Do look down!

Sight-seers may not be able to walk on air over the Grand Canyon, but now they can walk on glass.

The Grand Canyon Skywalk will allow visitors to literally walk out over the Grand Canyon and look down at the river below. The Skywalk will be located at Grand Canyon West’s Eagle Point.
This open-air, horse-shoe shaped structure has a floor of tempered glass. The walkway extends 70 feet out over the canyon, and hovers at an elevation of 4,000 feet – more than four times the height of the Eiffel Tower.

March 28, 2007 will mark the official opening of the Skywalk. A three-floor visitors center, complete with museum, movie theater and events facilities, will open soon afterwards.

An ounce of prevention could safe your trip

Where can you find information on recommended vaccinations for your trip?

Contaminated water, uncooked foods, person-to-person contact, insect bites… These are all ways you can contract serious illnesses when traveling in some areas of the world. The good news is that many of these illnesses can be prevented with immunizations or vaccinations.

A little research can help you stay healthy on your trip, but you’ll need to plan. You should see your doctor at least 4 – 6 weeks before you leave to discuss what shots you will need.

Want to be informed before you make that appointment? Check out the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers’ Health website for information.

Think before you buy (your luggage)

Buying luggage for the first time? Taking advantage of great bargains? Here are five things you should consider before you invest in luggage:

1. Which luggage will best suit the type and frequency of my travel?
2. What restrictions (size, number, weight) should I be aware of?
3. How can I protect my luggage from tampering or theft?
4. What ergonomic features should I look for?
5. What guarantees and warranty should I expect?

Doing a little background research before you hit the store can help you avoid unnecessary hassles on your trip!

Where can you find information about terrorist activity?

With the threat of terrorism prevalent in governmental advice and new attacks constantly hitting the media, it can be difficult to understand the complicated conflicts occurring in some countries.

The Memorial Institute for the Prevent of Terrorism (MIPT) maintains an online resource called the Terrorism Knowledge Base (TKB). This site provides data about terrorist groups and incidents. The information includes the history, ideology, locations and tactics of various groups around the world.

The site is well worth a look for everyone concerned about terrorist activity in the countries to which they are traveling.

If you can’t say something nice…

Insulting a country’s government or leader is more than just rude – It could land you in serious trouble.

Don’t test the limitations of freedom of speech when you travel. Many countries won’t tolerate insults or negative comments, whether it’s from their own citizens or tourists. Expressing your opinions could provoke retaliation or land you in prison.

For example, a recent article on IOL Africa reports on the harsh consequences that Zimbabwe citizens face for questioning or insulting their leader. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for that country warns that it is a criminal offence to make derogatory comments about President Mugabe. The FCO also warns that there could be severe penalties for criticizing the country, its leadership or religion in Libya.

Not all advice will be this specific, but in general you should avoid anything to do with a foreign country’s politics, including issues as serious as demonstrations or as minor as expressing an opinion.

Happy Valentine's? Not in India

Hearts, chocolates, Valentine's cards and flowers have made their way into stores, but not everyone is happy that this unofficial holiday has made inroads in India. According to various news sources, many Hindu and Muslim extremist or separatist groups protest the holiday which they believe corrupts moral values. As an article from azcentral.com notes, some leaders believe the holiday is a conspiracy and a dangerous importation of American values.

Burning cards and holding rallies are not the only ways these groups protest. Some groups have even threatened to harm couples who are caught holding hands or engaging in other public displays of affection.

Don’t drink and trek

Trekking through the mountains can have serious risks. According to multiple government advice sources, those who plan to travel in high-altitude areas should take precautions against acute mountain sickness. The cause? Going too high too fast and not allowing the body to adjust to lowering levels of oxygen in the air. Alcohol can also exacerbate the condition, and in rare cases cause fatality.

Government advice for countries such as Peru, Nepal and even Andorra recommends that travelers should be physically fit, in good health and equipped with proper gear. They should also be aware of the risks, plan an itinerary that allows for acclimatization and follow professional advice. Traveling with an experienced guide is also recommended.

While government advice does not go into detail, there are many good online sources, such as the UK-based Travel Doctor website, that provide more information.

Find a forecast

Where can you find reliable weather information for your destination?

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has an area on their site called the World Weather Information Service which offers current weather information for over 1100 cities around the world. The data is provided from 114 member countries, while a total of 159 members submit their climatological data.

The WMO also runs the Severe Weather Information Centre provides official observations and warnings.

Being aware of the weather can help prevent unexpected delays and dangerous situations.