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Mishandled baggage is not an uncommon phenomenon in air travel. The US Department of Transportation recently reported that for every 200 passengers flying domestic on the ten largest US airlines, at least one files a mishandled baggage report.

Losing one’s luggage is a definite headache for travelers. To avoid such mishaps, the following pointers are recommended:

Travel with only carry-on luggage. You take your bags with you inside the cabin, so you do not have to worry about them being lost or stolen. Generally, a passenger is allowed two pieces of carry-on luggage, one for the overhead bin and the other for under the seat. Additional items such as umbrellas and baby strollers are also permitted.

Do not place heavy items in the overhead storage bin. Even lightweight items can cause serious injuries if they fall out of the overhead. The maximum weight for carry-on bags is 40 pounds. Put your contact information on every bag. Stick a label on the outside of all your luggage indicating your name and address. Put a duplicate along with your itinerary and travel guides book inside your bags. This will help the airline locate your bags in case they are misplaced. The measure should also be done on your carry-on bags, just in case you need to check them in at the last minute.

Customize the look of your bags. Many bags have similar designs. So, customize your checked bags to make them easier to spot on the baggage carousel and to prevent other passengers to grab them by mistake. Keep your valuables with you. Store your valuable items, such as money, jewelry, laptop computers, destination travel guide and electronic files in your carry-on luggage so they would not get lost.

Verify the correctness of airline tags on your luggage. The three-letter identifier tagged on your checked baggage should match your destination airport. When in doubt, check with your ticket agent and discount travel guide. Keep the stub from your checked luggage. The stub is a very important key to identifying your bags in case it is lost or picked up by someone else by accident.

Immediately report lost checked luggage. If your bags have not turned up at your destination, notify the baggage agents on duty or any of your airline’s representatives available at once.

Anticipate the loss of a bag. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry. Pack your bags in a way that the loss of a bag will not hamper your trip. Distribute clothes and underwear among your bags. If you have a business meeting and are carrying presentation materials with you, either pack backup copies in another bag or have it sent ahead of you. Do not pack hazardous goods. Some items, while commonplace and essential at home or in the workplace, pose a safety threat to passengers and crew in the cabin. If your airline allows them in checked baggage, make sure they are packed properly.

As always, verify with your airline their policies and guidelines regarding baggage.

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Oh yes, that lovely time of day. Empty streets, full restaurants. Don’t expect shops to be open between 2pm and 5pm (some only close between 2pm and 4pm). However, we do feel the urge to demistify this urban legend: not everyone goes have a 3 hour nap in the middle of the afternoon. Long lunches accompanied by wine and followed by neverending cafe solos are usually taken place during this mid-afternoon break. If you travel through discount airline travel, you know what it means. We love it.

Travelling About Town

Taxis are cheap. Flabbergastingly cheap. If you don’t realize what “flabbergastingly” means… look it up. But realize that taxis are very cheap. Especially when shared with 3 other people. But don’t expect to find available taxis on a Friday or Saturday night - they are impossible! Queues in Pl. Catalunya can range from 15 minutes to 2 hours on a Friday or Saturday night..

Buses are easy to use and get around. Nightbuses don’t run that frequently though. Getting the bus from the airport to Pl. Catalunya costs 3.65 euros and the average journey time is about 25 minutes.

The metro stations are HOT! In the summer, they are boiling hot. Girls should walk around in their bikini tops - that should be made a rule. But the metro itself has air conditioning and is usually on time. And everything is pretty much within half an hour reach. A 3 month pass for under-21 year olds costs 100 euros, which is excellent. And the pass works for bus and metro. For over 21 year olds it is 112 euros, so there is not much of a difference. Overall, if you travel through discount travel package, it is cheap, reliable and hot. Boiling hot. And that’s all I have to say about that.

The Prostitutes

They are out there! In the heart of Barcelona, flooding the Ramblas (and not only) after 2am, totally transforming Barcelona from day to night. If you are a group of guys walking through the Ramblas, it is guaranteed that at least one of them will grab you and ask, very blatantly, if you want sex. Our advice: Run. The most likely thing is that they will go for your pocket to try and steal your wallet or mobile. Or they will take you somewhere dodgy and steal from you there. Either way, don’t do it. You will look like nothing but a traveler of a discount vacation package, and people will make fun of you. I know I will!!

The Street Beer Sellers

There are dozens of Pakistani/Indian beer sellers around Bairro Gotico, Raval and the Ramblas. Remember: They are your friends, not your enemies. There is no reason to be afraid of the,. I have yet to hear a story of anyone getting robbed by a beer seller. They sell beers for 1 euro each and 5 euros for a pack of 6. If you know how to talk to them, youll be able to bargain it down to 70cents a beer. They swear they are not part of a mafia. Yet they share beers and change constantly. The truth is out there…

Cigarettes And Tobacco

Since the first day of 2006, an “anti-smoking law” has been put in place by the Government. However, it doesn’t obligate any establishment to ban smoking. Instead, it gives them the option to select whether they want to ban smoking or not and notify the public with a banner outside the establishment. Needless to say, you can smoke pretty much everywhere. Cigarettes are cheaper in specialised tobacco shops (”Tabacs”). The only other place to buy cigarettes are from machines in bars and certain kiosks.

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The central areas around the Palace Museum (Forbidden City) and city gates as well as the lakes - ZhongNanHai, BeiHai and HouHai - have been designated as protected landmark districts that retain the features of Old Beijing. The Forbidden City at the centre is surrounded in concentric circles by the Inner City and Outer City.

Also named as the Palace Museum, the Forbidden City is truly the spot to appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Get there when the gates open (around 8.30am) if you want to walk through the vast and spectacular courtyards in relative peace.

The Lama Temple or Palace of Peace, was built by Chinese emperors who harboured a deep fascination for the Tibetan (Tantric) version of Buddhism. Over the years many Tibetan and Mongolian monks lived and taught here, and there are still monks in residence today. The temple is famous for its 18m statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of sandalwood.

Winter Palace or Beihai is a good place to take a glance at Zhongnanhai, the heart of Communist China. The counter part of a beautiful white pagoda of 17th century and of a peaceful island in the middle of the park, is a skyline made up of giant Government buildings (PRC’s Ministry of Defence and General Staff). Before you leave the park, visit some small but beautiful gardens on the north bank through discount airline travel.

The Hutong Villages of Beijing most represent the traditional housing of Chinese locals and are the perfect place to get a glimps of Chinese daily life. Unfortunately, the majority of Hutongs have been demolished to make space for modern buildings. Better see these typical Hutong Villages with rickshaws that can weave in and out of their narrow streets.

Another interesting experience that will let you feel a vibe of China’s ancient traditions, is an early morning visit to one of Beijing’s public parks. This is when people indulge in their particular physical activities as Tai Chi, jogging, singing or even ballroom dancing.

Take the offer of discount travel package to visit the Temple of Heaven, located on south east of the Tiananmen Square, is not only a beautiful sight, but also the greenest public park of Beijijng. The temple itself was the site where the emperor prayed every year for good harvests and fair weather. Very popular with local residents practicing tai chi, dancing and other activities in the mornings and on weekends, the Temple of Heaven is home to many ancient trees, peaceful woods and amazing solitude.

Fragrant Hills, in the north-western corner of Beijing, is a good place for weekend outings and picnics. Formerly a Qing imperial garden, today Fragrant Hills makes an easy short climb in the suburbs of Beijing. It’s also home to the Fragrant Hills Hotel, designed by I.M. Pei (Louvre Museaum Pyramid).

Beijing Botanical Gardens, just steps away from the east gate of Fragrant Hill, offer acres of greenery and flowers for those tired of urban smog and traffic noise. Sir Johnston, teacher of the last emperor Puyi, had a villa in Cherry Glen, a silent and beautiful retreat in the Gardens. In the spring traveled with discount vacation package, the gardens hosts special exhibits of tulips, peach, plum blossoms and peonies.

Home to extensive gardens and ruins of palaces constructed by the Qing emperors, the enchanting Summer Palace lies 20 kilometres northwest of the centre of Beijing. It is the largest imperial garden in existence in China. The whole Summer Palace covers an area of over 290 hectares including more than 3,000 buildings, such as halls, pavilions, towers and so on. See the spots on the west bank and back hill areas where there are some secret ruins, caves, and other fun stuff.

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