Dear Jacquie:
I have been traveling to other countries to attend their local festivals which are very colorful and exciting. I heard that the Philippines has a festival every year in one of the Islands. I would like to plan my travel during those months. Please suggest which would be the best month [...]

Hi Jacquie
I am booked for a cruise vacation this summer, but a bit nervous after the recent Costa Concordia tragedy in Italy. Taking a cruise was one of my dream vacation and don’t want it to end up with a nightmare vacation. I am wondering if I should cancel my cruise or maybe I am [...]

Hi, My name is Brian and I am travelling through the Philippines , Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos in February or March. I need help!!!
I did some research, it seems that I can get into Thailand and Philippines without a visa for a 30 day stay. While for Loas [...]

Dear Jacquie,
My wife is a Filipina but born in America. She’s never been to the Philippines and will be traveling together next month to Manila.  This will be her first visit and I plan to take her to Tagaytay for a few days.  Which hotel has the best view of the Taal volcano? How long [...]

Dear Jacquie,
My mother has dementia but keeps asking to go back to the Philippines to visit relatives.  Would it be alright for her to travel to the Philippines alone?  We asked her doctor and he said it was up to us.  We would like her to go home and visit relatives that she misses but  [...]

Dear Jacquie,
I always pack a lot of cloths when I travel.  I don’t always use all the cloths I pack, but just feel I might need an extra outfit when visiting places.  Any tips on how I can keep my luggage from being overloaded?
ASKTRAVELTIPS:
Purchase a vacuum plastic storage bags.  Once you fill the vacuum plastic [...]

Dear Jacquie,
I would like to take my children and grandchildren (ages 4, 8 and 12) to Hawaii for 1-2 weeks, any suggestions? How soon should we book our travel for our trip in December?
ASKTRAVELTIPS:
Flights to Hawaii in December gets fully book, so try to book it by September.  You’ll also find bargains for [...]

TRAVEL TIPS: Contact the airlines for their procedures and requirement to transport your pet with the airlines.  The next step would be to secure a Health Certificate issued by a duly licensed veterinarian or the U.S. Department of Agriculture dated not more than 30 days before arrival in the Philippines.  It should certify that the [...]

Ask Travel Tips
By: Jacquie Lingad-Ricci, CTC
TRAVEL FORUM
TRASPORTING A BIKE AS CHECK IN BAGGAGE

Hi Jacquie;
I plan to take my bike to Maui during our honeymoon. Will I be charged an extra baggage fee by the airlines?
TRAVEL TIPS: It is always a good practice to check with the carrier directly for checking in a bike.  Hawaiian Airlines [...]

We are always told to be conscious and aware of our surroundings when traveling to unfamiliar places.  Constant information has been disseminated on transportation and destination security.  What about hotel safety?
Hotels have installed cameras, began issuing disposable key cards and trained security staff to prevent crime and assault to their hotel guest.  That should not [...]