Choose your holiday for : whether for Sight seeing/Romantic/Exotic/Exploring/Driving/ Cruise/ Sporty/Group
Holiday/ With friends/ Alone/Beach/ Camping/Mountaineering 

 HOW MUCH IT COSTS

Travel cost

Stay cost

Food cost Sight Seeing costShopping costother cost Work out the cost per person 

If you book in advance  you may get discount,try to avoid last minute rush booking

Travel to cheap country  since everything will cost less

Go to a country where the currency is weaker than you country currency

Try to  take a package holiday,travel with friends  or family rather than alone

And try to take group holiday

Book the cheapest hotel for stay

Carry less baggage

Avoid taxis prefer  to travel by bus/train 

A general guide to making sure you have a pleasant time on your holiday. 

Carry your passport, other travel documents and your money separately.  You don’t want to lose them all together Place a photocopy of your passport in each and every checked-in bag that you give at the airport. Helps in case you lose your luggage.  Keep extra photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport. If you order mineral water in a restaurant, make sure the bottle is unsealed at the tableNever travel without mosquito repellents and other essential medicines.It is a good idea to carry locks for your bags and suitcases. Try to keep your clothes flat and avoid carrying too many fragile goods that will be left at the mercy of careless luggage handlers.Label your entire luggage and even try to carry an extra set of labels with you

Carry an extra set of lock and keys, just in case.

It’s not a good idea to travel with too much cash.

Travellers’ cheques are best

Don’t use new shoes, however comfortable they may seem.

Try not to store liquids in a bottle in any of your hand  bags.

If you must, seal the mouth with white hospital tape.Pack empty plastic ziplock bags to separate soiled clothes from the rest, especially if you’re travelling to a rainy destination

Ensure that your luggage is waterproof

Confirm, reconfirm, confirm once again. (Your plane tickets, that is)

If travelling in the monsoon, carry a raincoat and umbrella.

Make a list of all your personal medicines that you are carrying with you.

Carry the list with you wherever you go Carry your own water bottle. This should be within arm’s length at all times. It’ll save you the problem of drinking unsafe water whenever you are thirsty

Many women travellers prefer to carry a high pitched whistle that would scare away stalkers.

Women who are travelling alone should not admit they are travelling aloneWhen asking for directions, ask shopkeepers, not pedestrians.

Check with at least two persons or more.Make a list of all the things you forgot while travelling and use the list before your next trip.A list of things you ought to pack. Yes, it’s a long list. Yes, we know you have to take clothes as well. But all you have to do is choose not to take one of them and you’ll find it’s the one you need. Be warned

Passport

International driver’s license (if you intend driving around)

Medications (pack syringes and blood-type card as well)

Photographs of yourself (for permits, licenses etc.)

Sunglasses

High factor sun screen and lip balmTorch 

Mediaction to take abroad

Sun tan lotion

Antiseptic Cream

Band Aid/ Bandages

AntacidMild Laxative

Anti diarrhoe tablets

Aspirin or paracetamol 

Try to take adequate medical insurance 

MOST OF YOU STAY IN HOTEL  AT THE NEW PLACE

Beware of Mirrors in Hotels! ...Because you never know!

How to determine if a mirror are 2 way or not (Not a

Joke!) Not to scare you, but to make you aware.            

HOW TO DETECT A 2-WAY MIRROR :

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc. How many of you know for sure 
 
that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror(
i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them).

There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female

changing rooms. It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by jus! t looking at it.

So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of mirror we are looking at? Just conduct this simple test:

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.

However, if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, then BEWARE, FOR IT IS A 2-WAY MIRROR!

 So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It

doesn't cost you anything. It is simple to do, and it might save you from getting "visually raped"!

This is a really good thing to do. The reason there is a gap ! on a real mirror, is because the silver is on the back of the mirror UNDER the glass.

As a two-way mirror, the silver is on the surface. Keep it in mind!

Ladies: Share this with your girl friends.

Men: Share this with your wives, daughters and/or

girlfriend(s) or friends.

Wherever you travel in the world, look out for:Travellers’ diarrhoea which can be caused by eating food or drinking water contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. This is especially so in the case of foodstuff that is uncooked or raw and/or sold open on the streets. Infections may cause diarrhoea and vomiting (E.coli, Salmonella, cholera), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis).Malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Japanaese Encephalitis. Prevent malarial infection by taking prescription antimalarial drugs and protecting yourself against mosquito bitesSunburn and heat stroke, especially at high altitudes and after long hours in the sunAcute mountain sickness, caused at high altitudes when trekking.Obtain information about specific health problems at your destinations Vaccinations If it is required to do  vaccinations then  at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for shots to take effect:Hepatitis A-the most common travel-acquired illness after diarrhoea which can put you out of action for weeks. Vaccination usually provides long-term (possibly more than 10 years) immunityHepatitis B-especially if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay longer than 6 months, or be exposed through medical treatment. As per the
United States of America’s Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infantsJapanese Encephalitis-only if you plan to visit rural areas for 4 weeks or more, except under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of JE. Vaccine is expensive and has been associated with serious allergic reactions, so the decision to take it should be discussed with a doctor and balanced against the risk of contracting the illness.Typhoid-particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region. Important vaccine where hygiene is a problemMeninogococcal Meningitis-a serious disease that attacks the brain and can be fatal. . Healthy people carry this disease and it is carried like a cold.Rabies-especially if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation or travel to remote areas.
As needed, booster doses for tetanus (a fatal wound infection), diptheria (a fatal throat infection) and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults.
All vaccinations should be recorded on an International Health Certificate, usually available from your doctor or government health departmentPlease Note:An International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever may be demanded as a condition of entry when visiting India if you are coming from countries in tropical South America or sub-Saharan
Africa. It is worth bearing in mind that immunisations do not protect against many of the more common problems such as travellers’ diarrhoea. It is always wise to ensure high standards of food and water hygiene and to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and other insects by using safe, effective insect repellents, mosquito nets, etc.Malaria Medication-  malaria, a serious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and flu-like illness, including chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue.Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and should tell the physician their travel history.
Malaria is a preventable infection that can be fatal if left untreated. Prevent infection by taking prescription anti-malarial drugs and by protecting yourself from mosquito bites. Mefloquine is usually the recommended drug for most travellers to malaria risk areas. It should be taken one week before arrival in the malaria risk area, once a week while in the malaria risk area, and once a week for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria risk area. It has minor side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and difficulty in sleeping, but usually these do not last long and do not require stopping the drug. Travellers who experience serious side effects should see a physician. Mefloquine should NOT be used by travelers with a known allergy to mefloquine and is not recommended for use by travellers with a history of epilepsy, severe psychiatric disorders, or cardiac conduction abnormalities.Before starting anti-malarial medication, consult a doctor.
In addition to using drugs to prevent malaria, travellers should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing clothing that covers most of the body, using mosquito netting, i.e. bed nets, and applying insect repellent to exposed skin, particularly between the cooler hours of the dusk and dawn, when most mosquitoes are known to feed. The most effective repellents contain the active ingredient DEET (N,N-diethyl meta-toluamide). Check for local brand names like good Night, All Out, Tortoise or Rooster mosquito coils.Because of the potential for other mosquito-borne diseases in
India – such as Dengue, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Japanaese Encephalitis — all travellers are advised to use these precautions to avoid mosquito bites in general.Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke & SunburnDehydration and salt deficiency can cause heat exhaustion which is typically characterised by lethargy, fatigue and headaches. In comparison, in a heat stroke, it’s the body’s heat control mechanisms that break down and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels. Sweating diminishes, and headache and delirium also occur. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, drink lots of non-alcoholic fluids and increase salt intake in food.
To protect yourself from sunburn always wear a hat, sunglasses and use some form of sun protection cream or lotion.The most carefully planned holiday, business trip or expedition may be ruined by ill-health and sickness, much of which is preventable. While you are putting together your travel itinerary and obtaining the necessary visa’s, it is advisable that you spend some amount of time planning to take care of your health.
Ideally, consult your family doctor two months prior to taking your trip.Consider current health, medical and dental fitness for travel. When planning a long trip, consider having a complete pre-departure health check-upCheck up about obtaining health insurance,as treatment will be costly in overseasPlan and obtain necessary immunizations and malaria prophylaxisPut together a medical kit with basic medications and first aid, and any necessary documentation.If you are travelling with infants and young children, check with embassies and consulates for their specific requirements, and then consult with your doctor  

So many readers stay in different countries –if you give basic details about the country climate/ season/ foods/currency/ shopping etc it will be helpful for lot of people.

To start with I give below  certain details

KAZAKSTAN

Population around 15 million.Currency is Tenge which is equivalent to around 135 tenge per USDEURO/Pounds/ USD are mostly  convertibleSep to May – is cold  even the temperature reaches around minus 40 deg centigrade then gradually it will go from may to sept  to summer with maximum 40 deg  plus centigrade.So the variation is from minus 40 to plus 40All vegetables are not available- Root vegertables – onion/ potato/ carrot/ beet root through out the yearHorse meat is the delicacy- beef/ goat/ sheep/ fish availableOther food items are imported from neigh nouring countries.Languages –Russian and Kazak languagesVehicle is cheaper mostly of eurpoen vehicles- left hand drive oneAll the mineral sources and oil is abundant- Telephone to outside country is costly roughly USd 3-3.5 USD per minute If some Kazak company sponsors then we can get business visa  to visit the country.Lot of Demand for professionals but supply is limited due to climate(snow and extreme hot) and spicy food  not available or limited.There is no MRP(Max Retail Price) in the country. For example if nokia is usd 100 cost but different shops will sell as 150 or 250 or 300 usd.  Most of the people working government job aregetting the salary of around 100-300USD Wheras the expats will be getting from 3000-10000 USd per month. So corruption is on the high side.Work permit is very difficult  so most of the expats will be working as consultant with every 3 – 6 months have to renew the visas.The passport always will have to beheld always with you wherever when you go out. You have to register  with police if you  stay more than 5 days in a place. If not you may be  arrested .

Liquor: Wine/Votka is available in plenty and in expensive

Beer: the alcohol content varies from 5-16%

 Whisky/ Brandy are very costly

In restaurants and hotel majority of them do not accept credit card only  you have to carry cash

Cheque system do not prevail in Kazakstan only you have to transfer by TT to other account

TT charges also vary depends upon timing: between 9-1 pm one charge and 1-3 pm double the charge and after 3 pm triple the charge

The exapats are paid more inthe range of 3000-10000 USd plus housing accomodation plus to and fro travel to their own country once in 3-9 months.

The house rent varies from 500 usd to 2000 usd and the owner herself will  work as maid for usd 80-100 per month.

Eduaction standard is not that good and hospital standard also  not that good.

Lot of savings potential as the expenses will not go more than usd200 per month.