2013 Summer Travel Trends

Every summer seems to bring something new and exciting to do and see when it comes to travel.  So, what destinations are the hottest sellers this season?

• Music festivals – there are thousands of them to choose from around the country and in all genres.  Think about your favorite type of music – chances are there are many options for festivals to choose from!
• Disney dinners – to call this a popular destination for families is an understatement.  To get a reservation of dinner with the famous characters, you’ll need at least a 6-month lead time! 
• Wilderness delight – the Cumberland Island off of Georgia’s coast boasts no paved roads, wild horses and pristine natural settings.  Don’t miss out!
• Island hopping – on the Grecian isles, you’ll find sun, sand and more!  Study volcanoes, soak up the sun, enjoy white beaches and that’s just the beginning! 

So if you know where you want to go for a later summer vacation, we urge you to book it sooner rather than later!  Or, perhaps start planning your ideas for next summer’s travel.  If you've already booked a trip – where are you of to this season? 

Ugly Bags are Good!

Did you read that right?  Yes, we are advocating for ugly luggage.  We didn't say in bad shape, we just said ugly.  Making your luggage ugly has its benefits.  And, what benefits are those and how should you make your suitcase ugly? 

Personalizing your luggage with touches that are uniquely yours makes it more recognizable on the baggage belt and lessens the likelihood that someone will mistakenly grab it off the belt – thinking it’s theirs.  We all are familiar with the ever-popular colors of luggage – black, grey, navy blue, red – and also the fact that innumerable fellow travelers also have bags in those colors.  Make your mundane bag, uniquely yours!

• Consider knotting a thick, brightly colored ribbon to one of the handles.
• Write or draw something on the side or front of the bag using fabric paints or pens.
• Create and laminate custom luggage tags.
• Decorate the sides of the baggage with duct tape.  Duct tape comes in more patterns and colors then just the standard dull grey anymore!
• Luggage straps can serve two purposes – first they can hold your stuff inside the bag more securely and also can identify it as yours.
• Fancy yourself a paracord artist?  Make some special to tie onto your bag.
• Iron or stitch patches to the sides of your suitcase.
• If you use a hard-sided bag – perhaps decorate it with stickers from places you've traveled.

Have fun with the process.  The sky’s the limit, literally!  The uglier, the better! 

Share your photos of your personalized, ugly luggage with us – we’d love to see your creativity at work. 

MDT Plane Spotting: Beechcraft 1900D

In this post we will take a look at one of the aircraft that you may spot flying to and from Harrisburg International Airport (MDT).

The Beechcraft 1900D is the smallest commercial aircraft that flies through Harrisburg International Airport. It was manufactured by the Beechcraft Division of Raytheon between 1991 and 2002. The 1900D is the third iteration of the Beechcraft 1900 series, following the 1900 and the 1900C. The 1900 series are all 19 passenger turboprop airliners which were themselves an evolution of Beechcraft’s Model 200 Super King Air.

The 1900C was an early redesign of the 1900, distinguished primarily by the removal of a second airstair door. The 1900D was a more significant redesign. The most obvious feature of the 1900D when compared with the earlier 1900 models is the shape of the cabin. The 1900D is notable in its class for being one of only two 19 passenger airliners in service with a ceiling height that allows most passengers to walk through the craft without bending over. Changing the shape of the body necessitated other changes to the design, including more powerful engines and a larger tail.

Although more than 70 airlines currently operate Beechcraft 1900Ds, the only ones you’ll see at MDT wear the livery of Air Georgian, operating flights for HIA’s airline partner Air Canada. As many as 900 passengers make their way between Toronto and Harrisburg on 1900Ds every month.

Best Practices for Booking Trips

For some prospective travelers, the idea of booking a ticket for a  flight can be stressful.  At MDT we like to help take some of the hassle out of your air travel experience, not just in the terminal, but by offering tips and insights to make planning a trip just a little bit easier!  While these tips cannot be guaranteed to assure you the lowest possible airfare, we do recommend considering them before you book your trip.

•      As soon as you have an idea of where you’d like to travel to begin comparison shopping for airfare.  Check with a travel agent, online booking engines (Hipmunk, Kayak, Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, etc), and directly on the airline’s website.
•      Do not wait until the last minute or the day of, to book your trip.  You will pay a premium for airfare if you wait too long.  Give yourself at least three to six weeks prior to book airfare, if you can.
•      Shop on a Tuesday.  Fare sales are often rolled out on Mondays and usually by the next day competitive airlines are matching their rates to that of sales.
•      Often airlines will have one-hour specials or short-notice sales that are debuted on social media, such as Facebook or Twitter.  So, if you’re active on these sites, follow the airlines you are considering flying with to keep up with these specials/sales.
•      Sign up for e-alerts for notification of sales/specials from sites like AirfareWatchdog.com.  The alerts are delivered right to your inbox as they’re available.
•      Be flexible, if you can, on your departure date and times, you can often save money on airfare by being willing to fly during the week as opposed to leaving on a weekend.
•      Go where the low-cost carriers fly! 
•      If possible, avoid visiting popular destinations during peak season.  You’re bound to run into limited seat availability and higher fares if you choose to travel to a location during its busiest season(s) of the year!

Did these tips help you book a trip with less hassle?  Tell us about it!  Where did you go and what type of Money, Distance and Time savings did you experience?

Tips for Speedier Check-In

Did you know there are steps you can take to speed up your flight check-in process on the day of your departure?  By following these few simple steps you can lessen your air travel hassles at any airport!

• Check-in online for your flight before you arrive at the airport.  Airlines allow you to do this up to 24-hours in advance as long as you have your confirmation number and of course your name!
• If you need to check a bag, pay the baggage fee online before you get to the airport.  Many airlines offer the ability to pay your fee by credit card via there website.  This cuts down on the amount of time you spend at the ticket counter dropping off your checked bag with airline personnel.
• Give yourself sufficient amount of time to arrive at the airport pre-flight.  If you wait until the very last minute to depart for the airport, chances are Murphy will rear his ugly head and slow down your journey!  For MDT, we recommend you show up at least 75 minutes prior to your flight departure time.
• Know your flight number and the airline you're flying with before you depart for the airport.  In the event that your flight is delayed, or your flight experiences a gate-change, you'll have the pertinent information to assist in tracking these changes.
• Check your flight status before you depart for the airport!  The best means to do this is directly with your airline via their website, phone or by signing up for flight tracking alerts which can be emailed or text messaged to you directly.
• Pack your carry-on luggage appropriately.  Be sure that you've followed the Transportation Security Administration's guidelines for packing carry-on luggage BEFORE you get to the airport.  Review their website, www.tsa.dhs.gov for the full details.
• Be prepared for the worst, but expect the best.  Air travel is subject to weather, mechanical and other types of delays and cancellations - so be prepared.  And, keep your airlines 800# and ticket counter location close-at-hand in case you get to the airport and find out that you need to re-book your flight.

What tips and tricks for speedier check-in do you use that we've missed?  We'd love to hear what works best for you! 

Holiday Shopping and its Impact on MDT

'Tis the season of gift giving as Christmas is just around the corner!  With gift giving comes an increase in packages being shipped to and fro across the country via train, truck and of course, aircraft.  Many of you may be aware that UPS, FedEx and DHL conduct air cargo operations at your hometown airport, Harrisburg International Airport (MDT), on a daily basis.  

UPS-contracted 747 at MDT

But, did you know that at this time of year, due to the increase volume of package shipment from online holiday shoppers, UPS contracts a 747 for their fleet at MDT to help offset the increased flights needed?  That's right, plane spotters!  There's a 747 based at MDT for the next week and its departing daily around mid-morning flying the country delivering your gifts where they need to go.

Today's flight departed around 9 am EST and was bound for Denver, Colorado.  If you 'plane spot' the 747, be sure to tweet us about it with the hashtag '#MDTplanespot' or post the photo to our fan page!

Guest Blog: Air Traveling with Joyce

Today we start a brand new guest blog series regarding air traveling with a disability.  Our guest blogger today, Joyce has traveled the U.S., lived in Europe and currently resides in Lancaster County, PA with her husband and seven year old son. She became deaf late in life, and now has the delightful privilege of teaching Sign Language to young hearing children at a private school in the Harrisburg area as a Signing Time Instructor with Signing Time Academy.

Joyce, today's Guest Blogger

Today Joyce writes for fly HIA blog about her experiences traveling as a deaf woman and shares some fantastic tips that have made flying less stressful for her.

Traveling by air used to be simple when I was a child. I was only about eight years old when I first flew from Eugene, Oregon to Sacramento, California to visit my grandmother. I didn't have to worry about listening for announcements or hearing when it was time to board my flight. An airline employee came and  and escorted me onto the plane.  As an adult, I have become deaf, and traveling can be a bit daunting when flying alone, but there are are things I've learned to do to help make it less stressful and more enjoyable. 

I make it a point to tell the security people that I'm wearing hearing aids before the alert goes off when I walk through security. When I get to the boarding gate and waiting area, I make sure the gate agent knows that I can't hear, and I need to see them when they make announcements. This ensures that if I am reading or looking in another direction, they either come let me know, or they wait and catch my eye so I get the important information. I also pay attention to the flight boards so I can be aware how much time I have to get something to eat, drink, or just walk and stretch a bit.

Once on board the aircraft, I make it a point to tell the flight attendants I am deaf and they make sure I see the demonstrations what to do in case of an emergency. Some flights now also offer Closed Captioning for the in-flight films and live TV. Do be sure to let the flight attendants know you would like this feature turned on, if it is available on your flight.  Read more about it this in-flight option.

If the film showing on the flight isn't available with Captions, there is an app for that called "Subtitles", which is also great for foreign films as well. Check it out and download it before you watch the next movie.

When I started to lose greater degrees of my hearing, traveling became a stressful process for me. When I had my first overseas flight as a hearing impaired adult, I struggled trying to find my way through airports and announcements not understanding what was going on. I still remember the flight from Seattle to Copenhagen and the kind lady that was sitting next to me. She figured out early on that I was having difficulty understanding her, but she thought it was because she had a Swedish accent. She didn't know that it was because I couldn't hear her well. She was very patient. When our plane bounced onto the landing strip in Copenhagen with such a loud boom that reverberated and shook the plane, she gently patted my hand and told me it was only the ice on the runway, the plane hadn't broke in half or crashed into anything. That was about twenty one years ago, but I still remember her and her willingness to communicate despite the "language" barrier between us. Today, I let my seat mates know right away that I'm deaf.

Don't be afraid to speak up and say, "I'm deaf" or "I'm hearing impaired" and ask them to clue you in if there are announcements you need to be aware of. If someone doesn't appear to understand what the terms "hearing impaired" or" hard of hearing" mean,  simply rephrase and say, "I don't hear well and miss a lot if I don't see what is being said." This also eliminates the possibility they may think you're being rude if you don't respond when they are talking to you. People tend to think you are ignoring them if they don't know you simply can't hear them. It also helps if you let them know that you need to see their lips if you are a speech reader, or if you prefer to use pen and paper, have that handy for them. Write that you are deaf, your name, and ask them what their name is as well. If you have a smart phone, there is an app called DragonDiction that turns speech into text. Simply have the person you're trying to communicate with speak into the phone and up comes the conversation in text.

If you let people along the way know you are either deaf or you don't hear well, it can ease a lot of the stress of air travel. Speak up and let them know.  Don't be afraid to ask for information or help with knowing what is being announced. You can meet some interesting people while flying, perhaps even make a new friend. 

If you have recently lost your hearing and would like more tips about living with hearing loss, pick up a copy of "A Survival Guide for new Deafies" by Amy Sargent. You can find out more about this wonderful book at by visit her website.

Thank you, Harrisburg International Airport, for inviting me to come on board as a guest writer for fly HIA blog. Sharing what helps us when traveling with various physical issues helps others especially first time fliers. I'm looking forward to reading the posts from your other upcoming disabled guest writers in the series.

Thank you, Joyce, for sharing your experiences with us and our readers!  Are you a deaf traveler - what tips might you have to share that compliment those offered by our guest blogger today?

Are you a Social Air Traveler?

When you cruising through the terminal looking for your gate, you may notice that many of your fellow air travelers are engrossed in their smart phones, iPads, netbooks, laptops, or any number of other electronic handheld devices. Some of those travelers may even be occupied by multiple smart devices. What are they doing? They're emailing, uploading, downloading, texting, tweeting, posting, writing, compiling, computing, researching, reading, surfing, sharing, shopping, and the list of activities is endless! Did we miss any?

Each day more and more of these activities are becoming socially connected to those around us. We have ever increasing opportunities to share what we're doing with just about everyone that we're connected to through social networking sites. This revolution in how we participate in online activities makes us social at work, play, travel, life, and more. How are you connecting with your Social Graph?

If you are traveling alone, do you connect online via social media to keep in touch with your family and friends? If you're traveling with a colleague on business, do you converse over the web or over a cup of coffee?

How do you prefer to be social when flying?

Lady Travel Talk: Independent Travels

We are pleased to introduce our 5th guest blogger of the Lady Travel Talk, a mini-series tailor made for female travelers. This series covers a host of topics related to the travel experiences of each of the ladies contributing to the series. Today's guest blogger is Michele Loeper, co-founder of CMYK Growth a local marketing consultancy.

Michele is a seasoned marketer with more than 15 years experience in the areas of branding and advertising. She has worked on both the agency and the client sides of the business, having worked for such brands as Pfizer, Armstrong Flooring, Capital Blue Cross, HERSHEYPARK, Turkey Hill Dairy, and Hershey's Chocolate USA. She loves to write when she can, and lives for those light-bulb moments.

Today Michele shares and reminisces about her flying experiences and falling in love with independent travel.

Traveling alone has always been invigorating to me. I feel fiercely independent when I hop on a plane alone. I embrace the freedom (from the day-to-day responsibilities at home), and face the adventure head on. And let’s face it, traveling these days is often an adventure, if nothing else.
I travel for business quite often, and while I don’t always love leaving my family behind, I choose to look at travel as a sign of how far I’ve come…and how blessed I am as a woman to be able to have such a rewarding and independent career.

I will admit, It’s difficult to see flying as anything but burdensome these days, what with all the heightened security, new airline fees, restrictions on carry-on items….there’s a lot to feel “bothered” by. But I’d like to challenge you to see it differently.

My love for travel began in my early 20s when my first employer sent me to a training workshop in Chicago. Not only did I fall in love with that wonderful city, I LOVED the feeling of flying -- the feeling that I was going…somewhere. I remember sitting on that plane thinking of my beloved grandmother, and how she never even had a driver’s license. But there I was, at 24 years old, boarding a plane with a ticket purchased by my employer, off to a big city, all by myself. I guess I felt like I arrived.

I traveled a few more times in my 20s, mostly on business. I’ve been to LA twice, San Francisco twice, San Diego, Florida, New York City, and other less exciting locals. But it wasn’t until I turned 30 that I had my first real “adventure” that pushed my boundaries and took me outside of my comfort zone.

My best friend and I took ourselves to Paris for our 30th birthdays. We booked the tickets after a late night phone call. She lived in Boston, I lived in Harrisburg. We decided to fly out of Dulles International Airport. I could drive there easily, and she could fly there from Boston. It was a perfect plan. We would meet in Dulles and board our flight to Paris!

The day of our trip, I arrived at the airport gate only to find that my dear friend was nowhere in sight. This was before the days of Blackberrys and iPhones. I could not get in touch with her. After hearing the final boarding call, standing there at the gate I decided that I had no choice…it was time to board the plane and I was NOT going home. So, I boarded the plane alone to Paris. Not knowing where my friend was, or if I’d see her across the “big pond.” Oh, I should also mention that SHE was the one versed in French. I knew how to say “Hello” and ask for red wine. Beyond that, I was a little helpless.

So, while on the plane, a stranger among strangers…no friend in sight, I did what any sensible young woman would do, I enjoyed the complimentary wine…lots of it, and then fell asleep. I’m not sure I can articulate the vulnerability I felt as I walked off that plane at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris. I had never been out of the country before. I didn’t speak the language. I had no clue how to get to the hotel…or even how to pronounce the hotel. All I had was a copy of Foder’s Paris, 1999 to guide me. Oh, and I was hung-over!

So, I approached a woman at what I assumed was their customer service desk and inquired about my friend. I, of course, began with the obligatory “Bon Jour!” (which in retrospect must have sounded obnoxious, at best). I then attempted to give her my friend’s name and inquired as to whether or not she had been looking for me. In my tired state this seemed like the perfect thing to do.

The woman stared at me…blankly. Then muttered something, in what I can only describe as an angry, condescending, dismissive tone…and shooed me away. I felt defeated.

I am still amazed at how calm I was at that time. Perhaps it had something to do with the jet leg…or the complimentary wine, or the simple fact that I really truly was elated to be in Paris – even if that meant spending the week alone. I was determined to tackle this city and to make the best of my indulgent birthday present.

But Just as I was on my way to the currency exchange counter, I heard this beautiful and very loud voice yell my name. I turn around and there was my friend. Smiling, looking just as tired as I was, waving uncontrollably. It turned out that Logan Airport in Boston rerouted her flight to London. How nice of them. Her flight from London landed in Paris just moments after mine did. We stood there laughing and hugging for a few minutes…just letting it all sink in. I think I knew, even at that moment, that I would never forget that trip…and that I would always strive to feel that independent.

I allowed myself to think about what I was going to do that week, if I couldn’t find Steph. Of course I would have called her friends in Boston, her employer, her family…just to make sure she was OK. But if she was unable to come for whatever reason, I was still determined to persevere. To embrace the freedom of being independent, and to simply allow myself to enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Turns out I did just that, but with my dear friend by my side. It was truly the girls’ vacation of a lifetime.

I have traveled a lot since that trip to Paris more than 10 years ago. And now, as a mother, I have to say that traveling does become a bit more stressful. It’s hard leaving my loved ones, and as a Mommy, I do sometimes feel guilty when I can’t be home with her.

But regardless of that, I still enjoy the simple fact that we live in a world where I can board a plane and travel anywhere...escaping from the day-to-day, even if just for a while. I like to think about the generations of women who have come before us, who could only have dreamed of such independence.

So, the next time you’re sitting on the tarmac, put down the Blackberry and look out the window. Stare out into the sky and embrace your independence. Because regardless of how annoying security was, or how expensive your check-in bag was, or how bad the airport food was…the simple truth is that you are going somewhere. And that is a beautiful thing.

"Every flyer who ventures across oceans to distant lands is a potential explorer; in his or her breast burns the same fire that urged adventurers of old to set forth in their sailing-ships for foreign lands." -- Jean Batten, 'Alone in the Sky' 1979.

Have you had an experiences similar to what Michele shared? Do you have on pivotal trip that resulted in you falling in love with flying or traveling?

Lady Travel Talk: Staying Safe without Losing Adventure

We are pleased to introduce our 3rd guest blogger of the Lady Travel Talk series, a mini-series tailor made for female travelers. This series covers a host of topics related to the travel experiences of each of the ladies contributing. Today's guest blogger is Brenda Boitson, she is a Content Producer for Associated Content, a blogger and first time novelist.

She works for an architectural firm, storage rental facility during the day, in addition to her freelance work for Associated. Brenda will graduate with her Associate's Degree in Business this fall. Actively involved in sarcoma and young grief awareness due to personal experience, Brenda maintains a blog about her life as a widow.

Brenda is resident of Lancaster, PA and spends a lot of her time exploring the world around her through various forms of travel: road trips, camping, flying, on her bike, etc. She's embarked on numerous road trips to nearly a dozen National Parks, has visited 37 states, and enjoys camping, hiking and surf fishing.

Today Brenda shares insights from her journeys that have kept her adventures safe, not sorry:

Post-high school graduation, a girlfriend and I drove from Pennsylvania to California and back in 15 days, camping most of the way. That trip was just the start of an insane love affair with the open road, the clear blue skies, and being anywhere but here.

I have taken my various trips by road, and by air, and have learned along the way how to stay safe as a women traveler. While I am fiercely independent, I also understand that does not mean I need to ignore warning signs.

With restrictions on the types of protection you can bring with your person on an airplane, it has become harder to protect ourselves with common devices such as pepper spray. Around town, it stays with me all the time, but when I travel it is prohibited.

Before you leave on any trip, streamline your belongings. That means you need to clean out your purse, or decide to leave it at home. Bring only the necessary cash, credit cards, and identification-leave everything else in a secure spot at home. The more you bring the greater chance you have of dropping something, or losing your entire identity on a trip.

Over the years, I have learned to keep a bag ready to go with an extra set of toiletries so that all I have to do is throw in some clothes, and I am good to go. It has helped me to stay organized, and never forget a thing. This also allows me to make more spontaneous trips, as I can leave at a moment’s notice. Make sure you know where all your important documents are stored that are required for traveling so you can grab and go.

Another good pre-trip necessity is to program emergency contact cell phone numbers into your phone. Who would you want called if you are found lying in the street? While I hope this never happens to any of you, it will save emergency officials time and possibly your life to be able to call a family member or friend immediately. I have those people listed as “Emergency Contact #1, #2 and #3” in my phone.

I would highly consider purchasing travel insurance. It is quick and easy to purchase online, and there are many reputable companies that offer this service. It can be done on your way to the airport, and may save you thousands of dollars if you become ill or have an accident on your trip.

When flying, I opt not to use the overhead compartment on the airlines as my luggage storage. I check all my bags but one that contains my check in necessities, along with clean underwear, toothbrush, deodorant, contact solution, and of course, a good book. While my luggage has been lost in the past, I find that dragging my luggage through the airports weighs me down. I feel better protected with having it stored away to be lost at someone else’s expense, versus making me a target.

When you arrive at your destination, familiarize yourself with key locations. Find out where the nearest hospital is located, make sure you have important contact numbers in the case of an emergency, and stay organized. Usually when I arrive at my destination, I throw my suitcase on the ground, and collapse on the bed. It is always good to unpack immediately to make sure you have all the items you brought with yourself, and to store away important items you cannot risk losing.

You can become sufficient in protecting yourself just by becoming aware of your surroundings. Stay around groups of people, look down all alleys you pass, and never be afraid to look behind you like a paranoid tourist. So often I catch myself riffling through my purse trying to find my lip balm, and that distracts me from my surroundings. Moments like these put us at risk for becoming a potential victim. Use a purse that goes across your torso, and again-streamline, streamline, streamline. Traveling is a great time to become organized!

Before you leave your destination, re-organize your suitcase, carry on, and purse. Make a list of the items you purchased at your destination in case of having to claim them. Double check your room before you check out and always provide a tip for the cleaning staff. Don’t forget that clean pair of underwear in your carryon bag. One never knows when bad weather will strike and an unexpected overnight layover will occur; no one wants to go commando on an airplane!

By far, traveling spontaneously is one of the best adventures you can take. However, we should never lose sight of preparation. You can be prepared for spontaneity if you stay organized, and still enjoy the beauty of exploring the world.

Do you, like Brenda, take time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings when traveling?
What have you found to be the best method to do this?
Another point that we found interesting from Brenda's post is the recommendation of checking your bags to lighten your load once in the airport. Do you agree?

Are you an "ugly" traveler?

“One’s destination is never a place,
but a new way of seeing things." -Henry Miller

Let's face it folks, some of us, when traveling forget that our social norms and habits aren't normal or well-perceived when traveling abroad. We may talk too loudly; hold too aggressive body language, offer the wrong hand for a handshake, or any combination of what we consider typical responses or actions when in our native culture.

Truth is though, to be a savvy visitor to a foreign country, you must first be a student of that culture. Learn about the traditions and communication nuances of where you're traveling. Don't expect the way you'd conduct yourself at home as typical or acceptable abroad. For example, do you realize that shaking your head yes or no is not universal? In parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East those head movements actually mean just the opposite. Or, how about this one? Americans hold direct eye contact in esteem, viewing it as an indicator of honesty. In a number of Asian cultures, looking someone directly in the eyes is considered an aggressive act.

Earlier today, MSN Travel Columnist, Christopher Elliot wrote on the 6 things you should never do when you're away. Quite honestly the content of Elliot's column is just good common traveling sense. In a nut shell, he advises against: threatening violence, yelling, having one too many, being inconsiderate of others, leaving your manners at home, and acting like a jerk. If these actions aren't copacetic on your home turf, they're certainly not cool on someone else's. Even more uncool is acting this way while in flight. Have you experienced flight with an angry or uncooperative flyer?

When we become the traveler who thinks it's our way or the highway when on foreign land, we become the ethnocentric individual referred to as the "ugly American." This term, according to Wikipedia, originated as the title of a book in 1958. An ugly American is defined as traveler or tourist who is loud, arrogant, demeaning, and thoughtless. Have you ever been or witnessed someone being an "ugly American"? If you were the offender, how did you remedy the situation?

Travelers and tourists can ensure they don't act like an "ugly American" by walking a mile in the shoes of their host country's residents. Imagine yourself as houseguest when traveling. How would you want a guest to behave when visiting your home? Would you prefer the guest who blantantly abuses your hospitality or the guest who is mindful of the culture of your home? That's not a trick question! We all prefer the guest who leaves their bad manners at home and chooses to be a delightful visitor. Generally speaking, practice the Golden Rule.

When traveling abroad, remember to take into consideration that everything from word choice to body language can have an impact on how you are perceived. But with a little pre-education and thoughtfulness you can avoid being the person that James Michener disdained, "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”