HowToDoThings.com Recent Planning Articles

How To Plan a Trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

aesta — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:48:04 -0500

How To Learn Italian

niko — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:56:55 -0500

Speaking Italian will seem very difficult if you are just starting out, but if you keep at it you will soon see results, and speaking Italian can be a valuable skill. You may have Italian relatives or business partners, wish to travel to Italy, or wish to learn for your own enjoyment. Learning Italian can be made easier, if you follow these four simple steps below. Of course, the best way to learn is to combine these basic steps with a language learning program. If you're looking for a good program, I recommend Rocket Italian from personal experience.

How To Learn German

niko — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:55:05 -0500

Learning to speak German can be a valuable skill. There are many great reasons for learning German. You may have German relatives or business associates, be planning a trip or relocating for work, or just want to learn for your own enjoyment. Whatever your reasons, these basic steps can help you learn the German language. As you follow this road map, I strongly recommend you use a language program like Rocket German.

How To Find Better Deals in Car Rentals

aesta — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:30:06 -0500

How To Dive Cheaply in the Maldives

aesta — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:00:54 -0500

How To Travel to Maui with Children

lstoller — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:12:18 -0500

Dreaming about a family trip to Maui? You're sure to have the time of your life, but before you say "aloha," you've actually got to plan your adventure. Each family has its own set of needs, and traveling with children can be overwhelming. What do you want out of the trip? Here are a few points to consider as you plan your family trip to Maui:

How To Survive the Bonnaroo Music Festival

danielledescarfino — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:50:17 -0500

Bonnaroo is an amazing time for fun-loving music fans, but four days of camping can be a little overwhelming for some people. Don't let it ruin your fun! This festival held on a huge campground in Manchester, Tennessee draws in nearly 100,000 people each year from all over the country.

How To Keep a Travel Journal

aesta — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 13:25:25 -0600

Journals have become as much a part of our lives as they were for our counterparts in the 19th century and before. We have facebooks and websites and diet records and even the diary has snuck back into use, electronic or otherwise. But, hold on. What about travel and vacations? We just take for granted that the camera will be our memory for the most interesting experiences. But our pictures show only what we saw, not how we felt or the context. They record for only one of the five senses, and they leave out so much. When we see the pictures, they often seem empty and we wonder, "Why on earth did I take that picture?" A well done travel journal can take the image and add the sounds and smells and textures, and then, your feelings and more. It turns a snapshot into a kaleidoscope of remembered smiles. So try the following:

How To Plan for International Travel

apolman — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:42:13 -0600

Embarking on overseas travel is often very exciting and is something that we plan for months or even years. When you arrive at your destination you want to have everything you need and not experience that last minute panic. Following these simple steps will make organizing your international trip and enjoying it a breeze.

How To Drive Long Distances Safely

omehaney — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:43:40 -0600

It's inevitable that we have to drive a long distance at some point in our lives and we would like to do so safely. Whether we are going on vacation or moving cross-country, getting the drive over with as quickly as possible is usually the objective. Before embarking on your next four-wheeled adventure, consider the following to help you stay alert and safe:

How To Enjoy Angkor Wat in Cambodia

aesta — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:27:10 -0600

Angkor and its temples is one destination you don't want to miss. Siem Reap, Cambodia, the town and the Province where Angkor Wat is located is only at the beginning of modernization and urbanization, so there are still interesting rural communities around the temples. Neat little markets with wonderful village folks who could really use your business. The Province is really poor...even though it has one of the world's greatest heritage sites!

The learning and fun in your visit will depend mostly on the time you have, your itinerary, your energy levels and your visit objectives. Some people may just want to see a few temples and relish the experience of imagining life in what may have been the world's largest urban area a thousand years ago! Others may want to see it all. Here are some suggestions gathered from several trips to Angkor:

How To Plan a Tour

vaisakhan — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:08:14 -0600

A good tour requires good planning. Here are some tips to plan a good tour.

How To Discover the Beauties of Rome

jannuzzi — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:00:56 -0600

Well done. You are going to Rome! Having decided that, you are certainly a person who gives value to history, arts, culture and of course, ice cream! This article is a starting point for a traveler to discover the beauties of this amazing city. Rome has several angles to be looked at. This is an attempt to put together theses perspectives into a general guide or, dare I say, a meta-guide. Once in Rome, you can go and explore these suggestions in more detail and plan your itinerary the way you like.

How To Rent an RV

n0b0dyz — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:47:56 -0600

Smelly hotel rooms. Hard beds. Carrying luggage in and out every day. Miles to drive to see the sights. Or…

Setting up a tent in the rain. Sleeping on the ground. Stashing your stuff in odd corners of a tiny tent. But the sights are right there, if you could straighten your aching back to look at them. Or…

Your own space. Your own beds. Your belongings stowed neatly for the length of your vacation. AND, the sights you came to see right at your doorstep.

Renting an RV can be comparable in price to staying in motels—and less then staying in higher-end lodges and resorts.

How To Pay for Things on a Cruise Ship

bronwyn — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:56:06 -0600

After planning and booking a cruise, many people forget that there is still more money to be spent - aboard the cruise ship. Cruise ships are a fun way to travel but there are plenty of additional costs to plan for while on the ship. To make things more confusing, there are a variety of different ways to pay for things on a cruise ship. Here are the most common.

How To Have a Great First Day in London

jonathan priest — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:23:38 -0600

If you have never been to London before, what do you do on your first day? Visit Buckingham Palace, see the Changing of the Guard, take a tour of the Tower of London?

How To Travel on the London Underground

jonathan priest — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:26:40 -0600

If you visit London you will likely need to use the London Underground, commonly known as the Tube (probably because most of the tunnels are round). The Underground has been burrowing its way through the Capital since 1863. The first trains were steam driven (imagine the smell and smoke in the open carriages). Electricity didn’t arrive until 1890. Over 400 miles of Underground lines criss-cross London with frequent trains and station stops and many interconnections. To some extent London has grown up around its Underground stations and their names have become identified with their localities such as Leicester Square (pronounced lester) and Knightsbridge.

How To Cope with Increasing Travel Restrictions

triple1 — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:52:23 -0600

Unfortunately, rules and policies for public transportation evolve with every new terrorism threat. If you print out a list of restricted items six months prior to your vacation, it may be completely out of date when you are ready to pack your suitcase. Here are some important facts and tips.

Transport carriers and governments are continually adding and revising security measures. Although they have developed many safeguards over recent years, they amend the rules and guidelines with every new terrorism attempt. Post 9-11 safeguards include:

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How To Save Money on Accommodations by Hostelling

triple1 — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:23:33 -0600

Backpackers and students have known about hostels for generations. Nowadays, the differences between hostels and hotels are diminishing. Many adults, including those with families, save money by staying in these cheap accommodations.

Modern establishments often provide many unexpected extras like:

Shuttle service to and from airports, railway terminals, etc.;
Comfortable guest 'common areas' with cable or satellite TV;
DVD players and extensive DVD libraries;
High-speed Internet access - free or at a price;
Safety deposit boxes for guests' possessions;
Guided city tours;
Building or guestroom access doors with computer key-cards;
Private rooms and private bathrooms.

Many of these amenities are what you might expect from a high-class hotel. However, accommodations do differ.

How To Prepare for a Stay at a Bed and Breakfast - 7 Tips

triple1 — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:44:41 -0600

Staying at a bed and breakfast can mean many things. It can be a romantic getaway for two in a Mom and Pop operation - with Jacuzzi and evening champagne - or a family holiday in a country inn with a petting zoo and onsite restaurant. Whatever type of B&B you choose, there are some key details to take into account.

How To Plan a Trip to the Holy Land

nancylapid — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:37:27 -0500

Do you keep putting off your visit to Israel, as if it's a trip you can make only once in a lifetime? Are you intending to go someday when your kids are grown, or your life is in better order, or maybe after you've won the lottery? I'm here to tell you: Stop putting off your first trip. Go this year! Here's how to plan it.

How To Plan a Solo Backpacking Trip

ronkhare — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:48:22 -0500

First, a warning: Solo backpacking trips are extremely dangerous. Many national parks will not allow a person to travel alone, be it hiking, backpacking or any other outdoor sport. Before you decide to risk it, check with the rules and laws of the parks and wilderness areas beforehand.

That said, there are rewards along with the risks. Backpacking is a great way to escape the insanity of the modern world, and traveling alone allows one to soak in nature without the constant interaction and chatter a partner would provide. However, without the extra pair of hands, feet and eyes, the dangers of backpacking increase exponentially.

This is for experienced backpackers only. If you are a new backpacker, go on a few trips with experienced friends first.

How To Travel Without Planning

ronkhare — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:04:37 -0500

It's happened to the best of us: a flight delay, hotel booked solid, vacation ruined due to weather or other tourists. Many people shrug and chalk it up to life... no matter how well-planned a trip is, things can and will go wrong.

What would happen, then, if one simply did not plan the trip at all? To declare a destination is to set a goal, but if you fail to reach it, then you have failed your goal. To say you must take this plane means you may miss your plane. But what if you traveled with only a vague idea of direction? Life may reveal to you a far better trip than you planned...

How To Plan a New Year's Vacation

Beth141 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:37:00 -0600

The coming of the new year brings not only a fresh beginning but also an end to the busy holiday season. A New Year's vacation can be a great way for people who want to celebrate the New Year to do so in style. A New Year's vacation can also help a person relax after the stress of the holiday crunch. If a New Year's vacation is on your wish list for either of these reasons, or one of your own, here are some tips for planning a great time.

Solidify the group. A New Year's vacation can be a great time for a couple to unwind, for families to play, for friends to reunite. Who is coming on your New Year's vacation? Decide this and a host of new questions will come up regarding times, places, activities and prices. But as long as you know who's going on this trip, all the other questions can be answered.

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How To Plan a Christmas Vacation

Beth141 — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:46:00 -0600

For many people, the perfect Christmas is one spent at home, sitting around their own Christmas tree, opening gifts and eating a home-cooked meal. For many others, though, Christmas is a great time to get away, to go some place exotic, or to take a traditional trek to a favorite resort. If you're thinking that Santa's got the right idea - traveling the globe during Christmas - and you'd like to plan a Christmas vacation of your own, consider the following trip-planning tips.

How To Exchange Currency Online

Sandy608 — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:04:00 -0600

Currency exchange rates are almost always better at your destination than at home. That said, it is often beneficial to have at least some local currency available when you arrive, for such things as porters, tips, and taxi fare. Although most airports and train stations have currency exchange offices, their hours are sometimes erratic and overseas flights often arrive during non-banking hours.

To avoid worrying your entire flight about whether the currency exchange office will be open, it makes sense to exchange a limited amount of money in advance of your trip. Once only possible at downtown banks in major cities and the American Express office, you can now purchase foreign currency online. To do so, follow these steps:

How To Exchange Foreign Currency

Tonya249 — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:07:00 -0500

If you will be traveling outside of the United States, it's important to have some local currency for the area to which you are traveling. There are three basic ways to exchange American currency for foreign currency, and to exchange any leftover foreign currency back to American dollars when you return. Most foreign exchange services will accept cash for conversion to foreign currency, but you can also charge it to a major credit card. Besides obtaining foreign currency through one of these services, you can usually buy foreign currency traveler's checks, also.