber or use public transportation rather than walking the streets at night, and stay out of lonely places.  Don’t drink too much or do drugs which will make you an easy target.

    Check-in regularly with family and friends.  Be more selective as to whom you hang out with and try to group up with other travelers for outings to night spots or tourist attractions as there is always strength in numbers. 

    The Middle East, Asia, and Africa are regions where women have to be more conscious about what they're doing to avoid issues.

    Overall, your biggest worry is going to be fending off local men, so have fun, but be alert.

For more travel tips, check out my latest Amazon book.

How to Travel the World and Live with No Regrets.: Learn How to Travel for Free, Find Cheap Places to Travel, and Discover Life-Changing Travel Destinations. (Cheap Flights Book 1)