Traveling with the Jones — Sharing Travel Discoveries

Traveling Internationally? 5 Tips On Using A Phone Without Breaking the Bank

by Janis on December 4, 2012

This is a guest post by Danielle Smith, an agricultural communications student at the University of Arkansas.

Photo provided by Zach Vega

Tuesday is Travel Tip Day

Today: 5 Tips On Using A Phone When Traveling Internationally

One of the first questions I had when I found out I would be spending a month in Belgium was how I would communicate with my group and my family at home. After some research I found that they’re many options for using a phone internationally.

Here are five tips to help you communicate when you are traveling internationally, without getting a huge phone bill upon your return

Photo provided by: Kirk

1. Purchase a Local SIM Card

A SIM card is a tiny chip that stores essential data, such as the phone number, network authorization information, and contact lists, for use in GSM phones. Buying a prepaid SIM card for a county you’re visiting means that you don’t have to pay international roaming fees. One example of a SIM card you can buy is Passport US SIM Card from Telestial. For about $29 you get a SIM card that includes a U.S. number, as well as a phone number for the country you are visiting. This allows you to receive calls from both the U.S. and the country you are visiting for a low price.

NOTE: in order to use a SIM card, you must have an unlocked GSM phone. Examples of GSM phones in the U.S. are T-Mobile and AT&T, but just because a phone is from this provider does not mean it is unlocked. For example, AT&T iPhones are locked and will not accept an international SIM. The key: read the packaging and description carefully before purchasing a GSM phone to use internationally.

2. Buy an International Cell Phone and Reloadable SIM Card Package from Telestial

When Jeff & Janis Jones of this blog set off on their 5-month long European adventure, they wanted to have an affordable way for their families to reach them, and they wanted to be able to call each other in Europe in a wide variety of countries — from Albania to Norway. and from Estonia to Romania. After much research. they bought two International Cell Phones from Telestial, which they still use today every time they travel outside of the U.S. Two other the great features about these phones: they come with a toll-free number that people can reach you by calling from the U.S. Plus, the SIM card is tied to your credit card, and automatically reloads in increments of $25.

Best of all, calling rates are around $.29 from many companies around the world and you don’t have to change SIM cards when you change countries.

3. Skype

Skype is a free video calling program that can be used anywhere there is Internet access. This option is the most affordable and offers a great way to stay in touch with friends and family while abroad. Skype works from computer to computer, from an iPad with Wi-Fi, or from an iPhone to any US number as long as you have Wi-Fi. (There’s a charge for the last option unless you are calling a toll-free number, but it’s minimal compared to other phone options.)

4. iPhones — Get a Plan Before You Leave the Country, Or Keep the Phone on Airplane Mode

To use your iPhone outside the U.S., one option is to pay AT&T’s international roaming rates. If you sign up for the AT&T World Traveler plan ($6 per month, but you can stop and start it as needed), you pay $0.99 per minute for calls sent and received while traveling internationally. Without the World Traveler plan, the charge is $1.29 per minute.

To avoid a nasty surprise of a large international roaming data bill, keep your iPhone in the airplane mode for your entire trip. You can still use free Wi-Fi to keep up on your email when in many hotels, restaurants, cafes and airport.

5. Vonage

Vonage Companion turns your laptop or netbook into a phone. You can make and receive calls to your U.S. Vonage number without additional expense (depending upon the Vonage plan you choose).

The wrap up on using phones internationally:

Try to use free programs like Skype whenever possible.
Talk to your local phone provider about international plans and cost before leaving the country.
Decide whom you will need to talk to the most: people at home or people who live in the country are visiting.

What tips and tricks do you have about communicating with people while traveling internationally?

A native of Stilwell, Kansas, Danielle plans to return to the Kansas City area upon graduation.

Danielle is currently working as a social media intern with VentureTime Travel. When she isn’t working or in classes, Danielle enjoys traveling the world with her fiancée Will.

Learn more about Danielle here.

Other travel tips you might enjoy reading….

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Destination Discovery: Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil

by Janis on December 3, 2012

This is a guest post by Rachel Foxwell, a student at Iowa State University majoring in Hospitality Management, emphasizing on Travel and Tourism.

Fernando de Noronha Pernambuco, Brazil

Fernando de Noronha is a beautiful archipelago, or island chain, boasting pristine beaches, landscapes, and wildlife.

Situated off the northern coast in Brazil, Fernando de Noronha was discovered by Amerigo Vespucci in 1503.

With only the largest of the 21 islands being inhabited, the archipelago is a haven for divers and snorkelers because of its year-round warm waters and clear visibility.

Surfing Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil. Photo by Crystian Cruz, December 19, 2009.

Fernando de Noronha offers many recreational options, including surfing, snorkeling, diving, and beach-hopping.

Boldrí³, or “Bold Rock,” a popular beach in Fernando de Noronha. Photo by Felipe Martins, January 1, 2006

Fernando de Noronha boasts a wide variety of tropical wildlife, including birds, lizards, and fish. Photo by MSLuna

Fernando de Noronha is an ideal cruise destination or vacation spot, with gorgeous sights, warm waters, long beaches, and wildlife everywhere, making it the perfect place for vacationers of all kinds.

Have you visited Brazil? What is your favorite destination discovery around the world? Please share below in comments.

Rachel Foxwell – a native of Monona, Iowa – is completing a social media internship for VentureTime Travel.

Read more about her travel adventures – including her summer study in Europe – in her Rachel’s Realities blog.

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Congratulations! We Have a Third Winner the Thank-A-Reader Give Away

by Janis on December 2, 2012

November Was Our Thank-A-Reader Give Away

November isn’t over yet and there is still one more give away for a lucky reader of this blog:

The winner of the $75 Amazon Gift Card is Anne N.

Thanks to all who participated in our Thank-A-Reader Give Away promotions during November.

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12 Fun Facts You May Not Know About the Great Wall of China

by Janis on November 29, 2012

This is a guest post by Rachel Foxwell.

Watchtowers of the Great Wall near Jinshanling, China. Photo Credit Jakub HaÅ‚un

The Great Wall of China is widely accepted as the most major tourist attraction in China, having been built originally to defend the Chinese Empire from enemies to the north. The Great Wall, however, offers more than just history: its length covers stunning beaches, rugged mountains, and even a desert corridor.

Here are 12 surprising facts about the Great Wall of China.

1. The longest wall of the Great Wall is approximately 2,145 miles. Additionally, about 1,770 miles branch from the sides, making it the longest man-made structure in the world by far.

2. The length of all Chinese defense walls built over the last 2,000 years is approximately 31,070 miles. To put this into perspective, it could circle the world two times!

3. The mortar used to bind the stones was made out of rice flour.

4. Though the Great Wall of China is not one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World.
5. Parts of the wall were surrounded by moats, which allowed for additional defense.

6. The Great Wall attracts around 50 million foreign visitors annually.

7. The earliest major walls were built between 260-210 B.C. by the Qin dynasty.

8. After the Qin dynasty were the Han, Sui, Jin, and Ming dynasties. Most of what we see today is from the Ming dynasty.

A view of the Great Wall in 1907.

9. The most visited section of the wall is in Badaling, which is close to Beijing and was built during the Ming dynasty. In 1957, it was the first section to open to tourists.

10. The height of the Great Wall varies anywhere from just above ground level to 30 feet high.

11. Who built the Great Wall? Most of the wall was built by guards, peasants, unemployed citizens, disgraced noblemen, and prisoners. Being forced to work on the wall used to even be a punishment for convicted criminals.

12. Several temples were built along the wall for Guandi, the war god.

Learn more with these books:
The Great Wall: China Against the World, 1000 BC – AD 2000

The Great Wall: The story of thousands of miles of earth and stone that turned a nation into a fortress (Wonders of the World Book)

Have you visited the Great Wall? Do you have a “fun fact” to share about the Great Wall of China?

Rachel Foxwell – a native of Monona, Iowa – is completing a social media internship for VentureTime Travel.

Read more about her travel adventures – including her summer study in Europe – in her Rachel’s Realities blog.

Other “Fun Facts” posts that you might enjoy reading….

Follow us on Twitter or interact with us on Facebook.

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