travel n tourism

Holiday Insurance - Cheap Holiday Insurance - Travel Insurance - Instant Holiday Insurance

2008-08-31T10:21:00.002-07:00

Instant Holiday Insurance is one of the UK's largest independent travel insurance company selling cheap travel insurance products, holiday insurance, medical and general insurance services. Instant Holiday Insurance is a trading partnered with of Essential Travel Ltd, who are authorised & regulated by the Financial Services Authority No. 300175

Our Holiday Insurance Web combines great value with comprehensive cover. We cover you for lost or delayed luggage, lost cash, passport and other personal documents plus emergency treatment. We established to offer UK customers comprehensive holiday insurance at competitive low prices. The travel insurance policy will cover you for any medical expenses that you incur should you be involved in an accident or become ill and require hospitalisation. Apart from medical expenses the policy should also cover things like; legal expenses, cancellation & curtailment,loss of money, baggage, passport, etc. and personal liability. Probably the main thing to consider is to make sure you are covered for any activity that you intend to undertake so that you and your equipment are covered while participating,e.g. skiing, scuba diving etc. Travel insurance in an instance without any hassle and with totally safe online transaction from start to finish.

We have a range of products including single trip holiday insurance, long stay holiday insurance, annual multi trip holiday insurance, ski holiday insurance and more for individuals, couples and families for a matter of months and need adequate cover at resonable rates.

We have partnered with Essential Travel to offer you fantastic deals on Travel Insurance. Essential Travel has teamed up with AXA Insurance UK plc to help provide you complete peace of mind on your holiday. We also offer family insurance and World Wide Travel Insurance online for UK holiday makers. Single Trip travel insurance is perfect cover if you are off on one holiday or escaping on a short break. If you are planning to travel a few times this year then an annual policy offers you both convenience and value for money. Our service specialist was set up with one main aim to provide convenient high value cover at the lowest prices possible.

You can easily get instant online holiday insurance quote where you can select your insurance package, date of travel, which could be for Europe or worldwide. Once package is selected,you can then enter your credit card details and get print off of your travel insurance policy and cover details immediately. Insurance certificate will reach to you either by email or by regular post.

Enjoy your holiday and be safe during holiday by getting insured with instant holiday insurance.

Ski Travel Insurance – 5 Reasons Why You Need It

2008-08-31T10:21:00.001-07:00

Every year, millions of people go skiing around the world, and despite the wide availability of cheap ski travel insurance there are still many who travel without full cover. There are plenty of things that go wrong on a skiing holiday, ranging from injury and equipment loss to bad weather and cancellation costs, and while it’s easy to say "it won’t happen to me", you can face enormous costs if run into trouble without insurance. Here are five good reasons why you should invest in some decent ski travel insurance before your next trip abroad.

You have to cancel your holiday…

Your flights are booked, your accommodation is sorted, and you are ready to go – but something forces you to cancel the trip. It could be an illness or death in the family, a sudden patch of bad weather at your destination that renders travel impossible, or one of a dozen other reasons. If this happens, you’d better have good insurance; a skiing holiday can be an expensive event to cancel at the last minute, but ski travel insurance will cover your cancellation costs.

You are injured…

The danger of skiing is part of the thrill for many, but it could be a costly thrill if you don’t have insurance. If you are in Europe, your E111 card will only provide you with a discount on healthcare, and often medical treatment will take place at the ski lodge’s private clinic, where the E111 will not help at all. If you are in Canada or America, your medical bills could be enormous – an uninsured skier can expect to pay up to £25,000 to treat a broken leg in the USA. Even cheap ski travel insurance will provide you with significant cover for medical costs, and it is well worth paying for.

The slopes are closed by bad weather…

Nothing is more frustrating than being kept off the slopes by bad weather while on a skiing holiday, but insurance can at least help lessen the damage to your wallet. Most ski travel insurance will reimburse your costs if you can’t ski for two or more days due to bad weather, covering the cost of lift passes, ski school fees, and any other expenses you suffer.

You lose your equipment…

There is always the chance that you will misplace some of your equipment while on a skiing holiday, through loss, damage or even theft. Good quality skiing equipment can cost plenty to replace, so make sure that your ski travel insurance will fully cover the value of anything that you take.

You need to be rescued…

Whether it is through injury, bad weather, broken equipment or an off-piste adventure gone wrong, there’s always the danger that you’ll find yourself stuck on the slopes. This happens more often than you’d think – over 50,000 skiers a year are rescued from the French Alps alone. With the total cost of a helicopter rescue running at around £4000, if it happens and you aren’t covered, you’ll wish that you’d invested in some cheap ski travel insurance!

Top 10 Must Visit World Cities

2008-08-28T11:30:00.002-07:00

Top Ten lists are a dime a dozen on the web and one that crops up more often than most is travel-related lists with outlandish titles such as Top 10 Places You Must See Before You Die and other such morbid titles. This list is similar however we don't see the necessity to insert the Before You Die bit, although it would be useful to visit these cities before you shuffle off this mortal coil.

When it came to choosing the appropriate criteria for selecting these cities, many statistics and facts were taken into account, before being readily dismissed in favour of the most crucial method of consideration of all ... my humble opinion. So forgive me if your own favourite city is not included. I know how you feel as despite my best efforts to sneak one of my own personal favourite cities Dublin into this list logic dictated that a Top 10 list would look a bit weird if it had 11 cities.

Now the next hurdle to overcome was to decide whether to categorise the cities on a graded basis from 10 down to 1 or take the lazy way and just sort them alphabetically, suffice to say, the lazy way was the landslide winner.

Bangkok
Bangkok is a massive sprawling city that offers charms galore. Bangkok is dotted with historical palaces and temples that offer a glimpse into the city's ancient history, yet Bangkok offers much more than beautiful temples and glorious palaces. It comfortably nestles at the forefront of Asia's most visited cities attracting millions of tourists each year. Majestic sites such as The Temple of the Dawn and The Marble Temple should not be missed. Lumphinee Park offers a diversion from Bangkok's bustling city streets. Bangkok is a modern city that encompasses a bustling nightlife, supreme shopping experiences, delicious aromas that fill up the senses from the many gorgeous restaurants and marketplaces. Bangkok's wonderful architecture and soothing climate solidifies its deserved place in this list and indeed why it so frequently crops up on similar lists.

Las Vegas
Well it had to be didn't it? Surely no list of this nature could be complete without Sin City itself, Vegas. Vegas falls into the category of love it or hate it for most people and with visitor numbers increasing each year it seems most people love it. The Entertainment Capital of the World does not disappoint. Where else can you go for a gondola cruise in the morning, see the Grand Canyon in the afternoon and be back in time to see shows such as Siegfried & Roy, Cirque du Soleil and similar headline acts in the afternoon? Ok it's not everyone's cup of tea but it is a city that has to be seen to be believed. Oh, and did I mention you can also gamble there apparently.

London
Ok the weather is not ideal, and the food can be mediocre but no list of this ilk would be complete without including London. It has attractions and sights for people of all ages and is a cosmopolitan city on a grand scale. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower of London is just a few of the majestic attractions in England's capital city. If it's good enough for The Queen well it's good enough for me, just don't forget your brolly.

New York City
So good they named it twice as the saying goes and there few cities in the world that offer the amount of iconic landmarks and attractions that New York can. Even leaving aside world famous attractions and sights such as The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, and Times Square, New York is such a vibrant pulsating city that it has more than enough to tempt visitors going back time after time. It is one of the world's great shopping cities, has a nightlife second to none and has often been referred to as one of the world's great cities. You won't find an argument here.

Paris
I would like to say it was the romantic side in me that welcomes Paris to this list, but it is not, it is because it deservedly nestles here as it as a European heartbeat of culture, beauty and indeed romance and offers some of the most beautiful and majestic sights on the planet. The Eiffel Tower one of the most famous landmarks in the world proudly stands tall in this city that also is graced by Champs Elysees, Notre Dame and The Louvre. The Louvre is home to The Mona Lisa whose ageless beauty bewilders generation after generation. Paris should not be missed.

Rome
This historic city, known as The Eternal City, has some of the most historical sights in the world such as The Pantheon, The Coliseum and The Roman Forum. St Peter's Basilica is just one of the many glorious churches in Rome, and is an essential visit while in the city. Trevi Fountain is yet another treat in this majestic city. And no it wasn't built in a day.

San Francisco
The Bay area of California is home to one of America's most popular destination retreats San Francisco as well as being one of the country's most liberal cities. The hilly streets are as familiar as perhaps the city's most famous landmark, The Golden Gate Bridge. The Bay itself sparkles under the warm sun whilst San Francisco is also renowned for its famous cable cars. The twisty streets in Lombard Street are another essential visit whilst harbor tours often include a trip to Alcatraz, the famous, though now inactive, prison. San Fran is a warm wonderful city with a new treasure each time you come, and no, you don't need to wear flowers in your hair.

Sydney
Beautiful beaches, breathtaking sights and the famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge entwined with the beautiful weather and cosmopolitan cuisine make Sydney an unmissable city. The city is a hotbed of activity and one of the friendliest on the planet. Darling Harbour offers enthralling sights and attractions including museums, stunning hotels and shopping whilst The Rocks provides charm in abundance. Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings of modern times and is an essential visit. Sydney has it all culture, arts, scenery, climate, and often tops Most liveable city polls. It's not hard to see why.

Tokyo
A metropolis city on a grand scale Tokyo is a vibrant almost futuristic city that engulfs one's senses from the start. Tokyo revels in shrines, museums, temples and the city's Imperial Palace. Sensoji Temple reigns amongst Tokyo's enduring sights along with The Meiji Shrine and The Imperial Palace itself. Museums align the streets competing with restaurants and shops of all descriptions. Those seeking a more modern approach have options like Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome City and Tokyo Disneyland. There's truly something for everyone in this great city.

Venice
Many cities claim to be unique, and indeed many are but few can compare to Venice's quirky charm and decidedly unique canals that transcend across the city. Romantic gondola rides alone do not capture the entire beauty of this marvelous city. St Marks Basilica is a glorious church that often has long lines to visit. It nestles in St Marks Square a wonderful open square with charming coffee shops and is a hive of activity as it is one of the most photographed parts of Venice. Doges Palace, The Bridge of Sighs, and The Rialto Bridge are further landmarks of this extraordinary city.

Travel Tips to Save You Money

2008-08-28T11:30:00.001-07:00

Most people will save all year or even more to obtain that relaxation or adrenaline fix we all crave for. Whether it's a couple of weeks relaxing in the sun or adventures up mountains and across rivers, people need this to break up their day to day living - a well earned break from the real world.

Ideally, most people would like to pay off their holiday with their savings, which is the more sensible thing to do as it will ensure no financial black clouds follow them abroad. Although the thought is ideal, for those who have no savings are more likely to take out a loan in order to fund their trip away. This might be financially possible and will be easily sorted upon their return but they will always have that cloud lingering above them gradually getting bigger and bigger as the holiday comes to an end.

Try to save a little money, even if it's only £20 a month. You are looking at £240 for your holiday which may cover the flight, hotel or even spends depending on where you are going. Cut down on drinking or give up smoking in a bid to maximise your holiday budget, or another way, a more obvious way is to simply lower your holiday budget.

This might seem like an unpopular choice at first but however reluctant you may be to do so, this is the easiest way to make sure the dreaded black cloud gets left at the airport.

Minimizing your budget does not necessarily mean minimising your enjoyment.

This can be easily achieved by simple yet effective steps:

Not eating out every day and night - Try and find local bakeries or delis where the prices are far less expensive and you are able to grab a quick sandwich or pastry. East a large meal once a day and snack on bread, fruit or cheese for the remainder. Then when you do treat yourself, provided you spread them out, the dining experience will be a lot more appreciated and worth while.

Buy for yourself - When you are away you will, as most people, feel obliged to buy your relatives little souvenirs which they will normally keep on the mantelpiece for a couple of weeks and you'll later find that they did not fit the room décor and have therefore been disposed to your dissatisfaction. Try to buy, if any, souvenirs which are necessary.

Don't take a taxi everywhere - When you are away you will normally find yourself taking taxis to the different destinations when necessary. This might seem like an obvious thing to do, but with enough planning you can reach your various destinations via public transport saving you a packet.

A step you can take to save more money is to rent a property for the week. This is the recommended option if you are interested in a relaxed time away as you can make it how you want. There will be no children running around or music blaring at all time of the day and night. You can tailor your trip to your exact preference whether it's a sunny trip to Spain or skiing holiday in France.

With the rented property holiday becoming more and more popular, a bigger variety of packages are now on offer so everyone's needs are accommodated for.

People who can't bear leaving their pets at home can now take them along on holiday with them providing they have their pet passports. This is a huge relief for many who don't want to leave their pets in kennels or with relatives.

Travel Tips For Cheap Romantic Vacations

2008-08-28T11:29:00.002-07:00

You can also find cheap romantic vacations if you look online. You can certainly book directly with the hotel, or if you prefer you can go through one of the various packages Internet sites that offer accommodations around the world. I had an opportunity to visit India at attractive package by a website. Their packages include casual travels and tours, honeymoon or wedding events, diving packages that feature the best diving spots in the archipelago and golf packages for the corporate buff. These traveling sites have become huge influences on the cost of these tickets, and doing so by simply giving you comparisons and more information than the airline wants you to know. These days, with the many packages online out there, if you invest just a few hours of time researching your trip, then this will often end up saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Sometimes people get into a rut by using traveling agencies or depending only on the Internet to search for cheap airline tickets. When a traveler has a coupon for an upgrade from their credit card company or other source, then the agency presents a travel deal to the customer by upgrading two car sizes for the price of an economy rental car. When you have learn to identify deals, you can save a lot for other purposes. Cheap flights are extensively available and it is an important development for discount. The business opportunities on are high and they not only fulfill your vacation dream but also save hard earned dollars. helps all the people who love to vacation by not hurting their account balance with cheap fares and best deals.

If the only constraint for a vacation is money, and the vacation clubs will help you with the best vacation offer to any destination. The vacation clubs operated by individuals like separate businesses. And offer great on vacation packages and cruises. No one likes to junk up their email by useless offers for credits cards or so called packages. Online package deals can often beat the prices quoted by cruise line, and are great ways to find cruises. There are many large reliable low cost airlines world over, offering discounts and remain a reliable alternative to other travel methods. To learn more about home based business opportunities, and its commission scale, bonuses, and flexible work schedules.

Shop online package deals, and keep looking for offers. That can happen; check out online package deals or talk to the cruise agent. In recent years there has been an onslaught of online package deals. No matter where you want to go, you can probably find a cheap agency that can help you plan without spending all your money. Professional membership It is really important that a traveling agent is a member of a professional body. Registering for these communications gives you advance information about travel, allowing you to take advantage of offers that suit you. One of the most important things to remember when it comes to traveling is that special rates are often not refundable. The costs during this time can add up quickly, so traveling a little earlier or later than everyone else could save you a bundle.

The reason is because online shoppers are often tempted with special Internet only rates, discounts for early reservation and the ability to receive and print and instant confirmation. In addition to using a site, you may be able book your reservations online and select the accommodations your prefer, and directly through the company that offers services that you need. A number of online package deals advertise that their site is free, but then they charge hidden fees. travel sites are most known for their packaged deals. Cardholders of the United Airline Business Credit Card also receive a $25 United travel certificate and a free one way, 1,000 mile, one class upgrade certificate after their first purchase.

They can help you with family, pet friendly travel, and lots of information for the business traveler. Thanks to the Internet and dynamic fare pricing, you do not need a agent to find packages. And since you had to use a agent to book your flight, hotel and tour reservations, and other related items, you also had to pay some sort of service fee, lessening the true of your package. However, prior to the emergence of airlines and the dynamic fare pricing model, cheap airfare was limited, making packages not so discounted. In many cases, the agency was able to package together many of these components, based on the agency relationships with the airlines and chain hotel and car rental services, and offer packages.

Flexible Discount Travel Tips Can Take You Far

2008-08-28T11:29:00.001-07:00

But the trouble is that it is so expensive that not many can fulfill this dream of theirs. So far travel is considered a luxury that only rich can afford. But things have changed now because discount techniques are there for anyone to use and make travel affordable and enjoyable.

The basic concept of discount travel is flexibility. The more particular you are about your program the more expensive it becomes. By just being open about your travel dates you can save a huge amount on just air fares. If you widen the choice of places also it can become even better.

For example if you want to visit South America and not set on any particular place then it can be much cheaper than if you do it otherwise. Anybody who is a a travel freak and believes in discounts will have this flexibility as opposed to going to a particular place on a particular day.When you come across people who do not earn much and yet travel a lot you will find that this is the way they do it.

Your attitude towards flexibility is does not have to be limited till the arrival of the destination. If you really want discounted travel then you should have your itinerary also very open. The true discount traveler recognizes the worth of this flexible touring because he knows that there is going to be equal benefit from this as it would be with expensive travel both enjoyment and interest wise.

The discount traveler is aware of the result of rigid itinerary - more cost. Once you become rigid about visiting a particular place at a particular time you have to depend heavily on the travel agents who may fix everything for you at exhorbitant prices.

The idea of being open to everything also includes food and entertainment. The prices of the food depends from country to country so whatever you get at the best price why not try that? Drinks follow the same pattern: say if you are in Mexico Tequila will be extremely cheap, so keep your eyes open for places where you plan on spending your money on activities.

This flexibility will bring you not only great travel but also great cultural variety and knowledge which you will cherish for a life time. So, with a little creativity and the right mind set for planning your next trip, you will be surprise at what you can afford and have a blast of a time doing so.

Travel Tips to Save Money

2008-08-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

What do you know about your state? Have you been to all of its state parks or any national parks that are in your state? Have you been to the museums and other attractions in your town or other towns in your state? I bet you haven't--because I haven't either!

Maybe it's time to explore your own "neighborhood." You don't have to reserve a plane ticket well in advance, although you may want to call about reserving any hotel rooms that you might be needing.

And, exploring your state will actually help your kids when they study your state's history. Most states have some kind of tourist phone line with information as well as websites to tell what attractions are in your backyard.

Go off-season. Virginia Beach is really nice in October. It's quiet and the hotel rooms are cheaper. The ocean is still just as beautiful, only it's harder to get a sunburn. The beaches are quiet and you can take a stroll or build a sand castle just as well as you can in July.

Take at least two meals' worth of food per day. This doesn't have to be drudgery and dull--take along those attractive, well-advertised, junky foods you never let your kids eat in normal life and they will be perfectly happy to eat out of the picnic basket instead of the fast food restaurant. Then you can have one meal per day at a nice restaurant (or one that allows kids to eat for free or reduced price!).

Also, don't fall for vending machine water or pop. Bring your own. Be flexible. If you can be flexible on both dates of travel and location, you may be able to find a great deal at the last minute for a trip on the web. If you can look at this as an adventure--kind of like spinning the globe and putting your finger on a random place, only you will actually go there, this could be a lot of fun and not just a poor substitute for grand vacations of the past.

Send postcards. Instead of buying Aunt Margaret a souvenir that she'll put in her next garage sale, buy postcards and have the kids write them out for various friends and relatives. A series of fun and funny postcards is a lot more personal than a piece of plastic. Bring along addresses and stamps (if your trip is in the US) and you are ready to go. This also gives your kids a chance to practice their writing skills, which is a good thing to do in the middle of vacation.

Walk. See if you can park somewhere central and walk (or rent bikes and ride them) to all your destinations in one area. This will save you gas and it will also wear your kids out which means they won't be bouncy at the end of the day. It will also keep your calorie splurges from having such a devastating effect on your waistline.

Before your trip, use a mapping website to plan where you can park and routes and distances you might walk. You can look at the need to save money as a tragedy or you can see it for what it really is: an opportunity to try some new things and have some memorable family adventures.

7 Tips to Having a Great Holiday Despite the Economic Gloom - The Key is Finding Cheap Accommodation

2008-08-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

The economy across the western world is in tatters yet you still want to go on holiday. Nothing wrong with that but you will have to be a little more inventive in your planning and finding cheap accommodation is a vital part of that planning.

Singles and couples can normally find hostel accommodation at reasonable prices in most large towns and major cities. The old images of hostels as being scruffy and needing you to share rooms are largely a thing of the past. The new-era hostels are more sophisticated and offer all the modern facilities including internet connections.

You can also consider private "homestays" where the owners are happy to rent one or two rooms for a smaller price than the commercial establishments. Traditionally designed for students, homestay hosts accommodate families (and very often business people too). To take advantage of a homestay holiday go to Google where you will find websites from around the globe telling you all about "homestays" and how you will benefit from this type of cheap accommodation..

A trend of recent years has been for house swapping or home exchange. This arrangement is particlarly well suited for families and especially if you have pets. People house swap across the globe for both short and long term periods and for all sorts of reasons. It is even becoming more common to make arrangements for long weekend swaps so you can take your vacation in smaller chunks if that suits you.

The advantage of being able to cook your own meals in a proper home can lead to tremendous savings in your quest to find somewhere cheap to sleep. Additionally you get to know a little more of the area with any useful help the owners left you and the fact that you will be doing the shopping locally. Many times a car swap comes into the bargain so you save on car hire too. Just remember to splash out at the end of the week with all that money you saved, after all it is your vacation

Camping is a perennial favorite and will no doubt remain so. However with more and more people camping and demanding more and more of the home comforts this is not as cheap as it used to be. So like the good scout you are be prepared to do some homework to find the best deals before they get booked up. Renting a camper van or motor home .can save you a lot of money and you will have a lot of fun exploring new horizons and experiencing the sights and sounds of your travels.

Bidding for your vacation or holiday accommodation is another great money saving idea. If you want to bid on priceline.com or hotwire.com for example, be sure you know what you are doing or your cheap accommodation will not be cheap anymore. Once again do your homework and plan ahead. Go to Google and visit both betterbidding.com and biddingfortravel.com where you will learn to avoid common bidding mistakes and therefore how to get the best deals.

Look further a field. Think outside the box. If you are used to going to one type of place or following one type of activity think again. Your favorite spot and your favorite things to do will still be there another time but you may be pleasantly surprised at how you could enjoy going somewhere different and doing something completely different. For example, if you plan to visit Europe, spend some time in Morocco. Quite different, certainly but it is a cheaper option. If that is too drastic for you, instead of the Caribbean try Argentina, Chile or Costa Rica. These ar marvelous places to visit and all with very cheap accommodation.

If you must visit the big cities here is something you might like to try. Book your cheap accommodation in a smaller town outside the city and make it a treat to visit the city for your sightseeing and shopping. Find somewhere nearby using Google Maps. You don't have to stay in New York to see Manhatten or in Sydney to see the Opera House. Sometimes when you do less, you enjoy more. Try it.

Before the economy improves you may have to make adjustments to your vacation or holiday plans. But that is all it is, an adjustment , because you will still have your vacation. Finding cheap accommodation is part of the plan and you can choose between hostels, homestay, home exchange, camping or even bidding for your whole holiday online.

Whatever you do, you will find somewhere cheap to sleep even if it is a tent in the desert!

Having a Good Travel Insurance Policy is Recommended

2008-08-22T06:38:00.000-07:00

It is a very good idea to have travel insurance before traveling. The travel policies that are all-inclusive covers not only trip cancellation but also theft and medical cases. To get a better offer have a look on these following tips.

You must first check with the credit card companies as some of them have their own travel insurance policies if the card is used for purchasing the ticket.

The travel insurance policies are also offered by some of the cruise line as well as the airline companies. But they may face bankruptcy and thus the insurance value may be lost too. So it is better to purchase a policy from any of the insurance companies.

Some travel insurance have various policies attached and there are some companies those who even give several kinds of travel policies with it. Before buying it make sure to look very carefully on the policy contents.

The medical coverage must be surely be well stipulated in the policy of the travel insurance. Make sure that you understand everything to know exactly what are included in the policy. While making a policy for full family be sure that each of the member is included on the policy. It is important because there are some insurance policies that has a limitation on the number of people. This was very helpful on our recent holiday to last summer.

Check what the company will pay if something happens like in a theft case how much they will pay for the lost items as an insurance. Are they going to pay the full amount that has lost? Make sure that the expensive stuffs are covered that you will carry in the trip. In case if the trip is cut short or cancelled then will you get the full refund from the company?

Be sure that you know each of the terms involved in the policy. If there is a medical emergency when you are traveling then do you have to give the medical bills at that time and get the reimbursement later or the insurance company will immediately take care of everything?

For getting the travel insurance there are several ways, have a look on the Internet and you will get a better deal also. Enjoy the comfort of your house and you don't even have to take out some time from your work place.

Mostly in the travel insurance policies the medical insurance as well as the trip cancellation insurance is included that comes from five to seven percent of your trip price. This price is based on the traveler's age and while traveling on the trip cost.

Having a Good Travel Insurance Policy is Recommended

2008-08-22T06:37:00.002-07:00

You must first check with the credit card companies as some of them have their own travel insurance policies if the card is used for purchasing the ticket.

Everything Travel Insurance

2008-08-22T06:37:00.001-07:00

It is not easy to travel from one country to another, as traveling to a different country includes many important factors that may really exhaust or exhilarate you. Before traveling to a different country, you need to get a travel insurance policy. This is one of the most important things to do before traveling. Although, insurance policies are a bit expensive these days, it is still important to have an insurance policy for traveling.

At present, numerous insurance companies offer inexpensive travel insurance policy. You need to choose a reputed insurance company, which offers reasonable insurance package for travel. It is best to choose an insurance company, which fulfills all your traveling needs.

Types of Insurance Policy for Traveling:

There are various types of travel policies based on the type of trip and time of stay. The most common type of insurance is the Trip Cancellation/ Interruption coverage. These polices mainly cover the cancellation of a trip due to sudden illness, weather, emergency military duty, jury duty or bankruptcy of airline or cruise line before departure.

There is also an insurance for travel called as Terrorism insurance, which compensates your expenditures, in case you travel to a nation or place, which is declared as unsafe to tour.

Other type for travel includes medical emergencies insurance. This policy is very useful, if you plan to visit an underdeveloped country or in case, if you or any of your family member has a chronic illness, which needs urgent medical assistance during the journey. These types of policies pay for the expenditures of your visits to doctors, medicines, and in extreme cases medical evacuation from the country.

Things to Remember:

You need to check that your travel package covers all the traveling needs. You may find numerous insurance polices with reasonable rates to choose from, according to your traveling budget. Thus, you need to get the right insurance for travel, or else you may have to pay enormous medical bills and other expenditures, if something untoward happens in your journey.

With the occurrence of several insurance companies, the competition has increased tremendously among each one of them. Therefore, to gain monopoly in the market these companies give attractive insurance packages to their customers.

Due to this reason, even policies for traveling have become inexpensive. Despite being the insurance policies for traveling being inexpensive, you still need to research on the prices of such polices in the market.

Thus, to make your vacation travel a happy and memorable experience, you need to choose the right travel insurance. Just by making a proper study and comparison of various quotes from different insurance companies, it becomes easy for you to choose the best insurance policy for traveling according to your budget.

Start your search well-before your traveling schedule, as it may take some time to find the best policy. Therefore, why wait start looking for an insurance policy for traveling to enjoy your vacation stress free.

Enjoy Protected Exploration With Adventure Travel Insurance

2008-08-22T06:36:00.001-07:00

Adventure travel insurance should certainly be on your list of essential pre-vacation needs. Vacation planning entails a lot more than simply checking the local climate or packing your luggage. Purchasing adventure travel insurance is an excellent decision for any adventure travel vacation. You can also find insurance that covers a specific activity you anticipate trying.

For instance, if you are looking forward to an adventure trip including backpacking, you can find travel insurance to cover that particular activity and provide you with the protection you need while enjoying the exploration experience. The same goes for other activities including, but surely not limited to, snowboarding, kayaking, skiing or so many other water sports or winter sports.

Location and budget are two additional factors to consider when finding and purchasing adventure travel insurance. Someone snowboarding and skiing in the United Kingdom may want to choose adventure travel insurance that covers the areas of the United Kingdom, Northern Island and the Channel Islands. You should then indicate whether you want a policy lasting for only a short period of time or an annual policy, all of which obviously depends on your travel habits. When traveling to the United Kingdom, there are two levels of insurance from which you can choose depending on your needs and budget. You may also want to check the weather forecast for any additional insurance you may need.

Adventure travel insurance is, basically, essential when visiting the different countries of Asia. If you plan to enjoy parachuting or trekking through the mountain ranges of Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia, among others, it is very important that you purchase an adventure travel insurance policy. Without such a policy, you may find yourself dealing with the local health force and ruining what should have been a fantastic experience.

Actually, your adventure travel insurance policy can cover you even for activities in the United States that involve increased risk and are not covered by traditional travel insurance. Often, American insurance companies request that you list the sports and activities you would like covered by your adventure travel insurance policy and provide a quote based on that information.

Companies offering adventure travel insurance packages care will handle your overseas travel wherever you decide to go. They will also include over one hundred different sports and activities, such as skiing, backpacking, bungee jumping and any other adrenalin-pumping activity.

Some adventure sports are relatively dangerous and realistically quite risky. However, it has been determined that adventure travel insurance companies oftentimes pay for more incidents occurring in hotel rooms rather than in the outdoors where the sporting activities occur. You never know when an injury can occur so having a solid adventure travel insurance plan is useful to ensure you are covered whenever such coverage is required.

Last Minute Travel Insurance

2008-08-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

Many travellers wait until the last minute before buying their travel insurance, because they know that if they purchase the insurance online, they can have a policy in their hands straight away. This is how most online insurance websites normally do business. However, buying their travel insurance very close to the date they are going to leave town on holiday or on a business trip runs a greater risk of them being uninsured in case they have to cancel their trip.

How can this be? What does waiting to purchase travel insurance have to do with cancelling your holiday or business trip? It all has to do with one of the benefits of travel insurance. Let's say you have plans to go on holiday. You have your plane tickets and have booked a hotel room at your destination. You've purchased new luggage and some new clothing and you just can't wait to go on holiday - its been so long since you were able to get away!

But... what if something happened to you before you went on holiday? You may become ill or injured, or possibly someone in your immediate family could pass away. Any of these reasons could cause you to cancel your long-planned holiday. Here's where travel insurance would come in very handy. Most travel insurance policies have a type of travel cancellation insurance that would take care of the expenses incurred as a result of having to cancel your holiday. Buying travel insurance before the last minute would avoid the risk of this happening and leaving you out of pocket.

Life is not a given. We never know what is going to happen to us or to members of our family from one day to the next. Anything could come up suddenly that could cause a holiday's unexpected, yet forced cancellation. By putting off buying your travel insurance until the last minute, you are making yourself vulnerable to losing not only your holiday but also the money you have already spent.

People are often busy before going on holiday and can panic when they realise how little time they have left to tie up loose ends before their trip. This can result in them rushing around and buying the first travel insurance policy that they come across. They may be happy that they have managed to grab a travel insurance policy at the last minute but what if something does go wrong and the insurance they have bought does not give them the cover that they were expecting?

Imagine a parent discovering that the policy they bought at the last minute and entrusted to take care of their family's needs while on holiday, ends up turning them down for medical coverage because their child's asthma was considered to be a pre-existing condition by their insurance company. Taking time to shop around and compare policies could have saved them a great deal of worry and money. Some companies provide a list of pre-existing medical conditions which clearly shows what they do cover and asthma is one of them!

It is surprising how many people buy an insurance policy that is not right for them or their situation. Research shows that around 63% of people who are planning a holiday do not bother to take out a travel insurance policy until the last minute. They are not then covered for any of the bad luck that could occur in the run up to their trip which could end up with them having to cancel. Leaving it until the last minute and buying insurance in a rush can often mean they don't allow themselves time to make sure they read the fine print and are therefore getting the right coverage! Many people who don't read the fine print before buying their policy can end up very sorry afterwards however, some sites have their Product Disclosure right on their website, so that anyone can examine it closely before deciding whether or not to buy the travel insurance policy.

Some people think it is perfectly fine to travel with no insurance at all and do not realise what a huge risk they are taking! If, for example, they were involved in a car accident, what would they do? Without travel insurance coverage, they could very well end up having to pay out an enormous sum of money for medical and other expenses.

If you want to make sure you are covered for your holiday before and during your trip, you should purchase your travel insurance as soon as you have put a deposit down on your flight or accommodation.

Medical Tourism Globalization - Explore

2008-08-17T10:28:00.001-07:00

Medical tourism, also known as travel or health tourism, is popularized widely by travel agencies and mass media to provide a back-up for today's rapidly growing trends of traveling to different countries to get cheaper and modern health-care facilities.

Report shows that medical tourists are traveling largely from U.S., Europe, U.K., Canada, Middle East, Japan because of their expensive health-care system or lack of health-care options locally. It's been established now that due to a sort of lengthy procedures for some of complicated illness, such as a hip replacement, patients have to wait several months in U.K. or Canada.
Whereas the same procedures may be started-off immediately just after their arrival at in countries like India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Colombia, Philippines etc. In Colombia, the cost of knee replacement comes around $5000 USD including all associated fees.

According to research found in an article by the University of Delaware publication-the cost of surgery in Argentina, Cuba, India, Bolivia, Thailand, Colombia, Philippines or South Africa can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less.

A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the U.S., for example, goes for $10,000 in Philippines and India-and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package.Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the U.S.costs $500 in India or Bolivia and only $200 in the Philippines, a knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the States, and Lasik eye surgery worth $3,700 in the U.S. is available in many other countries for only $730.

Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater. A full face-lift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $3,000 in Cuba, $2,700 in the Philippines or $2,500 in South Africa or $2,300 in Bolivia. Medical tourism has got momentum in India as some of the U.S. firms prescribe India for health-care. News goes around just like that get a new knee or hip at a discount,take a companion along for free plus pocket some of the money saved on the operation.Thats the kind of incentive some U.S. companies are offering employees who travels to India for health-care.

Although individual foreign patients have been coming to India for quite some time now, this kind of initiatives open up the floodgates of new wave of medical tourism. Blue Ridge Paper Products,a North Carolina based company, looking for outsourcing of its 2,000 employees to save up substantially as the cost of treatment in India is 80-90% less than in the U.S.

Here's the sheer economics at work where Blue Ridge plans to pay all the travel, lodging, meals, etc. for the patient and one family member, plus give up to 25% savings and they tied up reputed hospitals such as Apollo, Wockhardt, Escorts.

Beneficial Factors of Buying a Tourism Business For Sale

2008-08-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you purchase a tourism business for sale and have a passion for travel then you will be able to reap in the benefits. One of the many benefits that come along with the industry is discounted flights abroad. With years of knowledge gained from all that research you have spent in helping others to find that perfect holiday, you will have all the information on the best places to travel!

There are many businesses in the travel sector for sale, its just a case of finding the right one that suits you. In 2008 it's always great to have easy access to discounted air fares; the cost of living is on the rise. Imagine never having to pay full price for your travel tickets again!

People of retirement age are looking for holiday packages so they can travel in their golden years. Youngsters are looking for holidays to be adventurous, families travel during holiday times.

In fact if you bought a tourism business for sale you really would not lose out. By owning your own independent travel agent business you are able to work the hours you want. The determine factor to how much salary you make will be down to YOU. The hours you put in will determine how much profit you can make out of the travel industry.

As with any decision in life, if you're unsure whether you are ready to purchase a travel business alone as a sole proprietor, then perhaps you need to consider joining an established tourism industry group. Buying tourism business for sale that is part of a franchise will considerably help you. The advantages to this are numerous not only will you be able to determine your own hours. You will also get the benefits of being a travel agent for existing companies that are already have credibility on the market.
If you buy a travel business that is already established, then there is no need to waste your time promoting and getting word out of you business. Some more benefits of buying a travel business include -commission on every sale you make, first class upgrades for free, travel agent discounts for you own travel on hotels, car rentals and sometimes even cruise shops tours.

The reason for these discounts is that travel companies want you to enjoy your own personal vacations. This helps in their self promotion, as you will recommend their services to the people whom you're helping to plan their vacations.

Once you start working in the tourism industry you will quickly see how fun, simple, and fulfilling it is and may be ready to purchase your very own tourism business. If the above information sounds good, then you should give being a travel agent a try.

Top 10 Travel Insurance Tips

2008-08-13T21:13:00.002-07:00

Although perhaps not the most glamorous topic in the world, travel insurance is nonetheless an essential part of the holiday process. And unlike the fairly straightforward process of asking ‘which hotel should I stay in?’ getting the right travel insurance can be as confusing as it is frustrating!

This is, hopefully, where I come in. As the managing director of Insuremore I like to think I know a fair bit about the whole area. I’ve assembled this guide as something of a ‘top 10 things to look out for’ when purchasing travel insurance.

And the common question I get asked all the time is whether I think travel insurance is worth buying. Given my line of work, it’s pretty inevitable that my answer will be ‘yes’ but the reason isn’t just because of the extra money it will ensure I receive! Y’see it’s true that the majority of people go on holiday, have a memorable time and come back without any ill consequences, but a small percentage of people will have an unexpected hospitalisation or find that their flights are cancelled. And believe me, in those instances trying to get help without travel insurance is not only expensive, but horribly stressful. Indeed, the best benefit of travel insurance is the peace of mind it gives the policy holder. A holiday should be about relaxation (or possibly getting your skin to become as lobster like as possible judging from recent case studies!) and how can you relax when you’re constantly on the lookout for illnesses or injuries? I’m sure that even if you could have relaxed before reading this, you will be worried now! So without further ado:

1) Don’t leave your travel insurance until the last minute

Okay, people don’t like to spend money – especially immediately after dropping a load of cash on an expensive holiday, but not getting your travel insurance sorted out immediately can be a massive mistake as you miss out one of the key aspects of it – cancellation cover. Although you may think that there’s no way you’ll cancel, life is full of the unexpected, and we deal with people cancelling their holidays due to family emergencies everyday.

As your holiday gets closer and closer, the chances of you needing to cancel are heavily reduced, so you completely lose the benefit of part of your insurance if you don’t sort it out nice and early.

2) Don’t settle for single trip cover if you’re going on holiday more than once

On the subject of single trip cover, is that really what you need? According to a 2004 study by Alliance & Leicester, 2/3rds of people plan to take two or more holidays a year. If you’re in the majority here, then single trip insurance will not be the best priced option (unless you have a phenomenally good value insurance provider) and it’s worth considering multi-trip or annual.

3) Your E111 health card alone will cost you for medical cover

Don’t think that just because you have your E111 European health card you will be covered for free – that’s a myth. You do need the card to show hospitals in the event of an emergency, but you will be charged by the country’s private healthcare system. Make sure your travel insurance covers illness and injury!

4) Be honest about any medical conditions you have

On a similar note, make sure you tell your insurers of all your medical conditions even if they seem irrelevant – too much information is a good thing in this case, as not providing details could later invalidate any claims you need to make.

5) Get the right policy for your holiday

Just like how there are different holidays for different tastes, there are different policies for different people. If you’re looking to go backpacking, skiing or mountain climbing, you’re going to need to track down a policy specifically for these activities to ensure you’re covered in the event of an accident.

6) Buy for the family and save

As I’ve already mentioned, there are different types of insurance for different cover – generally, companies offer single, multi trip, annual and family travel insurance policies. Predict how much you expect to be abroad and buy accordingly. If you are in a family, then it stands to reasons that family insurance is a good option – and some policies include the insurance of under-18s for free!

7) Know exactly what you’re covered against

Cheap travel insurance may seem like a bargain – and there are plenty of legitimate companies offering cheap travel insurance out there – but make sure you go through the policy with a fine tooth comb to ensure you’re not missing out on key coverage, such as cancellation and theft. As a rule of thumb, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

8) Check out the excesses on the policy

Actually, it’s worth going through any travel insurance policy with a fine tooth comb – cheap or otherwise. The excesses on different policies can make a huge difference, and it’s a good idea to find a policy with a lower or no excess on an area you think you are more likely to end up claiming on!

9) If you’re under the influence, then you won’t be covered

Sounds obvious, but we often get claims like this, so I’d best cover it: No travel insurance company will pay up on any accidents occurring while the policy holder is under the influence of alcohol or drugs – the policy is not there to allow you to behave more recklessly than you normally would!

10) Look for a company that covers against acts of terrorism for peace of mind

In the current climate, insurance against acts of terrorism is something we’ve found people to be calling out for, and sadly, most companies do not offer it as default with their policies. If I may be allowed a brief plug however, it is something that we at Insuremore include in our travel insurance packages for that extra peace of mind. If it is something that’s worrying you, it is worth ensuring it is part of your policy.

Travel Insurance and Acts of God

2008-08-13T21:13:00.001-07:00

Cheap annual travel insurance is hugely popular amongst UK holiday goers, allowing them to travel when and where they wish without having to worry about booking travel insurance for every single trip. Many people assume that their cheap travel insurance will cover them against every eventuality, but this isn't the case. There are plenty of exclusions in the average document, and one of the most well known but least understood of these is the "acts of God" exclusion. What do travel insurance companies mean by an act of God? And what might not be covered by your annual travel insurance?

What are "Acts of God"?

Traditionally, "acts of God" was a standard exclusion clause that featured in many different kinds of insurance; travel, housing, property and so on. Essentially, it refers to "a sudden and violent act of nature that could not have been foreseen or prevented", typically meaning natural disasters such as:

Hurricanes and tempests
Lightning storms
Floods
Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Mass outbreaks of infectious diseases are also often classed as "acts of God" (perhaps in some kind of biblical reference to the seven plagues of ancient Egypt!). Essentially, the exclusion clause means that if an event is classed as an act of God, any costs that you incur as a result of it may not be covered by your travel insurance, and you will not be entitled to any compensation from your insurance company.

Nowadays, an actual "acts of God" exclusion isn't always in a travel insurance policy, but most insurers still have similar exclusions in place under different names, such as "natural disasters". It may seem like a chore, but you really do need to read your policy carefully before you go - if you think you are covered for something and you aren't, you could end up paying a small fortune in medical and transport costs. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and Florida, hundreds of holiday goers found themselves caught out, unable to claim compensation for the costs incurred or the cancellation of their trips.

If you are traveling to a place that has a risk of natural disasters, make sure you talk to your travel insurance company to make sure your insurance will protect you.

What about Acts of War and Acts of Terrorism?

While acts of God is one of the most well known exclusion clauses, in today's international climate, terrorism is also a common exclusion. Much like natural disasters, if you incur costs or your holiday is canceled because of terrorism, your travel insurance may well be invalid. If terrorism is a potential hazard for your destination of choice, check that your worldwide travel insurance will cover you against acts of terrorism - some insurers do provide this kind of protection, but many do not.

Most policies will be invalidated by serious civil unrest or if war breaks out in a country while you are traveling there - the Foreign Office website is the best place to visit to check up on the political stability of your holiday destination, as it provides up to date and accurate information about the potential hazards of every country in the world.

Global Travel International Income Opportunity

2008-08-13T21:12:00.001-07:00

Have you always wanted to be a travel agent and enjoy the job's many amazing benefits? Thanks to the Global Travel International income opportunity, you can operate your own travel agency from your home! You sell packages and earn commissions-it is as simple as that!

Global Travel International was started in 1994 by Randy Warren and Michael Gross who wanted to start a travel agency that was not bound to a brick and mortar office the way most travel agencies are. They wanted to build a business that could easily be made into an international franchise and help travel agents learn how to use web based technologies to benefit travelers as well as the agencies that cater to them.

Thanks to Global Travel International, travel agents both new and seasoned have a resource to help them learn how to take advantage of web-based travel booking, web-based marketing tools and web-based business support. Since its inception in 1994, this company has grown to be a leader in international travel and they are inviting people to become agents within their company.

One of the biggest benefits to becoming an agent with Global Travel International is that you will become eligible for fantastic travel benefits and enjoy traveling at a much lower rate than you would travel commercially. These benefits in addition to the commissions you will earn from each sale will allow you to travel in ways you had only previously dreamed.

As an agent for Global Travel International, you will earn between five and ten percent commissions of most of the reservations you book through the company. You will earn commissions on hotel reservations, car rental reservations, cruise packages and vacation packages. Depending on how many reservations and packages you sell, you could qualify for commissions that are as large as ninety percent of the total sale.

You can also sign up to be an affiliate of the company and earn thirty five dollars for each person you persuade to join the company. You then also earn commissions off of the sales they make. This company also offers a fourteen day money back guarantee on the money you put forth to enter the program.

The only draw back we can see for signing up for the program is that we couldn't find anything that states how much it costs to get started with the company. Other than the fact that the start up capital isn't stated clearly, we can't see any reason why you shouldn't sign up to be a member of Global Travel International and start taking advantage of the plenty of membership benefits offered by the company.

Overall, this multi level marketing opportunity looks like a very straightforward program. Sign up, sell packages and earn commissions. You also earn a commission for each person you refer to the Global Travel International income opportunity. While there is no prominent information on how often agents are paid or how much it costs to start up, it would be nice if other MLM opportunities were this easy to understand.

Some Travel Safety Tips

2008-08-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

Hedge the High Cost of Travel Today - Consider Travel Insurance

2008-08-10T03:48:00.001-07:00

Buy a laptop and they want you to 'insure' it will work after the warranty expires with a policy that adds 20% to your purchase price. The same for refrigerators, DVD players, televisions and every electronic item you can think of selling over $40. Travel insurance would seem to fall into the 'nice to have but I can't bother with it' category also. It might be time to re-think that and here's why.

As a front desk agent at an airport hotel, I see three to four guests per week billed on their credit cards as 'no-shows'. Last week, a guest called me from the airport, guaranteed one of our last two rooms with their credit card, asked where our shuttle could be found and never showed up! With room rates averaging $129 (plus tax) and the increased likelihood of problems being encountered en route (flight delays or outright cancellations, illness, last minute itinerary changes, missed flights due to traffic) it is possible you might also one day be paying almost $150 for a room you didn't sleep in.

Travel insurance (especially the a la carte type) that covers lost or delayed baggage, hotel cancellations or no show charges, illnesses and flight interruptions can be fairly inexpensive compared to what you may pay out of pocket. Suppose you are flying through the East in dead of winter, starting from NYC, transferring in Chicago and then Denver and on to LA. With tighter airline connection schedules, ANY delay leaving NYC or at any of the hubs will very possibly strand you in one of the last 2 cities. If you have a room reserved at LAX for $119.00 that you now forfeit because it is too late to cancel AND you find there are only rooms for $259.00 in Denver, the $20-$22 cost of hotel cancellation and flight interruption insurance seems a small price to pay. And if you have to re-book at a higher fare the next day due to YOUR missing a flight, you may have to pony up an additional $200.00 as well. Other travel insurance choices to consider are options for medical coverage (out of your coverage area or even out of the country), medi-vac for returning to the US and ER coverage if your insurance does not cover you for these.

Where I think travel insurance is a non-essential luxury would be the medical coverage if you are already covered, if you generally frequent only cheap motels (under $50-$60) or where you are only flying to one city and live nearby if the flight were cancelled. Under these circumstances, the added expense of even $20 would not be a worthwhile investment. But for expensive or non-transferable overseas tickets, especially where carriers have only one flight a day, insurance is almost a no-brainer. Miss one of them and you could be out $1500 easily in extra fees for last minute changes. Add the cost of a hotel room you won't stay in and paying for one you HAVE to find that night and the cost rises even more. The premium likely will be higher to cover overseas trips but nowhere near what you could lose with just one delay somewhere.

20 Top Tips For Women Traveling Alone

2008-08-10T03:46:00.000-07:00

What are the options for single people when they go traveling? Given the choice, most would prefer to travel with a companion, yet many travel alone by choice or out of necessity - and a growing percentage of them are women.

The hospitality industry has been paying attention to this trend. Hotels and tour operators are scrambling to cater to this growing market of solo female travelers with an increasing number of female-friendly or female-only accommodations around the world. From female-only hotels to those with wings designated for females, or rooms especially equipped for use by females, hotel management has been paying attention to feedback from their female guests. They are equipping rooms with items like hair dryers, ironing boards, irons, quality bath products, eye make-up remover, illuminated mirrors, and extra shelf space in the bathroom. Beds may have hypoallergenic duvets to be snuggled under while unwinding with complimentary herbal tea. Security is the main concern for most solo females, so features like spy-holes in doors, chain locks, swipe-cards, well-lit car parks, CCTV, 24-hour security, and security guards are much appreciated.

Business women are one group which complains of feeling vulnerable. They may find themselves with keys to rooms at the end of long, dark corridors or in parts of the hotel which are less secure. Women tend to dislike eating alone in restaurants and many hotels are responding by providing in-room cooking facilities. It is up to the solo traveler to seek out the availability of female-friendly hotels at their destinations. Even if it is not 'female-friendly' there's no harm in requesting a room in a more secure area of the hotel. Enter 'Safe Travel for Women' or a similar phrase into a search engine and a wealth of information and links to hotels and related sites will pop up.

This new trend is especially liberating for women who are required by their religion to cover themselves. They can benefit greatly from female-only hotels staffed entirely by females. It means they can order room service, relax in casual clothes or use the spa facilities without fear of being seen by a man. Apart-hotels are another option for those who wish to be self-contained and enjoy a higher level of privacy.

20 Top Tips

Beware of accepting drinks or food offered by strangers. Spiking of drinks and food has become a worldwide problem whether the motive is sexual assault, robbery, or both
Avoid wearing expensive clothes and jewellery
Beware of attracting the wrong type of male attention. Consider wearing a ring
Keep an eagle-eye on luggage while engaged in activities such as checking into hotels or renting a car as these are vulnerable times when the solo traveller is often targeted
Always appear calm, confident and in control (even if you don't feel that way!)
Carry a mobile phone with plenty of credit or the means to top-up
Arrange to travel during daylight when possible and avoid driving at night.
Phone a reputable taxi company rather than risk an unknown street taxi
Before leaving for a trip, research the best method for carrying cash and accessing money at your destination
Make photocopies of the information page of your passport and keep separate from the passport. Have emergency contact numbers for your bank(s) and the number of the consulate or embassy at hand
Use the 'Do Not Disturb' sign to deter anyone from entering your hotel room
Leave your travel itinerary, hotel details and phone number with family or friends
Know the acceptable behaviour, dress code, and expected etiquette at your destination country
Remove name badge after business meetings and avoid displaying personal information on luggage or personal property
Pack as light as possible. Don't struggle with a heavy suitcase which may not be a problem at the airport, but a burden on trains, buses or boats
Carry a lightweight pashmina or shawl to cover up in countries where this may be a problem, especially for entering religious buildings or shrines
Carry a supply of sanitizer wipes and tissues
If taking prescription medicines, ask a chemist to write down all names the drug is known by, or the drug name in your destination country. See your doctor before travel and arrange for all necessary vaccinations well in advance
Before booking a hotel or other accommodation check traveller review websites (Return the favour when you return by writing reviews on your accommodation)
Take out travel insurance and ensure that all intended activities are covered

This information is intended only as a guide and is not a comprehensive list. One thing is for certain though...The specialist tour operators and hotels focusing on the female-friendly aspect of travel will be backing a winner...as long as they treat their female guests well. It's no secret that women are the great communicators of the world and if they are happy they'll provide free advertising by spreading the word!

World Wide Travel Insurance

2008-08-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

At the moment it feels to the majority of us that the dreaded credit crunch is plastered over every news paper, every TV station and every bill than comes through the letter box. The tightening of money is affecting almost everybody in the general public now, and the proof is showing its ugly head in all manners of ways.

We are not even able to book ourselves that long awaited (and hard saved for!) holiday without the horrible thing barging in and reminding us that every penny is being stretched already. A leading insurance company has reported that many of us are no longer taking out any holiday insurance due to the crunch becoming harder than ever at the moment. However, just as you wouldn't risk two weeks in the Caribbean without any sun cream to protect your skin, you are taking just as high a risk not to insure everything with travel insurance.

When you are jetting off to your holidays this year, and if money is limited, consider instead taking less clothes and accessories than usual in order to be able to buy yourself even a simple travel insurance policy. Of course, it won't allow you to take part in anything daring or too extravagant but you will at least know that if you where to fall ill or lose your passports you will be able to get home in one piece without a huge price tag attached.

Last year 6% of those on holiday that had heath issues or had to cut a holiday short due to injury where not insured. Unlike the United Kingdom, much of the world (namely the USA) does not have a NHS or similar, so even a leg in plaster can set you back a fair few hundred pounds. For piece of mind, and a big saving in the long run, it is very much recommended that you take out some holiday insurance before setting off this summer.

If you are planning to take a round the world tour either for pleasure or business, then you should take time out to make sure you think about taking out a worldwide travel insurance policy. You want your travel experience to be special and memorable; you don't want to remember it because you had an accident or illness that drained you of all your savings! Prices for worldwide travel insurance can be very reasonable if you shop around, and will help protect you from significant financial loss.

There's no need to waste time phoning travel agents for prices. All you need to do is a little searching for online travel insurance on the internet and you'll then be able to compare cover and prices in the comfort of your own home or office.

What should you look out for? Any travel insurance supplier worth their salt will provide a 24/7 emergency service and will be underwritten by a licensed insurer with a high rating such as Lloyd's of London.

Just what does worldwide travel insurance normally cover?

* Cancellation costs if you are taken ill before you're due to travel
* Curtailment costs if you have to return to Australia because a close relative is taken ill or dies
* Medical expenses including repatriation to Australia
* Extra travel and accommodation costs if you are delayed as a result of missed departure or connection
* Cover for loss, theft or damage to luggage
* Personal Liability in case you damage the property you're staying in or accidentally injure someone

You can get a quick travel insurance quote at most travel insurance web sites if you are looking to compare international travel insurance costs. Do notice that when you get to the section on the form that asks you which area you will be travelling to, take care to put in your correct area of travel. Most companies will give you an explanation of how they categorise their travel areas with a link. It is important that your travel insurance certificate reflects the countries you are travelling to or you may not be covered.

It is a good idea to make sure that you understand all the details, both large and small, of the policy you purchase. Check to see if the company you are considering has their Product Disclosure Statement online, so that you can read the "fine print" before you buy. Purchasing your world wide travel insurance from a reputable company should save you money, time, and perhaps even your holiday.

When searching for travel insurance you will undoubtedly have quite a few questions about the policy and the coverage aspects surrounding it. And this isn't a bad thing because there really are questions that should be asked. No matter whether you are traveling within the country or abroad, travel insurance provides a great amount of protection for the traveler. If you are visiting the website of an insurance provider and are trying to find out more information about travel insurance, there are five questions in particular that should definitely be asked.

What Coverage Is Included?

The first question which you should ask the insurance provider representative is what types of coverage are included within the different trip insurance policies. The coverage aspect relates to what incidents the policy will cover should you experience problems during your trip. Some policies will have a wide array of coverage benefits included whereas others may be minimal in number.

What Are the Deductibles?

The premium may not be the only cost which you will have to assume. Deductibles may also be a factor as these are the amounts which you may have to pay should you need to file a claim under the travel insurance policy. Some coverage aspects will have deductibles attached to them whereas others may not.

How Much Is The Premium?

You should also ask about the total cost of the premium. The premium is the amount which you will pay in order to have the policy in effect. Depending on the length of the policy and the coverage which is included, the premium may be on the reasonable side or pricier in nature. Asking about the premium amount will let you know exactly how much you will have to pay simply to be covered. Alternatively, most providers will offer online travel insurance quotes.

Length of the Policy

Another question to ask your insurer is how long the policy will remain in effect. Some policies will cover only a single vacation or business trip whereas others may be in effect for a year and cover any and all travel which occurs during that time. You may even be able to get a better deal on an annual travel insurance policy as opposed to a single trip policy if you plan to travel more than once during the year.

How Can You Contact the Company If You Need To Do So?

Lastly, you should ask the insurance company representative how you can contact them should you need help at any time before, during or after your trip. Also inquire about 24 hour contacts in case you need to reach someone after normal business hours.

Travel Insurance and the New Equality Bill

2008-08-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

For many years, travellers from the UK have enjoyed the benefits of cheap travel insurance when they holiday abroad. With worldwide travel insurance available for only a few pounds for a single trip and companies offering fast booking online, getting insured has never been easier or cheaper. However, new government legislation, which may come into effect by the end of the year, could change the way the travel insurance industry operates.

What is the Equality Bill?

At the end of June 2008, the government announced a new Equality Bill that will be debated in the House of Commons in August. The bill covers a variety of equality issues, but its main aims are to close the gender divide on pay, allow a degree of positive discrimination towards minorities in the recruitment process, and to eliminate age discrimination in a variety of areas. If the legislation comes into force, many businesses (including travel insurance companies) will no longer be able to charge those who are over the age of 65 more for their services, and will not be allowed to refuse older customers products or services because of their age.

Why does travel insurance cost more for over 65s?

Over 65s can find insurance for their holidays abroad, but it usually isn't cheap; travel insurance for older travellers usually has to be purchased through specialist providers, and typically costs significantly more than standard insurance policies.

Travel insurance companies charge over 65s higher insurance premiums because they are regarded as higher risk clients. Statistics show that, while over 65s are not significantly more likely to claim on their travel insurance while on holiday, when they do claim it costs travel insurance companies on average 10 times more than usual, usually due to the longer period of time older clients spend in hospital.

What will change in the future?

The new legislation is of obvious benefit to older travellers who struggle to find comprehensive and cheap travel insurance. However, there is a danger that insurance premiums will rise for all customers. Travel insurance companies have been able to provide good cover at low prices precisely because they have been able to adapt their prices to the estimated level of risk of the client. The increased cost of insuring older travellers may end up being passed on to everyone who buys travel insurance.

One possible solution that has been suggested is that potentially higher risk insurance customers (such as the over 65s) should be individually assessed to see if they should be charged higher premiums. However, while this may help to provide a fairer way of assessing customers for their insurance costs, it could spell the end to quick and simple online booking. With the volume of clients clamouring for travel insurance assessing individual customers may be a logistical nightmare - and a costly one as well!

It remains to be seen how the travel insurance industry will be affected if the new Equality Bill comes into effect. Whether prices go up, assessment becomes the standard or online booking becomes the exception rather than the rule, it looks like things are going to change - and the days of cheap travel insurance could well be numbered!

If You Don't Read This Travel Insurance Guide You Might Be in a Danger

2008-08-10T03:42:00.000-07:00

Residents of the UK are usually pretty good for insuring themselves on holiday. We also insure the smooth running of the holiday and that it will go exactly as planned in the holiday brochure. Is this because we worry too much? Of course not, we simply enjoy the peace of mind that, if anything does happen which could jeopardise the enjoyment of our holiday (which we have worked so hard to go on), we will be looked after back home when we claim all reimbursements and any necessary compensation.

Whether it is your neighbour, friend, member of your family or even yourself, it will happen at least once in your life, you will know someone who will have a bad holiday. It is a devastating thought to have; you have saved up all year and traveled half way across the world only for it to be ruined in what seems like an instant.

Picture this scenario - you fall over and break your leg; back home you would go the hospital and receive the appropriate treatment from the doctors; you would be in and out the hospital in 12 hours, a minor inconvenience. Now, if you were abroad without travel insurance, depending on which country you were in depends on whether you pay for medical bills. In some countries you might be forced into paying thousands for any treatment you may need. You may even need to have an operation which possibly result in you missing your flight home and potentially work.

Travel insurance is a must and you shouldn't even consider leaving the country without it along with the 'it will never happen to me' approach. Insurance has the same principle as the lottery. Imagine how would you feel if your lottery numbers came up, but because you begrudged yourself of that small amount for the ticket, you missed out on the jackpot. The feeling would relate something similar to if you had an accident and had to fork out thousands for medical bills, all because you didn't want to pay the small amount for travel insurance.

Whether it's for business or for pleasure, traveling always involves a certain degree of risk. You would like to think that if you are on vacation, nothing wrong can happen to you. Think again taking into account that you are in a foreign environment and the chances of something unpredictable to happen are even higher. As a consequence, when planning you trip; do not forget to take also out travel insurance. Even if t does not protect you from accidents, at least it will help you cover certain damages.

Buying a travel insurance needs to given the same importance as to buying the travel package. The insurer will present you different options for coverage: form total coverage of both persons and gods, to different partial coverage of only persons and/or goods. The insurer actually knows all the risk situations and activities that may occur in a certain travel location, and will present you with a list of exceptions to the insurance coverage.

So, it is highly advisable to read carefully this part too so as to be able to avoid the situations presented. If you still want to go to certain places or do certain things not included in the initial travel insurance, you should ask your insurer for an extra coverage.

You need to remember that in almost all countries, medical care is quite expensive. Thus, when planning to expose yourself to some dangerous situations, it may not be such a bad idea to pay for a more comprehensive insurance policy. This way, you will be not obliged to pay by yourself a huge medical bill in case of an accident.

Also, regardless of having good travel insurance, you may loose its advantages, if you do not respect the terms of the policy or if your careless behavior triggers any accident. Insurance companies always conduct inquiries before refunding your claims, so they will refuse payment when discovering you breached the contract.

Buy the travel insurance before you go on a trip. Read all the terms of the policy - including the small prints. Decide what coverage suits best your travel and do not try to save money and purchase a cheaper travel insurance. Respect the terms of the policy and inform immediately your insurer in case of an event.

How to Save and See More During Your Trip

2008-08-02T08:55:00.002-07:00

So you like to travel but do not have the money for it?! Do not worry you are not the only one. Actually, you are the majority; most of the people do not have enough money to travel as much as they would want to or at all.

So what can you do? Travel very little or give up on travel at all?! Lucky for you there many ways in which you can travel, see the world and save money doing it.

The trick is to learn different ways for discount travel and then apply them each time you travel.

Most people travel only a few times in their lives, and when they do they want to see it all, especially if visiting a foreign, exotic country. What this means is that you are actually traveling all the time during your travel and that can be expensive.

It does not matter what country you visit, some things like train tickets, boat tickets, car or bike rentals, etc. are always going to cost you a lot of money. You can cut your expenses in half by deciding on your priorities and stay in one place for some time.

This will allow you to both save money and really discover the essence of the place you are visiting. If you agree to stay in one place, you will discover many alternative, discount ways to travel around.

For example, you can always rent an apartment in the city you wish to visit, not even the cheapest hotels can compete with this.

Another good thing about it is that little by little, you will develop relationship with natives and they can help you find where the best bargains are. What are good but cheap eating places, where to buy cheap clothes, etc.

Lots of people travel exactly on schedule, not wanting to miss anything and wanting to see everything. They use itineraries, and spend all of their vacation time constantly on the move and never really stopping to enjoy themselves. One of my favorite movies is National Lampoons European Vacation, if you did not all ready, rent it to see what I mean.

Traveling all day on a cramped bus, hoping from train to train and sleeping in cheap hotels only to repeat it all in the morning does not sound fun to me. No doubt, you will see many things traveling like that, but it will cost you a lot of money and you might just miss the best, hidden places worth seeing.

When you start planning your trip, be sure to distinguish between experiencing new things and just seeing them. By staying longer, renting a place to live, you might discover that not only will you save money but also you will immerse yourself with the culture and that experience can be more valuable then anything else.

For a modern day generation like mine, I suggest you read the book The Beach by Alex Garland, just stay off the drugs, it does not improve the experience.

If you start, thinking and planning your trips in this way, you will get more out of your trips and have more of them.

Discount Travel Packages - How to Cut the Costs

2008-08-02T08:55:00.001-07:00

Want to keep some money in your wallet for extra spending? Looking for ways to save money on your next vacation? With the right guidelines and a few rules of thumb, you can save your money and choose to spend on your terms. In today's demanding, fast pace working surroundings, quality time with family and friends is essential. A reload of batteries is needed occasionally. The three components to saving money on a vacation will be discussed in this article.

Discount Travel Packages: Creating a Budget

The first key to planning your vacation is setting a budget. Make sure that your budget fits your vacation destination, as different cities vary significantly in expenses. Be extra careful and add at least a hundred dollars per person when you set a target. On top of that, leave about $500 dollars to spare for any unforeseen costs. Who knows, you might even be fortunate enough not to spend it. It's a great feeling to come back from a rewarding vacation with the pocket full of cash. Oddly enough, it feels as if you actually made money on your vacation...

Discount Travel Packages: The Added Value

There is a very smart way to save more money on discount travel packages. There is an industry term called "opaque hotels", otherwise known as "off the record" hotels. Some tourist websites offer bargain prices on major hotels without disclosing the name of the hotel. This way the tourist website attracts customers without actually distorting the playing field. The hotels don't expose their names, the tourist website has bargain prices, and the competition stays fair for all. You can ultimately get great prices on first class hotels when you book opaque hotels.

Discount Travel Packages: The Hush-Hush of Saving

Holidays can be full of costs and expenses to different suppliers. Somehow it seems less complicated to pay for every expense separately: tickets to the flight provider, rooms to the hotel, rental car expense, boat cruise etc. What we fail to consider is that each service provider collects a profit margin from each sale, and probably a service commission as well. These charges accumulate to thousands of dollars, which could otherwise be spent in a wiser fashion. The simple solution is to look for discount travel packages and pay one commission to one supplier. The more service providers included in the deal, the more you relatively save. According to the data that I have gathered, "LastMinuteTravel.com" travel packages include flights and hotels starting from $160. I definitely recommend this website for extra saving.

In conclusion, when arranging a vacation you should set a budget, and find valuable discount travel packages that include elite off the record hotels. If you follow these simple rules, you will save a great deal of money and hopefully have a more pleasant vacation.

Five Small Tips to Save Big While Traveling

2008-08-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

Vacations can be very expensive, so it is important to save money in whatever way you can. Try these cost saving tips when planning your next vacation.

Plan Ahead

The more planning you do, the better chance you have of maximizing your savings. Research your destination(s) online to find out about any attractions in the area. Many places offer coupons or have other discount programs available. You can also find out about any festivals or other special events that will be happening so that you can plan your vacation to coincide with them.

Pack Smart

Be prepared and pack a cooler for edibles on your trip. Bring drinks and snacks with you, buying in bulk and repackaging them into snack-sized servings. Bring along any books, magazines or other entertainment you might need so you don't need to go out as often.

Find a Good Place to Stay

You can save a ton of money if you camp out. Some areas even have federal lands that cost next to nothing to camp on. If camping is not your thing, check out cabins or other housekeeping living situations. Look for hotel rates online. See if any have special discounts, or if they are AAA members. Some hotels offer gas coupons or include breakfast. If you are feeling creative, try contacting local realtors and see if any know of apartments, condos or houses available for short term rentals.

Combine Your Entertainments

Many local bars and coffee houses have special evening entertainments available. Find a great local band or comedian and have a night out on the town. While some will ask for a cover charge, go early for appetizers or dinner and the cover charge may be waived.

Stay Local

Whether you travel to one destination, or are on a road trip, try finding entertainment that is within a short distance of your overnight location. Other good entertainment options may be available along your drive. Many areas have excellent tourist information offices or kiosks. Try stopping in to find out what tourist spots are available, and pick up any discount coupons while you are at it.

As long as you are creative and make an effort to conserve, it is possible to have a vacation on a shoestring budget. Use these ideas, and come up with some of your own, and you will soon be out enjoying your own low budget vacation.

While it may seem more natural to just pack your bags and take off on your vacation, traveling without planning ahead can cost a great deal more money than you expect. Instead, try taking some time to plan your vacation, and you will find that not only will you enjoy it more, but you will be able to do it for a lot less.

The first step is to plan where you would like to go on your vacation. This could be a short weekend jaunt or a long cross country road trip through a variety of locales. It is important to have some sort of a plan before heading out on the road.

If you're looking to head out of state, try contacting the tourist information center for any states you may pass through on your trip. Most will gladly send you a package of information about the attractions in their area.

Get a map of the areas you intend to travel through. Use a highlighter to mark your route on the map, so that you know exactly where you will be going, and can avoid getting lost on the way.

From the maps, search out any towns or cities that you will be passing through online. Many of these places will have websites with tons of information about local events, attractions and restaurants. Print out any coupons or brochures that interest you and mark those locations on the map (hint: use a different color highlighter!).

When planning places to stay, consider whether you would like to camp, stay at a hotel or motel, or for a longer stay, rent a cottage or apartment. Call around to find the best rates in the area. Some campsites are remarkable, offering a variety of trails, educational programs and other entertainments for families. Other times you may find a rental unit that will be the perfect place to stay for your vacation, allowing you to cook up your own meals and avoid the cost of restaurants.

Often many attractions can be found on the road as you travel from one destination to another. Plan your route so that you can make a quick detour to those locations, rather than having to go far out of your way to get there. Getting off the beaten path and staying on America's two lane highways and byways offers some beautiful scenery and interesting stops along the way.

By planning ahead you will have all the information you need to have a fun and relaxing trip. With discount coupons on hand, special event schedules in mind and the best deal for accommodations booked, you will save tons of money, and not miss a thing!

Cheap Airline Travel - Travel For Cheap With Cheap Airline Travel

2008-08-02T08:44:00.000-07:00

When booking with a travel agent, always specify you want the "lowest possible fare." Buying tickets on the Internet is not the same as getting the cheapest price. As with any travel agent, you may be offered the lowest average price, or even a test price. A good way to get the bear fare is to book the best-value, fully-refundable fare early, then just keep looking for a better deal to pop up.

Identify the slow days. Usually, most people travel less during Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can capitalize on this and take your flight to on these day at lesser cost. After all there is no difference when you arrive just as long as you get there.

Try traveling off-season. During this time, airfare is low. airfare is cheapest during winter. Make sure you travel some were hot.

Courier companies are an other way to get cheap flights. They sell cheap airfares in exchange for using your checked luggage allotment for business items such as documents and computer parts which need to get somewhere fast. Therefore your pack should be small enough to carry on. Your job is to show up at the airport on time, meet someone with the ticket, and board the airplane. You do not usually ever handle the checked baggage.

Gas prices have caused everything else to become more expensive and none of us have received a raise to help us afford the hike in prices. This is even true with airline travel, but there are ways to beat the high prices. You can learn all about discount airline travel and save money this summer on your vacation.

It is very important that you get your relaxing vacation this summer and do it without breaking your budget. You are already spending over $100 extra each month because of the gas prices and there is not reason for you to spend even more when you go on vacation. Here are a few tips to help you save money on discount airline travel.

First, you can package your entire trip into one package. This can save you a lot of money on your airline travel, hotel, and car rental. This also will get rid of any stress you might have of booking things separately. It will all be done in one payment and you will be set and ready to go.

You can also conduct many different searches to find the right price for your budget. Also, keep your destination flexible because you might be able to get a better deal to one area than to another. By keeping your destination open and searching with all types of different websites you will be able to find a deal that will fit your budget.

Traveling on a budget is not easy, but it can be done. Discount airline travel is the way to go to save money for the entire family vacation. These are just a few ways to get your travel for the discount you deserve. Be creative and you will be able to save money like crazy.

Top Tips on Travel Insurance

2008-07-24T09:24:00.001-07:00

Many people also purchase diving or travel insurance as well, because their regular insurance won't cover it. What father show that travel insurance relates to international health insurance is that both policies provide basic health insurance or medical insurance for individual families against medical emergency at any where you might be either inside or outside the country. If you are a frequent traveller, then travel rewards credit cards can be your best friend because they offer features like hotel discounts and travel insurance.

Extra insurance cover it's highly unlikely your travel insurance policy extends to laptop computers. It is always very important to ensure you have travel insurance every time you travel. Many people only think of small things that don't really matters a lot like, loss of money or having their luggage stolen, forgetting the fact that other factors such as illness and accident are the factor which can also be covered by travel insurance.

When I bought my first plane ticket to China a few years ago it cost around $2000 round-trip, and my travel insurance cost me over $500 because I didn't shop around for cheap travel insurance online. Months later, I had our local travel insurance representative come visit my office, and he told me this story, and the unfortunate result was her young boy had come down with an ear infection prior to their flight to Jamaica, and even though she was consulted by the boys doctor not to take the flight until his condition healed, she ignored the requests. How is travel insurance related to international health insurance.

Again, you will find some excellent deals when you book your accommodation online, and you can also look forward to some great deals on other extras, such as travel insurance cover and car hire. For example, if you a business executive who travel frequently around the country or internationally, you probably want to have a credit card that allow you to enjoy saving from hotel stays, free air tickets, free travel insurance and others travel related benefits. The good news is that you can easily, conveniently and quickly research and locate excellent but cheap online travel insurance and reduce the costs while making an informed purchase.

Take a copy document with you Most good policy travel insurance documents will confirm the claim procedures to follow in the event of theft or loss, what you are covered for and most importantly who to call in an emergency. If the costs of treatment are higher than the maximums of your medical plan, you will be responsible for the difference, unless you have already purchased travel insurance. As a 'travel professional' offering travel insurance, as well as many of the online travel companies that sell travel protection to their clients, want you to know that our sincere and true intentions are to make sure that each and every one of you are covered and have the peace-of-mind.

Additional Benefits Business credit cards, like regular credit cards, can have a number of additional benefits associated with them, such as travel insurance, extended warranties, and purchase protection. Both companies now offer nearly identical benefits, such as travel insurance, car rental insurance, product warranty extensions, and so on. These points can then be used to claim discounts on food, wine and travel; travel insurance; clothing; high street discount vouchers; or exchanged for cash.

They also habitually try to sell you other travel components such as hotel accommodation, car rentals, attraction tickets and/or travel insurance. There's also travel insurance that would include worldwide emergencies like medical evacuation, lost luggage, and emergency expatriation.

My Mini Guide to Travel Insurance

2008-07-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

We travellers are eligible for pre-existing medical condition exclusion waivers provided we buy our travel insurance from 7 to 21 days (depending on the policy) of making our arrangements. Some credit cards offer travel insurance, car rental insurance, and even concierge services for a small fee. Having travel insurance with travel rewards credit cards can greatly ease the mind of the traveller if he or she has an accident or incurs other damage while operating a rented vehicle.

Medical costs in Australia are not exorbitant like in the United States and Europe, but travel insurance is still recommended. These benefits include: cash back option, discounts on certain merchandise, free travel insurance, free baggage protection, discounts on hotels and rental cars and many more. And one credit card offers a concierge services, multi-trip travel insurance and executive lounge pass.

Many cash back cards provide you with additional benefits in terms of warranty protection, emergency roadside protection, travel insurance, auto rental, etc, along with cash rewards. They can also provide travel insurance that includes lost luggage, emergency expatriation, medical evacuation, and other worldwide emergencies. Camp tuition can be expensive; similar to travel insurance, there are now insurance policies for families sending their children to overnight summer camp to cover last minute cancellations, homesickness, medical emergencies and emergency evacuations.

With that in mind, it is easy to understand why travel insurance for pensioners is so necessary. Always purchase travel insurance through your travel agent to avoid loosing your vacation investment due to unforeseen setbacks. That site is a source of information about travel insurance, including cruise insurance, and shows where you can get multiple quotes from a variety of reliable travel insurance companies.

You'll have to get your own documents, whether a fishing license, travel insurance, a passport, or proof of boat and vehicle ownership. Maybe you, too, are a Great Procrastinator and you avoid buying travel insurance before you leave on your trip.
a) Up to $500,000 in travel insurance
b) Auto Rental Insurance
c) A variety of travel emergency and services
If you are a card holder who generally carries a large outstanding balance on their credit card than you may find this particular credit card to be a bit more expensive than the others.

Further adjustments could include the disappearance of cash back and a reduction in free services, travel insurance, flights, holidays and other promotions. We will use a hypothetical company that provides travel insurance to travellers. Camp tuition can be expensive; similar to travel insurance, there are now insurance policies for families sending their children to overnight summer camp to cover last minute cancellations, homesickness, medical emergencies and emergency evacuations.

Before buying my travel insurance for the second trip, I shopped around online and got the coverage I needed, at the right price. Once you've invested in a good travel insurance policy, you can relax on your cruise knowing that any accident or illness, rather than being a trip-ruining financial disaster, will instead just be an unpleasant glitch in an otherwise marvellous experience.

Speaking of other benefits, you will be well guarded with various safety measures like travel insurance, car rental insurance, extended warranties on particular purchases, plausible discounts on products and services in case of participating merchants and retailers, several protective measures regarding valuable purchases and emergency card replacement.

A few years later, a little bit older and wiser, and my travel insurance for another trip to China cost me much less--about $300 for roughly the same coverage. Travel insurance is very affordably priced, so make sure to ask your travel agent or your booking company for more information about your options.

Travel Insurance -- How To Get The Best Value Travel Insurance

2008-07-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

If you are an occasional traveler you'll probably buy your insurance from the travel agent. But if you travel more than twice a year, it is much more cost effective to have one insurance lasting all year round, than buying one every time you travel.

Think ahead, plan ahead. Annual travel insurance easily pays for itself with just a couple of trips. But not all insurances are worth the same and as always cheapest is not necessarily the best. More on this later.

Annual travel insurance is not compulsory but it gives you the peace of mind case of illness and loss or damage to property and many other events. Where is the best place to buy annual travel insurance?

1. Your bank is probably the first place you'll try. Banks have in recent times become highly competitive and in order to retain your business, may offer better rates. For example my bank has upgraded my checking account to a premium account and for that I pay $20 per month.

As a result I get several privileges including free, worldwide, comprehensive travel insurance. But here is the best part ... I get all this free travel insurance not just for myself but also for any member of my family traveling with me including my parents and siblings.

I said free because I am already getting other benefits which are worth a lot more than $20 per month if I were to buy them individually. I also save a lot of time as I never have to look around for insurance. So don't ignore your bank.

2. Credit card companies also offer similar insurances, with some added advantages. In case of theft or loss of your credit card, they will supply you with an emergency one, often within a few hours.

In addition to travel insurance offers, there is another advantage in checking your credit card company's terms. If you book your travel using your credit card, pretty much all card companies give excellent cover against many of the things that can go wrong.

Some credit card companies also have specialist travel departments which not only give you travel discounts but also give you even better protection, i.e. better travel insurance and at a much lower cost. But note that all insurance offers exclude you making a claims, for the same item, to multiple sources even if you do have multiple insurance cover.

For example, let's say you have bought travel insurance separately and you have bought your travel ticket using your credit card. If your luggage is lost, you can almost certainly make a claim to either of the two sources but not to both at the same time.

The reason is that the insurance companies have suffered massive fraud in recent years. Allowing multiple claims simply encourages fraudsters to have multiple insurances and make multiple false claims.

For example, they can take an already damaged suitcase on a long journey knowing that it will fall apart. They can then claim damage and loss of property from multiple insurers.

3. Insurance companies are a popular and obvious source for annual travel insurance. If you drive a car or have home insurance get a quote from your insurance company. Remember, because you are already a customer, your car insurance often entitles you to a very good discount.

Here's a tip: if they don't give you a competitive insurance, tell them that you will be looking else where for a good package. Let them know you will be looking for a package that includes great home insurance, excellent travel insurance and also good car insurance.

Listen, fear of loss WILL make them bend over backwards for you and if they don't? Here's another tip: When you talk to any other source to get your competitive travel insurance, make sure you mention your other assets that you could be insuring with them, such as your car, home, home contents, etc.

This won't work with travel companies but works absolutely beautifully with most insurance companies. I have done it many times and saved myself thousands of dollars, yes thousands, over the last few years.

The insurance industry is massively competitive. For once, this works in favor of the "little guy" (you and me), so let's use it.

4. Certain types of home insurance may also give annual travel cover. Do look into pretty much any insurance cover you have. Some home insurance policies include some forms of travel cover including loss or damage to your property while away from home.

Tip: even if you live with your parents, ask them to check their policy for you. You will be amazed to see that even "your" property is covered while away from home.

Just one word of caution: do not assume what is covered or the level cover. If you are not sure just ask the insurer. If the cover they describe seems even better than what you expected based on the policy document, then do ask them to put their clarification in writing.

Why? When any major loss occurs, the insurer will send a local expert to assess the damage. These guys are called loss adjustors. Their job is to save money for the insurance company. And I tell you from bitter personal experience, they take no prisoners.

They will screw you down to the ground, if you don't get things in clear black and white writing. Just do it. It takes minutes to request clarification in writing but can save you thousands of dollars when you have one of these mean loss adjustors arguing with you over the policy.

5. You can also buy last minute travel insurance from travel agents and airlines at the airport. Expect to be taken advantage of, heavily! Needless to say, this is one of your most expensive options. Just avoid ending up with this option, see to your insurance long before you need to travel.

Now here's the thing. Travel insurance policies are not all identical. As well as considering price, you absolutely must read the terms and conditions carefully. For example, the upper age limit of some insurance companies may vary.

Some companies may limit the number of annual trips, whilst others may have no limit at all. Look, most travel insurance policies cover a range of events and claims. But as they say, the devil is in the detail.

The problem you will definitely face with some really cheap policies from unknown and possibly disreputable companies is what they put in the fine print. You know what I'm talking about? ... all those tiny little statements they put on the back of the form? Or if you are buying insurance online (and you should), notice all those pages of really small text they ask you to agree to?

Well, that's where they bury lots of little conditions and limitations. Most people don't read all the terms. Do yourself a huge favor and on this occasion, do read it all. If the insurance policy terms are full of "weasel words" or complex language, just move on and do not buy.

All insurance companies are quick to point out how many millions you can claim in "total", in case of a serious accident. But they all limit the amount per item within your claim. So claims for loss of cash will be capped and so will claims for electronic devices, clothes, etc.

This means that with the cheaper policies you will have a really low limit. For example, if you claim for a mobile phone and an MP3 player, you may find that the limit on personal electronics is not enough to even pay for "one" of those devices, let alone both. Don't wait for an unfortunate event to show you the flaws in a dirt cheap policy. That is the worst time to find out and it is a time when you need the most help.

What must all policies cover?

1. Loss or damage to property and cash

2. Flight delays or cancellation

3. Accidents

4. Sickness

5. Your expenses when an event ocurs

6. Your potential liability to other people

7. Legal services

In comparison to your total costs, annual travel insurance is only a very small item. If you are covered for any eventuality, you'll have less to worry about, which will translate to more relaxation and enjoyment.

Cheap Travel Insurance

2008-07-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

We all are wanderlust from core of our heart and aspires to escape in the realms of world's most exotic locations. After days of travail we all are eager to unwind with friends and family. Before you take off for a trip to dream destination, purchase a travel insurance to cover medical expenses and financial losses that can incur while traveling abroad or in one's own country. As travel insurance secures you from the crisis.

Cheap Travel Insurances

Expensive travel tours is not affordable by all and constrains our desire to travel. It's beyond common man's budget to take family out on a vacation. But cheap travel insurance as name suggests are of great help. It's inexpensive and affordable by all and provides all the facilities of usual insurance policy. Travel Insurances covers: trip cancellation or limitation, delayed departure, loss, theft (including travel documents), damage to personal possessions, medical emergency, pre existing health conditions delayed baggage, evacuation, accidental death, injury or disablement, legal assistance, personal liability, bankruptcy, loss of cash or valuables and the list is endless.

Traveling is Risky

Traveling is rejuvenating, thrilling and at the same time unsafe and dangerous. It's better to be careful and be prepared for the worst. Before you pack your bags and get set go for trip secure your yourself with cheap travel insurance policies providing myriad offers of finance. Travel insurance acts as a back up for the unforeseen. Your expenses are reimbursed if the trip is canceled or trip interrupted due bad weather or ill health. Travel insurance offers wide variety of coverage for different travelers. From student traveler, business traveler and international traveler to leisure traveler, adventure traveler and business traveler.

International Health Insurance

Purchase insurance policy from travel agents, travel insurance companies or from travel suppliers such as cruise lines or tour operators, or from the Internet. Some Insurance Companies offering travel insurance are: ICICI Lombard, MEDEX, United India Insurance Co., Travel Insured, Global Rescue, Bajaj Allianz, Uni-Care International Travel Insurance Service, Total Travel Insurance, RBS Travel Protection.

International Health Insurance

Are you on a trip abroad? Yes. You might face health complications like medical emergency, pre-existing health conditions, accidents that can shake your bank balance. Assessing right kind of health insurance can be a nightmarish. Under these circumstances International Health Insurance becomes a necessity. It safeguards your medical expenses. It can purchased from private insurance companies or government insurance companies. Insurance companies use the term ”adverse selection” for those who will be benefited from insurance to buy it. So, it is advisable to to purchase health insurance who foresees large medical bills. The basic concept of insurance is that it balances costs that is way too high.

How it works?

An insurance policy is a contract between an individual and an insurance company. In it, the covered up groups pay taxes or premiums. But, be cautious, of overlapping policy covers, as it can add on the cost of buyer. Once policy is purchased it can be renewed annually and monthly. The amount that will be payed at the time of crisis will be in advance and in the evidence of coverage booklet and the member contract. Before you decide on Travel Insurance, get all the details of their terms and clauses for highest monetary gains.
Some Insurance Companies offering International Health Insurance are: 1H1, 1HHP Health Plan, Medibroker international health insurance, Arbella Insurance, Ascent Assurance, Aultcare, BHSF, Foresters, Health Shield Cash Plans.

Check Your Travel Insurance With Worldwide Coverage

2008-07-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

Available are overseas health and foreign travel insurance with worldwide coverage. Provides international health and life insurance products designed to meet the needs of those that travel or live outside their country of citizenship. Check your health insurance policy if you plan to travel in a foreign country. Having Health and Travel Insurance is a condition of enrolment and this premium will automatically be charged to your student fees account. Mondial product range has now expanded to include automotive assistance, travel insurance, medical assistance and overseas student health cover. These days, when you are traveling internationally on a vacation or for business travel, you need international travel health insurance. With international health insurance and travel insurance - you can go with confidence.

International travel medical and health insurance, featuring trip cancellation travel insurance online. In addition, while many travelers have health insurance, it sometimes does not cover them outside of their network or outside of the United States. international travel insurance, immigrant, nanny, J visa, health insurance. citizens.BuyHealthPlan.com - Portal for international life and health insurance for expatriates and travellers. If you won't have any health coverage while you're traveling, you might want to look for a travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage. BenefitHouse.com provides a free quoting service for affordable travel insurance, international health insurance trip cancellation insurance and annual travel insurance. Also known as holiday insurance, travel medical insurance and travel health insurance. TFG Global Travel Insurance can even supply online international health insurance for expatriates and some local nationals where conditions permit.

These forms must be completed before you travel in order to be covered by the insurance policy. In some cases, it might be your best option to purchase a trip cancellation waiver and a third party travel insurance policy. Finally, if you and/or your family travel often, ask your insurance company about an annual policy. Click here to view a specimen of the travel insurance policy. At InsureMyTrip.com, you can compare each policy and get the information you need to purchase travel insurance with confidence. At InsureMyTrip.ca, you can compare each policy and get the information you need to purchase travel insurance with confidence. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

You can compare each policy giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your travel insurance needs. He permitted his 12-month travel insurance policy to expire just a few days before his departure for home. Travel insurance policies may be purchased for individual trips or as an annual policy for all trips taken in the year of insurance. At the very least, you will probably discover that specialist travel insurance is better value than topping up a standard policy with extra cover. The cost of travel insurance varies from company and policy to policy. If you think your travel plans can change, then consider a travel insurance policy that meets your needs.

Again, most standard accident, disability or life insurance policies cover these accidents, which rarely happen during travel. Make sure you get travel insurance that can cover you for all your gap year adventures. When you're traveling, after all, it helps to cover yourself with some worldwide travel insurance. Choose from individual, individual & partner or family holiday travel insurance cover. Most travel insurance plans include emergency evacuation, assistance, baggage, trip interruption coverage, optional hazardous sports cover and much more.

Tell me about the Worldcare travel cover Travel insurance provides you with security and protection whilst you are travelling domestically or internationally. Always check the details of the insurance cover before you travel. Watch out for travel insurance companies that include non-essential benefits as part of their cover - for example, a travel advice line. You can buy supplemental medical insurance, baggage insurance and policies that cover money lost if a travel vendor defaults. Quality cover at amazing pricesSecure and easy to use online travel insurance cover. Instant quote and cover for single trip, backpacker and annual travel insurance policies.

If you are willing to assume a financial risk (the cost of your trip), you can probably forego insurance for your domestic travel. Annual travel insurance Multi trip insurance for every holiday you plan over the next 12 months. You can buy the best in single and multi-trip travel medical insurance, trip cancellation and vacation insurance online. It dynamically changes the order of plans based on comparison of your trip insurance needs with the needs of thousands of other travelers. Whether searching for single trip, annual or specialist cheap travel insurance UK, all needs are catered for. Travel InsuranceSingle trip travel insurance, annual travel insurance and winter sports travel insurance - available to buy online now. Enjoy peace of mind on your vacation with budget single trip or cheap annual travel insurance!

Helpful Ways to Plan your Next Airplane Tour

2008-07-24T09:18:00.000-07:00

Plane Tours are an excellent selection if you want to experience a flightseeing tour.

You will likely be amazed at all the choices that you will have if you decide to do a little sightseeing from high up above! Let's take a closer look at the world of airplane tours.

Whether you decide to take an airplane tour in Canada, Arizona, New York, Florida, Sedona or the Grand Canyon, you will likely enjoy this 1-Day activity while you experience the beautiful scenery that exists on many of the scenic flights.

There are many airplane scenic tours that are available in the USA, Canada as well as other parts of the world.

For example, in Arizona, there are tours that will take you inside the heart of the Grand Canyon, if you really desire a close up look without having to hike down into the Grand Canyon.

Many plane tours exist that include spectacular views of not only the Grand Canyon, that also include a four-wheel drive in the picture. These tours are considered combination tours that allow the guest to experience both a view from up above as well as down below in a four-wheel drive vehicle, too! Fun!

Airplane tours can be a life long memorable experience if you plan ahead and follow some very basic but necessary tips prior to making any reservations, regardless of where you fly. It is important to choose a plane tour company that is both well documented and well known for its superior service and track record.

Here are some helpful tips when planning your next air-tour, no matter where you plan to experience your next air tour. This important information can be used for any of your scenic flights.

You will likely feel better and safer if you fly with a company who has been in operation for a lengthy period of time and with one who has an excelllent safety record.

When inquiring about an air tour, ask specifically what is included in the price they are quoting you, such as:

How Long Is The Tour?

What Special Attractions Will Be Seen?

Are The Planes Air-Conditioned? (All of the Arizona companies I researched noted that all of the planes had air-conditioning, but it would be wise to confirm this, especially during the summer months.)

Are The Tours Narrated?

Many scenic flights include narration along with individual stereo headsets for optimal audio of the information provided by the tour guide.

What Is Their Cancellation Policy? Please note that not all tour companies honor a refund policy, so it is important to inquire about a refund, should you need one. Some companies do offer a full refund with a 48-hour notice.

Are There Any Special Prices On Any Of The Tours? You can sometimes find summer or winter specials and save a significant amount of money, so ask about any current or upcoming specials. Here is another great tip that you can use. Most of the nearby hotels will have numerous attraction coupons, including air-tours, inside the lobby area.

What Kind Of Safety Record Exists?

The Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, now requires every passenger to provide proof of identification with a photo-id.

You will be required to provide either a state issued drivers license or a valid passport. You really do have many options to enjoy if planning on taking advantage of the variety of tours that are available.

Here are a few examples flightseeing options in Arizona

Take a tour from the small town of Page, Arizona, to the world famous Grand Canyon Airport on the South Rim.

These tours provide both spectacular views of the Grand Canyon as well as the history behind the canyon Some of these tours also include the option for you to stop in and experience the IMAX theatre while you are there.

Tours come in a wide variety of packages. You can go on a "short and sweet" air tour for a mere 20 minutes for under 100 dollars, a four-to-five hour airplane tour, or even an overnight tour, giving you the opportunity to witness a beautiful Grand Canyon sunset at the Grand Canyon Hotel which includes sightseeing the very next day.

I also discovered a four-to-five hour airplane tour in Arizona inclusive of not only a plane tour, but also a helicopter tour along with a boat cruise!

This particular air-tour was one of the more expensive tours in Arizona, which cost just shy of $400 per person, but it also included a helicopter ride and a boat tour, too. This specific tour includes a memorable air tour through the world famous Sedona area before heading north to the Grand Canyon, topped off with a delicious Barbeque meal!

Spring and Summer Concert Tours of 2008

2008-07-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

For any lover of music - whether it is rock and roll, hip hop, or country, or anything else under the sun, the spring and summer concert schedule of 2008 is set to blow your mind and give you a chance to see many different acts out there on the road. No matter where you live or where you'd like to travel to see shows, you'll be able to find plenty of great spring and summer concerts, and you'll be able to end the summer knowing you've seen the best that the music industry has to offer.
Rock Fans

No matter what time period of rock you are a fan of, you'll be able to find something to delight you this summer. Neil Diamond is on tour this year, starting in the late spring. So is Celine Dion. She starts her tour in the UK on May 2nd, and tours there for the majority of the summer. On August 15th, she begins the North American leg of the tour with two nights in Boston. Bon Jovi starts a tour in the US at the end of April, and is in the United States through the end of May. Starting in June, he will continue to tour in the UK for several dates.

Rod Stewart is also on tour this spring and summer, and will most definitely be coming to a tour destination near you. His tour begins in California at the end of July and goes through the end of August. The Police kick off an exciting and spectacular series of shows. They begin in Ontario on May 1st, and their shows run through the end of August. The Cure is also on tour, beginning in May and running through the end of June.

Jimmy Buffet is also on tour this spring and summer. His shows begin at the end of April, on the 22nd, and they run through the end of September. The Eagles currently have four shows planned in late May in Georgia. Also, Eric Clapton currently has 12 shows scheduled in May and June across the US and Canada. Elton John is playing several shows in Las Vegas during June of 2008.

Rock fans from a later generation will also be pleased to know that some newer acts are out there on the road as well. Projekt Revolution/Linkin Park kick off a summer tour, and continue to tour through the end of September.

Jack Johnson and Radiohead will have several tour dates planned for spring and Summer of 2008. Also, Dave Matthews Band is also touring this summer. They'll be hitting several major cities. They begin at the end of May, and the tour lasts through September.

John Mayer is set to launch his summer tour, starting July 2nd at Summerfest in Milwaukee. The tour runs through August as of now, and also has Colbie Caillat and Brett Dennen

Jonas Brothers "The Burning Up Tour" will begin in Toronto on July 4th. This is the first time that the Jonas Brothers have started a tour on their own, and they are hoping to have big crowds for their entire tour, which should last most of the summer.
R&B And Hip Hop Fans

Kanye West starts his tour at the end of April, in Los Angeles, and ends in Los Angeles again in June. Jay-Z and Mary J Blige are touring together in April and May. There are several tour dates listed for them, promoting Jay-Z's new album.
Country Music Fans

Kenny Chesney and Leeann Rimes tour this summer a well, with the Pirates and Poets Tour, starting in May and going on for most of the summer. Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, and Sugarland all have separate concert tours that are beginning in the spring and going through the summer months, across the North American continent, mostly in the United States. Rascal Flatts begins a tour in May, and has dates that run through October, all in North America.
Reunion Tours

It isn't only new bands that are on tour, or even bands that have been around awhile. This summer kicks off a great era in music tours, where bands that haven't been together in many years are coming back together and touring. For instance, New Kids On The Block kicks off a spring and summer tour in late spring, and this is one that should not be missed by any fans, new or old.

Poison is also touring this summer, starting late spring and hitting more than 40 cities along the way. They are going to be joined by Dokken and Sebastian Bach.

Stone Temple Pilots, after being off the seen for eight years, and after being apart for five years, will reunite for a tour of North America that will last for 65 cities. The tour is set to begin on May 17th in Ohio.
Major Tours

It isn't just single concerts that makes this summer amazing, either. The Lollapalooza event kicks off three days of great music - August 1-3, in Chicago's Grant Park. This even is headlined by Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, Wilco, and The Raconteurs.

You can also go to the Live, Raw & Uncut Tour, which is launching July 3rd at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. This tour runs through early September, hitting more than 40 stops along the way.

As a fan of any type of music, there are going to be plenty of chances for you to see your favorite artists, all across North America and even in Europe this summer. Keep your eyes open for tour dates and shows near you!

Walt Disney World Accommodation

2008-07-07T20:34:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to note that every Disney World theme park have its own special personality and character. Disney World's objective is not only to entertain their visitors and tourists but also make their stay and accommodation at Disney World as pleasant as possible so that these visitors will return for more visits as well as spreading by word of mouth about their wonderful Disney World vacations. Disney World understands that word of mouth advertisemnents from happy visitors is the best advertisement and it is free.

It is for this intent and purpose that Walt Disney World now has about twenty themed vacation resorts catering to all types of guests catering their accommodation preferences as well as for different traveling budgets.

Disney World resorts are roughly divided into 5 accommodation categories. They are the deluxe class, moderate resorts, value budget types, vacation resorts, and cabins/campgrounds in the wilderness for the more adventurous visitors.

There are about ten Deluxe Disney resorts in Disney World such as those in The Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, The Contemporary Resort, The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, The Polynesian Resort, Boardwalk Inn, The Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club Resort? There are also 2 deluxe class hotels such as Walt Disney World Swan and Walt Disney World Dolphin, however these hotels are not owned by Disney World.

Although some Disney resorts are rated as "moderate class", they are still far more luxurious than a ordinary hotel accommodation. Rooms in these so called moderate class resorts are very comfortable and spacious. These accomodations come with themed pools and hot tubs and full-service restaurants. The Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside Resort and Port Orleans French Quarter are the moderate Walt Disney World Resorts.

Disney World's so called value resorts offer value for money as being very affordable. These resort accommodations are built for families on smaller budgets but are also often used by tour companies for tourists traveling together in groups. Although the amenities can be considered as basic, all budget value resorts have themed swimming pools and inexpensive food courts. Accommodation at Disney value budget resorts can go as low as $80 per night. Imagine that!

These resorts are like service apartments where guests are provided with extra facilities and amenities such as a kitchen, multiple bedrooms and even valet parking thrown in. Prices can range from about $200 per night to more than $1,000 per night during peak holiday season. If you have money to burn, then you may wish to stay at The Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa or The Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

If you enjoy the great outdoors and are more adventurous, then Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness cabins and campsites are just meant for you. The Fort Wilderness campground is home to one of Disney's most popular dinner shows, the Hoop Dee Do Revue. Guests staying in Fort Wilderness can go for nature hike, horse riding, swim, and enjoy boating on Bay Lake.

So there will be shortage of accommodation to cater to your taste and budget when you visit Disney World.

A Guide to Blackpool Hotels

2008-07-07T20:33:00.002-07:00

Blackpool is the most famous holiday location in the UK. For decades families have packed their suitcases and headed off to stay in a hotel, visit the Pleasure Beach, play by the sand and experience a view along the coastline from up high in the Blackpool Tower. A major focal point of the city is the active tram network that is used today as much as it has been in years past.

Blackpool hotels can be found all the way along the coast, from peer to peer. Such is the popularity of Blackpool as a tourist attraction, it is fair to say there are more guest houses and apartments for tourists than there are for residents near the coast where all the attractions can be found. Many of the Blackpool guest houses look out over the illuminations which are another famous feature of the resort. This is an integrated light display including over 40,000 light bulbs which helps the tourists and locals understand they are in a truly magical place. This starts in August most years.

Choosing where to stay in Blackpool is no easy task, especially with so much on offer. Another issue can be that if you choose to stay in Blackpool during a busier time of year, you may have problems finding a place that is available unless you choose to plan it well in advance. That is also a great option if you wish to take advantage of many offers and discounts that become available if you are prepared.

When you are deciding where to stay in Blackpool an important thing to consider is what you intend to get out of your stay. Should you be looking to experience the true essence of Blackpool then you will most likely be looking to stay along the coastline where you will be within easy walking distance of the major attractions. A downside of that is that you may end up finding it slightly too busy and long for some calm instead.

If you are looking to stay in the Blackpool apartments, or hotels in Blackpool that are slightly out of the city then you will also have to consider the long walking distance that you may have to embark on to get you where you want to be. Despite this, you may enjoy the tram ride that is available with good regularity.

The Blackpool guest houses that are among the most popular also have entertainment and cabaret on in the evening, whilst others even have swimming pools and fitness centres inside. Whether you would like to stay in a hotel like this may depend on many factors, not least your budget and your preferences. The prices can fluctuate quite considerably, especially depending on the time of year, the location of the hotel and the facilities that are available inside it. In order to get to grips with the likely costs of a Blackpool holiday it is recommended that you go online and search for prices there, however don't forget to have enough money left over to have a great time when you are away

My Favorite Two Attractions At Disney Theme Parks

2008-07-07T20:33:00.001-07:00

My two favorite rides at Disney theme parks are "It's a Small World After All" and "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad". Both are popular attractions at Disneyland, Disney World, and the Disney parks in Paris and Tokyo.

"It's a Small World After All" made its debut at the 1964 New York World's Fair in the UNICEF pavilion and was designed as a message of international harmony by Walt Disney's team. It was transported to Disneyland in 1966, and located inside Fantasyland; it instantly became a highlight of the park.

In this ride, passengers get into boats outside the attraction and they are carried inside and moved along by a gentle current. They go through a series of rooms, each of which has dolls from different countries and cultures singing and moving to the catchy song. There is the Taj Mahal, Big Ben, and the Eifel Tower, among other global landmarks. I like trying to spot all the different countries and landmarks.

There are about 300 Audio-Animatronics figures from 100 different nations. They are simple and childlike with their repetitive movements and limited articulation. At the end of the ride, there are dolls from all the different nations singing "It's a Small World After All" together. To me, it is very appealing ending.

That song is the infectious kind that I can't get out of my mind. It was written by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman, who also wrote the songs for Mary Poppins. It is continually played in a soundtrack loop, about 4,800 times an operating day in Disney parks around the world. Just about all of us can't help singing along.

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears,

It's a world of hopes and a world of fears;

There's so much that we share,

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all,

It's a small world after all,

It's a small world after all,

It's a small, small world.

There is just one moon, and one golden sun,

And a smile means friendship to ev'ryone;

Though the mountains divide,

And the oceans are wide,

It's a small world after all.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, in Frontierland, is a relatively gentle roller-coaster geared towards adults and teens; it is more exciting to ride in the back of the train than the front. It was modeled after a runaway mining train in the Wild West, and opened in Disneyland in 1979 and in Disney World a year later. The track and queue design are different at each park, even though the theme is the same. There was a prolonged development phase for "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" in which they considered several "histories" for the mountain. Themes of gold fever and revengeful native American spirits were finally chosen for the ride.

In Disney World, the ride is about 3.5 minutes of hairpin turns and dark descents, and there are six trains which are nicknamed I.B. Hearty, I.M Brave, I.M. Fearless, U.B. Bold, U.R, Daring, and U.R. Courageous. I prefer this roller coaster to other ones because it is just exciting enough for me. You feel like you are falling, and go around corners quickly enough to be tossed from side to side.

There are 20 audio-animatronic figures including donkeys, chickens, possums, and the rainmaker in a now flooded mining town: Professor Cumulus Isobar. There is also antique mining equipment, falling rocks, an earthquake, and the smell of sulfur as you pass phosphorescent pools. In Disney World, you careen through a dinosaur's ribs, under a waterfall, past spewing geysers, and over a volcanic pool.

The lines are long but move fairly quickly. It is best to go during parades, or use a FASTPASS, or go late in the day (many people say it's even better after dark). Plan for at least 30 minutes of queuing at non-peak times, and an hour at peak times.

It is easy to see why "It's a Small World After All" and "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" are so popular. They both have appealing themes and lots of attention to detail. They are very different from each other but both are great examples of why Disney theme parks are so much fun. I never get tired of them

Hotels, Resorts, Timeshares – Which Best Suits Your Travel Needs?

2008-07-07T20:32:00.001-07:00

Where travelers settled after a long day wasn’t always that big a concern. Most were content as long as they had a bed and a shower. But times have changed and today’s travelers consider lodging just as important as the ultimate travel destination.

Fortunately, hotels and motels are no longer your only options. Now when you travel you can choose to spend your nights at big-chain hotels, budget motels, 5-star resorts, timeshares, guest houses, bed and breakfast inns, hostels and more. Here’s a closer look at the more popular travel lodging options.

Time for a Timeshare?

Timeshares offer travelers the best of both worlds. When you stay in a timeshare you get all the comforts of home even though you’re miles away from home. Fully-equipped kitchens, in-room washers and dryers, separate bedrooms, spacious accommodations, and lots of planned activities for children and adults are typical of most resort-style timeshare properties.

And where you once had to own a timeshare before you could trade it for other timeshare travel destinations, many properties have relaxed this requirement. So now even travelers who don’t own timeshares are taking full advantage of everything timeshares have to offer, including daily maid service!

The Old Favorites

Hotels and motels are still preferred by many and choosing is often driven by budget. Some travelers prefer to stick with familiar hotel chains. Others exchange accumulated credit card miles or rewards points so they lodge where their rewards programs allow. And of course, plenty of travelers still enjoy the bare basics found in many “mom-and-pop” motels.

Other Options

Hostels are popular among students and anyone looking for a “no-frills” adventure. Rates are cheap and accommodations stark, but generally are close to all the sights. Travelers looking for more intimate lodging often choose quaint bed-and-breakfast inns where they can snuggle up in front of a crackling fireplace with a favorite novel or companion.

If You Want to Avoid the Hassle

Don’t forget about the countless vacation packages tailored towards specific travel destinations. Vacation packages make travel planning easy because they include everything you need to make your trip a success: travel tickets, lodging, and even discounted or free attraction tickets.

You’ll find plenty of allinclusive vacation packages for practically any travel destination around the world, especially the more popular ones. If you’re on a budget, discount vacation packages are definitely worth investigating. You may not get a hotel with a glamorous view or granite countertops in the bathrooms but you’ll likely be near all the action. Just be sure to read the details so you know exactly what’s included in the vacation packages you’re considering.

There’s no doubt the Internet has made travel planning easier. So use it to learn everything you’d ever want to know – both good and bad – about the resorts, timeshares, hotels, Vacation Packages, and attraction tickets available at any travel destination you desire. And there’s no better place to start your search than right here at Vacation Packages To Go!

Have You Heard About Discount Vacation Packages?

2008-07-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

Anyone who thinks the days of getting something for nothing are over probably hasn’t yet taken advantage of discount vacation packages. Besides getting great deals on airfare, resorts, hotels, cruises, amusement tickets, attractions and more, you’ll find that many discount vacation packages sweeten the deal even more by including freebies.

Lots of free stuff!

What sort of freebies? Well, definitely not the kind you get from fast food restaurants, that’s for sure. The freebies being offered along with today’s discount vacation packages are items of real value. Free dinner tickets, free tickets to water parks, free amusement tickets to big-name places like bush gardens, and even free overnight stays at top-rated hotels and resorts in popular travel destinations are not unheard of.

If you know anything about the types of freebies listed above you know they can amount to a huge savings. If you’re unsure, go online and take a look at the regular admission price to bush gardens or any amusement park, golf course, or water parks in the area where you plan to travel. At the low end, tickets go for $30 and from there go up as high as $70 or more.

Savings galore!

Now consider what you’d pay to stay at top-rated hotels and resorts and the savings jump well over $100 – per night! And it’s rare to find regular-priced dinner tickets to those places that include entertainment along with a 4-course dinner for anything less than $50. But when they’re free, you pay nothing. Incredibly, as valuable as these items are, they’re the types of freebies being offered in conjunction with today’s discount vacation packages.

If you’ve taken time off from travel because you’re too busy, because you’re trying to save fuel, or because you think vacation packages are unaffordable, you have no idea the fun times you and your travel companions are missing out on. If you’re tired of saying no to vacation travel or if you need a quick escape to someplace relaxing where golfing, biking, fishing, sightseeing and all sorts of other leisurely activities are the norm, it’s time to check out the vacation packages – discount and otherwise – being offered to destinations all over the world.

Discount Vacation Packages are easy to find

The best part of all is that you don’t have go to further than your computer to find discount hotels, resorts, travel, amusement tickets, airfare and entire vacation packages. If you have a destination in mind, start searching for discount vacation packages to that area. If you know you’re in the mood for some serious golfing, search for golf discount vacation packages and choose the destination offering the best deal.

But if you’ve no idea where you want to travel or you don’t know whether you want to go biking, fishing or splashing at water parks, don’t worry. With a bit of creative cyberspace searching you’re practically guaranteed to find one or more vacation travel packages to suit your every need.
Deb is a travel and vacation expert who specializes in locating low-cost, fun-filled vacation packages. Click here to find your dream vacation. http://www.vacationpackagestogo.com

cool germany

2008-06-11T02:14:00.001-07:00

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany is a country in Central Europe. When driving in Germany, it can be a delight. The scenery is beautiful and the roads are well maintained. The Autobahn is the pinnacle of the German driving experience, perhaps the ultimate in driving altogether. Virtually all of the world's serious drivers have heard of it and longed to take their shot at conquering it. By the way, in Germany as in any other country on the European continent, cars travel on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. The national roads in Germany are called Bundesstraßen (federal road). These roadways have a yellow-orange background with black lettering. They are indicated with "B" followed by its number. Bundesstraßen are dotted with occasional traffic lights and intersections. Other main public roads are maintained by the Bundesländer (states), called Landesstraße (country road) or Staatsstraße (state road).
Hotelsdeutsche has thousands of hotels conveniently located for last minute travellers by road just in case you drop by four of Germany's major cities, Berlin, Frankfurt, Köln and Munich. Well, you can visit these sites below for last minute hotels:

some hotels in australia

2008-06-11T02:11:00.000-07:00

Ibis Hotels, Novotel Hotels, Quest Apartments, Radisson hotels are among the leading hotel chains and brands in Australia. They are known throughout the world for their quality, simplicity and value for money. If you visit Australia, don't forget to visit these hotels. Vacation to Australia could be a wonderful experience for you and your family! Also many folks use travelling as a means to expand their relationships, a place to romance and enjoy time together. The vigour and originality of the arts in Australia—literature, cinema, opera, music, painting, theatre, dance, and crafts—have achieved international recognition.

Ibis Hotels can be found in over 750 cities worldwide, from Mexico to London and Bangkok to Paris, with over 300 hotels in France. Their rooms are modern and spacious with internet connection, air conditioning and a variety of TV channels. Each hotel has a restaurant and also a 24 hour bar and provides parking facilities. When talk about Novotel Hotels, they are worldwide with over 280 in Europe alone. Double rooms, twin Rooms, suites and rooms for people with limited mobility are available to book with air conditioning, minibar and internet Wi-Fi wireless internet access. Many of the hotels provide business facilities and meeting rooms for corporate travellers.

Quest Apartments is Australasia's largest operator in the serviced apartment sector, with over 110 complexes for unique Australia apartment, New Zealand apartment and Fiji apartment accommodation. Apartments are spacious, modern and stylish. All studios and one bedroom apartments are semi-self contained, whilst the larger apartments offer full kitchen facilities. While for Radisson hotels, it is a worldwide chain of 435 hotels in over 61 countries. Many hotels feature up to date fitness centres and other recreational facilities. High-speed wireless Internet access is available. The hotels provide meeting and banquet facilities, in addition to online meeting and event planning tools.

travel in europe

2008-06-11T02:01:00.000-07:00

Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany, and of the province of Florence. It is the most populated city in Tuscany. Florence is also known as the cradle of Renaissance for its monuments, churches and buildings. The most popular and important sites in Florence include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. If you are planning a trip to the beautiful city of Florence, the best way is to visit Florence Hotels for reservations and accommodations. Florence hotels offer guests accommodations that will ensure an enjoyable vacation experience. I would love to visit Florence one day!!some of these places.Even I would love to visit Florence one day. Apart from Florence, I would also love to visit places like Istanbul and Barcelona. Istanbul is Europe's most populous city (the world's 4th largest city proper and 20th largest urban area) and Turkey's cultural and financial center. Istanbul is becoming increasingly colorful in terms of its rich social, cultural, and commercial activities. While world famous pop stars fill stadiums, activities like opera, ballet and theater continue throughout the year. During seasonal festivals, world famous orchestras, chorale ensembles, concerts and jazz legends can be found often playing to a full house. As for Barcelona, it is the capital and most populous city of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain. Here are the "don't miss" places to visit in Barcelona: * Catalunya Square * Ciutadella Park * Barcelona´s Cathedral * Collserola Tower * Colon´s monument * Espanya Square * Gothic quarter (Old city) * Holy Family (monument) * Montcada street (gothic quarter) * Montjüic * Spanish town (Poble espanyol) * Olimpic Port * Sacred heart (Church) * St. Jaume Square * Sta. Maria del Mar (Church) * Aquarium * Las Ramblas * National Theatre * Theatre Liceu * Theatre Auditorium If you are planning for vacations in Istanbul and Barcelona, don't forget to visit Istanbul hotels and Barcelona hotels for hotel reservations.

top 10 cities to enjoy your holidays

2008-06-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

Florence tops the list of World’s Best Cities for a second time this year and is joined again by some lovely perennials—Rome, New York, and Sydney. But this year, Travel + Leisure readers prove that they’re also intrepid and curious, giving high marks to far-flung cities like Beirut and Kathmandu.

Rank	Last Year	Name	2007 Score
1	4	Florence	87.09
2	3	Rome	86.15
3	2	Bangkok	86.11
4	1	Sydney	85.94
5	5	Chiang Mai, Thailand	85.62
6	8	Cape Town	85.39
7	n/a	Buenos Aires	85.03
8	6	New York	84.75
9	n/a	Beirut**	84.38
10	10	San Francisco	84.29

top 10 islands for visit

2008-06-11T01:58:00.000-07:00

Rank	Last Year	Name	2006 Score
1	1	Bali	88.48
2	4	Kauai	86.47
3	3	Maui	86.21
4	n/a	Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia	85.97
5	10	Mount Desert Island, Maine	84.90
6	n/a	Tasmania	84.88
7	9	Hawaii	84.72
8	n/a	Galápagos Islands	84.69
9	2	Santorini	84.17
10	n/a	Phuket, Thailand	84.06

Old favorites top this year’s lists for World’s Best Islands. Bali is ranked No. 1 for the fifth time and other classic choices also get top billing—Santorini and Kauai—as well as new more exotic, adventure-oriented locales such as Tasmania, Saba, and Borneo.

top 50 hotels in asia

2008-06-11T01:56:00.001-07:00

Rank	Last Year	Name	2006 Score
1	1	Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan	96.11
2	n/a	Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India	94.28
3	4	The Peninsula, Bangkok	94.03
4	5	Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay	93.59
5	2	Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India	93.50
6	15	Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa	93.18
7	6	The Oriental, Bangkok	92.40
8	n/a	Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India	91.79
9	3	Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand	91.72
10	10	The Peninsula, Hong Kong	91.06
11	11	Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand	89.89
12	n/a	Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong	89.89
13	18	Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand	89.67
14	12	Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore	89.04
15	9	Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India	88.94
16	19	Raffles Hotel, Singapore	88.62
17	n/a	Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong	88.62
18	24	St. Regis Hotel, Beijing	88.39
19	23	Ana Mandara Resort & Six Senses Spa, Nha Trang, Vietnam	88.33
20	14	The Sukhothai, Bangkok	87.88
21	n/a	InterContinental, Hong Kong	87.47
22	n/a	Peninsula Palace, Beijing	86.97
23	n/a	Four Seasons Hotel, Shanghai	86.88
24	21	Ritz-Carlton, Osaka	86.55
25	16	Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, Singapore	86.50
26	n/a	The Imperial, New Delhi	86.13
27	20	Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok	86.04
28	n/a	Grand Hyatt, Bali	85.83
29	n/a	Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai, Thailand	85.71
30	13	JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, Thailand	85.47
31	n/a	The Oriental, Singapore	85.34
32	n/a	Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur	85.34
33	22	Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia	85.31
34	n/a	Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai	84.75
35	n/a	Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore	84.48
36	n/a	Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Bangkok	84.37
37	25	Park Hyatt, Tokyo	84.11
38	n/a	Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong	84.10
39	n/a	Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei	83.96
40	n/a	Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi	83.95
41	n/a	Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia	83.94
42	n/a	Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok	83.93
43	n/a	Fullerton Hotel, Singapore	83.87
44	n/a	The Conrad, Hong Kong	83.84
45	n/a	Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai	83.82
46	n/a	JW Marriott Hotel, Bangkok	83.53
47	n/a	Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong	83.48
48	n/a	The Shilla, Seoul	83.43
49	n/a	Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India	83.43
50	n/a	Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur	83.30

top 100 hotels for stay in

2008-06-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

Top 100 Hotels Overall

Rank	Last Year	Name	2006 Score
1	2	Singita Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa	97.56
2	1	Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan	96.11
3	n/a	Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India	94.28
4	6	The Peninsula, Bangkok	94.03
5	8	Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay	93.59
6	3	Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India	93.50
7	53	Ritz-Carlton Bali Resort & Spa	93.18
8	46	Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland	92.86
9	11	The Oriental, Bangkok	92.40
10	n/a	Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India	91.79
11	4	Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand	91.72
12	20	Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hawaii	91.71
13	29	The Aerie, Malahat, Vancouver Island	91.67
14	n/a	Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest	91.57
15	99	Sooke Harbour House, Sooke, Vancouver Island	91.54
16	n/a	Waterloo House, Hamilton, Bermuda	91.45
17	n/a	Charlotte Inn, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard	91.25
18	5	Château Les Crayères, Reims, France	91.23
19	23	Halekulani, Honolulu, Oahu	91.21
20	27	The Peninsula, Hong Kong	91.06
21	98	Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Virginia	90.87
22	30	Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, Vancouver Island	90.83
23	n/a	Chief’s Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana	90.53
24	n/a	Mombo Camp, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana	90.39
25	n/a	Ritz-Carlton, Santiago, Chile	90.37
26	n/a	Four Seasons Resort, Carmelo, Uruguay	90.25
27	n/a	Ladera Resort, St. Lucia	90.24
28	17	La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico	90.20
29	n/a	Hotel Villa Cipriani, Asolo, Italy	90.18
30	n/a	Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires	90.12
31	n/a	Inn at Montchanin Village, Montchanin, Delaware	90.00
32	56	MalaMala Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa	90.00
33	40	Banyan Tree, Phuket, Thailand	89.89
34	n/a	Four Seasons Hotel, Hong Kong	89.89
35	18	Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara, Kenya	89.83
36	n/a	WaterColor Inn, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida	89.82
37	n/a	Four Seasons Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyoming	89.82
38	15	Huka Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand	89.78
39	n/a	Kirawira Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania	89.74
40	33	Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California	89.67
41	72	Amanpuri, Phuket, Thailand	89.67
42	n/a	La Colombe d’Or Hôtel, St.-Paul-de-Vence, France	89.66
43	36	Four Seasons Hotel, Prague	89.33
44	41	Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele, Lanai	89.31
45	n/a	Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa	89.25
46	n/a	Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo	89.24
47	37	Bauer Il Palazzo, Venice	89.23
48	10	Four Seasons Hotel, Istanbul	89.21
49	n/a	Buckland Manor Country House Hotel, Gloucestershire, England	89.14
50	16	The Point, Saranac Lake, New York	89.09
51	43	Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore	89.04
52	24	Cape Grace, Cape Town	89.01
53	n/a	Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, Gargnano, Italy	88.97
54	22	Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India	88.94
55	85	Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco, Peru	88.81
56	59	Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles	88.81
57	19	The Peninsula, Beverly Hills	88.75
58	9	Voyages Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia	88.68
59	57	The Peninsula, Chicago	88.66
60	84	Raffles Hotel, Singapore	88.62
61	n/a	Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong	88.62
62	n/a	Chobe Chilwero Lodge, Chobe National Park, Botswana	88.54
63	n/a	Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago	88.48
64	n/a	St. Regis Hotel, Beijing	88.39
65	n/a	Ana Mandara Resort & Six Senses Spa, Nha Trang, Vietnam	88.33
66	n/a	Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado	88.26
67	n/a	Villa Gallici, Aix-en-Provence, France	88.25
68	n/a	Villa San Michele, Fiesole, Italy	88.23
69	44	Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris	88.22
70	13	Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France	88.14
71	96	Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina	88.13
72	n/a	Le Vieux Logis, Trémolat, France	88.06
73	n/a	Royal Livingstone, Livingstone, Zambia	88.04
74	35	Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, Gold Beach, Oregon	88.03
75	48	The Sukhothai, Bangkok	87.88
76	n/a	Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland	87.86
77	50	Monmouth Plantation, Natchez, Mississippi	87.84
78	n/a	Four Seasons Hotel, Buenos Aires	87.81
79	100	Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado	87.78
80	n/a	Cliff House at Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs, Colorado	87.71
81	n/a	Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida	87.67
82	12	Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee	87.66
83	n/a	L’Auberge Carmel, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California	87.62
84	28	Palazzo Sasso, Ravello, Italy	87.55
85	n/a	InterContinental, Hong Kong	87.47
86	n/a	Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida	87.34
87	n/a	Château du Sureau & Spa, Oakhurst, California	87.33
88	n/a	Château Eza, Èze Village, France	87.33
89	94	The Ritz, Paris	87.27
90	n/a	Blancaneaux Lodge, Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize	87.27
91	38	Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea	87.24
92	n/a	Hotel Kämp, Helsinki	87.17
93	25	Hôtel de Paris, Monte Carlo	87.17
94	90	Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas	87.13
95	n/a	Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland	87.05
96	76	Auberge du Soleil, Spa du Soleil, Rutherford, California	87.04
97	n/a	Inn at Thorn Hill & Spa, Jackson, New Hampshire	87.00
97	34	Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sands, South Africa	87.00
99	n/a	Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Georgia	86.99
100	n/a	One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico	86.98

top 10 holiday detinations for year end.!!!!

2007-11-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

Top 10: Holiday Hit List in the Subcontinent

1. Luxury in a mud hut

What's new: In the middle of one of the country's most renowned tiger reserves, an exciting and innovative safari project has started. The Taj Hotel group has teamed up with wildlife experts CC Africa to produce a series of lodges offering beautifully devised eco-friendly accommodation combined with legendary Indian service. The first camp, Mahua Kothi, in the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, opened in November. It comprises 12 kutiyas, traditional-style jungle village huts with mud-coloured walls, open rafters and roofs of handmade tiles. Facilities include swimming pool and yoga amenities, but the surrounding jungle is the real draw. The area is rich in exotic birds, crested serpent eagles, blue flycatchers and more, while elephant-back safaris provide a wonderful means of searching for tigers and seeing langur monkeys, wild boar and herds of chital deer. A second camp recently opened in Pench National Park, with more to come in the Kanha, Corbett and Panna reserves.

The deal: Such style in the wilderness does not come cheap, but the hospitality provided here is second to none. Greaves Travel (0870 850 2497; greavesindia.com) offers a seven-night trip, taking in a visit to the 10th-century Khajuraho Temples and providing four game-viewing days at Mahua Kothi. The price of £2,999 per person, based on two sharing, includes flights from Heathrow to Delhi and onward flights to Khajuraho, all land transfers, all accommodation, all meals in the jungle, game drives and elephant-back safari.

2. Beach bums with style

What's new: On the Coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu, The Dune is a chic and eco-friendly beach hotel that opened last year. Very much reflecting the sense of innovation and style of modern India, it offers accommodation in 37 strikingly designed villas spread across 30 acres of palm-filled grounds. There's both a flavour of luxury and a commitment to green awareness here, particularly at the restaurant serving fusion food based on organic produce grown in the hotel's own garden. Other facilities include a raised freshwater swimming pool dramatically set on its own platform, an Ayurvedic spa, and free yoga sessions at 7am and 5pm. If you can tear yourself away, the charming old French colonial town of Pondicherry is just nine miles away.

The deal: The Dune, Pudukuppam, Keelputhupet (00 91 413 2655 751; thedune.org) offers garden bungalows, sleeping two and cooled by sea breezes rather than air-conditioning, from R3,300 (£40) per night. More sophisticated and expensive villas with air conditioning and swimming pools are available.

3. Quick route to the Punjab

What's new: Jet Airways' direct flight from Heathrow to Amritsar in the northern Punjab brings a number of big benefits. The glorious Golden Temple of Amritsar is now within easy reach, and the flight also opens up an area of the country that was previously difficult to reach. The old city of Amritsar, founded in the 16th century, is dominated by the golden dome of the Sikhs' holiest shrine. Despite the crowds, there's a wonderfully spiritual atmosphere, and true to the religion's tradition the shrine is open to all, regardless of belief. Meanwhile, within striking distance of Amritsar are the foothills of the Himalayas. Previously, travellers from the UK had to fly first to Delhi in order to reach this area, but places such as Rishikesh, the Kulu Valley and the Dalai Lama's settlement at Dharamsala have become far easier and quicker to travel to.

The deal: Jet Airways (0870 910 1000; jetairways.com) flies direct to Amritsar from Heathrow three times a week, outgoing on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; incoming to London on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Return fares in May start at about £500.

4. Celebrate by moonlight

What's new: The princely city of Jodhpur sees a different sort of glitzy action in October, with the launch of a new folk festival. The enormous Mehrangarh Fort, dating from the 15th century and perched dramatically above the old blue town, will be the venue for a great gathering of singers, dancers, drummers and more from a good 15 Rajasthani communities. This will be a celebration of both past and future: as well as offering performances of traditional music and dance, the festival will be showcasing new sounds and acts. Timed to coincide with the October full moon, the event looks set to be a vibrant riot of colour.

The deal: The Jodhpur Rajasthan International Folk Festival (jodhpurfolkfestival.org) runs from 25-29 October. Exsus Travel (020-7292 5050; exsus.com) can tailormake packages to take in the festival. For example, a week in Rajasthan during October costs £1,980 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from Heathrow to Delhi and onward air travel to Jodhpur, four nights' accommodation at the magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace; private car to Jaipur and three nights at the Samode Haveli hotel, private car to Delhi and two nights at the Imperial Hotel.

5. Hop across to the islands

What's new: The isolated Andaman Islands, 620 miles east of Tamil Nadu, are rapidly gaining the status of hottest "new" discovery in the country. Lying closer to Burma than India, the archipelago became a remote penal settlement during British colonial rule, but the idyllic coral islands are now drawing a very different sort of visitor. With hotel facilities still fairly limited, this is very much a hippie-chic destination, and a haven for divers and snorkellers. Havelock Island, a three-hour boat ride from the small capital of Port Blair, offers particularly clear waters of an almost implausible shade of turquoise. The pristine coral reefs here support an extraordinarily vibrant range of marine life, from sharks to myriad angelfish, while further out the seas are home to shy dugong and sea turtle. The island itself offers a small choice of eco-friendly bamboo-hut resorts.

The deal: Colours of India (020-8343 3446; partnershiptravel.co.uk) offers a 14-day "Andaman Escape" package from £1,858 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from Heathrow to Chennai (via Mumbai) and onward to Port Blair, speedboat transfers and all accommodation on a b&b basis: one night in Chennai, nine nights at the Silversands Resort on Havelock Island and two nights at the Fortune Resort in Port Blair.

6. The ultimate adventure

What's new: Remote and starkly majestic, Ladakh is one of the India's least visited areas. Its haunting and challenging landscape is criss-crossed by ancient footpaths that offer breathtaking views over dramatic hills and valleys, and pass through unspoilt, well-weathered villages. Exodus has devised a new and spectacular winter trek in this far-flung region on which you walk along the frozen Zanskar River, a route used by the local people for whom it is the only access to the outside world. The trail from the appropriately named town of Chiling to the isolated village of Lingshed passes through icy gorges, takes in great frozen waterfalls and skirts towering ice peaks.

The deal: Exodus Travels (0870 950 0039; exodus.co.uk) offers this two-week holiday from £1,719 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from London to Delhi, five nights in hotels in Delhi and the Ladakh capital Leh, nine nights' camping in caves, all main meals except in Delhi, and trekking guidance.

7. Take a trip through history

What's new: This year is both the 60th anniversary of India's independence from Britain and the 150th anniversary of the Indian mutiny. Indus Tours is commemorating both events with a new historical trip in November. Led by Dr Peter Liddle of the Second World War Experience in Leeds, the tour takes in siege and battlefield sites of both the mutiny and the Second World War and also aims to give an insight into Anglo-Indian culture and life. You start in Delhi, with a tour of the city's mutiny sights, and move on to Imphal and Kohima to see the famous Second World War cemeteries and reflect on the battles of 1944 when British and Indian troops confronted the Japanese. Anglo-Indian life is then explored in the tea country of Assam (where you also visit the Kaziranga National Park to see rare one-horned rhino) and Darjeeling. The trip finishes with a tour of colonial Calcutta.

The deal: Indus Tours (020-8901 7320; indus tours.co.uk) is offering the 15-day trip from £1,885 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from Heathrow to Delhi and return from Calcutta, internal transfers by plane and private coach, all accommodation, most meals, entry fees and guidance.

8. Under canvas up a mountain

What's new: A luxury camp opens to independent travellers in the mountain wilderness of Uttaranchal in October. 360š Leti is in a breathtaking and remote location at about 8,000ft and lies about an hour's walk from the nearest road at the small village of Leti. The design of the four cottages and main lodge is chic as well as eco-friendly, and gives local building traditions a contemporary twist. This a place in which to relax, take day walks and feast on excellent meals cooked by the resident Tibetan chef, Yeshi.

The deal: In October, Cazenove+Loyd (020-7384 2332; cazloyd.com) offers a week in India, including five nights at 360š Leti. It costs from £2,039 per person, based on two sharing, and includes flights from Heathrow to Delhi, one night's b&b at the Imperial Hotel, transfer by overnight train and then car to the village of Leti, full-board at 360š Leti, with an option of a cookery lesson with Yeshi.

9. The best River cruise: Hang out on the Hooghly

This summer, seven-day cruises in elegant, steamer-style ships start on the River Hooghly between Calcutta and Farakka, allowing scope for seeing temples, rural life and colonial architecture. The cruises operate in July and August only. Coromandel (01572 821330; coromandelabt. com) offers a 14-day "Hills and Hooghly" tour from £2,675 per person, based on two sharing, including flights, transfers, all accommodation, most meals, cruise, and tour of Calcutta.

10. The best Mountain trek: Meet the village people

A charming local trekking enterprise was launched in October in the Kumaon region of the Himalayan foothills, where villages in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary have devised a community tourism business. Village Ways (0845 0343 399; villageways.com) offers a 12-night Culinary Ways and Culture holiday in November from £678 per person, including transfers and all meals. International travel arranged separately.

best cruises...

2007-11-08T02:10:00.000-08:00

Romance and cruising would seem to go hand in hand, particularly if you've spotted any of the cruise lines' glossy magazine advertisements: photos of couples admiring the bow at sunset, or sipping orange juice on their private verandah in terry clothes robes, or even -- and this one we have a hard time believing -- spending time alone on a deserted beach with their mega-ship anchored in the background.

Advertisements notwithstanding, however, cruising can be one of the most romantic vacation options, but often it's the tangibles -- onboard ambiance and lifestyle -- that are more likely to contribute to the feeling of "amore" than an occasional sunset. Choosing the right cruise line and, even more specifically, the right ship within the fleet, can be a big challenge.

In researching our top picks, we primarily called on our own experiences of romantic voyages. Whether your definition of romantic is a party-all-night ship or ultimate pampering and luxury, you'll identify with the criteria we have used in evaluating the best choices. For instance? A cozy cabin with a great bathroom -- and a private verandah -- is an absolute necessity. We prefer dining a deux (or at least the option to eat when and with whom we choose). Lounges with soft lighting are nice. And one more? Almost-private open-deck spaces for star gazing.

Princess Cruises

Best Ships: Crown Princess, Emerald Princess

Why: While we like any of Princess' Grand Class vessels for their blend of big ship options and small ship cozy, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, the fleet's newest, offer some first-time-ever features.

Stay Here: Both boast the line's traditionally high percentage of suites and mini-suites (which means booking a bigger cabin may not be too much of a splurge). The "piece de resistance" is the Grand Suite, which features separate sitting area, balcony that stretches between living room and bedroom, and a fabulous whirlpool tub. But even the standard mini-suite is charming and comfortable.

Out on Deck: What could be more romantic than a night at "Movies Under the Stars," a retro drive-in where you recline on padded loungers (you can snuggle under the wool tartan blankets)? During the day we love The Sanctuary. A completely new invention, The Sanctuary is a (mostly) shaded zen-like retreat, complete with waiter service, spa menu and massage services (a couples' massage is available).

Indoor Romance: Check out the spa's couple's Rasul room (it's a mud room with steam -- and it's more fun than it sounds!). Adagio, a new concept lounge featuring a cabaret singer, is lovely and private -- way up on one of the top decks.

Dining: Open-seating (as well as traditional) dining is available. But the most romantic option -- and unique to cruising -- is the Ultimate Balcony Dining dinner experience. For $100 per couple, cruisers are treated to a lobster dinner with champagne and course-by-course service. Only caveat: Your cabin must have a balcony. We also love the ship's two specialty restaurants. Request a banquette at Crown Grill, a steak and seafood restaurant with an open grill; Sabatini's, the line's Italian eatery, should not be missed. Another favorite is Vines, the ship's wine and sushi bar.

Downside? While the ship's deluxe mini-suites are lovely and comfortable, the all-open-air balconies (applies to any cabin on Dolphin deck) are anything but private.

Special Events: All of the Grand class ships are premier options for onboard weddings. Both have dedicated wedding chapels and captains empowered to perform ceremonies -- and friends at home can watch live via Web cams!

Crystal Cruises

Best Ship: Crystal Serenity

Why: In general, Crystal is the best choice for folks who want big-ship features and small-ship luxury. In particular, while this newer ship offers many of the same features as Crystal Symphony does, the penthouse suites, the most romantic accommodations, are more plentiful.

Stay Here: The aforementioned penthouse suites, which come in three categories. All have verandahs, butler service and marble baths with Jacuzzi tubs (not to mention state-of-the-art tech toys), and are roomy enough for in-room massages. Another plus? Passengers in these staterooms can order off the menu from Crystal Serenity's fabulous specialty restaurants.

Out on Deck: Head for any of the terraced decks on the back of the ship.

Indoor Romance: Head for a private corner of the Sunset Bar (at the forward end of the Palm Court) -- it's a great spot for sunset-watching. We also love the clubby-pubby Avenue Saloon.

Dining: Try any (or all) of Crystal Serenity's specialty restaurants, such as the Northern Italian Prego and the Asian Silk Road. Or indulge in course-by-course room service on your verandah.

Downside: Crystal still maintains a set-time, assigned-tablemates scheme in its main dining rooms.

Special Events: No weddings but the ship does offer vow renewals.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Best Ships: Pride of Hawaii, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl

Why: First and foremost, NCL's "Freestyle Dining" philosophy (passengers can dine without the hassle of assigned times and tablemates at a variety of restaurants) is perfectly suited to table-for-two travelers. A close second are the ships' Courtyard Villas. The relatively new concept (and, as such, only found on NCL's newest ships) is aimed at creating a small, boutique-style hotel within the framework of a larger resort. The villas are located away from the so-called fray -- and offer a host of special perks, from access to a fabulous Asian-inspired pool area (complete with Balinese bed and hot tub) to suite-holders-only breakfast and lunch at Cagney's.

Stay Here: The aforementioned Courtyard Villas feature separate living and sleeping rooms (there's the master bedroom and also a smaller, window-less room with bunks), flat screen television, butler service and, the best part: a swishy bathroom whose whirlpool tub is set into a picture window alcove.

Indoor Romance: Try dinner at Cagney's, the ship's steakhouse and Le Bistro, a French eatery; for drinks, the Star Bar (Pride of Hawaii) and the Plantation Club (Norwegian Jewel) are tops.

Onshore: Itinerary-wise, Pride of Hawaii wins hands down. What is more romantic than Hawaii?

SeaDream Yacht Club

Best Ship: Either of its two nearly identical 4,260-ton, 110-passenger yachts (SeaDream I and SeaDream II)

Why: These ships win top romantic honors for sophisticated couples who want luxury (phenomenal dining and great service) amidst a casual ambiance. The ships are gorgeously restored; dining is all as-you-wish; cabins, though cozy, are outfitted with state-of-the-art accouterments; and last but by no means least, service is outstanding, personable, attentive ... and subtle. They're all-inclusive, too, which means tips and all drinks (not to mention unlimited caviar) are included in your fare.

Stay Here: There are only three types of stateroom. The most romantic is, of course, the owner's suite (with a fabulous windowed bathroom). The Commodore Club suite is basically two standard cabins put together -- we actually preferred our standard accommodations. These 195-square-ft. staterooms feature separate seating areas and bedrooms, with a small but exquisitely outfitted bathroom (huge shower-for-two with three shower heads). Add to that fine linens and great mattresses on the bed, high-tech flat-screen televisions, DVD and MP3 players, and plenty of storage space.

Out on Deck: Our favorite place for sunset-timed port departures was on one of the Balinese beds on the top-most deck -- tucked around the smokestack, they are built just a bit above the deck railing, which gives you a sense of floating above the water. We also loved the Top of the Yacht bar.

Dining: There are two primary venues. The Main Dining Salon (indoors) feels like a restaurant at an elegant, small boutique hotel. But our favorite spot was the Topside Restaurant, and most meals, from breakfast to dinner, were offered here; it's an open-sided outdoor eatery (covered, though, so shaded) and there are a handful of wonderful and private nooks.

Downside? There are no cabins with balconies (but the open decks were so expansive and there were so many lovely nooks that we never missed it).

Carnival Cruise Line

Best Ships: Spirit-class vessels, including Carnival Pride, Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle

Why: At 88,500 tons and with 2,124 passenger capacities, these ships are big enough to offer plenty of onboard variety -- but not so huge that they feel impersonal. Plus, because these ships have a high balcony ratio, it's easy -- and not at all expensive -- to nab a cabin with your own verandah. The ships are, for the exuberantly-designed Carnival, the fleet's most elegant, featuring an Art Deco scheme.

Stay Here: If you're splurging, the "penthouse suite" comes with a huge balcony and elaborate bathroom. The more affordable standard verandah cabins are pleasant, though.

Out on Deck: Go forward on Atlantic deck to the enclosed portion of the ship's exterior promenade.

Indoor Romance: Try a couples' massage at Spa Carnival. The foyer lounge and the cigar bar are the most intimate drink spots.

Dining: Bypass Carnival's assigned dining scheme at its main restaurants and head to the Spirit-class ships' reservations-only supper clubs.

Special Events: Spirit-class ships have wedding chapels (though captains are not allowed to perform ceremonies), and staffers will help arrange weddings and vow renewals.

2007-11-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

stay healthy while travelling in europe.......

Just as you'd give your car a good checkup before a long journey, it's smart to meet with your doctor before your trip. Get a general checkup and ask for advice on maintaining your health on the road. Obtain recommended immunizations and discuss proper care for any preexisting medical conditions while traveling. Bring along a letter from your doctor describing any special health problems and a copy of any pertinent prescriptions. If you have any heart concerns, pack a copy of a recent EKG.
Travel-medicine specialists: While I consider Europe as safe as the US, those traveling to more exotic destinations should consult a travel-medicine physician. Only these specialists keep entirely up-to-date on health conditions for travelers around the world. Tell the doctor about every place you plan to visit and anyplace you may go. Then you can have the flexibility to take that impulsive swing through Turkey or Morocco knowing that you're prepared medically and have the required shots. Ask the doctor about Havrix (a vaccine that protects against hepatitis A — see www.havrix.com), Twinrix (protects against both hepatitis A and B — see www.twinrix.com), antidiarrheal medicines, and any extra precautions. The Centers for Disease Control offers updated information on every country (www.cdc.gov/travel).
Dental checkup: Get a dental checkup well before your trip. (If you get a crown right before you leave, it's timed to fall out on the plane.) Emergency dental care during your trip is time- and money-consuming, and can be hazardous and painful. I once had a tooth crowned by a German dentist who knew only one word in English, which he used in question form — "Pain?"
Traveling Healthy
Europe is generally safe. All the talk of treating water with purification tablets is applicable only south and east of Europe. Using discretion and common sense, I eat and drink whatever I like in Europe. As our world becomes more chemical, reasons for concern and caution will increase on both sides of the Atlantic.
I was able to stay healthy throughout a six-week trip traveling from Europe to India. By following these basic guidelines, I never once suffered from Tehran Tummy or Delhi Belly.
Eat nutritiously. The longer your trip, the more you'll be affected by an inadequate diet. Budget travelers often eat more carbohydrates and less protein to stretch their travel dollar. This is the root of many nutritional problems. Protein helps you resist infection and rebuilds muscles. Get the most nutritional mileage from your protein by eating it with the day's largest meal (in the presence of all those essential amino acids). Supplemental super-vitamins, taken regularly, help me to at least feel healthy. If you have a serious dietary restriction, have a multilingual friend write it in the local language on the back of a business card and use it to order in restaurants.
Use good judgment. Avoid unhealthy-looking restaurants. Meat should be well cooked and, in some places, avoided altogether. Have "well done" written on a piece of paper in the local language and use it when ordering. Pre-prepared foods gather germs (a common cause of diarrhea). Outside of Europe, be especially cautious. When in serious doubt, eat only thick-skinned fruit...peeled.
Keep clean. Wash your hands often, keep your nails clean, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Practice safe sex. Sexually transmitted diseases are widespread. Obviously, the best way to prevent acquiring an STD is to avoid exposure. Condoms (readily available at pharmacies and from rest-room vending machines) are fairly effective in preventing transmission. AIDS is also a risk, especially among prostitutes.
Exercise. Physically, travel is great living — healthy food, lots of activity, fresh air, and all those stairs! If you're a couch potato, try to get in shape before your trip by taking long walks. To keep in shape, you may want to work out during your trip. Jogging, while not as widespread in Europe as it is in the US, is not considered weird. Traveling joggers can enjoy Europe from a special perspective — at dawn. Swimmers will find that Europe has plenty of good, inexpensive public swimming pools. Whatever your racket, if you want to badly enough, you'll find ways to keep in practice as you travel. Most big-city private tennis and swim clubs welcome foreign guests for a small fee, which is a good way to make friends as well as stay fit.
Give yourself psychological pep talks. Europe can do to certain travelers what southern France did to Vincent van Gogh. Romantics can get the sensory bends, patriots can get their flags burned, and anyone can suffer from culture shock.
Europe is crowded, smoky, and not particularly impressed by America or Americans. It will challenge givens that you always assumed were above the test of reason, and most of Europe on the street doesn't really care that much about what you, the historical and cultural pilgrim, have waited so long to see.
Take a break: a long, dark, air-conditioned trip back to California in a movie theater; a pleasant sit in an American embassy reading room surrounded by eagles, photos of presidents, Time magazines, and other Yankees; or a visit to the lobby of a world-class hotel, where any hint of the local culture has been lost under a big-business bucket of intercontinental whitewash. It can do wonders to refresh the struggling traveler's spirit.
European Water
I drink European tap water and any water served in restaurants. Read signs carefully, however: Some taps, including those on trains and airplanes, are not for drinking. If there's any hint of nonpotability — a decal showing a glass with a red "X" over it, or a skull and crossbones — don't drink it. Many fountains in German-speaking countries are for drinking, but others are just for show. Look for Trinkwasser ("drinking water") or Kein Trinkwasser ("not drinking water").
The water (or, just as likely, the general stress of travel on your immune system) may, sooner or later, make you sick. It's not necessarily dirty. The bacteria in European water are different from those in American water. Our bodily systems — raised proudly on bread that rips in a straight line — are the most pampered on earth. We are capable of handling American bacteria with no problem at all, but some people can go to London and get sick. Some French people visit Boston and get sick. Some Americans travel around the world, eating and drinking everything in sight, and don't get sick, while others spend weeks on the toilet. It all depends on the person.
East of Bulgaria and south of the Mediterranean, do not drink untreated water. Water can be treated by boiling it for 10 minutes or by using purifying tablets or a filter. Bottled water, beer, wine, boiled coffee and tea, and bottled soft drinks are safe as long as you skip the ice cubes. Coca-Cola products are as safe in Syria as they are at home.
Pharmacies and Doctors
Throughout Europe, people with a health problem go first to the local pharmacy, not to their doctor. European pharmacists diagnose and prescribe remedies for most simple problems. They are usually friendly and speak English, and some medications that are by prescription only in the US are available over the counter (and surprisingly cheap) in Europe. If necessary, the pharmacist will send you to a doctor or the local health clinic.
A visit to a clinic (or the emergency drop-in section of a hospital), while time-consuming, is actually an interesting travel experience. You'll sign in with the receptionist and answer a few questions, take a seat, and eventually meet your nurse or doctor. Every year I end up in a European clinic for one reason or another, and every time I'm impressed by the efficiency, effectiveness, and price. (Visits to the doctor at the neighborhood clinic are generally free — even for a traveler.)
If you're sick in your hotel and would rather not go out, the hotel receptionist can generally call a doctor who will make a house call. In this case, you'll be diagnosed, billed, and required to pay on the spot. Prescription in hand, you'll trudge off to the local 24-hour pharmacy, pick up the necessary medicine, and be on the mend pronto.
For traveling beyond Europe, getting an English-speaking and Western-trained doctor is a reasonable concern. In that case, consider joining IAMAT, the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. You'll get a list of English-speaking doctors in member countries who charge affordable, standardized fees for medical visits (membership is free but a donation is requested, www.iamat.org, tel. 519/836-0102). Those needing IAMAT-type services, but who don't have a membership, can get referrals for medical help from other agencies that deal with Americans on the road (such as embassies, consulates, tourist offices, large hotels, and American Express offices).

2007-11-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

What to Pack while travelling to europe.....
Shirts. Bring up to five short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts in a cotton/polyester blend. Arrange mix according to season.
Sweater or Lightweight Fleece. Warm and dark is best — for layering and dressing up. Dark colors don't show wrinkles or stains.
Pants. Bring two pairs: one lightweight cotton and another super-lightweight for hot and muggy big cities and churches with modest dress codes. Jeans can be too hot for summer travel. Linen is great. Many like lightweight pants/shorts with zip-off legs. Button-down wallet pockets are safest (though still not as thief-proof as a money belt, described below).
Shorts. Take a pair with pockets — doubles as a swimsuit for men.
Swimsuit. Especially for women.
Underwear and socks. Bring five sets (lighter dries quicker).
One pair of shoes. Take a well-used, light, and cool pair, with Vibram-type soles and good traction. My wife and I like shoes by Ecco. Sturdy, low-profile tennis shoes with a good tread are fine, too. (Some people bring along an extra pair of sandals in case the shoes get wet.) For winter travel, bring heavy shoes (for warmth and to stay dry).
Jacket. Bring a light and water-resistant windbreaker that has a hood. Gore-Tex is good if you expect rain. For summer travel, I wing it without rain gear — but always pack for rain in Britain and Ireland.
Tie or scarf. For instant respectability, bring anything lightweight that can break the monotony and make you look snazzy.
*Money belt. It's essential for the peace of mind it brings. You could lose everything except your money belt, and the trip could still go on. Lightweight and low-profile beige is best.
Money. Bring your preferred mix of a credit card, debit card, an emergency stash of hard cash, and a couple of personal checks. I rely on a debit card for ATM withdrawals, a credit card, and $400 in cash as a backup.
Documents and photocopies. Bring your passport, airline ticket, railpass or car-rental voucher, driver's license, student ID, hostel card, and so on. Photocopies and a couple of passport-type photos can help you get replacements more quickly if the originals are lost or stolen. Carry photocopies separately in your luggage and keep the originals in your money belt. In your luggage, you'll also want to pack a careful record of all reservations (bring the hotels' written confirmations), along with a trip calendar page to keep things up-to-date as your trip evolves.
*Small daypack. This is great for carrying your sweater, camera, literature, and picnic goodies while you leave your large bag at the hotel or train station. Fanny packs (small bags with thief-friendly zippers on a belt) are a popular alternative, but are magnets for pickpockets and should never be used as money belts.
Camera. A digital camera and a high-capacity memory card mean no more bulky bags of film. A mini-tripod allows you to take crisp shots in low light with no flash.
Water bottle. The plastic half-liter mineral water bottles sold throughout Europe are reusable and work great. If you bring one from home, make sure it's empty before you go through airport security.
Wristwatch. A built-in alarm is handy. Otherwise, pack a small *travel alarm clock. Cheap-hotel wake-up calls are particularly unreliable.
Earplugs. If night noises bother you, you'll love a good set of expandable foam plugs.
First-aid kit.
Medicine and vitamins. Keep medicine in original containers, if possible, with legible prescriptions.
Extra eyeglasses, contact lenses, and prescriptions. Contact solutions are widely available in Europe. Because of dust and smog, many travelers find their contacts aren't as comfortable in Europe. Bring your glasses just in case.
Sunscreen and sunglasses. Depending on the season and your destination.
*Toiletries kit. Sinks in cheap hotels come with meager countertop space and anonymous hairs. If you have a nylon toiletries kit that can hang on a hook or a towel bar, this is no problem. Put all squeeze bottles in sealable plastic baggies, since pressure changes in flight can cause even good bottles to leak. (If you plan to carry on your bag, all liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers, and all of these items must fit within a single, quart-size sealable plastic baggie.) Consider a vacation from cosmetics. Bring a little toilet paper or tissue packets (sold at all newsstands in Europe). Fingernail clippers and tweezers (for retrieving lost bank cards) are also handy. My Sonicare electric toothbrush holds a charge from home for 30 one-minute brushes.
Sealable plastic baggies. Get a variety of sizes. In addition to holding your carry-on liquids, they're ideal for packing leftover picnic food, containing wetness, and bagging potential leaks before they happen. The two-gallon jumbo size is handy for packing clothing. Bring extras for the flight home, as they can be hard to find in Europe.
*Soap. Not all hotels provide soap. A plastic squeeze bottle of concentrated, multipurpose, biodegradable liquid soap is handy for laundry and more. In the interest of traveling friendlier to our environment, I never use the hotel bathroom "itsy-bitsies," preferring my own bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
*Clothesline. Hang it up in your hotel room to dry your clothes. The handy twisted-rubber type needs no clothespins.
*Small towel. You'll find bath towels at all fancy and moderately priced hotels, and most cheap ones. Although $50-a-day travelers will often need to bring their own towel, $100-a-day folks won't. I bring a thin hand towel for the occasional need. Washcloths are rare in Europe. While I don't use them, many travelers recommend *quick-drying synthetic towels.
Sewing kit. Clothes age rapidly while traveling. Take along a few safety pins and buttons.
*Travel information. Rip out appropriate chapters from guidebooks and staple them together. When you're done, give them away.
*Map. Get a map best suited to your trip's overall needs, then pick up maps for specific local areas as you go.
Address list. A list of email and mailing addresses will help you keep in touch. You can send mass emails as you go (bring a shrunk-down print-out of your email address book in case you can't access it online). Or if you prefer to send postcards, consider printing your mail list onto a sheet of adhesive address labels before you leave. You'll know exactly who you've written to, and the labels will be perfectly legible.
Postcards from home and photos of your family. A small collection of show-and-tell pictures is always a great conversation piece with Europeans you meet.
Small notepad and pen. A tiny notepad in your back pocket is a great organizer, reminder, and communication aid (for sale in European stationery stores).
*Journal. An empty book to be filled with the experiences of your trip will be your most treasured souvenir. Attach a photocopied calendar page of your itinerary. Use a hardbound type designed to last a lifetime, rather than a spiral notebook. The rugged, black, and simple Moleskine notebooks have a cult following among travel writers.
Optional Bring-Alongs
Picnic supplies. Bring or buy a small tablecloth to give your meal some extra class (and to wipe the knife on), salt and pepper, a cup, a *spoon, a washcloth (to dampen and store in a baggie for cleaning up), and a Swiss Army–type knife with a corkscrew and can opener (or buy the knife in Europe if you want to carry your luggage on the plane). A plastic plate is handy for picnic dinners in your hotel room.
*Packing cubes. These see-through, zip-up mesh containers keep your clothes tightly packed and well-organized.
*Clothes compressor. This handy invention — I like the one by Pack-Mate — allows you to pack bulky clothes (such as sweaters and jackets) without taking up too much space or creating wrinkles. Simply put the item in the bag, roll it up to force the air out through the one-way nozzles, and pack it away.
Nightshirt. Especially for women.
Light warm-up suit. Use for pajamas, evening lounge outfit, instant modest street wear, smuggling things, and "going" down the hall.
Spot remover. Bring Shout wipes or a dab of Goop grease remover in a small plastic container.
Sandals or flip-flops.
Slippers. On winter trips, I bring comfy slippers with leather bottoms — great for the flight and for getting cozy in my hotel room.
*Inflatable pillow (or "neck rest"). For snoozing in planes, trains, and automobiles. Many travelers also swear by an *eye mask for blocking out early-rising or late-setting sun.
Pillowcase. It's cleaner and possibly more comfortable to stuff your own.
Hair drier. People with long or thick hair appreciate a travel hair drier in the off-season, when hair takes a long time to dry and it's cold outside. These are generally provided in $100-plus hotel rooms.
*Hostel sheet. Hostels require one. Bring one along (choose silk or cotton), or rent a sheet at hostels for about $4 per stay. It doubles as a beach or picnic blanket, comes in handy on overnight train rides, shields you from dirty blankets in mountain huts, and will save you money in other dorm-type accommodations, which often charge extra for linen or don't provide it at all.
*Tiny lock. Use it to lock your backpack zippers shut. Note that if you check your bag on a flight, the lock may be broken to allow the bag to be inspected. You can improve the odds of your lock's survival by buying one approved by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration, the agency responsible for airport security). While you'll unlock the TSA-approved lock with a combination, security agents will be able to open the lock without damaging it by using a special master key.
*Small flashlight. Handy for reading under the sheets after "lights out" in the hostel, late-night trips down the hall, exploring castle dungeons, and hypnotizing street thieves. Tiny-but-powerful LED flashlights — about the size of your little finger — are extremely bright, compact, and lightweight.
MP3/video player, CD player, or radio. Partners can bring a Y-jack for two sets of earphones. Some travelers use digital recorders to capture pipe organs, tours, or journal entries. A small, portable radio adds a new dimension to your experience.
*Adapters. Electrical plugs.
Stronger light bulbs. You can buy these in Europe to give your cheap hotel room more brightness than the 40-watt norm.
Office supplies. Bring paper, an envelope of envelopes, and some sticky notes (such as Post-Its) to keep your place in your guidebook.
Small roll of duct tape.
Mailing tube. Great for art lovers, this protects the posters and prints you buy along your trip. You can trim it to fit inside your backpack (though this obviously limits the dimensions of the posters you can carry).
A good paperback. There's plenty of empty time on a trip to either be bored or enjoy some good reading. If you're desperate, popular English-language paperbacks are often available in European airports and major train stations (usually for far more than their North American price).
Insect repellent. Especially for France and Italy.
*Collapsible umbrella. I like one that's small and compact, but still sturdy and well-constructed enough to withstand strong winds.
Poncho. Hard-core vagabonds use a poncho — more versatile than a tarp — as protection in a rainstorm, a ground cloth for sleeping, or a beach or picnic blanket.
Gifts. Local hosts appreciate small souvenirs from your hometown (gourmet candy or crafts). Local kids love T-shirts and small toys.

2007-11-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

Tips on Eating in Europe
Very often, Europeans think "vegetarian" means "no red meat" or "not much meat." If you are a strict vegetarian, you'll have to make things very clear. Write the appropriate phrase, keep it handy, and show it to each waiter before ordering your meal.
For inexpensive Italian eateries, look for the term osteria, tavola calda, rosticceria, trattoria, pizzeria, or "self-service." A meal-sized pizza (sold everywhere for under $7) and a cold beer is my idea of a good, fast, cheap Italian dinner. For a stand-up super bargain meal, look for a Pizza Rustica shop, which sells pizza by weight. Just point to the best-looking pizza and tell them how much you want (200 grams is a filling meal). They weigh, you pay. They heat it, you eat it.
University cafeterias (often closed during summer holidays) offer a surefire way to meet educated English-speaking young locals with open and stimulating minds. They're often eager to practice their politics and economics, as well as their English, on a foreign friend. This is especially handy as you travel beyond Europe.
In France, many cafes offer fixed-price meals such as a plat du jour or menu touristique. You'll get your choice of an appetizer, entre, and dessert at a set price. Service compris (s.c.) means the tip is included.
Eat hearty in Scandinavia, Europe's most expensive corner. Fill up at the breakfast smorgasbord (usually included in your hotel cost). Keep your eyes peeled for daily lunch specials called dagens ratt. If you order an entree, get extra vegetables (usually potatoes) by asking for seconds. The cheapest cafeterias often close at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Many pizzerias offer amazing all-you-can-eat deals and tempting salad bars. Fresh produce, colorful markets, and efficient supermarkets abound. Picnic!
At most European restaurants, the price of drinks can spoil your appetite. Ask for tap water in Britain, l'eau du robinet in France, Leitungswasser in Germany, acqua del rubinetto in Italy, and agua del grifo in Spain. In other countries, just do the international charade: hold an imaginary glass, turn on an imaginary tap, make the sound of running water, drink up, then smile.
In European groceries and open-air markets, most food is priced by the kilo (about two pounds). Watch the scales while your food is being weighed. It'll show grams, which are thousandths of a kilo. If cheese costs €5 a kilo, 200 grams (about a half a pound) is €1. In Italy, 100 gams (about a quarter-pound) is called an etto. Be careful. Specialty items are sometimes priced per 100 grams. Look for "kilo," "kg" (kilogram), or "100 grams" listed next to the price. Whether you understand the numbers or not, act as though you do. In European supermarkets, it's a snap to buy produce. Try the easy push-button pricing system. Put a banana on the scale, push the button that shows a picture of a banana (or the banana bin number), and a sticky price tag prints out. Voila!
In open-air markets throughout Europe, only shop at stalls that post prices. Tourists are routinely ripped off by market merchants in tourist centers. Find places that print the prices. Assume any market with no printed prices has a double price standard: one for locals and a more expensive one for tourists. In Europe, morning markets offer mountains of delectable fresh fruit. But you want only one or two pieces, and many merchants refuse to deal in small quantities. Roughly estimate the cost of what you want. Hold out the coins in one hand, the fruit in the other. Rarely will a vendor refuse your offer.
Milk-drinkers in Europe can check the carton for the local words for whole or light, such as voll or lett. Cold milk is rare in most countries. Avoid the "longlife" kind of milk, sold off the shelf, that needs no refrigeration. This milk will never go bad or taste good.

2007-10-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Safe Travel Tips
Check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe to receive free e-mail notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated.
Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate.
Before travelling overseas register your travel and contact details online or at the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate once you arrive, so we can contact you in an emergency.
Obey the law. Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards.
Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.
Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home.
Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines.
Make sure your passport has at least six months validity and carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas.
Before departing Australia check whether you are regarded as a national of the country you intend to visit. Research whether holding dual nationality has any implications for your travel

2007-10-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Tips for In-Flight Comfort
Sit in bulkhead or exit row aisles. Bulkheads offer extra legroom and no one can recline his seat back into your face. Remember that you have to store your carry-on luggage in the overheads. Exit rows have the luxury of extra foot room, but you must be able to open the emergency door, if needed.
Dress for duress. Wear flat-soled, lace-up shoes so you can loosen them if your feet swell. Rubber soles my catch on the exit slide during an emergency, and dress shoes don't adjust for swelling.
Protect your bags. Checked bags can get lost. If you have to check, use curbside skycaps to avoid lugging heavy bags through the terminal. Always use luggage locks; some baggage handlers get over-curious about what's in your bag.
Entertain yourself. Bring plenty of magazines; they're lighter than books and disposable. Don't forget your Walkman, either; it's the perfect way to catch up on those motivational tapes you've been meaning to listen to or to avoid unwelcome chatter from the person sitting next to you.
Do "air-aerobics". A number of airlines offer in-seat exercise routines to help reduce swelling and pain from cramped muscles and reduced circulation. A number of airlines offer in-flight tips.
Fix your posture. Airline seats don't adjust for relaxed spinal posture. Support your lumbar spine with a rolled-up blanket and your head and neck with a pillow. Another pillow or blanket to prop up your feet will relieve pressure on the backs of your thighs.
Sit up front. A recently released Harvard study found air quality in aircraft cabins didn't meet minimum standards for office buildings. You'll find less carbon dioxide in forward seats. During layovers, get off and take a walk; breathe deeply.
Drink eight ounces of water every hour. Airplane air has only 1% to 10% humidity, even less than most deserts. You'll need more than the two small cart drinks offered on most flights. Bring your own bottled water, and avoid coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks, which are dehydrating diuretics.
Eat light. Even if you order vegetarian meals, everything but fruit plates contains too much salt and fat. Bring your own healthy snacks, like dehydrated soups or nutrition bars. Don't overeat, since your internal organs naturally swell due to cabin pressure changes.
Use daylight to adjust to a new time zone. The Association of Flight Attendants said the secret is to follow the same wake-up, bedtime, work and meal hours in your new location as in your old time zone. Don't try to catch up on sleep by going to bed right after you land or trying to stay up just because you gained a few hours. You'll adjust more quickly if your follow the clock.

2007-10-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

HOW TO CHOOSE AN ESCORTED TOUR ????????????
By owner of the blog
To many travelers, the ultimate tour of Europe - or any other part of the world, for that matter - is one on which you don't have to worry about anything.
Someone else is concerned with all your transportation, getting you to and from airports and on and off buses, cruise ships and trains, providing you a room with bath and many if not all meals, carrying and keeping track of your luggage, making sure you see all the prominent sights and the best local shows, steering you toward the best shops and, occasionally, allowing you time to rest.
Such is the promise of the escorted tour, and so it has been for generations. These days, however, there are so many of them, often advertised in thick, colorful brochures that you can pick up free at travel agencies, that it can be difficult to choose. At first glance many of them seem similar -and some are. But if you read the brochures with an incisive eye and ask a travel agent about anything unclear, you will quickly find that differences can be tremendous.
As a general rule you will find that in escorted tours, as in almost anything you buy, you get what you pay for. This doesn't necessarily mean that expensive is good and cheap is bad; what matters is to get the best value for your dollar, according to your taste. Prices range from about $30 to $270 a person a day plus trans-Atlantic air fare, which is usually at the lowest available scheduled rate but sometimes by charter.
You may want to be pampered and may have the money to afford it. Or you may find some of the frills on the costliest tours to be much more than you could possibly want or need. Some hotels may be much too lavish for your budget or taste. Some sightseeing may be too rigorous or too steeped in a cultural pursuit that barely interests you - or, at the other extreme, it may be too once-over-lightly.
Many travelers disdain any hint of being shepherded around - the ''this is Tuesday so it must be Brussels'' syndrome. But in these economically insecure times, there are people who can afford, and insist upon, the best of two worlds. One experienced New York travel agent, who asked not to be identified by name, told of clients who use escorted tours as the framework for individual travel.
''They don't want to be bothered with any of the detail,'' she said, ''and they also don't want to pay for independent travel, which often costs more. So they go with the tour from city to city and stay at its hotels, but within each city they float around on their own.'' ''Of course,'' she added, ''they don't get any refunds for those tour services that they don't use.''
Augustus Bullock Jr., president of East Norwich Tours and Travel on Long Island, said older travelers are especially attracted to escorted tours. ''It isn't just the ease,'' he said. ''Many of them are afraid that if they go alone they may be right next door to something that they should see but miss it because nobody told them about it.''
Pegge Hlavacek of TV Travel in Omaha said more women than men take escorted tours. ''The main thing to them is a good tour guide,'' she said. ''Maybe he will agree to take six of them out at night and they'll go to some nightclub and they'll just love it. Never mind all the museums, just get the single women out at night.''
Literally hundreds of companies run European tours from the United States - from very big operators with wide varieties of tours to oneperson shops in which the owner also does the escorting, often to different destinations each year so as to encourage repeat business. Bookings are usually made through travel agents, although some of the small operators use mailing lists or advertise in magazines or newspapers read by the type of people they hope to attract.
Among the big names that are usually found at or near the top of travel agency lists are Maupintour, Travcoa, Swan, Caravan and Olson. American Express tours and Trans World Airlines' Getaway programs are often cited because they have different choices for different budgets and, in the case of TWA, for exceptional clarity in its brochure ing what you get and what you don't.
''L ifeseeing, not sightseeing -that's kind of our philosophy,'' said Peter Anderson, director of trade relations for Maupintour. ''We feel inclined to show a lot more of all those little places that people might not know about, such as lunch at a little vineyard out in the country, dinner at a floating restaurant, or coffee and homemade rolls at a country home in Switzerland.''
Among other big operators - those that chip at frills and therefore charge less - are Travellers, Cosmos, Globus-Gateway, Cortell, Trafalgar, TWA Super Saver and Frames.
''People today are buying down,'' said Jeffrey Joseph, president of Cosmos. ''They don't see the necessity of spending a lot on food, accommodations and such. They want to spend the same amount of time and see the same things as anybody else, but they find they can go on a tourist-class tour and see just as much.'' He said the hotels used by Cosmos are often family-owned and quite small.
Some operators specialize geographically, such as Perillo, CIT and Central Holidays in Italy; Esplanade in Britain, France and European cruises, and Tumlare and Four Winds in Scandinavia. Others focus on special interests, such as Dailey-Thorp in opera and music festivals, Swan in art treasures and Serenissima of London in history and exotica. Special-interest tours are often accompanied by guest lecturers - some of them very prominent in their fields - as well as by professional tour managers.
The European escorted tour market is so crowded that those mentioned here are just a small sampling. Mention of a tour operator does not mean an endorsement, but all have substantial experience. In helping you to make a choice, the best advice can come from travel agents or from friends who have taken a similar tour.
''There are really very few companies that I would recommend sight unseen,'' said Sarah Marquis, who for 60 years has operated the New York travel agency that bears her name.
Of the half-dozen agents I asked about escorted tours to Europe, all agreed that the quality of the tour manager - the person who accompanies the group throughout the European portion of the trip - was the most important factor in the trip's success. Many tour managers are professional teachers with long vacations; others are from a variety of backgrounds, but all the good ones have a deep, sincere interest in people. Guides are considered vital to repeat business; many experienced travelers often ask where a favorite guide will be next summer, so that they can go with him or her again.
A good travel agent will question you carefully about your budget, likes and dislikes before recommending a tour; an agent you have used before and one you trust will already know some of the answers and probably a lot more about you that can help. It's best, however, if before you visit an agent, you define your interests, wishes and limitations as closely as you can. It's foolhardy to talk about an art tour if you almost never visit a gallery or museum at home.
Question the agent and study the brochures for specifics on what is included and what is not, such as number and quality of meals. Ask about types and locations of hotels and whether you can check in immediately upon an early-morning arrival after a trans-Atlantic flight. Ask about tipping, about whether all sightseeing is included or whether, in free time, you will be pushed into taking extra-cost ''optional'' tours. Ask whether shopping will be on your own time or whether a lot of the included ''sightseeing'' will actually be at stores selected by a guide. Ask about penalties if you cancel or interrupt a tour, and insurance to defray the cost.
And find out the maximum number of people the tour will carry. Smaller tours usually cost more, but they will probably be more enjoyable.

2007-10-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

Five Top Summer Travel destinations and Holiday Spots to VisitEven though it is difficult to choose from the wide variety of holiday spots that are available, the five top summer destinations have been short listed here. The criterion for each one is different from the next. While one may be for budget travelers, the next may be for business travelers. One may be abroad; while the next may be a hidden getaway you knew little about. And of course to top the list there are the all time favorite beaches of Hawaii. The only criteria they have in common is that they are all great places to visit during the summer, with your family, your partner, or just all by yourself. The top destinations are the following:• Puerto Rico• Martha’s Vineyard• Hawaii• Aspen• LondonPuerto RicoThere is a proposal to introduce a law which makes it mandatory for every US citizen to have a passport if they want to travel the Caribbeans. If and when this law becomes effective Puerto Rico, which is a commonwealth of the US, will see a surge in the number of tourists. With an increased demand the costs would also go higher. So if someone wishes to have a great vacation at a moderate price then this may be the last year to go to Puerto Rico. Several airlines are offering very economical fares and it helps if you buy a return ticket as then you would qualify for a special discount. Once you reach there you can decide on putting up in 'paradores' which are small lodgings that are lent out by the local people. They offer several attractive packages from which you can choose one of your own liking.Martha’s VineyardA short drive and then a ferry ride from Boston and there you are – at Martha's vineyard. Known for its tranquil beaches and busy restaurants and shops the place provides an ideal locale to get your work done at the same time you relax. If you are planning for a working holiday this is the place to be. The Harborview Hotel in Edgartown, the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven and the Winnetu Resort in Edgartown's Katama section are the best places that you can put up and feel to be in home away from home. You can also take part in cooking classes, writing workshops and if you are a bit more adventurous you can even try out horse riding.HawaiiAn increase in tourist inflow has made the meant that rates in Hawaii have gone down. And the rates have gone down not only for hotel accommodations but also for air fares. So it might just be a good bargain to have a vacation down at Hawaii during this period.AspenNow known more as a ski resort Aspen was once a silver mining town. Aspen provides something for all levels of skiers. A beginner can learn the first few tricks and the pros also get the ideal landscape to hone their skills. And of course it has got the lovely mountains that are indeed breathtaking.London Once the world's largest metropolis still is very close to any tourists heart. With a great blend of tradition and modernity this is on place where you will never get bored. And of course you also have the incentive of being to a different country.

los angeles

2007-08-27T08:49:00.001-07:00

Los Angeles Attractions

There are few cities that offer as much entertainment, excitement and diversity as do the attractions in Los Angeles. For years movies and songs have portrayed LA as the place to make it big as a model, actor or musician. Hopefuls pack their bags and leave their homes for the promise of lure and fame.

Today LA boasts attractions like the famous Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame, which honors those who have made a difference in film, music and stage. Walking and sight seeing tours are a great way to see and experience Hollywood. Everything is located near Grauman's Chinese Theater where film and music enthusiasts can place their hands in the handprints and shoeprints of their favorite celebrities. Guided bus tours also of Hollywood offer an outside glimpse of the homes of the rich and famous.

Some of the best concerts in music history have been played at the Hollywood Bowl, another major Los Angeles attraction. This huge historical venue has been the playing stage for huge acts such as Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. Also, no Hollywood trip is complete without a stop at Amoeba Records, the world famous independent music chain right off Sunset Strip.

Los Angeles also offers attractions like the beautiful Getty Museum, which hosts amazing art exhibits and places like Universal Studios Hollywood, where people can see the wonder of movie special effects. California's most popular theme parks like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Magic Mountain are just a short drive away, making Los Angeles the perfect tourist getaway.

Visitors to the Los Angeles area will also get a taste of the shopping attractions Rodeo Drive and even the eclectic Melrose Avenue. Shopping enthusiasts will get a taste of designer super stores to small LA fashion inspired boutiques. like the world famous Beverly Center, the high class

Beach area attractions in LA

The beaches are also famous attractions in LA. Just a 30-minute drive from Downtown LA, the entertaining Santa Monica Pier is within walking distance of the Third Street Promenade, which is filled with restaurants, interesting stores, outdoor cafes and all sorts of live entertainment on the streets. Further south of Santa Monica is the Venice Beach Boardwalk, famous for the eclectic people, unique shops and tattoo parlors. The famous Muscle Beach gives passersby's the opportunity to watch hunky men working out. For a more relaxing beach experience locals drive down to the trendy Zuma beach in Malibu, the Pacific Palisades and even Manhattan Beach.

pyramids of egypt

2007-08-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Saqqara

Major pyramids here include the Step Pyramid of Djozer — Egypt's oldest stone monumental building — the Pyramid of Userkaf and the Pyramid of Teti. Also at Saqqara is the Pyramid of Unas, which retains a pyramid causeway that is amongst the best-preserved in Egypt. This pyramid was also the subject of one of antiquities' earliest restoration attempts, conducted under the auspices of one of the sons of Ramesses II. Saqqara is also the location of the incomplete step pyramid of Djozer's successor Sekhemkhet, known as the Buried Pyramid. Archaeologists believe that had this pyramid been completed it would have been larger than Djozer's.

Dahshur

Snofru's Red Pyramid

This area is arguably the most important pyramid field in Egypt outside Giza and Saqqara, although until 1996 the site was inaccessible due to its location within a military base, and hence was virtually unknown outside archaeological circles.

The southern Pyramid of Sneferu, commonly known as the Bent Pyramid is believed to be the first (or by some accounts, second) attempt at creating a pyramid with smooth sides. In this it was only a partial — but nonetheless visually arresting — success; it remains the only Egyptian pyramid to retain a significant proportion of its original limestone casing, and serves as the best example of the luminous appearance common to all pyramids in their original state.

The northern, or Red Pyramid built at the same location by Sneferu was later successfully completed as the world's first true smooth-sided pyramid. Despite its relative obscurity, the Red Pyramid is actually the third largest pyramid in Egypt — after the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre at Giza. Also at Dahshur is the pyramid known as the Black Pyramid of Amenemhet III.

Egypt-land of pyramids

2007-08-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

Giza

Giza is the location of the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the "Great Pyramid" and the "Pyramid of Cheops"), the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre (or Kephren), and the relatively modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinus), along with a number of smaller satellite edifices, known as light bulb pyramids, and the Great Sphinx.

Of the three, only Khafre's pyramid retains part of its original polished limestone casing, towards its apex. This pyramid appears larger than the adjacent Khufu pyramid by virtue of its more elevated location, and the steeper angle of inclination of its construction — it is, in fact, smaller in both height and volume.

The Giza Necropolis has been a popular tourist destination since antiquity, and was popularised in Hellenistic times when the Great Pyramid was listed by Antipater of Sidon as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today it is the only one of the ancient Wonders still in existence.

This site is the location for two unfinished Old Kingdom pyramids. The northern structure's owner is believed to be the Pharaoh Nebka, whilst the southern structure is attributed to the Third Dynasty Pharaoh Khaba, (also known as Hudjefa), successor to Sekhemkhet. Khaba's four-year tenure as pharaoh more than likely explains the similar premature truncation of his step pyramid. Today it is approximately twenty metres in height; had it been completed, it would probably have more than doubled in size.

Malaysia-a place to vicit

2007-08-27T08:26:00.000-07:00

It would be an impossible task to describe every one of Malaysia's thousands of beautiful beaches. Ranging from the powdery stretches of sand that characterize the eastern coastline of Peninsular Malaysia to the black sand beach of Pantai Pasir Hitam and the smooth pebble beach of Pantai Batu Kerikil, Malaysia's shores offer more idyllic locales than one could explore in many lifetimes. In addition to the plenitude of beaches along the the peninsula and the coast of Eastern Malaysia, the country also possesses over a hundred tropical islands. Many of these are so beautiful as to have entered into legend centuries ago, like the islands of Langkawi remain desert isles, marked , or Pulau Tioman. Others only by the imprint of the South China Sea on their sands.

Despite such abundance and variety, Malaysia's beaches are noticeably different from those in other parts of the world. They are often less differentiated from the shoreline than those of the Caribbean, for example, tending instead to be almost nestled up against the lush forests that this nation is famous for. The color palette is different as well--golden sands and emerald waters imbue Malaysian beaches with an air of succulent sweetness that isn't found in the cool whites and blues of many western strands. The result is that these beaches impart a very different sensation, a sense of languid peace and a distinct feeling that the division between land and sea is less a sharp line than a smooth continuum.

This continuity is noticeable in Malay culture as well. Kelongs, the traditional villages of coastal Malaysia, are built out over the water on stilts, reversing the usual notion of a beach view. Exploring the waters of Malaysia can produce a similar sense that the sea rather than the land is dominant here--cruising among the islands of Langkawi or those off Johor, for example, or scuba diving and snorkeling among the country's many world-class reefs.

Mauritius-a beauty

2007-08-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Beaches of Mauritius

One of the most exotic beach destinations we've reviewed is Mauritius. Sometimes, maybe what makes these places so attractive is that they are so hard to get to. It's like digging for gold. When you do find it, it is a pleasure not many have experienced. So we invite you to take a few minutes and see the pictures and videos of one of our favorite spots on earth. You will be delighted and intrigued by what may be your next vacation destination. Enjoy.

Just north of the Tropic of Capricorn lies the island country of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It's actually a few islands; a main island and three other islands, and about 22 largely uninhabited islands.

Mark Twain, who visited the island in 1896, so impressed by its beauty, said, "God first made Mauritius and from it, He created Paradise."

Mauritius is striking because it once was a volcano. Extinct for some 100,000 years, you have peaks and rock strutting right down into the sea. And, as if icing on the wondrous landscape, a coral reef surrounds the islands.

Trivia: The Dodo bird, a large, flightless critter, once lived here. When the Dutch arrived around 1600, they killed off most of them. Their pets killed the rest and they were extinct by 1681. Yes, the Dutch sailors might have eaten a few, but it was actually something else that did them in.

In the 17th century, the Dutch cut down most of the ebony trees and sold them in Europe. This was home and food source for the Dodo bird. Along with the animals brought from the ships; rats, cats, dogs, pigs... these destroyed most of the nests.

The Dutch did bring one thing you may see while you're on Mauritius: deer. The Sambhar Deer is actually a protected species. For pictures of deer and their habitat, we'll post more pictures of Mauritius Sambhar shortly.