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Don't Miss These Top 5 World Heritage Sites In India

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:09:00 GMT

What is the World Heritage List, and how does a country get to be a part of it? In layman terms, it is a protection list that has been in effect since 1976. Countries put in a request to a committee of people who will review the information provided, and hopefully approve and agree of the value of that building, land, or other areas that it benefits mankind, and to have the funds necessary to make sure that this piece of history is protected. So, when traveling to India, don't miss these top 5 world heritage sites in India.

Great Living Chola Temples--These temples were built during the 11th and 12th century, during time of the Chola Empire, which included all of south India and nearby islands. The site includes the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.

It is because these temples are a perfect testiment of the architecture and the ideology of the Chola Empire and the Tamil civilization.

Fatehpur Sikri--Translated as the "city of victory," this was the capital of the Mughal Empire for almost ten years. A very wise woman, Shaikh Salim Chisti, predicted to the Emperor Akbar that his future son, Jahangir, would be born on this site. It is because of this prediction that Akbar built this city, and supervised the construction until its completion in 1573. However, Akbar left the city to go to war against the Afghan tribes, and in the end, chose a new capital that was more convenient, Lahore. Before leaving for war, he did see the predicition of his son's birth come true in 1569. Akbar's son, Jahangir, returned to Fatehpur Sikri in 1619. It was soon abandoned after Jahangir's death, and the city remained abandoned until its discovery in 1892.

There is no way to describe the beauty and grandeur of this once grand city, but it did make the list due to the religious and votive monuments, the tomb holding Shaikh Salim Chisti's body attributed with highly detailed art and inscriptions that was even further detailed when Jahangir came back to live in the city, and having one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid. Truly a cultural heritage worthy of reverence.

Humayun's Tomb--This tomb was commissioned by Humayun's widow, 14 years after his death. However, this does not house just Humayun, it also has 150 members of the ruling family buried inside. This is of cultural and sub-continent importance as this is the first garden representation--complete with causeways and channels--of a tomb and domed architecture that would be noticed a century later when a grieving husband had his wife's body entombed under such a domed building, the Taj Mahal.

Under the guidance of Humayun's widow, this building's design was precise and well thought out, incorporating ideas from Humayun's travel to Persia and Asian countries, and because of such planning, the tomb has withstood time with minimal interference.

Sun Temple, Konarak--Like the Brahmin Temple on the east coast of India, this place was a center of sun worship. In truth, archeologists are not sure who built the temple, but it was most likely, King Narashimhadev I of the Ganga Dynasty. It fell into disuse when Jahangir, the Mughal Emporer, sent his warriors over to desecrate it. According to legend, the true architect is Samba, Lord Krishna's son. He was given leprosy, but it was after 12 years of pennance, the sun god Surya, cured him. To honor Surya, Samba built this temple for him. It is a beautiful representation of the sun god's chariot that is being pulled by seven horses (due to time, six now).
Elephanta Caves--this is one of the most brilliant collections of rock art in India. This island consists of seven caves and is still largely argued over how old it is. The general consensus is that it has to be between the 6th and 8th century. This island is supposed to have been the home of Shiva, and in these caves, you will see many carved depictions of him. These caves are also considered a great collection of the following of Shiva.

When you began looking for cheap flights to India, use air-savings.com to make your India trip even more memorable as their team of expert travel agents find you the best vacation package so you don't miss these top 5 world heritage sites in India. You can also book Cheap Air Tickets to India right on Air-Savings.com

Travel to India - 5 Great Reasons You Should Do It Now

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:57:00 GMT

There are many reasons to travel to India, and now is the best time to start. Here are the top 5 reasons to travel to India.

The Caves of Ellora and Ajanta: in Aurangabad

Ajanta Caves: the overgrowth of the jungle had made these caves forgotten until 1819 when a British officer stumbled upon one of the entrances while chasing a tiger. You can actually still see the man's carved name. They were built in the second century, and continued until the sixth century. In 1983, the caves were placed on the World Heritage Sites list as there are murals that are the oldest of India's painted art.
Ellora Caves: These caves are considered the epitome of Indian rock architecture. These caves are also a World Heritage Site. They were built at the beginning of the fifth century, and architects just continued to build throughout the tenth century.

Both caves are extraordinary and rich with history, art, and architecture. You could spend many hours just wandering around as you immerse yourself in one of India's greatest treasures.

Ayurvedic Treatment

In India, this medical treatment is considered to prolong life and promote knowledge when both mind and body have been cleansed.

diet
herbs
lifestyle advice
cleansing techniques
oil therapy
massage

These are not unheard of in other countries as many practitioners are re-discovering the benefits in homeopathic treatments. One word of caution: rasa shastra is known as blending minerals into herbal mixtures. These minerals are made up of arsenic, lead, copper sulfate, sulfur, and gold. These have been known to be beneficial for some ailments, but they are considered a poison to the body.

Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright

Can you imagine 40,000 tigers in 1947? India's last recorded numbers in 2011 were 1,706. India is fighting to save the dwindling numbers, and going so far as to pay villages within the Sarisko National Park to move so that the tigers have more room to grow.

A world with no tigers? There are plenty of wildlife that have gone extinct, but if man could have intervened, maybe they would still be here. Come to India to see the tigers so you too can marvel at their beauty.

The Taj Mahal

Oh, come on, you know that this is a must see.

Mughal Shah Juhan loved his wife so much, and when she died after giving birth to their 14th child, he had this building erected. His subsequent marriages after her were said to be in name only, his love for his first wife was so intense and all consuming that no other woman could compare.

A woman gets flowers, chocolate, a dinner out, even go someplace special, but to have your true love say, "I love you so much, that when you die, I am going to build the biggest building to house you so everyone will know how much I loved you."

Damn!

Religious Tours

With as many Buddhist temples as there are, you need to book a tour or two to visit the temples.

So, what are you waiting for? You now have the top 5 reasons to travel to India, but before you go, don't forget to get your cheap flights to India right here at Air-Savings.com. With the packages we have access to, we can help you create a memorable trip to India, which you won't forget no matter how many years pass by.

Top 5 Music Festivals In The World

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:11:00 GMT

Do you love music? Do you love to travel? You can put the two together to find the top 5 music festivals in the world.

Misterika Festival

Do you enjoy shuffling to dance and electronic music? The Misterika music festival is the biggest, longest, and most unusual psy-trance and it is happening July 28 to August 4th in Yalta, Ukraine. Check it out on youtube.com, if you want to show off those dance moves, or take some with you, you can also check out what shuffling is as dancers rock it to electronic music.

Sofia Rocks Festival

Guns and Roses is the confirmed headliner for this rock festival along with Godsmack, Iggy and the Stooges, Ugly Kid Joe, and many more bands will be announced for the hottest rock concert to hit Bulgaria. So, come vacation in Sofia, Bulgaria during July 7th and 8th. You won't want to miss this festival if you love good hard rock.

Sonar Festival

Like a little of this and like a little of that? Hip hop, rap, and more. These are the confirmed bands to perform for this festival in Barcelona, Spain--June 14th, 15th, and 16th. So, call up the travel agent and shake it over it Barcelona to catch these bands.

The Roots, deadmau5, Hot Chip, Modeselektor, James Blake dj, Fatboy Slim, Richie Hawtin, Amon Tobin’s ISAM, Squarepusher, Nicolas Jaar, Luciano, Azari & III, Jacques Lus Cont, Friendly Fires, Metronomy, John Talabot, Mouse On Mars, BBC Radio 1 presents Annie Mac & guests and showcases from Hyperdub, Brainfeeder and 100% Silk.

Thessaloniki Extreme Sports Festival

If you like sports, you don't want to miss this festival as the hairiest tricks are performed in snow boarding, motor cross, diving, skate rolling, BMX, and many other extreme sports. The festival is from May 12th-13th. The best of the best will be here.

New Orleans Jazz Festival

Louisiana will be hosting some of the hottest jazz bands including some of the best rock bands like Bruce Springsteen, Beach Boys, The Dixie Chicks, and hundreds more. You can check out http://lineup.nojazzfest.com/ for all the bands for April 27th-May 6th. So, sit back, enjoy the music, and enjoy the sites of New Orleans.

There is more to traveling than just scenery. Music is full of life, and what better way to enjoy it than by traveling to the top 5 music festivals in the world.

Traveling In A Strange World

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:16:00 GMT

Did you know what a very strange world we live in? There are strange places to see, strange things to do, and people who collect the strangest things. Traveling in a strange world is something everyone should do when planning a vacation.

Weird Museums

Tokyo's Parasite Museum--Would you like to see a 30 foot tapeworm that was taken out of a woman who ate some bad fish? Or maybe you would rather see the other 300 different parasites that can invade the body.

Leed's Castle, Kent's Dog Collar Museum--What started out as a loving tribute to dogs, has now turned into a huge five centuries collection of canine collars from beautiful to bizarre.

Amsterdam's Torture Museum--A collection of torture devices that have been used in different countries from the guillotine, rack, and more.

Weird Theme Parks

Kent, England's Dickens World--Perhaps you have heard, "if there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers," or "There are books of which the backs and cover are by far the best parts." These were some of the quotes from Charles Dickens, renowned author of several books such as A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and many more. He was loved and respected so much, that a theme park was made in his honor and where you can go and immerse yourself in an interactive experience like no other where you literally feel like you are exchanging the modern world for Dicken's World for a few hours.

Love Land South Korea--Do you love sex? Want to add some "oomf" back into the bedroom? Come travel to South Korea to see this theme park. Filled with over 140 sculptures in various sexual positions, a male sculpture posed in such a way that all you females have to do is slide into position, hands on exhibits, and more. At least you will never be bored as every month, different exhibits are brought in to create, "the mood."

Strange Places

Ever wonder what hell looks like? You can see the opening in the Kara-Kum desert, in the small town Darvaza. Actually, it is only referred as this, but is really a crater of continuous gas emissions. The story says that Russian prospectors drilled a hole into this chamber, but when the ceiling collapsed, it left a large hole, and because the gas continued to rise up, the prospectors made the decision to light the gas as they were afraid of local poisoning or build up of the gas, and it has been burning ever since. It is best seen at night.

Putrajaya, Malaysia--If you are in construction you can definitely appreciate the magnitude of the largest roundabout in the world.

When you are staring in awe, wonder, disbelief--close your eyes and when you open them, see the world in a new light as you travel to find the most interesting, weird, strange wonders of our world.

Cheap International Flights

5 Hottest Dance Shows In Europe

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:44:00 GMT

If you love to watch people dance, then Europe is the place to go to find the 4 hottest dance shows.

Urban Dance Showcase

Imagine dancing shows, So, You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Show, that you like all wrapped into one competition. Dance legends, You Tube stars, choreographers, and other talented music people will be pulling out their best to come out on top at the Urban Dance competition. For more information, you can link to: http://www.urbandance.eu/show/

So, don't dance away your chance to see some superb performers on 7-29-12 in Eimeldingen, Germany.

Burlesque

According to Wikipedia, Burlesque means "a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works. The word derives from the Italian burlesco, which itself derives from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery."

Did you fall in love with Liza Minnelli in Cabaret, or Cher and Christina Aguilera in Burlesque? The amazing costumes, flagrant and tantalizing moves? The biggest UK show, An Evening of Burlesque, is back from their international tour to dazzle Britain again for the 2012 season. So, if you are making plans to visit England, be sure to include one of their shows in your itnerary. Visit http://www.easytheatres.com/concert-shows/an-evening-of-burlesque/ to find out what city they are performing in and where.

IDO Competition

Whatever dance you can think of such as hip hop, disco, jitterbug, salsa, tap, ballet, electric boogie, and so many others, there are competitions all over Europe. Visit http://www.ido-dance.com/ceis/ido/competitions/calendar/2012.html to get their city calendar. You don't want to miss this dance competition.

Yma

This is the largest peformance in Berlin. Pronounced (ee-ma), this show takes you on a visually, jaw dropping performance with over 100 performers: singers, dancers, acrobats, etc. This is quoted to be, "bigger than any show in Las Vegas as it presents the best artists in the business, including the four-time breakdance world champions."

So, where are you going to be to catch the 4 hottest dance shows in Europe? Let Air-Savings.com fly you on cheap tickets to Europe to enjoy these performances, and more.

Top 5 Strange Hotels in the World.

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:12:00 GMT

Not sure what country to travel to? Sweden, Germany, and Turkey can help narrow down the choice as they have some of the strangest hotels to stay in.

Utter Inn

This hotel takes art work to a new level. Mikael Genberg, a Swedish artist, decided to use his artwork as a hotel for travelers. On the surface, the hotel looks like an average, ice shack you would see in Minnesota for ice fishing, but beyond the door is the stair way to get to the bedroom below the surface. When underwater, this bedroom offers a panoramic view of the lake. Located in Lake Malaren, Vasteras, Sweden.

Ice Hotel

They're back! Every year, Jukkasjarvi, Sweden builds their Ice Hotel. One of the coldest stay you will encounter. However, don't worry about freezing completely, they have warm accommodations for bathrooms, showers and a sauna connected to the hotel. Big tip: Don't drink too much liquid because if you have to use their bathroom in the middle of the night, you will have to go out in the cold to get there. If you are not fond of the cold, you can book warm accommodations elsewhere and then book a tour at the Ice Hotel.

The hotel will be open to travelers until April 15th, 2012.

Mirror Cube

What movie would inspire you to build a hotel? How about The Tree Lover? The hotel started from an idea, and made into reality in 2010. Made of lightweight aluminum with an infrared coating so the birds don't get hurt, and plywood inside, you can enjoy this hotel for about $400/night. Sure, that is a hefty price, but do you want to say you stayed in a plain hotel, or have a unque accommodation in the Mirror Cube?

Propeller Island City Lodge

This has some of the most unique rooms all in the same building from hanging cages, mirrors, flying bed, blue room (think Weird Science blue), and many other weird rooms. Whichever, of the 27 rooms you choose, it will truly be a unique experience. Located in Berlin, Germany, you make your accommodations and choose which room you want through www.propeller-island.com

Nautilus Underwater Suite

Okay, this has not been built yet, but it is due to open towards the end of 2012. If Turkey does not beat them to it, this will be the world's first underwater suite. You should start saving now as you will be required to spend two nights down there at $15,000 for one person and, if sharing a room, $30,000. At 40 feet below in a Fiji lagoon, maybe it will be worth it. Keep watching the news as this will be a sensation when it opens.

There it is folks, the 5 strangest hotels in the world. Don't stay in some boring hotel, live it up and make your vacation out of this world with one of these hotels.

Photography and Travel

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:26:00 GMT

When does photography and travel not go together. You can't very well go to another country and express your pleasure to others through memory alone. A camera is a must. You can gush about the splendour of Edinberg Castle, marvel about the Eiffel Tower, try and explain the complexity of Stonehenge, even attempt to describe nature in the form of a waterfall, but unless you have a picture to go with your memory, nobody will understand the excitement nor experience it with you. So, whether you are a professional photographer or not, plan for photography and travel.

Poetry in Motion

So, what do you see when you look at this picture? Could you explain to someone that God must have blessed this land with its clean blue water and its towers of rock lining the beach waiting to pay homage to its Creator? Without this picture, no one would have realized that the Twelve Apostles were so beautiful as they sit majestically in the ocean. Photography and travel can be yours in Victoria, Australia when you take in this site as well as many other God-kissed land.

Still and Smooth as a Mirror

Robert Southey described this picture of the Lake District in Keswick, Cumbria, England. One truly feels the quiet and beauty of this area. If one were to pick a perfect church, this would be idyllic. Imagine taking this photo and many other scenes of tranquility that the Lake District offers a visitor. Come for the photos and stay for the soul.

Soulful Delights

A road made from heaven. Bryan Waller Proctor's description of the Lake District might has well have described Baobab Alley in Madagascar, " A spirit born of mountain solitudes and sights sublime, of earth and sky, and the wild-wandering air, is present here." While this road is well traveled, it is truly a sight that eyes can never get enough of. Madagascar is a beautiful country with unique wildlife and a beautiful land. With photography and travel, you can truly see where God has kissed the land.

These photos are just a few of the hundreds of places that soothes the soul. Make your plans with photography and travel, and map out locations where you would like to see to be a part of God's nature.

The World's Top 5 Restaurants

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

There are so many reasons to travel whether it is for personal growth, business solutions, or just something to do. Why not travel for food? The travel channel has Andrew Zimmern searching for strange foods, there is Adam Richman eating his way through fantastic food across the U.S., and now you can travel to taste the finest foods in the world. If you love adventure, and are up for a challenge, start with the world's top 5 restaurants.

1. Noma--Denmark: (pictured to the right) From #33 in 2006, it has quickly moved to the coveted #1 spot for two years running. They offer nordic specialties such as skyr curd, halibut, musk ox, and other fine food. Forget the wine, they use beer, ales, fruit juices, and fruit vinegars to create an amazing array of food to arouse the tastebuds and soothes the soul.

2. El Celler De Can Roca--Spain: From #26 in 2007 to #2 in 2011, this little known restaurant can take you back to your childhood flavors, long forgotten. They take the tastebuds into a whole new world. How would you like a little tree placed in front of you to start your meal with candied, crunchy olives? Then while you work your way down the menu, if your tastebuds are not aroused, your other senses will be as the presentation and smells are exquisite.

3. Mugaritz--Spain: These fine dishes make for what the Gourmet Traveller calls, "an unforgettable meal with consistently excellent dishes that were restrained, refined and clever in both taste and concept. It’s a great reminder that when it comes to good produce, there really is no need to gild the lily."

4. Osteria Francescana--Italy: As Modena is an ancient Italian city, you can feast your eyes at the architecture then indulge your tastebuds as you replenish your energy. From Alaskan black cod to the foie gras or "ice folly." This restaurants claim to fame comes not only from the taste, but its presentation.

5. The Fat Duck--UK: From the cleansing of the palate with its nitrogen poached gin and tonic foam and working your way though the clever flavors, you will leave satisfied both in stomach and senses.

The world's top 50 restaurant awards are coming back on April 30th, 2012. After sampling some of the world's top 5 restaurants, why not work your way through the new list?

When do you get the Cheapest Business Class Flights?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Buying the cheapest airline ticket may come down to hundreds of hours of research answering which airline offers the cheapest flights, when is the best day to buy, how far in advance should you book to save the most money. According to a Majd Awary, a pricing and revenue manager within the airline industry, most of those answers are false. So which person do you turn to in order to save you the most money?

Are those articles, with money saving tips on airline travel, for real? Or is there really more to it than that, and people are just getting lucky?

Pricing and Revenue Management

According to Majd Awary, many of these findings are untrue. The claim is that there are entirely too many variables to pin down a pattern that is true at all times. In Awary's experience, "Airlines use different revenue management systems with different forecasting models and different levels of personal influence to the system. Other variables include (but not limited to) the time of the year, the strength of the destination in the airline network, materialization rate and trend, etc. "

So, if this is not true, why are so many articles and travelers agreeing with what days seem to be the cheapest? FareCompare.com's expert, Rick Seaney, has even zeroed in on the perfect time to purchase an airline ticket as Tuesday, 3pm EST. According to his own research, he has found that airline pricing does fluctuate and does follow a cycle during the week. Tuesday is one of the ideal times to buy because many sales are launched Monday night. Other experts, and travelers concur. Wednesday is also considered a cheap day to buy because Mr. Seaney's research has found that on Thursday night, many airlines will push a fare increase, therefore making Friday an expensive day to purchase airline tickets, no matter how far in advance you choose. Because of this increase, competitors race to offer better deals which makes Saturday a cheap day to buy airfare whether it is for business class airfares or vacation deals.

True Traveler Tips

One traveler expressed her experience with Delta Airlines being the cheapest on Tuesdays
Another traveler commented on how much cheaper it is to fly out of Detroit Metro to other U.S. destinations
Many travelers agree that flexibility is also a big help
Purchase tickets 21 days or more in advance. Some even find that 8 weeks ahead is good

Majd Awary was right though, there are many variables such as airlines, airports, season of travel, weather, even specialty trips that can affect pricing. International travel gets even more tricky. Some research has pointed to the lowest pricing being at the end of August and mid-October than any other time in the year. U.S. travel seems to show the most reliable times and days to travel. Many researchers are working on a closer reliability on days and times to buy cheap international airfare for business class airfares or for vacation airfares. Until then, forecasting models and different revenue management systems won't matter if the articles you read to save you money on airline tickets are from experienced travelers and researchers.

Top Five Rooftop Bars In Europe

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

You walk through foreign cities to visit landmarks, and you think that you have seen it all, but when the cities light up, it is a whole new life that begins, "on the rooftops of London. . .what a sight!"--Mary Poppins. What a way to get a whole new perspective on the city you are visiting than by seeing it from the rooftops. Here are the top five rooftop bars in Europe to enjoy the city lights from.

Bangkok, Thailand--Of all the rooftops to see in Bangkok, Vertigo, located on top of The Banyon Tree Hotel, is the most popular. With this spectacular view of Bangkok, you really will feel like you're on top of the world!

Dubai, India--The Rooftop Bar, located on top of the Royal Mirage Hotel, gives a spectacular view of Dubai. Lounge couches are plentiful, and the lights from Dubai are an inspiration for poetry.

Madrid, Spain--The Penthouse Rooftop Bar, located on top of Hotel Me Madrid Reina Victoria where you could possibly get a glimpse of a celebrity. Cindy Crawford's husband, Randy Gerber, owns this place. Taken at dusk, the city is beautiful, but nothing sets off the view of the city quite like this bar does.

Shanghai, China--The Captain Bar, located on top of Captain's Hostel, shows the city off like no other. You truly feel like you are in a city of wonder as you are surrounded by an architects dream come true.

Mumbai, India--The Aer Lounge Bar, located on the 34th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, gives a view of Mumbai that will leave you sputtering when asked to describe this view. There are no words, you have to just look and let the view speak to your heart. India is rich in history and culture, and with this view of Mumbai, it will continue to enrich the world with its presence.

"A great city, whose image dwells in the memory of man, is the type of some great idea"--Benjamin Disraeli, first Earl of Beaconsfield. With these tope five rooftop bars in Europe, their view sums up Mr. Disraeli's thought perfectly.

The Best Travel Advice Sites

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:03:00 GMT

It's a new year, and despite the recent upset in the travel industry, people are still looking to travel internationally. Knowing what to expect when you cross international lines will make you a more informed traveler. Those snags you could run into like credit card problems, things being stolen, even as dangerous as traveling in an unsafe part of the country you are in. These can all ruin a vacation or business trip. Here are some of the top best travel advice sites that will have your vacation or business travel go more smoothly.

1. New Passport Law--http://www.travel.state.gov/

Although this law has been in effect since April of last year, there are still many travelers who have either not traveled for a while, or are looking to begin traveling who don't know that to obtain a U.S. passport, you must have both parents full names on your birth certificate. If not, you will need to be prepared in giving secondary information found on this site. You can also find other valuable information so you are better prepared for traveling abroad.

2. Business Travel in London--http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/business-network/travel-advice-for-business/

If you are traveling to London for business during the 2012 Olympics, July 27-August 9th, and the Paralympic games, August 29-September 9th, this site will inform you how to get to and from work, what you can do when traveling to different parts of London for business, where parking and road restrictions are, etc.

If you are attending the games, this will be good advice on knowing how to get around on these days.

3. Safe Countries--http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/

As international travel goes, most countries are safe to travel in, but there are some such as rural areas of India that are bordering Pakistan and all travel in Manipur, and all of the Middle East and North Africa that are on high terror alert. At one point in our history, Russia was a country that was on high terror alert too. So, it is always good to check this site before traveling. They list the countries, if there are any alerts, and what parts, and why. If things go wrong while traveling abroad, there is a phone number for the British Consular that offers 24 hour help.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/updates_mise-a-jour-eng.asp

This site is from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. This site also keep tabs on what countries are safe to travel to, including weather alerts for countries like Japan. While this is addressing Canadians, it really is for everyone.

The main difference is the Canadian site gives an * next to the countries to be aware of. However both site do offer valuable information.

4. Overseas Travel Tips: http://adrianac.hubpages.com/hub/Overseas-Travel-Tips-Learn-How-to-Prepare-for-Your-International-Trip-to-Avoid-Unpleasant-Surprises-

Adriana C. has put together a post covering advice from how to remember what to pack, credit card information, traveling visas (did you know after a certain age that you need a medical release?), and other traveling tips. People have input comments and their own advice.

5. Travel to Australia--http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

If you are traveling to Australia, they have really good up to date information called smart traveller. You can register your travel plans, get travel advice updates, even get travel insurance.

6. Travel Healthy--http://www.who.int/en/ (and) http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

This site keeps tabs on countries that are having outbreaks such as yellow fever, malaria, etc. Haiti, right now, is having an unprecedented bout of Cholera. So, before traveling you should check out their outbreak tab. Currently, some countries are still dealing with the Avian Influenza.

The CDC--Center for Disease Control and Prevention--also keeps up to date information on outbreaks. It also has a tab for you to get advice on what to do if you fall ill or injure yourself in another country. As well as what vaccinations you will need. It also has a section for pregnant women, and the risks of traveling.

Here some of the best travel advice sites where you will find all the valuable information you need to travel internationally. Remember, an informed traveler makes for a better vacation or business travel.

5 Top Museums of the World

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

A museum is a building in which the caretakers invest time and money to preserve and educate the public. There are museums commited to science, art, history, natural history, war, car, airplane, train. . . .the list goes on. If you can think of it, they probably have it. There is even a museum that has collected and preserved many different medical devices that mankind has used to attempt to cure or stop conditions or ailments. Very strange devices. With so many museums in the world, how do you narrow down which one to go to? Here is a list of the 5 top museums of the world.

1. Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie: This the top, and the most visited science museum. Located in Paris, it is a must see for any science enthusiast, especially a child. There are many exhibits going on through 2012 that are a must see:

2. Children Museum of Indianapolis: This is the largest children's museum of the world, and is rated by several different magazines as one of the best places for a family vacation. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana in the United States, five floors of interactive exhibits for children to immerse themselves into. If you have a budding scientist at home, this is the place to take him or her to continue showing them how exciting this world of science can be.

3. Smithsonian: "Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world's largest museum and research complex, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities." quoted from the Smithsonian site.

4. The Egyptian Museum: Located in Cairo, it has the largest and most extensive collection of Egyptial history. It is here you can see artifacts recovered from King Tut's tomb.

5. Lemay Auto Museum: Due to open in June of 2012. This will be the world's largest collection of automobiles and attractions in the world. Start planning your vacation to visit the United States as this is located in Tacoma, Washington, and has 9 acres to discover trucks, cars, and motorcycles.

Most are located in the United states, but you are creating your own museum when traveling; you are collecting memories and experiences to last for a lifetime, and when you talk about them, you are teaching and preserving those memories. So, whether your travel is for business or pleasure, these top museums of the world should be visited.

Cheap Airport Transfers in Europe

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Whether you are traveling to Europe on business or pleasure, the tickets were expensive. You have made allowance for food, tours, gift shopping, and things to do in Europe. However, when you get off at your destination, you are quoted an outrageous airport transfer price. While you knew you needed a way to get to your hotel or another part in the city, you did not know you were going to get robbed. While the prices that are quoted here are current, keep in mind that as money and the economy goes, prices may fluctuate up or down. Either way, there are still cheap airport transfers even in cities like Italy, Greece, and Ireland.

Venice, Italy

Transportation from the Marco Polo airport can be inexpensive depending on what form you take.

The Alilaguna--the cheapest by water, but slowest way to go. From Marco Polo airport to Murano is 7.00 EURO. From Marco Polo to San Marcos, and other stops, you will be paying 15 Euro. This transportation does have drawbacks as they have a set amount of passengers they can take. You might end up being the odd man out which means you will have about 20 minutes before another boat will come by--sometimes longer. Unless you are in a hurry, this is not the transportation you want as it will take up to an hour and forty-five minutes to reach a destination. You can find discounts online: www.venicelink.com, www.veneciconnected.com.
Private water taxi-- This is the most expensive, 80-125 EURO. They are private, and more narrow so they can fit in places that the Alilaguna can't. You can book them by visiting www.veniceairporttransfers.co.uk, www.veniziataxi.it, or www.motoscafivenezia.it
Airport Link--for 27 EURO, you can hire this small taxi to get to your hotel. It is not private, but it is still a cheap airport transfer. Good thing is, it only take 30 minutes to get to the center of Venice.
ATVO--By land, this is the express coach, nonstop. The approximate time to get from the airport to the center of Venice is 20 minutes. Tickets cost 5.00 EURO for one way, and round trip costs 9.00 EURO. Be sure you know which one you are taking as one also goes to the Mestre Airport.
ACTV--This public bus operates at fifteen minute intervals, and is about a 25 minute ride. For one way it is 5.00 EURO, and for round trip it is 9.00 EURO

Athens, Greece

Don't be fooled into thinking you need to pay over two hundred dollars for airport transfers. Cheap airport transfers can be found through these services:

Taxi--will cost you about 40 EURO
Suburban and express buses--faster than a taxi and is usually around 4 EURO, but may be quite a bit more depending on where you are going
Subway Stations--usually around 4 EURO

Dublin, Ireland

Cheap aiport transfers you can take are three bus connections:

Aircoach--Is 7.00 EURO for one way, 12.00 EURO for round trip and you can use this for direct routes or to other cities from the airport
Airlink--Is 6 EURO for one way, 10 EURO for round trip, and if you have children, 3 EURO for them. From the airport, you will want to choose Airlink bus 747 or 748. It will get you to the city in about 30 minutes.
City Bus--If you have very little luggage and the exact number of coins for 2.3 EURO, this is a very cheap airport transfer.
Taxi--This will cost you 20 EURO and will take about 30 minutes to the city.

Don't think that you have to pay outrageous fees just to get you to your destination as there are cheap airport transfers if you just look for them in the right place.

Unaccompanied Minor Travel

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Both of my boys, ages ten and fourteen, traveled together to California for Christmas. I was terrified that something was going to happen to them because not only did they have one stop, but they had to change planes too. The first stop was only forty five minutes, and the second was a almost two hours. Images danced in my head like a stranger taking them, getting lost, my active ten year old using the airport as a playground. To say there is a lot of stress involved is an understatement for both parents and child. I know I couldn't wait to get the phone call from my father, whom they were spending the holiday with, that my kids arrived safely and they are on their way. Here are some things to discuss with your child before the big trip.

The Airport--I did not have to say so much to my fourteen year old, but I did have him listen as I talked to my ten year old. He is very active. I told him that the airport is not a playground. He had to stay next to his brother at all times because the airport is very large, and he could easily get lost. It would be a good idea to talk about what to do if your child does gets lost.
The Layover--Besides needing stuff to do on the plane, there would be some time between flights. I told him that he needs to find stuff to do that will keep him occupied like drawing, his DS, his camera, a book to read. I told my fourteen year old to pack some cards so they can play war. Help your child find stuff to do on the airplane and during a layover. Perhaps even shopping for something new to play with. New things are always exciting to a child.
Bear--Being ten, he loves a stuffed bear animal that he has named, "Bear." He wanted to bring him with. I think it is good for a child to bring something that comforts them.
Emergency contact numbers--Write down all of the important contact information. You can place this in your child's backpack or purse. If you are taking advantage of the unaccompanied minor service, then be sure to let them know of any allergies or medication your child is taking.
Money--Both of my boys were given money for Christmas, and I made sure they took some with. If the flight is direct, money probably won't be necessary. However, if there is a layover, it would be a good idea that they have some for snacks and drinks.
Arriving--I told both of my boys that their grandpa should be right there at the gate when they get off. If they are not, then they need to start walking towards the exit from the gates because they will be waiting there. Let your child know what to expect upon arriving, especially if they are in the unaccompanied minor service. If they know what to expect, they are less likely to get scared.

As parents, we are always going to worry about our kids safety however old they are. Whether they will admit it or not, they are also scared. Knowing how to prepare your child will help take some of the panic away from you and from them.

New Zealand's 3 Famous Movie Sets

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Whether it is business or pleasure you are going to travel to New Zealand, but did you know that your travel agent can make your trip even more memorable with a tour of tow famous movie sets? That's right, you can walk in the same footsteps of actors whose names resonate throughout Hollywood as you visit New Zealand's 3 famous movie sets. Don't just travel to New Zealand, "Explore. Dream. Discover,"--Mark Twain.

Lord of the Rings--Although this is Peter Jackson's homeland, J.R.R Tolkien must have envisioned a place like Welligton as it fit perfectly for the scenes of Lord of The Rings. Walk on the same trail that Elijah Wood did when he decided to travel with the ring on his own. Visit the river where Arwen crossed with Frodo as the ring wraiths follow closely on their heels.

King Kong--Also directed by Peter Jackson, the King Kong set is also in Wellington on Shelly Bay and Lyall Bay and Seaview located in the Hutt Valley. This was the original location for the 1933 version, and to continue tradition, the 2005 version is also set filmed here. Here you see the original boat used for this film.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe--Christchurch, Cantebury. Leaving this location to go west, you will tour the country in which this movie set largely uses for its scenes.

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”--Martin Buber. Now you are aware of how to make the most out of New Zealand when you visit the New Zealand's 3 famous movie sets.

Top 7 Business Class Lounges

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

The word "lounge" means to pass the time idly, and what better way to spend your layover at an airport than in one of many business class or first class airport lounges. Not all lounges are alike, and not all are great. Some are overcrowded, air is too hot or too cold, some have staff that is not very friendly or treat you like you are a burden. However, there are others that really are nice, and if you have a long layover, a nice staff, great food, a place to relax will make your stay much more tolerable. If you are business person, a business class lounge or first class lounge will help take the edge off of a tired trip. Here is a list of the top 7 business class lounges that offer five star treatment.

1. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, London

Stylish, comfortable, business center provides laptop and wi-fi, food great, lots of room, full bar, jacuzzi, clothes pressed,

2. Singapore Airline Lounge, Changi

Great lounge, variety of food to choose, comfortable and quiet, toilets and showers clean, and staff was great

3. Thai Airways First Class Lounge, Bangkok

Spacious, somewhat dark, only two showers, snack items, full bar, comfort, clean, access to internet and wifi--easy and fast, great customer service, complimentary 30 min. massage

4. British Airways Concorde Room, London

Spectacular views of the runways, comfortable, fairly quiet, private booths to order food from a menu, a private area that has a day bed, desk, phone, and wi-fi

5. Qatar Airways Business Class lounge

Food and drink selection excellent, comfortable, friendly staff, depending on the time it can get full, clean

6. Qantas First Class Lounge, Sydney

A la carte food very good, staff is very nice, spa and massage area, great computer area

7. Cathay Pacific's The Wing, Hong Kong

New lounge is quite nice. Selection of food is great, staff wonderful. The new solus chairs are quite comfortable.

Whether you are flying for business or pleasure, you will find any of these business class lounges a great way to relax until your next flight.

Online Booking or Travel agent

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:30:00 GMT

A recent article in the L.A. Times, written by Catharine Hemm, suggests that the, "Lemony Snicket series of unfortunate events [Costa Concordia, Japan's horrific earthquake and tsunami, and many U.S. weather disasters] has caused havoc and worse for travelers," are the reasons why people should rethink online booking and choose a travel agent instead. These latest disasters are unfortunate whether they were natural or not, and whether they were booked online or not. One thing is true, you should be looking for a travel agent, but you can do that on an online booking site.

The question is should you book your vacation online by yourself or the travel agent you can talk to?

Online Booking

Do it yourself--Some people gain a certain satisfaction when they accomplish things on their own. Especially when coming back from your vacation, and it was a success because you made it so.
Anytime and anywhere--Travel agents have bedtimes too. Most travel agents go home at 4 or 5 p.m. which limits your time to being able to walk in after work or between taking care of your family and home. Our days can be very full, and finding the time to walk into a travel agency can be tricky.

Travel Agency

This same article suggests that a travel agent is by far the only way to book a vacation such as a cruise or tour in light of the travel disasters we are recovering from. What this article fails to mention, is that online booking has travel agents you can speak with over the phone. Here is what a travel agent can do:

Knowledge of the industry--Travel agents are very good at their job as they know the ins and outs, best time to travel, best tours to take which could end up saving you more money than if you did it yourself. They may even save you more money than if you booked your vacation yourself.
Too busy--Family and work can take so much of our time, that even some coffee with some friends can be too much to do.
Simplicity--A travel agency will listen to what you had in mind for your vacation or even recommend one based on some things you either like to do or have some interest in. Leave the details to the travel agent.
Emergencies--You can't keep an emergency from happening whether you book your vacation online yourself or a travel agent helps. The difference is, if you use a travel agent online or in an office, they are your outside link in case something happens like a medical emergency or a disaster.

So, whether you use a travel agent on one of the many online booking sites like www.air-savings.com or one you can walk into, a travel agent is the best choice.

Business Class Flights To Istanbul

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 02:36:00 GMT

You are looking for cheap business class flights to Istanbul, and whether this trip will be for business or pleasure, you want the best. You may have a list that people have given you based on their great experience on airplanes they flew, where they stayed, and even places they ate at. Sometimes that is not enough. You want to know what other people think too.

Here are some updated reviews from Tripadvisor.com and Skytrax--based on the last six months--for flying business class flights, hotels to stay in, and great restaurants.

Best business class seats to Istanbul

You just want the airline to get there. If you are only flying for a few hours, it won't matter which airline you choose. If your flight to Istanbul will be ten or more hours nothing would make your trip more comfortable than to fly an airline that has the best business class seats. Based on Skytrax, here are the recommended airlines for business class flights that fly to Istanbul.

Swiss International
Air China
Emirates
Asiana
Qatar
Etihad
Air India

Best business hotels in Instanbul

Long flights make for grouchy people, and we all want to go to out hotel and just relax, maybe take a nap. There are so many hotels to choose from them, how can you narrow any down. What if, without having done any research, you book one that does not even have your room ready and then does not even try to make up for it while you wait? Fortunately, based on recent stays, here are some hotels that many business travelers recommend.

Neorion Hotel
Hotel Amira Istabul
Sirkeci Konak Hotel
White House Hotel Istanbul
Witt Istanbul Suites

Best restaurants

Many business class flights have great seats, but what about the food? Maybe the food was good too, but a cramped space to eat? After a nap, you would love to eat at a restaurant, but like the hotels, they are everywhere. You don't want to get food poisoning from undercooked food, so which do you choose? Here are many reviews that both business and leisurely travelers have recommended.

Tria Elegance Restaurant
Matbah Restaurant Ottoman Palace Cuisine
Metropolis Restaurant

Your stay may be just a few days to a few weeks, and nothing makes a trip more worthwhile when you have researched. Reviews are wonderful, and while not everyone has the same expectations for business class flights, hotels, and restaurants, it will take a lot of guessing out of it. Traveling internationally can be stressful, but don't guess what would make your trip successful, know that it will be successful with these reviews.

Have you traveled to Istanbul recently? What would you recommend?

Why is the Indian Aviation Industry In Such A Mess? Air-Savings.com

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

An Air India flight is cancelled to fly a cricket team and an ex-minister of aviation's daughter without authorization, Jet Airways has cut back salaries for their test pilots, other Indian airlines can't pay their empoyees on time. While these are not the heart of India's aviation problems, it has complicated the current mess they are in. So, why is the Indian Aviation in such a mess?

Sum It Up

Safety: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requested an aviation safety report, and before the ink had even dried, the report was leaked, and the Indian aviation industry took another hit. This news already has investors wondering if they should continue funneling money to the India airlines.
Depreciation of the rupee: the rupee has been falling. Behind the scenes of airlines, is all the costs such as building rentals, loans, payments, etc. These are all high amounts, and with the drop of a rupees worth, airlines have to pay more on the dollar just to afford these costs. Unfortunately the rupee's worth is out of any airline's power to control.

Fuel prices: Because jet fuel is practically 50% higher in India than other countries, their airline ticket range is a little higher to try and offset this crisis. In doing so, their passengers have also fallen off. People want cheap airfares , and they will go to whatever airline offers the cheapest even if it means going to a different country instead of India.
Competition from foreign carriers: Indian Carriers face stiff competition from carriers from Europe, the U.S, and Middle East. People would love to fly directly into India, and not have to connect anywhere along the way. Unfortunately Indian carriers force people to connect in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai in order to get to their final destination. I can't imaging anyone passing up on an offer to fly cheaper, and straight to their destination. Most Middle Eastern carriers have priced their fares to India very low in order to cash in on the NRI business. Most Indian families fly to India at least once a year, if not more even in the worst economic climate possible. The airlines know, and love that.

These are some of the main reasons India is fighting to regain ground in the aviation industry, and they will not give up hope just because someone decided to kick them while they are down. There is still plenty of fight left in them.

Costa Concordia: Its Effect On Future Cruises Air-Savings.com

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:46:00 GMT

The Costa Concordia will leave a foul taste in cruise history; not so much because of the unnecessary deaths as the absolute disgust of the captain's choices. This disaster is already reshaping safety issues and how authority is managed in crisis situations.

In Port Safety Check

The muster is required by the International Maritime Organization’s Safety of Life at Sea. This drill is called the muster, and it is to take place no more than 24 hours after a ship has left the port. This drill consists of the passengers going back to their cabin, locating the life jacket, and coming back to the meeting area. Here they will be shown how to wear a life jacket, and be given a brief on safety. The crew also does a check to make sure every single person is attending the meeting when everyone comes back. This meeting lasts between 30 and 45 minutes.

The Costa Concordia's muster was not scheduled until the following day, and the disaster happened a few hours after departure. Several cruise lines, Royal Caribbean, Crystal Cruises, Oceana Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas have decided to have the muster performed on the day of departure.

Had the muster been performed on the Costa Concordia, while it was in port, who knows how many lives it would have saved.

Absolute Authority

Jame Loy, Special to CNN and Ex-Coast Guard Chief says, "A modern sea captain is provided with all kinds of resources. He is given extraordinary training for the challenges of the waters he is in and the vessel he is commanding. He is given extraordinary electronic gadgetry that allows him to fix his position on the globe within inches. He receives all sorts of input information -- weather reports, charts detailing virtually every hazard in his area of operation, and detailed information on pathways to take and pathways to avoid -- all of which arm him to make good judgments as to where he is going."

Obviously, with all that training and technology at Captain Schettino's disposal, the safety of the ship he commanded and the many lives at stake were not an issue to him. According to a translated conversation between the Coast Guard, Commander Defalco and Schettino, the fact that it was dark, his second mate was with him, and the lifeboat had stopped, and there were other rescuers was good enough for the captain to not go back despite a very angry Defalco ordering him to find out how many people there were and what they needed.

Absolute authority of the ship captain is coming under scrutiny, and it will be changing the future of management on deck if the captain refuses or is unable to fulfill his duties and responsibilities.

The Future of a Cruise Ship

A stop sign on a busy street had caused so much grief for parents whose children walked home. It was when a really bad tragedy happened that the Mayor finally agreed to install a stoplight instead. Unfortunately, the Costas Concordia tragedy will finally force the change of maritime law. This new stoplight will save lives.

Cruise Deals

Fat Finger Fares - Air-Savings.com

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:09:00 GMT

Fat finger fares are human errors when entering new airfare that either deeply discount the ticket, or did not even charge for the fare at all. In 2005, USATODAY wrote an article in which two major mistakes were made regarding airfare such as $51 round trip from L.A. to Fiji, $61 round trip from the East Coast to Iceland, and in 2001, they reported, United's mistake offered a round trip airfare from San Jose, CA to Paris for $27.98.

Is it really possible to find these fares?

Yes. Companies like Airfarewatchdog.com and Flyertalk.com stay on top of newly listed tickets. You can sign up for free to be notified by email when great airfare is avaliable like fat finger fares. Then you can call up your preferred travel agency, and book it immediately as it may only take a few minutes to a few hours to catch the mistake. In 2005, U.S. Airways sold 1,000 tickets before their, $1.86 mistake was caught. From a few minutes to a few hours, it may be the only chance you have of getting this mistake to your advantage.

Does The Law Protect Me or the Airlines

According to the courts, and the exact wording is, "if a reasonable person would recognize that it was a mistake," the airlines are not required to honor the airefare. Fortunately, most airlines will honor the mistake, but some airlines like Korean did not honor a recent mistake for tickets to one of their destinations that should have cost more than $900, and with the mistake, it was less than $500. Thankfully, many airlines are more inclined to honor fat finger fares rather than lose a customer or reject any money for the airlines. British Airways errouneously displayed a fare of $40 round trip from any U.S city to any city in India. That case made it up to the courts, and more recently Etihad Airways sold tickets on their website without the Fuel Surcharge, which later caused them to deactivate their website for almost a week.

Fat finger fares will always be here because they are due to human error, so until we become something else, fat finger fares will be around for a very long time.

Costa Concordia: Are Cruise Ships Safe?

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:09:00 GMT

The tragedy of the Costa Concordia has left the public wondering if the waters are safe to go back into. Should they rethink their vacation plans? Should they call their travel agent and ask for a refund for the cruise they just booked? The answer is: NO. You don't have to put off your plans to go on a cruise because of someone's stupidity and ego.

Are Cruise Ships Safe?

There are so many true maritime stories of captains staying to take care of the safety of the passengers and ship before evacuating. Think of Captain William L. Herndon of the Central America, who in 1857, was last seen with a cigar in his mouth sinking with his ship to the ocean floor. His ship was experiencing difficulty maneuvering hurricane winds, and when the abandon ship was ordered, he stayed saving as many lives as he could before going down. While he literally went down with his ships, there are numerous heroic ventures of captain's who stayed until the last second making sure they placed their duties and the lives of their passengers first. Remember E.J. Smith of the Titanic, he was heard shouting at his remaining crew to "be British" or stand their ground. Then there was an Italian Captain Peiro Calamari of the Andrea Dori who refused to abandon ship after saving the passengers and other crewmen. He tried to save the ship too, but when the angle of the ship became 40 degrees, he finally relented.

Captains like, Francesco Schettino give cruise lines a bad name. While ships do sink, so do sharks attack, car accidents happen, planes crash, etc. Although Carnival will be picking up the pieces and doing damage control in the following years, cruises will go on. Cruise ships are still safe, as Dr. Robert Klein has indicated. As a leading expert in the cruise industry, he is positive that "this will be a blip for two months or so and then people will forget." According to November 2011 numbers, he is right. Cruise tours accounts for $29.4 billion dollars in the travel industry.

Why A Cruise Line?

With all of the amenities aboard a cruise ship, and that they are all in one place, how can you not want to go? Think of a city and how you have to travel in your car, bus, railway, from one side of the city to the other side just to get to the coffee shop, library, movie theater, restaurants, etc. If it is a really big city, traffic can be a (you know what). On a cruise ship, these amenities are within walking distance, even if on another floor, but all close to each other. The food can be from simple to exquisite, the entertainment is without fault, and the staff is hired on contract every four to six months based on passengers reviews. So, the likelihood of having a bad experience is not as common.

So, take a big breath, and hold on to that cruise you just booked or will be booking and know that whichever cruise line you choose, you will be taken care of.

10 Best Hotels In The World - Air-Savings.com

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:25:00 GMT

Every year awards are given in the travel industry to recognize excellence in service in regards to airlines, resorts, airports, hotels, and many more areas. However, depending on what source you are using, you will get different answers. The World Travel Awards have listed their choices for the top hotels in the world. When traveling, having a list of the 10 best hotels in the world in your hand will save you time in trying to figure out where to stay.

Top Airline Hotel

Airways Hotel--This hotel is located in Port Moseby, Papua New Guinea. Many of the places to stay here are expensive, but this hotel is worth the extra dollars, and has been given the award for the best airline hotel for the second year running.

Top All Suite Hotel & Spa

Hotel Les Ottoman's--This hotel is located in Istanbul, Turkey. This house is from the Ottoman era, and was renovated to be a hotel. The award for all suite hotel and spa is in the second year running.

Top Beach Resort

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa--This resort has held onto this award for three years, and is a winner for the 2012 Travelers Choice.

Top Boutique Hotel

Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa--Located in Johannesburg, South Africa. This amazing hotel staff goes out of their way to make you feel important. The rooms are immaculate. No wonder that it has been given this award for four years in a row.

Top Business Hotel

Grosvenor House Dubai--Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The rooms are quite nice. After a long day dealing with business, they have a great gym and pool area.

Top City Hotel

Pan Pacific Singapore--Located in the city center od Singapore, this hotel is near convention center, shopping, bus, Singapore flyer, and a few blocks up from the marina.

Top Designer Hotel

Armani Hotel Dubai--The pictures you will find on the internet show a bland, cold view, but the hotel staff, food, amenities are superb. When you are there, you will be treated like royalty.

Top Luxury Business Hotel

Radisson Royal Hotel--aside from the World travel Awards, this hotel in Moscow has also been given the 2012 Top Choice award for luxury. Its amenities boast of: olympic size pool, saunas, spa, whirlpools, gym, etc.

Top Heritage Hotel

Raj Palace--This literally is a palace in Jaipur, India. It was built in 1727, and was considered India's first palace. However, you would not think that in walking into the hotel. It has many well kept antiques in which some are as old as the palace itself. It is steeped in history, and truly is a piece of India's heritage.

Top Landmark Hotel

Makka Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel--This is exactly as the name states; it is a clock tower. This landmark hold several records for being the biggest clock face, tallest hotel and clock tower. Aside from this interesting tidbit, the hotel service is great, rooms are nice, and your overall stay will be worth booking here.

When you are getting ready to book an international hotel, be sure to have this list handy. The World Travel Awards for these top 10 best hotels in the world will help making a choice as to where to stay in these cities easier.

Most Haunted Sites in Europe

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:55:00 GMT

Between visiting the Eiffel Tower, Stonehendge, and the London Tower, you have got to get some ghostly visits in. After all, you are traveling in the most haunted areas of the world. Here are the four most haunted areas of Europe you should include on your intinerary, in addition to cheap flights to europe.

Shropshire, England--Acton Arms, in the little village Morville, is reportedly the most haunted pub in Shropshire. The pub was a priory, then a coaching inn, and now a pub. People claim that they have seen a least three different ghosts wandering the pub at different times of the day. The most notable, the White Man, who has been said to resemble a ghostly sheet. There is the thought that this may be the prior of Morville, Richard Marshall. It seems, after he retired in 1540, that he continued to collect taxes and other fees, but kept the money instead of giving it over to the proper channel.
Kent, England--The village Pluckley, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is the most haunted village in England. Numerous ghosts include, a teacher who was found in a hangeman's noose, a screaming man who fell to his death, a highway man run through with a sword, and many others
Montego Bay, Jamaica--Rose Hall is said to house Annie Palmer, a voodoo priestess's daughter, and had quite an appetite for being a sadist as she made her way through three husbands, many lovers, and countless child sacrifices. Grab a video recorder because many visitors have claimed to catch her male victims on tape.
Edinburgh, Scotland--supposed to be the most haunted places in Scotland. Will you be one of the many who hear a phantom piper, see a ghostly dog, a headless drummer, or colonial prisoners?

Seeing the world is said to make you a better person, seeing some of the most haunted places in Europe will make for one hell of a memory if you are fortunate--or unfortunate--to witness paranormal activity in the four most haunted areas in Europe.

5 Mobile Apps for Sightseeing

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:24:00 GMT

Touring New Orleans with Mobile Apps

Checking out all the “must see” spots while sightseeing in New Orleans can wear you and your wallet out, but you can save money on New Orleans sightseeing by forgoing some of those expensive group tours and downloading mobile apps instead. Mobile apps allow you to customize your sightseeing based on your interests, go at your own pace, and save money, Whether traveling Domestic, or Taking International Flights. In this ever-growing world of technology, digital savvy travelers are becoming more and more dependent on their mobile devices while traveling. I put together a list of five great mobile apps to help you create the ultimate tour guide for sightseeing in New Orleans.

Garden District Historic Mobile Tour - $4.99

[Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.]

Skip the tacky tour guide with the loud hat and feather boa, and enjoy the Historic New Orleans Garden District at your own pace. At 1/3 of the price of a guided tour, this experience covers about 23 locations in the Garden District. It is fact-checked with information from multiple sources so that your tour isn't just interesting, but accurate. Special features include an interactive map of all locations, 3 – 6 photos of each location, GPS location services, Open Maps app for directions to a location, and an audio podcast for those who would rather listen instead of read about the different locations. The Historic Garden District Mobile Tour application is perfect for first time New Orleans visitors or long-time New Orleans residents who want to show the city to guests from out of town, or just want to learn more about this historic neighborhood without looking like a tourist.

Historic New Orleans App - Free

[Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.]

The Historic New Orleans Collection presents an app with a view into the past. Discover New Orleans's past as the Historic New Orleans App determines your location and shares photos from the 1920s through 1950s taken in the same spot.

All photos are from The Charles L. Franck Studio Collection at The Historic New Orleans Collection’s online catalogue. You can look at over 350 historic photos, share photos via social media, and use the augmented reality Guide Me! Function as a tour guide.

City Guide New Orleans Guidepal App - Free

[Compatible with iPhone, Android, WP7, and BlackBerry Monaco]

The City Guide New Orleans Guidepal app gives you quick facts about New Orleans, highlights “must-see” attractions, and has local recommendations on places you should visit such as restaurants and bars. This Smartphone guide was created from collaboration between local authorities and travel journalists. Special features include: sharing functions, travel itinerary, augmented reality, and 100% offline – including maps.

NOLA Guide French Quarter Tour - $9.99

[Compatible with Android. Requires1.6 and up.]

NOLA Guide French Quarter Tour is the app that pays for itself. Never worry again about missing something a live tour guide said, or about keeping up with the group pace. Never again pay full price (plus a tip) for a “one and done” guide. This app is a fraction of the price of a live tour, allows you to walk at your own pace (and take breaks as you like), and includes 43 audio tour stops (over 3 hrs!) of the French Quarter.

*WARNING* If you are attempting to use this app during peak times (Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, Southern Decadence, etc), the tour files may take longer to download due to heavy mobile phone usage in the French Quarter.

Official Paranormal Guide to New Orleans App - $6.99

[Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later]
The Official Paranormal Guide to New Orleans app enables ghost hunters and haunted history enthusiasts to explore paranormal sightings and investigations around the city. It includes accurate historical facts, interactive maps, videos, and detailed information about 60 haunted sites (including now-famous properties to private residences). Special features include: over 200 photos of rare interior and historical photographs; validated haunting in the French Quarter, Garden District, CBD, Uptown, Faubourg Marigny, and Plantation Country; bonus videos on Facebook @Facebook.com/ParanormalGuide.

Can you recommend any additional mobile apps for sightseeing in New Orleans? Share them with us in the comments section!

About the Author:

Lyndsey Rabon is a freelance writer for the Prepaid Reviews site, a site that provides information about Prepaid Phones coupled with over 17,000 consumer reviews of 30+ service providers such as Straight Talk. She is a technology enthusiast with a special interest in mobile apps.