If you are a professional travel photographer, chances are that you won’t get to choose the location for your next assignment. But if you are just starting out, creating your own assignments is a great way of building your portfolio and gaining some valuable experience. So how do you choose a location to shoot?
Make it interesting
As a general rule, the more interested you are in a subject or destination, the more time and effort you put into your photos. While it is often good advice to go shoot something you aren’t interested in, or even dislike, to improve your photography, an expensive trip is probably not the time.
So go somewhere you really have a passion for. If you are interested in Asian cultures and lifestyle, visit China or Japan. If not, maybe Europe. The world presents such a wide variety of cultures and climates. And not all of them are easy to travel in. It is easy to get inspired by images in magazines of exotic lands, but if trekking across the Sahara is not your idea of a good time and you can’t go more than a day without hot water and room service, it is going to show in your photos. Your attitude can greatly affect the way you see things and if you are rushing through trying desperately to get back to civilization, your eyes are closed to photo opportunities.
Make it marketable
With more people able to travel longer and further, finding somewhere, something or someone that hasn’t been covered in depth is increasingly harder to do.
Travel destinations, like clothes, go in and out of fashion. Look at magazines, newspapers, the internet and television amongst other sources to get an idea of what destinations are popular and what images are selling.
Make it cost effective
Think about your return on investment. Do you believe you will be able to make enough from the images you take on this trip to make it financially viable? You need to add up certain cost factors such as air fairs and expenses like hotels and food against how many of your images you believe you can sell and how. Do you intend to submit a few hundred photos to stock agencies with the intention of having them licensed in publications? Or do you have the fine art market in mind? Which ever way you believe works best for you, you will need to know your market and the potential of the images you create. Then you can decide if the trip can be profitable and if not, possibly alter some of your plans to make it so. Such as the type of accommodation you use, how you travel and the length of your stay.
Planning a photographic trip is a detailed exercise, especially if your goal is to make money from it, but if you start with the above points in mind, you have a better chance of being successful and moving on to bigger and better things.

A gem in the China Seas, Taiwan embodies a unique entangling of ancient and modern, East and West. From the bustling commercial center of the capital city, Taipei, to the cascading volcanic mountains of Yushan National Park, Taiwan offers the world traveler an unmatched experience. It is no coincidence that Portuguese explorers named this island ‘Ilha Formosa’, or the beautiful island.
To Travel to Taiwan is to Understand Diversity
Officially known as the Republic of China (R.O.C.), Taiwan should not be confused with the People’s Republic of China, which refers to mainland China. Within the past 200 years the island has been ruled by the Dutch, become part of Japan, has been “returned” to China and is currently striving to become an internationally recognized sovereign nation. Taiwan’s tumultuous and fascinating history of the Aboriginal, Taiwanese and Chinese people is revealed through the many cultural festivals held throughout the year. Travel to the island in February for the Taiwan Lantern Festival or in June to watch the world-famous Dragon Boat Races during the Dragon Boat Festival.
One of Taiwan’s most prominent cultural symbols is Taipei 101, the world’s tallest building, measuring 508 meters and 101 floors. Finished in 2003, the tower signifies Taiwan’s substantial economic growth from the periphery of the global economy to become one of the four Asian Tigers, as well as the government’s dedication to a democratic society separate from that of China. Tainan, the oldest and fourth largest city on the island, offers a more authentic and less commercialized window into Taiwanese culture. Temples and Memorial Arches define this city where the Ching Dynasty once prayed to the God of War.
The Taiwan Terrain: Recreation and Ecotourism
Exploration of the thriving urban centers is only one of many ways to get in touch with Taiwan. The rugged topography of Taiwan is adorned with magnificent peaks, lush valleys and dramatic waterfalls. Yushan National Park is home to the island’s tallest peak, Jade Mountain, which towers at 2,610 meters. Hike to the summit and take the more technical route down or simply enjoy the breathtaking view from the Tatachia Visitor Center, accessible directly from the new Central Cross-Island Highway. From Jade Mountain, descend deep into Taroko Gorge on Taiwan’s rocky and secluded east coast. This 12-mile-long canyon is home to the natural open-air Wenshan hot springs and the Atayal people, one of Taiwan’s remaining aboriginal tribes. The rocky cliffs at the canyon’s end are a starting point for those who wish to travel farther into Taiwan’s history. The surrounding Pacific Ocean is sprinkled with beautiful green islands that have unique native histories and are mostly accessible by plane or ferry. Most of the pristine and dramatic destinations are protected by Taiwan’s National Park Department, which offers an array of lodging and guiding services and has proven to be a well-organized resource for the outdoor sightseer.
From the island’s tallest building to its tallest peak, Taiwan has something exceptional to offer every kind traveler. Travel Taiwan’s thriving society and come face-to-face with an Asian Tiger.

For many individuals in the UK, an annual holiday is the highlight of the year. Whether it’s a one week beachside break in the Canary Islands or a two-week skiing trip to Japan, holidays can take months of careful planning and preparation. But if you suffer from a fear of flying or the thought of world travel simply raises your stress levels through the roof, it’s possible that your long-cherished trip could turn into a nightmare. So how exactly do you beat the perils of travel-related stress?

Essentially, much of the stress incurred by travelling has to do with simple worries, like missing your plane or forgetting vital documents, such as passports or travellers’ cheques. This is easy to conquer if you take positive action. Ensure you arrive at the airport well before you’re required to check-in, whether this means calling a taxi before you normally would or getting an earlier train. This way, you know for sure that there’s no chance of you being late, even if trains get cancelled or there’s traffic on the motorway.

Additionally, check you’ve got your travel documents before you leave home and keep them in a safe place where you’ll be able to keep track of them – for instance, a bum bag or a neck purse worn across your body, rather than a pocket which they might fall out of or be stolen. Once you’re at the airport, keep yourself busy: take an engrossing book with you, wander around the duty-free shops or engage your mind by working through a book of crosswords or sudoku puzzles. You’ll find that this will help you take your mind off any travel-related worries.

Many experts on stress also suggest altering your diet slightly the day before you fly and while you’re on your flight. On the day prior to flying, avoid eating rich or fatty foods, and try not to drink too much tea, coffee or alcohol – after all, there’s nothing worse than being hung-over when you’re fifty thousand feet high in the air!

Choosing a comprehensive travel insurance policy can also help you feel more at ease on your holiday, both when you’re flying and during your trip itself. For instance, if you’re anxious that your luggage might be mislaid or a delayed flight could result in you missing your connection, having the safety net of travel insurance ensures that you’re well covered if these events do happen.

The majority of travel-related stress, however, can be beaten simply by remaining calm and composed. Make sure you keep your head above water when travelling and, if adverse events do occur, simply tackle them one step at a time. As a result, you’ll find that your holiday will get off to a much more relaxing start – a trend that can only continue into your vacation.

Pod hotels are not a new phenomenon.  They have been around for many years, but most travelers have never heard of them.  They had their beginnings in Japan as “capsule hotels”, that were, and are still being used mainly by businessmen on stopovers.  However, pod hotels are becoming more and more popular with vacation travelers as well, because they are convenient and cost less than regular hotels.

The pod hotel concept is only in its infancy in the United States and Europe, but is growing by leaps and bounds as more and more travelers want this unique service.  Entrepreneurs are responding by creating  small, pod-like hotel rooms that are normally rented by the hour, or number of hours.

Most pod hotel rooms are small, comfortable, and convenient, and they can have all the amenities of a standard hotel room at a fraction of the cost.  They can be a very good choice for budget-conscious travelers and vacationers.

Some pod hotels are situated in airports such as the ones at Yotel.com, located in London, England’s Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

EasyHotels.com have pod hotels in London, Zurich, Basal, and Budapest.  GBIHotels.com have pod hotels located in Amsterdam and Antwerp.  A New York pod hotel is the PickwickArms.com

There is a new innovation in pod hotels called Metronap Sleep Pods.  These space age looking pods are showing up not only on concourses in airports, but in convenient locations in office buildings.  They are great for tourists and business travelers, as well as tired people and executives that just want to have a little nap.  Even though these sleep pods are located out in the open, they will partially enclose for privacy, but aren’t claustrophobic.  They are also fitted with noise canceling headphones.  They rent by the hour and are reasonably priced.

“What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are
what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.” – William Least Heat Moon
I want to open your eyes a bit to the wonderful opportunities the world has to offer. Other than spending 8-plus hours a day in a tiny cubicle, slaving away at something you hate, there are scores of things that you can do to make money in exciting, adventurous ways.
For most of these jobs you don’t need to be young or physically fit. You don’t need to have special training, or training that is not easily acquired. You just need to realize that they’re there and go and get ‘em.
There are jobs that pay you to travel. There are jobs that give you free room and board. There are jobs that take you sailing, horse-back riding, mountain-hiking and to exotic islands. There are even jobs that pay you to dine at fancy restaurants.
There are a multitude of exciting, adventurous jobs that are available to you. You can literally pick and choose what excites you the most. And if in the rare case your dream-job doesn’t exist – you can create it.
Did you know that:
There are literally thousands of commercial fishing companies in Alaska that are always looking for new employees. Several companies will give you room and board for free and pay for your round-trip airfare from Seattle, WA to Alaska. Average monthly earnings range from $2,000 to $10,000.
English teachers are in high demand around the world. Institutes and private individuals will pay you just for showing people something that you already know. Usually, no special certificates are required (you don’t even need to speak the local language), and you can make $200 a day by teaching English as a foreign language. Teach in Tailand, Japan, Brazil – wherever.
In many parts of the world you can buy valuable items cheaply and sell them elsewhere for large profits. (Gold jewelry could cost you $100, you sell it for $1,000, earing you a profit of $900). One of the best ways to sell these items is through online auctions like eBay – and if you do it right you’ll be able to run your auction business from anywhere in the world.
There are humanitarian organizations, like the Peace Corps, that pay for your room and board, and give you a monthly income. You’ll be able to travel to foreign lands, help people, and get paid for it.
You can make money from your travel and vacation photographs. There are several places online (check out Shutterstock.com and iStock.com) where you can post your pictures. Every single time one of your pictures gets downloaded, you earn a commssion. You’ll earn residual income from your picture from anywhere in the world for as long as you like. Imagine how much you could earn each month with 1,000 pictures posted on several different sites.
Countless websites, magazines, newspapers and trade journals want your travel stories. When you write about your travel experiences these publications pay you for it. Also, when you show restaurants, tour agencies and hotels your writing credentials, they will often give you a big discount on their services.
During the summer months, wildfires start in mountainous and desert areas. They threaten forests, wildlife and homes. The people that fight these fires get room, board and travel expenses paid for. Besides the hourly-wage, firefighters can get paid extra for hazards, overtime and time and a half. Wildland firefighters consistently make thousands of dollars every week.
I could go on, but I think you get the idea. There are so many exciting, adventurous and fun opportunities available that there is no reason why you should stay at a job you hate.
Life should be an adventure. There are scores of adventurous job opportunities waiting for you to take advantage of them. So why wait? Get started today.

v     When traveling, make adequate enquires about the hotel, motel, restaurant, rest rooms and environmental conditions of your desired location.

v     Ensure that the hotel rooms have reusable and recyclable materials to prevent land pollution.

v     Do not carry too much tourist maps and brochures. Pick only the ones that are needed for your desired location.

v     Contact the Health Officer if you find a deceased animal along your route. This is necessary so as to prevent an epidermic.

v     Obey caution signs found in areas where there is wildlife so as to prevent accident

v     Do not throw non-organic garbage on the road when traveling because they could attract animals which can result to accident or act as threat to humans.

v     If you wish to renew or obtain your passport, then link to passport offices in your preferred location. For instance, one who wishes to renew or obtain a passport in the United States should locate any of their offices for the necessary information. You can also find out if there are visa requirements for your location.

v     Women in their last trimester of pregnancy are not allowed to travel by cruise. This is necessary so as to prevent miscarriage since some of them may have phobia for water bodies.

v     A letter of permission is required from a single parent traveling with children from the other partner.

v     Do not eat any diet you are not used to so as to avoid stomach upset.

v     Have an adequate knowledge on call rates globally so that you would not be cheated unnecessarily.

v     You must possess a good traveler fanny pack to keep essential documents such as passports, visa and so on.

v     Do things with moderation. For instance, do not take too much alcohol so as to avoid being a victim of assault.

v     Always abide by table etiquette in your chosen location. For instance, when eating rice in Japan, do not leave your chopstick standing in a vertical position. It symbolizes death in Japanese culture.

v     Consult travel agents who can provide appropriate information on agencies offering discounts on holidays.

Whether you are a new travel enthusiast or old pro, you can make your holidays more interesting and fulfilling by enhancing your experience. Whatever means you choose to embark on your tour, try to get the best out of it.

The most dangerous time in your life, when you are most likely to be attacked is when you are unfamiliar area.

Tourists are the favorite prey of the goblins of the world for the following reasons:

They are easy to spot. Tourists make the mistake of not blending in, wearing clothes that stand out. Shorts in a climate where everyone else is wearing pants. Brand-new clothes with bright colors. A camera around the neck, and a generally lost look on the face.

They’re not armed. It is illegal to carry most weapons on common carriers such as airliners. Goblins know this and purposefully go after the tourist.

Tourists make the mistake of flaunting wealth. They wear expensive jewelry, and carry large amounts of cash.

False sense of confidence. When people travel from developed countries such as Japan, the United States or England to third world countries they incorrectly assume the country they are visiting has the same overall safety as the developed country. Those tourists are often unpleasantly surprised at how dangerous the country is that they are visiting.

Tourists are assumed to be rich. People in most third world countries do not have the money to travel. So they think that anyone who can travel must be rich. They often resent that supposed wealth, and are willing to take drastic action to take it from tourists.

So, what is the answer? Never travel to new areas? No, that would be an awful way to live your life. Travel is fun and exciting, and no matter what the possible threats are, you shouldn’t let a few dirt-bags ruin your fun.

The key is to avoid trouble by not standing out as a lost, vulnerable tourist.

Learn about the area you will be traveling to. The more familiar you are with the new area, the more confident you will be as you stroll down the street. Use the Internet to get maps of the area, and information on the sights you want to visit. Find out as much as you can about the culture of the people you will be visiting. Your primary goal is to blend in.

Find out what people usually wear in the area you will be visiting.

Hopefully you will already have similar clothes. It is best not to wear brand new clothes.

Go with a group if possible. There is strength in numbers for tourists.

Being with a group is especially important if it is your first time to the new country. A tour group is a great way to go because the tour guide will only take you to areas that are “safe” for tourists. Do not venture out on your own, unless you know for certain the area you are going to visit is relatively safe. Stay in the neighborhoods that are set up for tourists.

Consider arming yourself with weapons that can be carried on common carriers. A good solid three foot walking stick is an example. A goblin would think twice before trying anything with you carrying such a weapon.

Don’t carry cash. Use credit cards, or traveler’s checks. If they are stolen, you can get them replaced. If you normally carry your wallet in your back pocket, change it to your front pocket. Pickpockets have a very hard time getting your wallet from the front. Carry a little extra cash in your sock or shoe, just in case you need some emergency money.

Don’t tempt fate. Even if you think you are in a very safe area, do not leave valuables out in plain sight. Some desperate people might attempt to kill you in order to get your valuables.

Whenever you travel you must continually be in a heightened state of awareness. If you slip out of that aware state, you could find yourself in serious danger.

By using the aforementioned concepts you should be able to have a safe, enjoyable trip with little chance of being attacked.

This article was written by Scott Flint a 5th degree Black Belt with 27 years of experience teaching Self-Defense.

This article is from the Travel Safe chapter of Scott’s Self-Defense book titled: Waking The Tiger Within–How To Be Safe From Crime

This is a 136 page comprehensive Self Defense Manual. This book sells at the site for only $9.95 25% off of the retail price.

Scott Flint, a 5th degree Black Belt, holds the title of Master Instructor, have taught over 3500 students during 27 years. Has learned from experience exactly what women, men, and children must know to be safe in all environments.

Scott is also Senior Chief Instructor of West-Wind Kung-Fu Schools in California. He is Director of the Taipei Chinese Kung-Fu Association United States Of America Branch.

Besides traditional Kung-Fu, Scott teaches a course in Personal Protection using the Combat Pistol.

If you’re like most people, you may be weighing the advantages of doing-it-yourself or hiring a travel agency in Edmonton when it comes to planning your next vacation. With so many travel websites on the Internet, it can be tempting to spend hours and hours as an amateur “travel agent” in search of the best deals. However, at the end of the day you have to ask yourself: How much is your time worth? And what makes you think you can really find a better deal than a third-party professional? Any seasoned traveler will tell you that a package deal from an Edmonton travel agency is — not only the easiest way to travel – but also the most economical, all things consider. Would you pay someone $100 to save you $1,000?
Recently a family of four wanted to fly from Canada to Tokyo, Japan. They ended up saving just over $4,625 on their trip by booking with a travel agency in Edmonton. With “high season” December prices as high as $9,000 at Expedia and $7,039 at Travelocity for the same flight, the family knew they could do better with an Edmonton travel agency. Similarly, a family of three left Canada for Cairo, Egypt for $5,812 – when Expedia and CheapTickets were offering over $12,000 for their best deals!
Another family was looking up hotel accommodations. At $200/night for a five-star in Paris, it’s easy to consider staying for just the weekend, rather than the whole week at that rate. However, by taking advantage of a travel agency in Edmonton, the family found five-star accommodations for $99/week! They were surprised to be offered rooms in castles, chalets, villas and five-star resorts for such a low price. In the end, paying their Edmonton travel agency a small commission was still less than the original weekend getaway they had considered. In addition, they were able to find out about area attractions, cruise deals and rental cars too.
Speaking of cruises, imagine the surprise a couple of newlyweds felt when they were given the choice of over 20,000 cruise itineraries, with over 2,800 ports of call and 150 ships! The all-inclusive cruise experiences presented by their Edmonton travel agency offered: Las Vegas style entertainment, limitless food like leg of lamb and lobster bisque, and included city tours. They had no idea that honeymoons could be so stress-free and affordable.
It seems surprising that an Edmonton travel agency like World Resort Vacations could offer such spectacular deals. That’s just what happens when you’ve got a network of over 5,000 hotel chains, airlines, rental cars and cruise lines spanning 114 countries to choose from.