Price comparison: One dozen macaroons

Macaroons are light baked confections that could best be described as either small cakes or cookies depending upon their consistency. And while the exact origins of macaroons are uncertain (most likely Italy and France), what is certain is that variations of the recipe have been enjoyed for over 500 years.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a one dozen macaroons in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in Tokyo and New York City and lowest in London and Frankfurt with other cities somewhere in between.  

Price Comparison*

Tokyo	2,652 Yen	US$28.23
New York City	US$27	US$27
Sydney	A$28	US$25.97
Paris	€18	US$24.07
Hong Kong	HK$168	US$21.64
Shanghai	130 Yuan	US$19.04
Brussels	€13.5	US$18.05
Singapore	S$25	US$17.60
London	11.30 Pounds	US$17.22
Frankfurt	€12	US$16.04

* Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of April 7, 2010.

The top 10 ways to avoid data theft while traveling and surfing the internet

If you travel frequently for business, you are probably a frequent user of internet hotspots and wi-fi networks. Hence, a recent article (Trip Tech: Is It Safe to Surf?) on Conde Nast Traveler’s Concierge.com is a must read by all frequent travelers who must surf the web while on the road.

As the article explains, there are a number of new threats out there that are aimed at harvesting personal information. Hence, nearly all security experts recommend that if you are going to surf wirelessly, then you need to use a virtual private network (VPN) which is basically a software that creates a secure, encrypted "tunnel" where information can flow securely between your computer and the Internet. Nevertheless, just using VPN software is not enough.

Hence and if you are going to surf the web on the road, be sure to keep all of the following tips in mind:

1. Use VPN software.
2. Keep your system up to date.
3. Turn off your computer's Wi-Fi when you're not using it.
4. Opt for well-known networks such as AT&T or T-Mobile whenever possible.
5. Use networks with harder-to-crack WPA security instead of WEP.
6. If you have a cellular modem, turn off your Wi-Fi.
7. When surfing, look for a lock icon in the lower-right corner of your browser or "https" in the Web address any time you send personal data online.
8. Use the Firefox browser rather than Explorer for Windows or Safari for Mac, since it has fewer security holes.
9. Make sure your computer's firewall is on (this is usually found in network settings).
10. Be wary of doing any kind of financial transaction in public.

Keeping the above tips in mind will go a long way towards ensuring that your personal data and computer remain safe from internet threats.

The top 10 fitness tips for business travelers

If you often travel for business, making exercise workouts a priority can be tough. However, it is important that they are not missed. After all, the healthier and the more energized that you feel, the more you will be able to accomplish.

Hence, a recent article and slideshow from Forbes.com listing the top 10 fitness tips for road warriors is well worth reading. These fitness tips included the following:

1. Look Before You Book
2. Eat Smart
3. Pack Accordingly
4. Rent Your Gear
5. Scout the Location
6. Waste No Time
7. Get Creative
8. Stick to a Schedule
9. Be Wary of Late Nights
10. See the Sights

However, the key point of the article is that in order to stay healthy and fit, frequent business travelers will need to do some planning ahead of time before they leave. This includes looking at exercise options in the places you will be staying, packing accordingly and scouting out the location you will be staying in. Once you arrive, it is still important that you stick to an exercise routine and that you eat accordingly – in other words, be careful what you order for business meals and from any hotel breakfast buffets.

Keeping the above tips in mind will help you stay both healthy and energized on your next out of town business trip.

Why should I rent a virtual office?

If you are a self employed consultant, work from home or perhaps are based in another geographic area, having a virtual office that gives you a business profile and an address makes sense. In this short video sponsored by ServCorp Smart Offices, a global serviced office and virtual office provider, you will learn about the advantages of having a virtual office. These advantages include access to a suite of technology and administrative services, board and meeting room space and additional support staff when you need it. Generally speaking, it will only take minutes to setup a virtual office online or over the phone with a virtual office provider and of course the benefit of using one with a global presence means that wherever you travel, you will be able to use their services or even their physical space if they have a presence in the destination you are visiting.

Trendy travel must-haves for today’s business traveler

Forbes.com has recently posted a video where host Evelyn Russi asks the CEOs of Hermes and Timex plus designer Elie Tahari to share their favorite travel products and what they can’t leave home without. Product tips included the following must have travel items:

• Robert Chavez (the CEO of Hermes USA): Chavez noted that today’s business travelers are increasingly needing to take shorter but more productive business trips. Hence, he showed off some of his favorite travel bags or overnight bags that are perfect for business travelers who are both in a hurry and often on the go (Although it should be noted that these bags retail from US$3,500 to US$20,000+)
• Designer Elie Tahari: Tahari on the other hand noted that when he travels, his favorite items of clothing are simple tee-shirts and jeans which are, like the business wear he designs, are both comfortable and stylish. In fact, his own personal style includes both items paired with a blazer. For women, he also suggested having plenty of pairs of leggings and tunics.
• Hans Kristian-Hoejsgaard (The CEO of Timex): Kristian-Hoejsgaard, as the CEO of a watch company with 15 brand lines, naturally must travel with a whole collection of watches. Hence, he listed his favorite watches to travel with – especially ones that know what time zone the wearer is in and will automatically adjust according.

The short video is well worth watching, especially if you are a frequent business traveler.

The top fifteen travel scams to avoid

Travel scams have been around since the dawn of travel but with the advent of technology and the fact that more people travel now than they did 100 or even 10 years ago, travel scams are more proliferate than ever. Hence, a recent article and a slideshow from Forbes Traveler that lists the top 15 travel scams to avoid is well worth reading. The top 15 scams noted by Forbes (which also details each and every one of them in their slideshow) included the following:

1. Phantom Admission Tickets
2. Airline Checked Baggage Fees
3. Unscrupulous Parking Valets
4. Unsecure Airport Security Areas
5. Free Vacations with Hidden Costs
6. Hotels' Unlikely Locations
7. Hotel Room ID Theft
8. Knockoffs That Could Knock You Off
9. Crafty Money Changers
10. Taxis That Take You for a Ride
11. Frequent-Flier Fees
12. Two-for-One Offers
13. Rental Car Insurance Extras
14. Airline Phone Fees
15. Sketchy Booking Sites

And while most of these scams will only cost you money, some of these scams will cost you your health as some counterfeit items may in fact be harmful. Hence, its important to remember the old saying of buyer beware and always read the fine print.

How to set up a new business in Hong Kong

If you are coming to Hong Kong to set up a new business or perhaps set up a representative office for an existing company, this short video by ServCorp Smart Offices, a global serviced office provider with a presence in Hong Kong, is well worth watching. In the video, John Barclay of Primasia Corporate Services discusses just how easy it is to set up and maintain an office or a business based in Hong Kong with the initial startup requirements being:

1. One director and one shareholder.
2. Issuance of one share of stock worth one Hong Kong dollar.
3. A Hong Kong company secretary and a Hong Kong address.

A company in Hong Kong can be taken from the shelf and fully activated within one week and all that is required to administer it is a simple annual registry return and a tax return supported by audited returns – reasons why Hong Kong is consistently rated one of the most business friendly environments in the world.

Price comparison: Salvatore Ferragamo silk tie

Based in Florence Italy since the 1920s, the Ferragamo Group is one of the world’s leading fashion brands in luxury goods – creating everything from shoes, leather goods, silk products and accessories, as well as fragrances for both men and women. Ferragamo also has a network of more than 500 stores worldwide, making its luxury designs available in just about every major global market.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for Salvatore Ferragamo silk ties in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in Tokyo at US$226 and actually lowest in London at US$148 (along with other European cities).

Price Comparison*

Tokyo	20,475 Yen	US$226
Jakarta	1.89M Rupiahs	US$207
Sydney	A$215	US$196
Hong Kong	HK$1,500	US$193
Kuala Lumpur	620 Ringgit	US$187
Singapore	S$250	US$179
New York City	US$174	US$174
Brussels	€115	US$155
Frankfurt	€115	US$155
Paris	€115	US$155
Rome	€115	US$155
London	99 Pounds	US$148

* Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of March 22, 2010.

Price comparison: Patek Philippe watch

Based in Geneva Switzerland, Patek Philippe is a luxury watch manufacture formed in 1851 whose watches have long been favored by the world’s movers and shakers. In fact, it was in 1851 that the firm began supplying its watches to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert along with the other royal courts of Europe. In addition, Patek Philippe has the distinction of holding the world record for selling the most expensive modern wristwatch at Hong Kong Sotheby's for HK$11.75 million (US$1.49 million) in 2008.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Patek Philippe watch in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were all over the place – that is, highest in Shanghai and New York, consistently low across Europe and lowest in Sydney.

Price Comparison*

Shanghai	225,000 Yen	US$32,958
New York	US$26,753	US$26,753
Singapore	S$36,600	US$26,256
Manila	1.19 Million Pesos	US$25,597
Kuala Lumpur	82,100 Ringgit	US$24,826
Hong Kong	HK$187,500	US$24,158
Tokyo	2.14 Million Yen	US$23,653
Bangkok	765,000 Baht	US$23,621
Brussels	€16,650	US$22,941
Rome	€16,550	US$22,803
Paris	€16,490	US$22,721
Frankfurt	€16,410	US$22,611
London	14,700 Pounds	US$22,388
Sydney	A$22,000	US$20,214

* Calatrava 6000G in white gold. Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of March 17, 2010.

Price comparison: Logitech universal remote

Billed as the one remote you will ever need, advanced Logitech universal remotes are easy to program, use and control everything you own. In fact, a Logitech universal remote can control up to 5,000 brands and 225,000 devices.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Logitech universal remote in various cities in Asia and around the world. Surprisingly, the survey found that prices were highest in Jakarta and lowest in London – the opposite of what you would expect.

Price Comparison*

Jakarta	2.96 Million Rupiahs	US$322
Paris	€219	US$298
Brussels	€215	US$292
Tokyo	24,531Yen	US$273
Frankfurt	€199	US$271
Rome	€198	US$269
Shanghai	1,750 Yuan	US$256
New York City	US$229	US$229
Hong Kong	HK$1,699	US$219
London	120 Pounds	US$180

* Harmony One Advanced. Prices are based upon foreign exchange rates as of March 10, 2010.

Four important and simple travel tips to remember when traveling

The PlaneCrazy blog has recently posted a short entry that listed 4 important and simple travel tips to remember. These tips included:

1. Make photocopies of your passport details, insurance policy, any travelers cheques, visas and credit cards and always carry one copy someplace different from the originals plus leave a copy of everything with someone at home.

2. Pack smart while keeping airport security in mind as all of your baggage will be screened and possibly even hand-searched. In addition, remember to pack your medicine, jewelry and any valuables in your carry-on baggage.

3. ID your baggage and place identification tags on both the inside and outside of your baggage. In addition, don’t forget to label your laptop computer as well because laptops are usually the number one item that gets forgotten at security screening checkpoints.

4. Share your travel plans by registering with your respective embassy and by telling your family or friends what your travel plans are. However, remember to also tell them what constitutes an emergency at your end or their end. In other words, if its something that you or they can handle handle themselves from 3,000 kilometers away, its probably not an emergency.

Keeping the above tips in mind will increase the odds of your next vacation or business trip going more smoothly.

More tips on how to pack a carry-on bag

With security increasingly tight at airports leading to delays and airlines charging more and more fees on checked-in baggage, knowing how to pack everything into a carry-on is increasingly important. Hence, a recent Forbes.com article about packing for portability is well worth reading.

According to Forbes.com, there is another reason to pack for portability: Theft or lost checked-in bags. The article noted a 2008 report from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which revealed that over a three-year period, an estimated 42,000 travelers in the USA alone have reported missing items from their luggage with a total estimated value of more than US$31 million. Missing items would include things such as clothing, jewelry, laptops and medicines and the article even quoted Doug Dyment, the creator of OneBag, a travel blog that offers advice on how to pack, as saying: "There are only two types of luggage: Carry-on luggage and lost luggage!”

Hence, here are five essential packing tips to remember before your next business trip:

• Have a packing list and consider it to be a “contract with yourself” to NOT put items into your suitcase that is not on it.
• Never travel with a suitcase that can’t also be carried instead of wheeled.
• Carrying a garment fresh from the cleaners that is still on the hanger is ok as usually it won’t be counted as an additional piece of luggage. In fact, the flight attendants will likely hang it up in front of the cabin.
• Women need to be aware of the weight of all of their products – especially cosmetics. Moreover, they should be aware of the amount of water in their products both for weight and security concerns
• Look for solid versions of liquid products. For example: Powdered toothpaste weights less than tooth paste that comes in a tube and there is less risk of it ruining your clothes should it explode or leak.

At the end of the article, Dyment noted that organization is the key as there is no secret to traveling light because all that is in your suitcase is a very large number of very small things – an excellent point worth remembering.

Japanese business etiquette video: Exchanging meishi kokan or business cards

If you are planning a business trip to Japan, this short video from JapanTravelTV about giving and receiving business cards or meishi kokan in Japan is well worth watching. As the narrator explains, there are some subtle manners and etiquette to follow.

The video begins by showing the proper angle of bowing and the proper angle of the feet while doing so. The narrator then describes the proper procedure for exchanging business cards. This includes holding the corners of the business card and not covering up the company name or logo as this is considered bad manners. When giving the business card, hold the corner of it and when receiving one, be sure to hold it in both hands over your business cards or meishi kokan case and display respect by carefully reading over it rather than quickly putting it away.

Keeping these tips in mind will greatly aide you in making a good first impression on your next business trip to Japan or when dealing with your Japanese business counterparts.

The best iPhone travel applications

If you are a road warrior with an iPhone, Forbes.com has recently posted a great article listing several must-have iPhone travel applications that are less known than some of the more popular apps such as FlightTrack (which will tell you if your plane is running late), Next Flight (which tracks upcoming flight departures) and Currency (which provides updated exchange rate information). These lesser known iPhone travel apps include the following:

• Yelp's "Monocle": If you have a iPhone 3G S with the latest version of Yelp's iPhone App, just shake it three times to activate a feature called "Monocle." Then point the screen in any direction to see information about what you are looking at that is superimposed over a real world image. Cost of the application: Free.
• Email 'n Walk: This application uses the iPhone's internal camera to project a video behind an email you are working on. In other words, you can multitask. Cost of the application: US$0.99.
• I'm In Town: If you are about to arrive or are already in your travel destination, this application will search through your contacts who are in your vicinity and alert them via email that you are in town and how they can get in touch with you. Cost of the application: US$0.99.
• Shoot It! This application allows you to send personalized post cards straight from your iPhone or Blackberry to your friends or family with just one click. Cost of the application: US$0.99 for the application and US$0.99 to send a postcard in the US or up to US$1.50 if outside the US.

In addition, Forbes.com has also posted a video about the best iPhone apps that is also well worth watching even if you are not a technology geek.

How to avoid illness while traveling

A hectic travel schedule can easily wear down even the most fit business traveler’s immune system. Not to mention the fact that flu season is in full swing right now in Northern latitudes. Hence, a recent Wall Street Journal interview with Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, a travel-health expert for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a professor of medicine at Emory University, is well worth reading. Some of the tips or advice she mentioned during the interview included:

• It's never too late be be vaccinated for something like Hepatitis A.
• Have a good idea of what your travel schedule will be like for the next six months to a year and get vaccinated and buy medicines accordingly.
• If possible, go in a day early to get used to the time zone and spend as much time as you can outdoors to adjust your biological clock.
• Make a little travel health kit with everything that you might need in the event of a minor illness.
• Be sure to have loperamide (Imodium) and an antibiotic – especially if you are traveling to a developing country.
• Wash your hands more than you usually do and carry an alcohol-based sanitizer or hand gel.

Keeping the above tips in mind will keep you healthy both before and during your next hectic business trip.

Price comparison: Monthly car park parking fees

Parking a car in a big city can be ridiculously expensive. In fact and in the worst case scenario, you could spend more on parking fees than you do on gas, maintenance and car payments combined.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Ferrari Rosso helmet in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that monthly car park fees were highest in Rome. In fact, it costs almost US$400 more to park your car in Rome than it does in notoriously car unfriendly London. In sharp contrast, it only costs the equivalent of US$54 and US$33 a month in Manila and Jakarta respectively.

Price Comparison*

Rome	€750	US$1,022
London	433 Pounds	US$651
Sydney	A$697	US$629
Hong Kong	HK$4,763	US$614
Tokyo	54,250 Yen	US$612
Brussels	€320	US$436
New York City	US$304	US$304
Frankfurt	€220	US$300
Paris	€163	US$222
Shanghai	933 Yuan	US$137
Bangkok	2,500 Baht	US$77
Manila	2,479 Pesos	US$54
Jakarta	308,333 Rupiahs	US$33

* Covered garage in a central business district. Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of March 3, 2010.

The world's worst airports for delays

If you are a frequent traveler in Asia, a recent Forbes.com article about the world’s most delayed airports has both good news and bad news for you. First, the good news: Some of the world's least delayed airports are in Asia. These include airports in Japan and South Korea. In fact, it was noted that flights at Osaka's Itami Airport were 94% on time in 2009 while flights arriving at Seoul's Gimpo International Airport were 91% on time and those departing were 93% on time.

Now the bad news: Many of the world's most delayed airports are in China and India. These include the following airports:

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL):

• Worst-arrival rank: 1
• On-time arrivals: 44.5%

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM):

• Worst-arrival rank: 2
• On-time arrivals: 55.9%

Chennai International Airport (MAA):

• Worst-arrival rank: 4
• On-time arrivals: 63.9%

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK):

• Worst-departure rank: 1
• On-time departures: 38.3%

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

• Worst-departure rank: 10
• On-time departures: 62.4%

Hence and if you are traveling to some of the above airports, you should probably anticipate the possibility of having a delay either when arriving or departing.

Chinese business etiquette video: Giving and receiving business cards

If you are planning a business trip to China, this short video about giving and receiving business cards in China featuring Mark Kemsley, who has worked as a business consultant in China for 20 years and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin, is well worth watching. As Mark explains, not having a business card is the equivalent of not having a name as the Chinese place great importance on both greetings and titles. In fact, the Chinese prefer to deal with someone who is of equal importance to them and preferably has a high sounding title – hence, the importance of having a business card that clearly shows your rank.

In addition and when giving a business card, Mark explains that you should always be standing and use both hands while if you accept a business card with only one hand, it is considered extremely disrespectful. Moreover, it's very important that you don't just ignore the business card and stick it in your pocket. Instead, carefully read over it for about three or four seconds before putting it in your pocket.

Tips for packing a 22-inch carry-on bag

If you are a road warrior who travels regularly, especially across borders, you probably have gotten accustomed to not checking in luggage. After all, with increased airport security, longer waiting times along with higher fees for checked in bags have made carry-on luggage essential for saving time. However, packing everything you need into a 22-inch suitcase for meetings, formal and informal dinners or gatherings plus the gym can be downright tricky. 

Hence, a recent Wall Street Journal interview with handbag designer and road warrior Devi Kroell is well worth reading as she offer tips for other road warriors about how to keep their wardrobe both versatile and “fresh” while living out of that 22-inch suitcase. Her tips included:

• Take items that are multifunctional.
• Pack knits because these can be easily crinkled and uncrinkled.
• Tissue paper in between each garment will make them less likely to wrinkle.
• Keep your toiletries in a little zippered pouch that’s waterproof in case something leaks or explodes.
• If you are a man, pack socks in different colors as it will get you noticed more!

Keeping the above tips in mind will save you both time and potential grief on your next hectic business trip.

Price comparison: Ferrari Rosso helmet

The Ferrari Rosso is an all-Italian helmet and an official Ferrari licensed product. And since its shell is produced in advanced thermoplastic polymers, the result is a low weight of just 950 grams – perfect for someone who regularly rides a motorcycle or moped.

Hence, the Asian Wall Street Journal’s weekly Arbitrage column has recently conducted a survey of prices for a Ferrari Rosso helmet in various cities in Asia and around the world. The survey found that prices were highest in three European cities and lowest in Hong Kong.

Price Comparison*

Paris	€332	US$452
Brussels	€320	US$436
Frankfurt	€299	US$407
Tokyo	37,030 Yen	US$404
New York City	US$360	US$360
Rome	€249	US$339
London	180 Pounds	US$278
Hong Kong	HK$1,960	US$252

* Prices are based on foreign exchange rates as of February 22, 2010.