Instructions

• : Participating in the running of the bulls can lead to serious injury or death.
• Step 1: Know what it is Get the background. The running of the bulls is a half-mile race through the streets of Pamplona, Spain to the town’s bullring, featuring the 6 bulls who’ll be fighting that evening, and anyone who dares to run with them. Runs take place every morning during the annual 8-day festival honoring San Fermin, the town’s patron saint. The festival runs from July 7 through July 14 every year, and anyone over 18 may participate.
• Step 2: Respect your competition Understand what you’re up against: 6 1-ton bulls that can outrun most humans, and 8 oxen that herd them along. Different breeds run on different days; some are considered more dangerous than others.
• TIP: The website “sanfermin.com”:http://sanfermin.com/ lists which breeds are running each day and information about the history of injuries during the running of the bulls.
• Step 3: Be prepared Get a good night’s sleep the night before and stay sober; otherwise you’ll be a danger to yourself and others. Wear comfortable clothes and running shoes, and don’t carry anything. Don’t run with friends; they might distract you.
• Step 4: Pick your position Enter the Plaza Consistorial before 7:30 a.m. via the gates on the square. When the police barriers open to the bull run route, go to any spot you like to await the bulls.
• TIP: The Santo Domingo and callejon sections of the route are considered the most dangerous, as most fatalities have occurred there.
• Step 5: Listen for the rockets Listen for the sound of the rockets. The first one indicates that the gate to the corral is being opened; the second alerts runners that all the bulls are out of the pen and on their way. In other words, it’s time to start running!
• Step 6: If you fall, stay down If you fall, stay down, cover your head, and remain still. If you remain on the ground, the bulls are likelier to just run by or over you. If you attempt to get up, they may try to gore you. Beware of pile-ups around turns.
• TIP: Bulls are most dangerous when they separate from the herd, either by running in front or lagging behind.
• Step 7: Fan out If you make it to the bullring without getting gored or trampled, fan out to its edges as soon as you’re inside — running to the middle of the ring is like putting a bull’s-eye on your back.
• FACT: The running of the bulls, called el encierro in Spanish, has been going on informally since the Middle Ages, but was regulated in 1867.

You Will Need

• Bravery
• Sobriety
• Alertness
• Comfortable clothes
• Running shoes
• Common sense

Instructions

• Step 1: Assemble your posse Assemble your posse wisely. Even the manliest of mancations can be ruined by “that friend.” Don’t invite the worrisome, wimpy, or whipped.
• Step 2: Pick your trip Figure out what kind of mancation you’re in the mood for. If your crew lusts for danger, suit up and strap in for extreme sports or stunt lessons. For a calmer sporting option, hit the golf links.
• Step 3: Plan an outdoors vacation Love the great outdoors? Make Mother Nature your exception to the “No Girls Allowed” policy, and bond over hiking, camping, or fishing.
• TIP: If you want to rough it a little less, look for a campsite with bathroom facilities.
• Step 4: Viva Las Vegas If you’re jonesin’ for a dose of debauchery, there’s only one place to head: Vegas, baby! Indulge your vices, and don’t forget to take in a couple of “shows.’
• Step 5: Raise a toast to Oktoberfest Like beer? Thought so. Consider making Oktoberfest your mancation destination. Munich’s annual festival boasts lively music, carnival rides, and, of course, more beer than you can shake a stein at. Prost!
• Step 6: Have fun Make sure to include at least 1 “buffer day” to recover from your mancation before heading back to work — you’ll need it. And no matter where you go, remember that it’s all about letting loose and bonding with your best buds!
• FACT: Larry Meadows, a software company product manager, claims to have coined the term “mancation” in 2002 when a friend’s wife suggested that the men should get together more often.

You Will Need

• Group of friends
• Vacation time
• Internet access
• Sense of adventure

Instructions

• Step 1: Know its Hebrew name Know the Wall’s Hebrew name — the Kotel, which simply means the Wall. This is what everyone in Israel calls it.
• TIP: Don’t call the site “The Wailing Wall.” Many people find the term offensive.
• Step 2: Understand its history Understand the history of the Western Wall. It’s located at the site of 2 ancient Jewish temples, both of which were destroyed — the first by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and the second by the Romans in 70 CE. The Western Wall was built in approximately 20 BCE around the Second Temple.
• Step 3: Know where it is Know where the Western Wall is located: in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the Temple Mount. The area in front of the Wall, where visitors from around the world come to pray, is known as the Western Wall Plaza. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• TIP: Consider taking a Kotel tunnel tour, which takes you further along the wall than you’d otherwise be able to go.
• Step 4: Dress properly Dress properly. Men must wear a hat or other head covering; those who don’t have one are provided a free skullcap, called a kippah. Women must wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees; they can borrow shawls at the entrance if need be. Shorts and jeans are not appropriate for anyone.
• Step 5: Behave appropriately Behave appropriately. Women are expected to pray in the section reserved for them, and are barred by law from reading aloud from the Torah and wearing prayer shawls. Smoking, picture-taking, and cellphone use is forbidden on Shabbat — from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Pets are not allowed into the Western Wall Plaza.
• Step 6: Leave a note Write a prayer on a tiny piece of paper and slip it into one of the Wall’s crevices; it’s a time-honored tradition. Because more than a million notes are left in the Wall each year, they’re collected twice a year and buried on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives.
• FACT: People can e-mail and tweet notes to be placed in the Western Wall.

You Will Need

• Modest attire
• Proper behavior
• Prayer note
• Tunnel tour (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Consider camping at Hermit’s Gulch Campground Consider camping at Hermit’s Gulch Campground if you want to sleep in nature but be close to the island’s largest town, Avalon. The campground is on a grassy field with trees.
• TIP: Camping reservations on the island must be made through the Santa Catalina Island Company. Camping permits are required year-round at all campsites.
• Step 2: Look into camping at Two Harbors Campground Look into Two Harbors Campground, which offers tent camping as well as cabins. The campground sits on a bluff overlooking the ocean.
• Step 3: Think about camping at Parson’s Landing Campground If you’re looking for a secluded beach venue, think about camping at Parson’s Landing Campground. You must hike in or arrive by kayak to reach this campground.
• Step 4: Ponder camping at Black Jack Campground Ponder camping at Black Jack Campground if you want to enjoy the island’s remote interior at the highest elevation. The campground is set among trees.
• TIP: Know that gathering wood or plants on the island is prohibited. All plants and animals — including buffalo — are protected b the Catalina Island Conservancy.
• Step 5: Camp at an unofficial campground Camp at one of the island’s unofficial campgrounds along the shore for maximum solitude. There are 9 boat-in areas on the island with 17 unofficial campsites on the northeast shore of Avalon.
• FACT: The singing group The Four Preps put Catalina Island on the map and their names on the record charts in the late 1950s with their hit song “26 Miles.”

You Will Need

• Reservation
• Camping permit
• Kayak (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Be flexible Be flexible about choosing a destination. If you end up looking for a room at the last minute, you might not be able to find one at your first-choice destination. But you may be able to find a good deal at second- or third-choice destinations.
• TIP: Consider traveling to Canada for the weekend. Canada doesn’t celebrate Memorial Day, and its peak tourist season doesn’t start until mid-June.
• Step 2: Be cost-conscious Recognize that hotel rooms will be available at a premium in the most popular U.S. destinations — assuming you can find them. Watch out for hidden extra charges, like internet service fees, when you make a booking.
• Step 3: Save on gas Save on gas by filling up as discount gas stations if you will be heading out on the highways. Gas prices can vary by as much as 25 cents per gallon on Memorial Day weekend.
• Step 4: Have a dining-out strategy Be thoughtful when dining out. Restaurants in the top tourist destinations will be crowded, and reservations may be hard to get. If you have your heart set on dining at that famous four-star restaurant, consider going there for lunch instead of dinner. You’ll save money and still have a great meal.
• Step 5: Enjoy your weekend Whatever you do, you’ll have the last-minute spontaneity, so enjoy it and have fun over the weekend.
• FACT: Although the dates differ, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas still celebrate Confederate Memorial Day.

You Will Need

• Flexibility
• Price sensitivity
• Gas price awareness
• Dining strategies
• Trip to Canada (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Go to the ASTA website Go to the website of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), the world’s largest travel professional association.
• Step 2: Search ASTA’s directory Search ASTA’s membership directory for certified agents according to specialties including destinations, travel lifestyles, and tour packages served.
• TIP: For international travel, find a certified agent with specific language skills to help in case of emergencies abroad.
• Step 3: Get recommendations Get travel agent recommendations from friends and family members. Preferably meet with a local agency. Much can be determined in a face-to-face meeting.
• Step 4: Ask the right questions Ask the right questions. How long have they been in business? Are there fees beyond booking fees? How accessible is the agency for travel emergencies?
• TIP: The right agent can help in emergencies that include delayed flights, overbooked hotels, and travel insurance claim red tape.
• Step 5: Know an agency’s benefits Know a travel agency’s benefits over online services. Agents may be best for booking a complicated trip to a remote region with time zone and cultural differences.
• Step 6: Go to the Better Business Bureau site Go to the Better Business Bureau site to check for consumer complaints. For cruises, check at the Cruise Lines International Association site.
• Step 7: Know about travel scams Know about common travel scams like discount travel clubs with unreasonable dues and hidden fees, and do-it-yourself travel agent tutorial kits.
• FACT: The first traveler’s checks were known as “circular notes” and were sold by Thomas Cook agency in 1874.

You Will Need

• Internet access
• Advice from friends and family
• Local travel agency
• The right questions

Instructions

• Step 1: Calculate how much time you have Decide the amount of time you will have for traveling, including the time it will take to get to and from your destination. Then plan an itinerary.
• Step 2: Decide who to travel with Decide whether you want to travel alone, with a friend, or with a group. If you will be traveling with others, make sure everyone’s expectations are aligned.
• Step 3: Decide when to travel Pick when you want to travel. Prices will be high in peak season, but some hostels may be closed and many attractions have shortened hours in the off season.
• TIP: An advantage of traveling in the warmer months is that your backpack will be lighter.
• Step 4: Make a cost assessment Make a realistic assessment of the cost of the trip. Pad your budget so you will not have to forgo something you want to do but didn’t plan on.
• Step 5: Consider accommodations Decide whether you will be most comfortable making reservations for your accommodations in advance, or if you would rather take your chances on finding something when you arrive.
• TIP: Searching for a room in a strange city while carrying a heavy backpack is not everybody’s cup of tea.
• Step 6: Purchase a guidebook Purchase several guidebooks and bone up on your destinations ahead of time. Vacation time will be here before you know it.
• FACT: The art of backpacking was first acknowledged in 1973 by sociologist and anthropologist Eric Cohen in his article, “Nomads from Affluence: Notes on the Phenomenon of Drifter Tourism”.

You Will Need

• Itinerary
• Travelling companions
• Cost assessment
• Guidebooks

Instructions

• Step 1: Separate yourself Cut ties with anything holding you to your current existence. Bid goodbye to anyone you don’t want to include in your new life and sell your possessions — a little cash can be helpful wherever you go.
• TIP: Hang on to any hardware and first-aid supplies, medicine, and camping gear you own.
• Step 2: Head into the wild Pack up your remaining items and hike to a remote spot. Sustain yourself by constructing a shelter, hunting wild game, gathering edible plants, and building fires. Keep a journal to record the depths of your solitude for future loners.
• Step 3: Set sail Don’t want to be landlocked? Head out to sea. Bring fishing equipment and rain gear to stay fed and dry. Use onboard electronics that beep regularly to keep you company during long nights on the water.
• Step 4: Go on island time For ocean views without the motion sickness, set up shop on a remote island. Feast on the natural bounty around you and pick up a hobby that lets you exercise your brain enough to stave off insanity.
• TIP: If you do go insane, don’t worry: there’ll be no one around you to judge.
• Step 5: Get desensitized Want a simpler way to get away from it all? Climb into a sensory-deprivation tank and lie still until your mind goes blank. Once your cares have fully disappeared, emerge and rejoin civilization, knowing isolation is just a soak away.
• FACT: The 4 islands that make up Tristan de Cunha are the most remote inhabited place in the world.

You Will Need

• Secluded spot
• Money
• Hardware and first-aid supplies (optional)
• Medicine (optional)
• Camping gear (optional)
• Sensory-deprivation tank (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Find a travel agent Find a travel agent through ASTA — the American Society of Travel Agents. Search the internet for ASTA certified members in your area.
• Step 2: Know about the one-stop-shopping advantages Know about the one-stop-shopping advantages beyond booking services, such as offering more flexibility in canceling and changing flights.
• TIP: If your flight is canceled, you can call your agent and get quickly re-accommodated.
• Step 3: Visit travel agencies Visit travel agencies to determine whether they match your individual travel needs and lifestyle. Consider such factors as senior citizen advantages, family travel, ecotourism, and adventure travel.
• TIP: For specific recommendations as well as travel warnings, pick an agent who has been to your destination.
• Step 4: Ask about fees and check for complaints Be sure to ask the travel agent upfront about additional service fees, and check for complaints against the agency at the Better Business Bureau.
• Step 5: Find a cruise travel agent Find a certified cruise counselor through the Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, website. Enjoy your trip!
• FACT: Since the mid-19th century, guides have been taking visitors through Paris’ sewers, one of the city’s most popular tours.

You Will Need

• ASTA-certified travel agency
• CLIA-certified cruise counselor

Instructions

• Step 1: Avoid peak season Avoid the peak season of your destination, when the rates are highest.
• Step 2: Fly midweek Fly midweek for the best rates. Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays are cheaper for domestic flights and Mondays through Thursdays are the best days for international travel.
• Step 3: Compare prices Compare prices on the airline’s website as well as with booking aggregators. They take results from several booking sites for flights, and usually hotels and car rentals as well. Be aware that not all airlines are represented on these sites.
• Step 4: Look into all purpose travel sites Look into all-purpose travel sites, where you can book your hotel, flight and car all at once. This often adds additional savings.
• Step 5: Sign up for instant alerts Sign up for instant alerts. Certain travel sites allow you to automatically receive e-mails when a fare dips below the price you’ve set or notify you of special fares.
• Step 6: Price transportation Price transportation from the airport to your hotel if airport transfers aren’t included in your vacation package. Get walking and driving directions in advance and look for events or tours.
• TIP: Store all your travel information in one place, whether it’s in a file folder or online.
• Step 7: Book quickly Book your tickets or hotel as soon as you find a deal you’re satisfied with. Good deals go quickly.
• FACT: According to Forbes magazine, the most visited tourist destination in America in 2010 was Times Square, New York, followed by the Las Vegas Strip.

You Will Need

• Flexible schedule
• Internet access

Instructions

• Step 1: Think balance Think balance, knowing that to afford a winter vacation you must save and budget for travel well before you start planning your vacation. Boost vacation savings by selling unwanted items online or at a garage sale, asking your boss for a raise, or using coupons to save on groceries. Add the money made to a separate vacation account.
• TIP: Save money on monthly bills by switching to a cheaper phone plan, switching insurance companies, or canceling cable television. Add your savings to the vacation account.
• Step 2: Explore off-season destinations Explore off-season destinations that align with your winter vacation goals. Many destinations offer cheaper rates for different times of the year.
• Step 3: Save on airfare Save on airfare by booking online just after midnight when airlines adjust computer listings. Look for last-minute bargains, fly with small airlines, or fly into cities near your destination to save money.
• Step 4: Give up the four-star hotel Give up the four-star hotel with amenities to reduce lodging costs. Instead stay at a chain motel or small hotel where you will pay less.
• TIP: Ask if hotels or motels have senior or military discounts that you may qualify for.
• Step 5: Rely on cheap local transit Rely on cheap local transit to get around, like buses, bikes, scooters, subways, and trains. Now, relax and have the time of your life on your well-deserved getaway.
• FACT: Ski desitnation Park City, Utah has over 370 runs and 50 ski lifts across 9,000 acres.

You Will Need

• Vacation savings
• Budget-friendly hotels
• Cheap flights
• Inexpensive local transit
• Cheaper home services (optional)
• Senior or military discounts (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Go online to the Transport for London site Visit the Transport for London homepage at tfl.gov.uk.
• Step 2: Examine the maps Look over the maps that show the routes for the London Underground, bus system, and other public transportation modes that accept the Oyster Card. Think about your travel needs in London and see which areas you can access using an Oyster Card.
• TIP: Use the maps and the Journey Planner feature on the Transport for London website to help you estimate costs.
• Step 3: Decide between the ticket options Decide between Oyster Card ticket options. Get “Pay as You Go” if you aren’t sure how much travel money you need on your card. Think about an “Annual Pass” if you will be in London for a full year, and choose a “Travelcard” if you want unlimited travel options for a shorter period of time.
• Step 4: Get your Oyster Card online Use a credit card to order your Oyster Card online from the Transport for London website. Select the options that best suit your travel needs.
• TIP: You can also purchase cards in person at over 3,700 outlets across London. But be aware that you may have to wait in a line.
• Step 5: Create an Oyster Card account Create an Oyster Card account on the Transport of London website. Link your account with your Card number to allow you to refill your card online, view your card’s use history, and give you protection against the loss or theft of your card.
• TIP: Allow up to two weeks for your Oyster Card to be delivered, particularly if you’re ordering from outside of the U.K.
• Step 6: Use your Oyster Card Use your Oyster Card as a method of payment when traveling around London on the Tube, public buses, trams, and National Rail. Touch your card to one of the yellow readers when you start your trip, and touch out when you reach your destination. In no time, you’ll be zipping through lines and whizzing around town like a local.
• FACT: London was home to the world’s first underground railway system. The four-mile long Metropolitan line opened on January 10, 1863.

You Will Need

• Internet access
• Credit card

Transcript

Chairman: Six months ago, our enemies murdered a great man. Scolar Visari, our nation’s father. Today, we remember the hope he gave us. The purpose he gave us. The vision he gave us. A vision in which the Helghast people reclaim their rightful place in this universe. Years from now, we will tell our children of this day. The day his vision became our reality.

Male 1: You know the drill. Report in with the desk sergeant.

Female: Security is everyone’s responsibility. Report any suspicious behavior to your immediate supervisor.

Male 2: Unit name?

Male 3: August two.

Male 2: You’ve been assigned to weapons testing.

Hold up. Prisoner transport incoming.

Go on through.

Female: Attention. Due to the upcoming…

Male 4: Come on. You know where you’re supposed to be.

Female: Please verify two beeps. Failure to comply…

Male 5: Quit dragging your feet. Get to your assignment.

Female: Security is everyone’s responsibility. Report any suspicious behavior to your immediate supervisor.

Male 6: Wait. they’re taking them to the broadcast room now sir. Yes, sir. You two on lab duty? Go to report for weapons testing.

Instructions

• Step 1: Determine trip dates Decide on a few dates when you will be available for White House tours during your trip to Washington, D.C. This should be done months in advance to allow enough time to schedule a tour.
• Step 2: Contact Congress member Contact your local Congress member to request a White House tour. Supply him or her with dates that you would like to visit the White House.
• TIP: Visit congress.org to find your local Congress member’s contact information.
• Step 3: Follow up Follow up with your local Congress member or a staffer a few weeks before your scheduled trip to determine your scheduled tour date if you have not already received a response.
• Step 4: Call the tour office Call the White House tour information line at 202-456-7041 before heading out for your tour in case of any changes or delays. Now marvel as you tour the historic White House.
• FACT: Construction of the White House started in 1792 but wasn’t completed until 1800, when President John Adams and his wife Abigail became the first residents.

You Will Need

• Scheduled trip to Washington
• D.C.
• Internet access
• Telephone

Instructions

• Step 1: Decide on a port Find a port that is close so that you don’t have to add in the cost of an airline ticket. Landlocked? Settle for a port that is close to an airport to avoid extra travel costs.
• Step 2: Search deals online Check cruise and travel websites for package deals. You can also ask friends and family who are former cruisers if they have been offered special deals through mail or e-mail. They may be able to book a great package for you.
• TIP: Many cruise lines run deals exclusively through their site. Check their websites and compare deals found at one-stop-shop travel sites.
• Step 3: Choose off-season travel dates Choose travel dates during off-seasons and during the week for price cuts. By booking your tickets 6 months or more in advance, you can receive deeper discounts.
• Step 4: Try last-minute deals Select last-minute deals if you have an open schedule or can take time off work at the last minute. If you don’t have a particular date in mind, the flexibility to go any time will save you a bundle.
• Step 5: Check with a travel agent Inquire about deals and cruise packages with a local travel agent.
• TIP: If you are a member of USAA, AAA, or Sam’s Club, look into using their travel booking services for deals and discounts on ticket purchases.
• Step 6: Compare cruise lines Compare ship offerings, room availability, pricing options, and destinations. Some online searches offer a side-by-side comparison feature.
• TIP: Remember that most cruise ship vacations include all of your meals. Don’t spend extra on food on shore when you have already-paid meals waiting on board.
• Step 7: Choose an interior cabin Book an interior cabin, one without windows, for a less expensive option.
• Step 8: Make travel arrangements Make any necessary travel arrangements for airfare or car rental as package deals with your cruise to receive additional discounts. Once you’ve made your purchase, get those bags packed for a fun-filled trip at sea.
• FACT: The World is a residential cruise ship that sails around the world all year long. Apartments on board sell for $2.8 million for a 1-bedroom to $18 million for a 4-bedroom penthouse.

You Will Need

• Internet access
• Time off
• Destination

Instructions

• Step 1: Shelter and bedding Bring one or two sturdy tents for storage and sleeping, and a tarp to create shade during the day. While sleeping bags are good, an inflatable mattress will be more comfortable.
• TIP: Bring sturdy stakes or rebar to secure your tent in the strong winds.
• Step 2: Pack water Bring 1½ gallons of water per person per day. The desert is very hot and very dry. Dehydrated people not only become irritable, but they can get very, very sick. Drink a gallon of water every day, and use the other half-gallon for bathing and cooking.
• TIP: Keep the water out of direct sunlight.
• Step 3: Toss in a bike A bike is a good way to get around the Burning Man camp, so bring one. Put your name on it and make sure to decorate it so it’s easy to find, and lock it up when you’re not using it.
• Step 4: Duct tape, duct tape, duct tape Whether you’re helping to build a giant work of art, taping up your tent, taping up a food container, or taping up yourself (or someone else), duct tape is a main building block of the Burning Man life.
• Step 5: Food for a week Bring enough food for a week. While some people will share food, Burning Man is also about self-reliance. Think nonrefrigerated food like granola and dried fruits. Also pack some salty treats to replenish electrolytes. For cooked meals, bring a portable stove.
• Step 6: The right clothes What you wear — or don’t wear — at Burning Man is up to you. Temperatures can top 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and dip below freezing at night. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and shoes you’re willing to throw out after the event.
• Step 7: Sun protection Use heaps of sunscreen during the day. Also bring lip balm and moisturizing lotion to deal with the dryness.
• Step 8: Storage To protect your stuff from dust, bring lots of plastic sandwich bags. These can also be used for preparing food and for keeping your underwear clean.
• Step 9: Bring a battery-powered radio There are no cell phone signals or electricity at Burning Man. Bringing a battery-powered radio — and extra batteries — is very useful in case of an emergency, or just for getting updates on the event. Turn to 94.5 FM for Burning Man information radio.
• Step 10: Prepare for dust storms Dust storms don’t last long, but they can be intense. Be prepared. Bring a dust mask and goggles, as well as plastic garbage bags to use as impromptu porta-toilets during “white-outs.”
• Step 11: Pack a light It can be very dark out in the desert when everyone has extinguished their campfire. A flashlight can save you from tripping over god-knows-what.
• Step 12: Don’t forget an open mind Burning Man is not like anything you’ve ever experienced in your life. Keep your mind open. This is not an experience that can be seen from the sidelines. Dive in, do something you’d never dream of doing, and don’t forget the duct tape.
• FACT: Burning Man started on a beach in 1986 with the burning of an 8-foot wooden man.

You Will Need

• Shelter and bedding
• Stakes or rebar capped with tennis balls
• 1u00bd gal. of water per person per day
• Bike and lock
• Duct tape
• Food
• Sun protection
• Plastic bags
• Dust mask
• Goggles
• Battery-powered radio
• Flashlight
• Folding lounge chair (optional)
• Portable stove (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Visit the smaller markets Enjoy the famous Grand Bazaar. But don’t miss these local favorites — Balik Pazari, the Fish Market; Cicek Pasaji, the Flower Passage; and the Kadikoy Market. For a truly hidden treasure, visit the Kasimpasa Kastamonu market; it’s only open from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays, but the delectables are worth an early wake-up call.
• Step 2: Check out the new art After you’ve admired Istanbul’s ancient treasures, check out the robust modern art scene at the Istanbul Modern Museum and the Haaz Gallery.
• Step 3: Head to the islands Spend a day exploring the Princes’ Islands, a chain of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara. Four are open to the public and accessible by ferry.
• TIP: Buyukada is the largest of the islands, and also the most crowded. If you’d prefer a less touristy retreat, go to Burgazada.
• Step 4: Enjoy happy hour Head to Istiklal Avenue at sunset; that’s where Istanbul residents pack the taverns for after-work drinks and mezes — small plates of nibbles similar to Spain’s tapas. Also check out the Cihangir area, known as the Soho of Istanbul, and nearby Cukurcuma, which is filled with antique shops.
• TIP: Try raki, an aniseed-flavored alcoholic beverage that’s considered the national drink; other spirits are quite pricey.
• Step 5: Trip the light fantastic When happy hour ends, move on to the rest of Beyoglu, where you’ll find lots of restaurants serving traditional fare and bars and nightclubs featuring Turkish pop music. Pooped? Have a Turkish coffee!
• FACT: Istanbul has the second-oldest subway in the world still in operation, built in 1875.

You Will Need

• Sense of adventure
• Offbeat destinations
• Raki (optional)

Instructions

• Step 1: Start early Start planning your family vacation a year in advance. This gives you plenty of time to research trips and weigh costs without stress, and to make reservations before spots fill up.
• Step 2: Know your budget Create a budget for the trip. Deals are only as good as the money you have to spend on them.
• Step 3: Search for deals Search for deals online. Check online booking sites and subscribe to automatic deal alerts.
• TIP: Don’t trust advertisements. Just because a package is advertised as a deal doesn’t mean it is — run the numbers and see for yourself.
• Step 4: Network Network with other families to find out about deals and destinations.
• Step 5: Lower food costs Lower food costs by seeking out “kids eat free” deals or by choosing lodging that includes cooking facilities so you can eat in instead of paying to go out.
• Step 6: Travel off peak Travel during off-peak times. Summer and holiday travel tends to be the most expensive, so choosing an unconventional time frame can lead to substantial savings.
• Step 7: Plan for all Plan your trip so that it is fulfilling for everyone in the family. Find a destination with activities for all ages so that everyone gets the R and R they deserve.
• FACT: President George W. Bush spent 490 days vacationing in Crawford, Texas, during his time in office.

You Will Need

• Family
• Time to plan
• Internet access

Instructions

• Step 1: Hit some museums Check out the contemporary art in the CaixaForum Museum, plus the Mies Van der Rohe Pavillion in front of it. Then head up Montjuic, where you’ll find the Fundacion Joan Miro; it contains a collection of this famous Catalan artist’s works, as well as temporary exhibitions.
• TIP: If you like science, visit CosmoCaixa at the foot of Tibidabo mountain; it’s been called the best science museum in Europe.
• Step 2: See the other Cathedral After seeing Barcelona’s famous La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral, admire the equally impressive Basilica De Santa Maria Del Mar, a favorite with locals for weddings. Residents also love the affordable classical music concerts held there.
• Step 3: Eat the daily special For lunch, order the “Menu del Dia,” or menu of the day. You’ll get an appetizer, entrée, dessert, bread and a beverage, all for a reasonable charge. Note that it’s not available at night.
• TIP: If you’re in Barcelona in late winter or the beginning of spring, try a plate of fun-to-eat grilled calcots, a sweet onion only available that time of year.
• Step 4: Head to Parc de Collserola Spend an afternoon at Parc de Collserola. 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park, it features picnic areas, hiking trails, and bike paths.
• Step 5: Get a club pass Get a day pass to Club Natacio Atletic-Barceloneta, Barcelona’s beachside health club. For less than $20, it gives you access to pools, a fitness center, and sun deck. Take a nap while you’re there: you’ll need it to keep up with the locals, who dine at 10 or later, and party into the wee hours of the morning.
• FACT: Barcelona was voted the European city with the best architecture in a travel survey.

You Will Need

• Adventurous spirit

Instructions

• Step 1: Understand Burning Man There are no spectators at Burning Man. Everyone is welcome, and everyone can participate. It’s not about taking it all in, but sharing something of yourself.
• TIP: Burning Man operates according to 10 principles, which range from “Radical Inclusion” to “Leaving No Trace.” Read about them at burningman.com.
• Step 2: Get a group together Gather your most adventurous friends together and plan a theme camp. Your camp should in some way provide a communal space or activity for people to participate in.
• TIP: Keep it simple. Concepts that are too large or complex tend to fall apart.
• Step 3: Join a theme camp You can also participate in someone else’s camp. A theme camp can be dedicated to anything. Find one that speaks to you.
• Step 4: Build an art installation Got an idea for a giant work of art you’d like to burn at the end of the week? Take the lead and invite others.
• TIP: It’s not required, but if you’d like to get your theme camp or art installation publicized on the Burning Man map, you’ll need to register it. Forms and deadlines are on the Burning Man website.
• Step 5: Perform All of Burning Man is a stage, and everyone is invited to perform. What’s your skill? Dance? Music? Playing with fire? There are no limits — other than safety.
• Step 6: Volunteer Besides participating in a theme camp or helping build an art installation, you can also take advantage of the many volunteer opportunities, from building the city to handing out condoms.
• FACT: Did you know?So many people attend Burning Man that, for that one week, Black Rock City qualifies as Nevada’s 7th-largest city.

You Will Need

• A willingness to participate
• A desire to share
• A spirit of collective responsibility

Instructions

• Step 1: Rent a moped Rent a motor scooter, or motorino. Yes, traffic can be hairy and Romans are crazy drivers. But there’s no better way to zip around town. Bonus: you’ll feel like Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
• TIP: For a great, romantic view of Rome, head up the winding road from Trastevere to the Janiculum Hill.
• Step 2: Have lunch on the go Lunch on Rome’s ubiquitous street food, pizza al taglio, or pizza by the slice. Sold by weight, it comes with a variety of toppings. Speak with your hands, just like the locals, to communicate how big a piece you want.
• Step 3: Navigate side streets Explore the streets around Campo de’ Fiori, a piazza popular for its morning produce and flower market. The area is filled with edgy clothing shops, intimate wine bars, and art galleries. For bargain finds, follow the Romans to the Borghetto Flaminio or Via Sannio flea markets.
• TIP: Savor sit-down cafes in the afternoon. In the morning, have your cappuccino or caffellatte standing up at the bar.
• Step 4: Visit Villa Pamphili Spend an afternoon at Villa Pamphili, Rome’s biggest park. You’ll find residents jogging, dog-walking, kite-flying, and picnicking among towering trees, ponds, fountains, and gardens.
• Step 5: Take a stroll Hit the streets for a late afternoon passeggiata, or leisurely stroll. Tons of locals indulge in this ritual, especially on the weekends — window-shopping, catching up with friends, and flirting, often with a gelato in hand.
• Step 6: Enjoy summer pleasures If you’re visiting in warm weather, take a day trip to Lake Bracciano. About 25 miles northwest of Rome, it offers sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, windsurfing, and sailing. Back in the Eternal City, check local listings for open-air cinema and music festivals throughout the summer.
• FACT: From 1968 to 2002, a man nicknamed D’Artagnan lived off coins he collected from the famed Trevi Fountain, sometimes netting as much as $1,300 a day.

You Will Need

• Adventurous spirit

Instructions

• Step 1: Visit the U.S. State Department website If you are American, visit the State Department website to learn about travel safety issues in Venezuela. Foreigners can be vulnerable to crime even upon arrival at the airport. Register at the State Department’s travel registration website. This easily allows the State Department to assist United States citizens in an emergency.
• TIP: Some Americans have been turned back at the airport due to passports expiring within six months of their arrival date.
• Step 2: Be cautious when traveling from the airport Be cautious when traveling from the airport. Traffic in Caracas is difficult to navigate at all hours.
• TIP: If you choose to rent a car, make arrangements with an international car rental company before you leave.
• Step 3: Visit travel websites Visit travel websites for hotel recommendations. Foreigners and tourists tend to stay in Chacao and the section of Chacao known as Altamira, where many of the nicest hotels are located.
• Step 4: Carry as little U.S. currency as possible Carry as little U.S. currency as possible. Find a currency exchange house recommended by your hotel.
• TIP: You risk arrest if you exchange dollars with “street” money changers.
• Step 5: Walk the city in a group Explore the city with a group if you can, even when visiting major tourist attractions like El Avila Park. Be aware that petty theft is commonplace, especially after dark, so stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
• Step 6: Take licensed taxis for transportation Ask hotels and restaurants to contact licensed taxis for your nightlife transportation. Do not flag down a taxi off the street. Put common sense into practice for a safe trip.
• FACT: The world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls, near Caracas, was named after American pilot Jimmy Angel who landed at the falls’ summit.

You Will Need

• Internet access
• Current passport
• Common sense

Instructions

• Step 1: Determine the specifics of your farm vacation Decide whether you want an educational farming experience for your family, a B and B style rural getaway, or a farm vacation with outdoor activities like hunting, hiking, or fishing.
• TIP: Educational farming experiences can include cow milking, cheese making, or a start-your-own-farm course for city slickers.
• Step 2: Search the internet Search the internet for farm vacation venues throughout the United States.
• Step 3: Visit a state’s farm-stay association web site Visit a specific state’s farm-stay association web site.
• Step 4: Leave the country Search farm vacations in another country. Europe and Australia are both popular farm-vacation destinations.
• FACT: As of October 2009, the number of milk cows in the 23 major milk-producing states numbered at 8.32 million a head.

You Will Need

• Internet access

Instructions

• : Don’t drink unless you’re of legal age. Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.
• Step 1: Walk with a drink Walk the strip with a beer or other alcoholic beverage if you are over 21 — it is 100 percent legal and can ease the stress.
• Step 2: Avoid leaving with a new wife Avoid visiting the 24-hour marriage chapels, especially when there is alcohol involved.
• TIP: What happens in Vegas may well be an accidental marriage.
• Step 3: See a show See a comedy or magic show. There are tons of shows each day that will mesmerize and entertain anyone.
• Step 4: Gamble Hit the slot machines or try your luck at blackjack or roulette. Don’t be afraid to light up a cigar or cigarette, and keep the drinks coming.
• Step 5: Check out the restaurants Check out the four-star restaurants, or be more low-key and find a bar with live music.
• Step 6: Hit the shops Hit the shops and find a treasure or two to bring home or spoil a loved one with a surprise shopping spree before you leave.
• FACT: Las Vegas, nicknamed Sin City, was actually founded in 1855 by Mormon missionaries.

You Will Need

• Drink
• Shows
• Gambling money
• High alcohol tolerance
• Appetite

Instructions

• Step 1: Learn about roller coasters Read up on the many varieties of roller coasters there are to conquer. In addition to high speeds, big drops, and loop-the-loops, there are stand-ups, floorless, water, and many others.
• Step 2: Research Do some research to figure out which amusement park has the most and best coasters you want to ride. Don’t forget to take into account the travel cost and distance.
• TIP: Book tickets and hotels in advance for the best deals.
• Step 3: Avoid long lines Plan your visit for a low-traffic day, if possible. Go at the beginning or the end of the day to avoid the worst lines.
• TIP: Discounted tickets may go on sale in the late afternoon. It’s a deal if the park is open late, because riding coasters after the sun sets is a special experience.
• Step 4: Bring sunscreen and cash Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring cash for food and water so fatigue and hunger won’t mess up your day. Get yourself pumped for an awesome time.
• Step 5: Go the extra step If there’s a separate line to ride in the front car or another special seat, try it at least once. The wait may be longer, but the experience may be worth it.
• FACT: In 2010 the Los Angeles Times named the Bizarro at Six Flags New England the best steel roller coaster.

You Will Need

• Research
• Planning
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Advance accommodation booking (optional)
• Late-entry tickets (optional)