Easy Cheap Travelling

Hawaii Vacations Discounts

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:17:00 +0000

Travel such as travel packages, Hawaii vacation packages, cheap airline flights, Alaska tours and Bahamas Islands are some of the travel related articles at http://www.christianet.com/travelpackages/.
Houston, Texas 7/25/2007 3:27 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

ChristiaNet.com (http://www.christianet.com), the world's largest Christian portal with twelve million monthly page loads, has just launched a new directory on travel packages including information on Hawaii vacation packages. "ChristiaNet is dedicated to helping readers find information on purchasing competitive vacation packages," says, President Bill Cooper. Doing a search online could result in a virtual tour, taking advantage of advertised specials, and the capability of making online reservations. Another way of finding a specific travel package is by using a travel agency. (http://www.christianet.com/travelpackages/)

Packages often include discounted hotel rates, discounted airline tickets, and coupons that offer a savings to local tourist attractions and restaurants. Oftentimes a vacation package will include tours surrounding a tourist attraction. Most advertised tours are for a certain number of people and include transportation and meals. Cooper says, "Purchasing a vacation package through a travel agency can offer some perks that will help when vacationing. Travel agencies often take care of little details for their clients, such as car rentals, transportation from the airport to the hotel, and bookings for tours, etc."

Airlines offer promotions that include cheap airline flights to specific destinations and sometimes are combined with other offers. For instance, some Hawaii vacation packages include discounted flights, along with a discounted hotel package for so many nights. A travel package might include a cruise, or a special honeymoon vacation. Sometimes discounts are associated with specific times of the year. Promotions are usually heavy around down times to try to generate business. Some Hawaii vacation packages include promotions that include a spa package with a massage. Little perks can generate business but promotions by airlines are often a result of the competition between airlines.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Air Travel Consumer Report states, "U.S. Airlines experienced a lower rate of on-time flights and more reports of mishandled baggage last year than in 2005, but passengers filed fewer complaints with the government about airline service than they did the previous year." Are there fewer complaints because there are fewer flyers with U.S. Airlines? Cheap airline flights promote competition between airlines that help to promote travel by consumers. Since consumer complaints are down in 2006 compared to 2005, maybe this is a good time to travel by air. For more information, visit: http://www.christianet.com/articles/

Finding The Best Travel Deals

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:39:00 +0000

When it comes to travel deals, most shoppers turn to the internet for the best prices on their hotel and transportation. The reason is because online discount travel shoppers are often tempted with special internet-only rates, discounts for early reservation and the ability to receive and print and instant confirmation.

There are no huge secrets to finding travel deals, but rather some facts that will help you to find the best deal possible. One such recommendation is that, if feasible, you should plan to travel on a weekday. In general, rates for both transportation and hotels are more expensive on the weekend simply because that is when most people travel. If arrangements are made on a weekday, the costs can be significantly less. The same is true of holidays, which is when a large number of people travel in order to spend time with their family. The costs during this time can add up quickly, so traveling a little earlier or later than everyone else could save you a bundle on discount travel.

Consumers should always make their hotel and transportation reservations as early as possible. This includes airfare, train tickets or even car rentals. The earlier the reservation is made, the better selection the consumer will have. The same is true of hotels and accommodations, which often book up early if they feature additional amenities, including a kitchenette, view, suite, etc.

Travelers who opt for making their travel deals online are in for a treat. Finding themselves with an array of choices, photos and detailed information are just a few of the benefits linked to snagging online travel deals. One of the most important things to remember when it comes to discount travel is that special rates are often non-refundable. For this reason, it’s recommended that travelers review the company’s cancellation policy and understand how any special pricing may relate to that policy.
The cheap travelling blog

My personal cheap travelling

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:14:00 +0000

I am one of those strange people who like to travel alone - without escorts and travel group. The way I traveled many European countries, and I have accumulated quite a strong economical travel. They, and I wish to share with those who are hunting to relocate, but has no extra money savings.

Tickets

I am not permanently deferred aircraft and have financial difficulties, so I prefer ground transportation air. I think the issues to do with the saved hundred dollars, did not arise.

A of the cheapest mode of travel, there are many companies that specialize in bus transport tourists. For example, the Moscow company Inter-R, which organizes tours for student fares. Another way is the railroad, my most popular mode of transport. During the journey, I barely read all downloaded from the Internet information about the country of food, and draw up an action plan. Tickets for the train usually buy at Belorusskaya station, the main railway ticket offices : there with a passport you sell tickets in any direction. Council details, travelling alone, as I do : buy a ticket in the reserved seat! Believe it or not, go to coupe with three men in the full bloom of "dubious pleasure. Much cheaper than sit on the direct train Moskva-Budapesht for example, a change in Moscow-Chop. Bought a ticket to Budapest in Chop, you save another $ 50 (by the way, it is 5 days of life in the hostel). You remember these "details" when in the last days of their stay in your purse will only currency coins of different countries visited you!

ISIC

You can get all the same magnificent office Inter-R, paying about $ 9. This card gives a rather substantial discounts in Europe (but not in America). The "aysikovskie" discounts can be expected in almost all the tourist places (museums, shops, clubs, restaurants, hostels, etc.), but remember : "aysik" is a student card, you can get it only if you learn at any branch of any university. Above all, do not be afraid to ask about discounts on "aysiku" in places you visit. For example, I found that could save 10 Dutch guilders (about 200 rubles), after visiting a museum in the Netherlands, and could, among other things, the money to buy a souvenir two friends had learned in advance! Discounts are up to 50% - as lucky.

The movement on the ground and hitch-hiking.

Europe, transport is very expensive-for example, the half-hour trip from one German city to another can cost about 30 euros (although there are lots of different discounts, it all must learn on the spot, the Bureau of Information). That is why I traveled to Germany by hitch-hiking machine ... The distinctive, it must be said, the experience. Almost all of my trips were successful, usually all that is required of you as a companion, is the first to feel the mood of the driver's view, and, accordingly, telling him stories, which are likely to be interested in it (a win-win situation, "Life in Russia").

One, it is true, I villages in the car and began to tell him how I admire the beauty of Hamburg, with a number of interesting people I met there, and so forth. My minute speech was interrupted by itself, when I felt the side of a closer look at the driver. Then followed by the words : "Sprichst du Deutsch? Ich verstehe kein Englisch. Nach mein Haus (German talk? I do not understand English. Go to my house), and I broken German replied : "Danke schoen .... .... Meine Freunde warten mich ... (Thank you ... my friends ... wait for me)." - OK .- Well, that all ended well.

But in Italy, for example, it was just as fun! Last year, ICQ, I met with a lot of Italians. And in the summer of 2001 went to Italy! Of course, I immediately reported this to all my friends on the ICQ. " Oh! They were all calling me to their guests! Immediately! Never forget, as I met at the airport by car, my friend from ICQ (until then we come just two weeks on the Internet), then it povez me breakfasts in the restaurant, followed by trips to Rome, gave the keys to his apartment, where I lived for three days, until it went to Venice, where I waited for the next internet-drug ... I was always driven, fed and given shelter. - The country Italians wonderful people!

I urge everyone to do the same as I, (such as my mother did not know until reading this article!) , but if you "feel" of people and able to act decisively, the So. Features!

How to find information and housing?

Where do you come from, any railway station must have tourist information offices, where you will be happy to explain everything, you can get on the map, give lots of different brochures and booklets. But the best way is try to use the hotel booking service. In the search window type something like "Hostels in Prague, if you need cheap housing in Prague, or" Hostels in Russia", or" ISIC discounts, if you want discounts, which gives "aysik", and so on. There is a huge number of sites that provide interesting details about how cheap and safe to travel to Europe, one of them is http://cheaptravelling.blogspot.com .

Read more you can in my previous posts: Budget travel basics and Planning a Budget-Friendly Vacation and Super Cheap Travel Tips

Cheap Holidays at Fiji

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 05:59:00 +0000

Travel agents tell there has been a rushing of inquiries about inexpensive holidays in Fiji following the exclusion of New Zealand's High Commissioner by the military regime.
Prime Minister Helen Clark has warned folk to believe cautiously before travelling to Fiji, saying bitterness could be shown toward New Zealanders.

But a travel agent says there has been no drop-off in tourist numbers. Melanie Pohl, from the Flight Centre, says many customers are aware that the ongoing problems may mean good travel deals.
Meanwhile, there has been a big increase in the number of New Zealanders going on overseas holidays in the past month.

Figures from Statistics New Zealand show there were 16 percent more short-terms trips in May than there was the previous year - the largest increase for May on record.
The increase was also the biggest monthly increase since December 2004, with just over 170,000 people leaving the country in May.
The biggest jump was in the number of people going to Australia - up 17 percent.

Cheap tickets to space :)

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 05:52:00 +0000

There are many reasons why exploring and subsequently living in place will be costly.

However, possibly the greatest obstruction which needs to be surmount for the doorway to be opened so that mankind can freely move from the ground will be the fact that here on our planet we survive at the side of a seriousness easily; each kilogram of textile going into orbit must be hauled upward out of the ground’s gravitational force.

Currently, the price-to-orbit starts at around US$19,000 per kilogram – and that’s for inanimate people - the price for lifting humans to orbit is often high payable to the fact that we expect atmosphere, nutrient, water and a controlled surroundings, all of which need to move with us; the overall cost will require to include education, ground backing crowd, ground based recuperation teams and base.

At every place launching a really big sum of the people that is lifted into ground orbit comprises of the fuel needed by projectile engines. Are there any new methods of moving textile off the surface of the earth? What can be done to lower the costs of flinging mass into earth orbit?

One alternative is the concept of a ‘space elevator’.
space elevator

The basic idea is a structure of some kind that reaches from the surface of the earth into space. Getting to – or from – earth orbit will be achieved by travelling up and down the structure. At this date, it’s difficult to imagine construction materials that would allow for the erecting of what most of us would imagine as a traditional ‘building’ – bricks or some other material compressing themselves down to the ground and thereby maintaining overall structural integrity. It is extremely unlikely that the construction of such a tower will ever be achieved that will raise a mass to geostationary orbit – 35,786 km. A slightly more realistic solution involves the production of a long, strong cable, extending at least to geosynchronous orbit where it might be tethered to a counterweight such as a space station or captured asteroid. Material can then be ferried to and from orbit by riding down the tether.

Once the space elevator has been constructed, the theoretical cost for moving mass to orbit dramatically decreases – by some conservative estimates to as little as US$ 500 per kilogram – and by other estimates, far less.

Still, the question remains; what material will the tether need to be made of in order to have the necessary tensile strength for a project of this magnitude? The emerging capabilities of nano-technology hint at a possibility in the form of carbon nanotubes. Structurally, these nanotubes are composed of graphite; a carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms, these then form very strong hexagonal sheets, and in turn these sheets are rolled into a small seamless cylinder with a diameter of a nanometre – one billionth of a metre. Carbon nanotubes have been produced which have a tensile strength of over 50 times that of high-carbon steel.

There are other problems to be considered in the construction and maintenance of a space elevator. At the level of the earth for example; how to deal with the effects on the tether of poor weather within the earth’s atmosphere, lightning, fierce storms and so on. Or the risk of disaster due to the severing of the cable due to accident or deliberate sabotage. carbon nanotube As the cable crosses out of the realm of the earth’s influence other problems arise; such as leaving the earth’s protective magnetic field and the subsequent effects of solar radiation on unprotected passengers travelling in a relatively slow elevator – or the corrosive effect that the same radiation will have on the elevator cable. Perhaps the greatest concern will be that of orbital debris and collisions. A small particle of dust, or worse, metal, travelling in the opposite direction as the space elevator’s cable could have a relative closing velocity of more than 20km / second – or 72,000 km/ hour. An impact with a large object would most likely result in a complete loss of the space elevator. However, to clear the way for the elevator cable, in theory, some sort of garbage collection is possible as since the dawn of the space age US Government agencies have been tracking pieces of orbital debris, some no larger than a paint chip.

If it is to be done, the accomplishment of a space elevator will only be achieved by the dedication and commitment of scientific researchers who will expand our knowledge of the natural universe and technological innovators who will develop new materials, production techniques, control and automation systems. At one point within the 20th century, it was widely believed by extremely learned and reputable people that travel by ‘heavier-than-air’ machines was impossible.

Round the globe budget tickets

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:09:00 +0000

Is it possible to circle the globe using nothing but budget airlines? If you route it right, yes.

I’ve been saying for years that it doesn’t make more sense anymore to purchase an entire round-the-world airline ticket forward of moment unless you are just getting a bare-bones one that you will occupy in with shorter hops and unconventional transport. What I bought for my best RTW journey in the mid-90s seems strange now: a pile of newspaper tickets in rise that went New York- L. A. - Bangkok- Kathmandu- Delhi- Athens- London- New York. (Even so we bought local jaunts from Singapore to Jakarta and Istanbul to Amsterdam though. ) It particularly doesn’t make sense on one of the legacy airline alliances unless you’re using mileage or are just enjoy being on grip with call centre employees.

Gadling found a great article from the Telegraph where a writer bought tickets at the last minute to go around the world from London. He spent 900 pounds ($1,800 these days) and touched down in 8 different places before returning home. The short hops were easy, but he had to work a bit to find ones across the oceans it looks like. One leg was on Zoom to Bermuda and another was on Oasis from Hong Kong to London ($230!). Here’s the story on Gadling and the original from the Telegraph.

Japan on the Cheap (part III)

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:47:00 +0000

What I establish unsatisfying about the Japanese landscape at best was that, except for oriental manner roof tops and the folk, the whole nation looks like a scaled downward edition of the United States, though often cleaner. The Golden Arches along with new U. S. associated quick nutrient chains dotted the countryside. Granted for many U. S. tourists seeing all that Americana overseas would have them look decent at house but I wanted something uniquely Japanese. I didn't have long to lament my position.

The small village of Mashiko is a ceramicist's dream. Located 62 miles north of Tokyo, this uniquely Japanese village is famous for its "Mashiko-yaki" style of pottery. According to Frommer's destinations, "Mashiko's history as a pottery town began in 1853, when a potter discovered ideal conditions in the nearby mountain clay and red pine wood for firing. It wasn't until 1930, however, that Mashiko gained national fame, when the late Hamada Shoji, designated a Living National Treasure, built a kiln here and introduced Mashiko-ware throughout Japan. Other potters have since taken up his technique, producing ceramics for everyday use, including plates, cups, vases, and tableware. Altogether, there are about 50 pottery shops in Mashiko (along with 300 kilns) into which you can wander and watch craftspeople at work. Pottery fairs, held twice a year in late April/early May and late October/early November, attract visitors from throughout Japan." Unfortunately we arrived in Japan in July.

A particular item worth mentioning is the abundance of beer. There were tubs of suds. Along with beer vending machines, the tiny eating establishments carried many brands of ice cold beer. Being a beer lover as well as a pro-ceramic artist, I was in heaven. We toured the gift shops and galleries, and lunched at a local restaurant, where I continued to wet my whistle. When lunch was over, our hosts had to pour me back into our vehicle. It was an inebriating experience but one that could never happen in the United States. The Japanese people are orderly to a fault and very well behaved.

We drove through the countryside, although we could have taken the train. Something uniquely Japanese is that commuter trains extend their rails far outside cities. From my window I noticed a number of one-car commuter trains running through tiny hamlets and farmers' fields, some with only a passenger or two riding inside. Sad to think that long-distance commuter lines were once the backbone transport of U.S. cities until "Detroit" lobbied Congress to place more emphasis on building interstate highways for automobiles.

We arrived back home early that evening for a home meeting. After dinner we were joined by a delegation of Japanese mothers accompanied by school-aged children. As a former public school teacher, I was asked to give a talk comparing and contrasting the Japanese and American education systems. It was a labor of love but oddly, before I started to speak, our hostess informed me that, "We Japanese are not a religious people." I have no idea why she told me that. I was going to speak about education.

It was also my understanding that generally Asian women have been second class to men for thousands of years. In modern Japan the roles appear to have been reversed. Nearly every woman that I listened to was glad that she was a woman and openly derided her workaholic husband or told me that they were enjoying their lives as modern women—whether stay-at-home moms or wives—and wouldn't want things any other way. That was my last day in the Land of the Rising Sun. We left for Narita early in the morning of our fourth day and the daughter of our hosts drove us to the nearby train station.

American-style breakfast at a Tokyo fast food restaurant was marginal at best, horrendous at worst. I recommend sticking to local cuisine for breakfast in foreign countries (except, perhaps, South Korea where they can cook real American food) though I may be overly biased when I say this. Anyway, when breakfast was mercifully over, our gracious hosts and we rode a second train back to the airport, taking in as much of the city of Tokyo from our seats as we could squeeze into a single morning. Once the train started moving, I asked our hosts why we were standing when there were plenty of empty seats available. They told us that since we made our connection earlier than scheduled, it was only fitting for us to stand, so that regular commuters for the time could sit down. This was so typical of the Japanese spirit. Every action was subject to a rigid written (or unwritten) honor code, and train seating was no exception.

Soon it was moment to tell "sayonara. " Together with our friends, we were in big Narita International Airport awaiting our flying to Manila, the closing stage of our Asian travel. As we waited to stop in, I couldn't assistance but discover a group of uniformed higher school girls each wearing the same light and blue dark crewman uniforms universally identifiable around the reality as the basic manner of school garb for all Japanese feminine students. Minutes subsequently we first checked our baggage and so ourselves after woefully saying our farewells. We deplaned at Ninoy Aquino International in the Philippine capital nearly five hours subsequently, yet sweet from our glad stoppage in Japan.

[by The Epoch Time]

Japan on the Cheap (part II)

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:43:00 +0000

The everyday Japanese house was like most of the folk—tiny. Her house was comfy and had a feeling of really being at the house of a supporter and not of an alien. What I did discover that was distinct was the "stool. " The bathroom was an example of hi-tech inventiveness. The simple mounting of the stool was an escapade. There were buttons on the position for flushing; a bidet for women, a water temperature gauge, and still a button that … easily … was used to make the work that for many years bathroom newspaper used to make. Also there was an inherent wooden Jacuzzi, sauna, and standing lavish for soaping your system; bathing in Japan is an experience in and of itself.

The kitchen was completely Western. However, the rest of the house was typically Japanese replete with tatami mats, bonsai trees sitting regally on table tops and sleeping mats on the floors. And I never got over the fact that, in my opinion, everything about Japan was at least four sizes too small.

I make it a practice to get up early everyday—very early. On my first full day in Japan, the daily paper arrived. It was a normal delivery just like in my home city of Chicago. Well, almost. When the delivery woman arrived at our door she politely bowed, handed me the newspaper, and said something in Japanese. I returned her bow and said "Arigato" (that's "Thank you" in Japanese) then went back in the house. Since I'm a very early riser no matter where I am, I was already up around 5 a.m., washed, spent time in silent reflection, and went back outside to gather in the pure air of the morning.

Like so many people in my "yuppie-fied" neighborhood back home, the Japanese people are very health conscious. Breakfast consisted of tea, naturally, coffee, toast, a bit of fruit, sliced tomatoes (I love 'em) and no meat but plenty of happy conversation.

We didn't go out of the house that day. We were trying to work through some serious jet lag from the horrendous 18-hour flight from Chicago to Tokyo. As a "large" person, squeezing into one of the tiny Japan Airlines seats presented an enormous challenge for me. When the plane finally did touch down I felt like a spent pretzel in a beer garden, all chewed up. I needed the day off.

We exchanged gifts late morning the next day. Our ever gracious hosts presented my wife with a beautiful blue kimono. I returned the favor by presenting them with one of my finest pieces of pottery. My wife immediately tried on the kimono. My gift was placed regally in their living room on a small table.

That day the effects of our jet lag had subsided and we took to the open road. My wife and I wanted to do what ordinary Japanese people do. After we were on the road for about an hour our host's daughter, who did all the driving in her pick-up truck, took us shopping at the Japanese version of Jewel or Dominick's. I can't remember the name of the store. All the products had Japanese labels, packaged in similar manner as most American stores, and the basic lay out was the same as any ordinary grocery store you would find in any city in the U.S. One thing stood out; the prices were quite high but the products were all items you could buy in most Chicago-area Asian supermarkets.

I think that "Construction Season" is universal or at least in cold weather countries like Japan and the northern United States. There were road crews everywhere but unlike the stress-causing crews in Illinois in Japan traffic flowed freely despite the heavy road work.

Japan on the Cheap (part I)

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:41:00 +0000

The caravan drive from Narita International Airport to Tokyo appropriate reminded me of how distinct Japan is from the United States despite its modernity. The folk are shorter, highway lanes are substantially smaller than interstates in the U. S. , and trains and folk seem to handle their lives by some invisible domestic clock.

We met our Japanese friends at the airport. They rode the caravan with us from the airport to our transportation level in downtown Tokyo. From there we caught a commuter caravan to the suburban township where they lived.

Unlike with the L train in Chicago, there are no escalators to Japanese trains just plenty of high stairs. My corpulence got the better of me in no time. After purchasing our tickets we waited on the platform to make our train connection.

I'm a people watcher—have to be if you want to write about human subjects. Accepting the fact that we were in a foreign country, I noticed that nearly every male had on a suit and tie, and carried an attaché case while the women wore Western style dresses and skirts. But it was the young girls who struck me as somewhat odd. Many, if not most of them, had blonde hair and appeared to dress like some of the characters in popular Japanese comic books.

Minutes later our train pulled into the crowded station. Tired from standing nearly 30 minutes once we got inside we quickly took our seats. The doors closed and we were on our way. As I sat looking around at the unfamiliar scenery, I couldn't help but notice that a lot of the men were openly drinking beer and other alcoholic beverages the way we Americans gulp down soda pop. Some of the men immediately dozed off either from the beer or as victims of the Japanese penchant for over-work. Many of them looked like they could have used at least 12 hours of solid sleep.

As I sat there gazing out at the blackness my mind recalled the large number of elderly men who were gathered outside the train station and sat around dressed in rags on flattened cardboard boxes. These men would be recognized as homeless in Chicago but when I asked my friend about them she replied that "they are not without homes but are rich businessmen who prefer living on the streets because family problems prevented them from returning home." OK. I gathered from her answer that homelessness in Japan was a national embarrassment and she simply refused to acknowledge its existence.

About 45 minutes later we arrived at Shinjuku-Sanchome Station where my wife and I were met by the lovely daughter of our hosts. She drove us to the home in her pick up.

Easy travel planning this summer

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 10:22:00 +0000

Dohop Flight Planner, a travel search engine, now allows users to filter and sort results by several parameters, making travel planning easier.

The rank is calculated for each itinerary based on its price, waiting time, overall duration, number of stops and preferred route.

Dohop.com delivers instant results from more than 660 airlines, including more than 100 low-cost airlines, and it calculates the best connections between 3,380 destinations worldwide.

Users can find connections and cheap flights on all airlines and thousands of destinations in two seconds or less. In addition, there is a re-designed user interface.

The engine is especially good at finding cheap one-way flights. Similarly, Dohop excels at finding return flights that do not require a weekend stay, saving hundreds of dollars per trip and allowing travelers to arrange their travel plans around their business schedule and family life.

Dohop also helps travelers find good flights to and from secondary airports that add more flight options to choose from.

Europe visiting best way

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:38:00 +0000

What's the better access to visiting Europe this summertime, if you can remain a month or much and seek to view rather a piece, but you wear't need to consume overly more money or remain at the lowest bottom-end hotels? That's the challenge an elderly pair newly posed. And although it's exceedingly comprehensive, I can offer some general counseling. If you now: cheap travel - it`s easy and very interesting

To begin, if your picture of an inexpensive European hotel is a drab six-floor walkup, you're 20 to 30 years behind the times. As in the United States, European budget accommodations are progressively at contemporary budget chains. The bottom-end chains are a piece plainer than any we have here, with really tiny rooms (around 100 angular feet) and maybe a tub across the hallway, but the next tier upward is often like Motel 6, Super 8, and new U. S. budget chains.

If you intend to remain as lengthy as four to six weeks, however, my hint is that you resolve downward for a week or much in a specific spot and make your sightseeing by day excursions quite than shift hotel.

* Settle down in a major city apartment and do your sightseeing by public transportation.

* Settle down in a countryside cottage and do your excursions in a rented car.

In your shoes, I'd do some of each—maybe a week or so in two cities and a week or so in two countryside areas.

Just about any major capital and commercial center would do for city-based stays. My first choice would be Paris, as it has lots to see and do and excellent local and regional public transportation. As an added plus, rental apartments for the summer are fairly plentiful in Paris because so many Parisians go away for a month or more. Also good: Either Milan or Rome for Italy; Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, or Frankfurt for Germany; and just about any sizable city for Switzerland. I'd add London except for the low-cost constraint.

To keep costs a bit lower, you might consider some time in Eastern Europe—a city such as Budapest, Prague, or Warsaw—or the countryside. However you'll find fewer rental choices and you'll probably find it a bit harder to cope with shopping and the other details of daily rental life.

Whatever city you stay in, you'll be taking a lot of short day-trip excursions rather than a few long trips. I suggest you avoid rail passes and instead look to everyday senior deals for your train and transit requirements.

For a countryside stay, I'd say, pick out what you like. France, Italy, and Spain have a wider selection of rural rentals than other European countries, but you can find options just about everywhere. I'd stay away from Provence and Tuscany, because rentals there are so over-publicized that prices are high and availabilities are tight in the summer season. And in midsummer I'd also avoid seaside areas, since the locals grab up those rentals.

Whether for city or countryside, the Internet is full of sites that list European vacation rentals. Among the bigger are Vacation Rentals by Owner and HomeAway, both of which provide listings prepared by property owners and link you to those owners. If you prefer to deal with a U.S.-based agency that actually visits and evaluates its properties, start with At Home in France for France and Spain and Vacanza Bella for Italy. Those are just two of dozens, however, and you might want to do (or have your travel agent do) some more extensive searching. And if you live in a U.S. location Europeans might consider desirable, consider a home exchange through a site like HomeLink International.

International travel medical insurance uk

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:19:00 +0000

More than ten millions people in United Kingdom live without medical health insurance - more than the total number of first and second graders in U.S. public schools. However, in London, the number of people with health care coverage has grown significantly in the past decade since the inception of ALL people, UK goverment traveller's Health Insurance Program (GTIP).

Ten years ago, somebody enacted the Goverment people's Heath Insurance Program (GTIP) to provide coverage for people travelling in families earning too much for Medicaid, but not earning enough to afford private insurance. London was the first city in the nation to have an approved GTIP plan.

ALL travellers has provided comprehensive healthcare coverage to nearly 186,000 people, making a profound contribution toward reducing the number of uninsured people in the state. While the national people uninsured rate is currently 11.5 percent; London's rate has continually declined from 15 percent prior to ALL Peoples and is now 7.2 percent, well under the national average.

ALL Peoples is a low-cost, comprehensive healthcare coverage program for peoples under age 19. Benefits include well child check-ups and immunizations, sick child doctor visits, prescriptions, vision and dental care, hospitalization, mental health and substance abuse services, and many other services.

The ALL Peoples program, administered by the London Department of Public Health insurance, hosted a special birthday" celebration April 24 to mark a decade of providing healthcare coverage to peoples so that London's peoples may
enjoy years of healthy, happy birthdays.

Travel deals very available

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Tue, 22 May 2007 12:42:00 +0000

With an active travelling season expected this summertime, it may be hard to discover a last-minute trade.

According to a new study from the Department of Transportation, fares on internal flights averaged $380 in the 2006 fourth fourth, upward much than 3 percentage from $367 the past year. And with airlines filling nearly 80 percentage of seats, the higher prices are possible to continue.

"As far as airfares, you see fewer and fewer deals because airlines have reduced capacity," said Michael Stitt, executive producer at Travelzoo Inc., which tracks and publishes travel deals. "So the airlines have the ability to increase prices."

At the same time, 69 percent of U.S. adults said they plan to fly as much as or more this summer than they did last summer, up from 57 percent in 2006, according to Expedia.com, a travel search engine.

Still, though you may have trouble finding bargain-basement prices, travel professionals say it is possible to pare costs. You just need to think strategically.

Shop midweek. Many myths exist about which day of the week airlines typically cut fares. But when it comes to last-minute weekend getaways, Stitt said most airlines post specials, or e-fares, on Tuesdays.

"Sometimes [the deals] are great, sometimes they're good, and sometimes they're just OK," Stitt said. Regardless, be prepared to travel in the morning: Most fares require that you fly Saturday and return early the following week.

Flights that depart on a Tuesday or Wednesday also can help you snag a fare as much as 40 percent lower than leaving on a Friday.

Be flexible. If you can stay as loose about your destination as you are about the days you travel, you will have an even better chance of saving money.

Travelzoo, for example, releases the 20 best travel deals of the week every Wednesday at 9 a.m Eastern time. Among bargains recently listed: A seven-week Alaskan cruise going for $849, which normally costs between $1,200 and $1,500, and 50 percent off rooms at a new Scottsdale, Ariz., resort.

Also, regard heading to areas where summertime is the off-season for travelling. A new hunt for flights from Chicago's O'Hare airport to Phoenix (the closest airport to the Scottsdale resort, incidentally) turned upward round-trip fares starting at $176. Several flights to Mexico could be had for little than $400 rounded journey, including taxes and fees (all prices are based on travelling from June 12 to June 19.

Keep searching. Don't accept you are overly later to rescue a few dollars on trips to more favorite summertime destinations, such as Europe. While you won't find the low fares typical of early spring and fall, the continent's off-season, airlines may run periodic sales to help fill any empty seats.

Airlines, for example, sometimes release additional discounted student airfares starting in mid-May, said Kristen Celko, vice president of marketing and e-commerce for STA Travel North America, a student travel organization. On average, student fares are 10 percent to 20 percent cheaper.

"Procrastination may pay off," Celko said.

Even if it is expensive to cross the pond, you may be able to find deals on the continent. The weak dollar is leading many U.S. travelers to avoid Europe this summer. As a result, European hotels are starting to cut rates.

For example, the Leonard hotel in London is offering rooms for about $158 per night as long as you book by May 30, about 55 percent off what the hotel normally charges.

Act fast. When you do spot a deal, don't delay. With capacity tight, any specials that do surface likely will be for a limited number of seats or hotel rooms.

"Be ready to book fast," said Stitt of Travelzoo, "because the best deals go fast in the summer."

Travel insurance "too cheap"? hmmm...

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Sat, 19 May 2007 08:04:00 +0000

By Jennifer Hill

LONDON (Reuters) - Holidaymakers have been warned that some travel insurance policies are too cheap to be able to pay out.

Independent financial research company Defaqto found 30 separate single trip policies that charge 10 pounds or less for a week's travel to Europe -- with one quoting just 5.49 pounds per person.

In its report "Travel Insurance in the UK -- Cheaper is rarely better" -- which is based on an analysis of 986 travel insurance policies -- it urged travellers to beware buying insurance on price alone.

Brian Brown, author of the report and Defaqto's head of insight, said: "The insurance industry and the government must to do more to ensure that all consumers are aware that when it comes to travel insurance, low cost is not always best."

He said areas of particular concern included a lack of understanding on how baggage cover works and a requirement for insurers to obtain original receipts even for minor claims.

"Consumers are being let down by the insurance industry which has made travel insurance policies jargon-heavy to the point that the only thing they can easily compare is price," continued Brown.

"This, compounded with increased competition, means that too many people are now travelling abroad with inadequate cover.

"With the continued growth of overseas travel to increasingly exotic places, more people are likely to end up on the wrong side of an insurance claim."

Defaqto estimates that around 10 million overseas visits are uninsured each year.

It believes many holidaymakers mistakenly believe that a European health insurance certificate removes the need for travel insurance.

[Reuters]

Cheap travel to Asia and Latin America

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:05:00 +0000

Q: I appetite to cheap travel a showy summer visit influence a foreign country. What are some amusing spots latitude my dollar will activity far?

A: The dollar has been weakening inveigh most currencies over the former several agedness, but able are still some acceptable deals out able - especially clout Latin America and Asia.

Countries agnate because Argentina and Costa Rica and cities agnate being Bangkok and Beijing keep been popular visit spots for decades, but over the gone continuance they own experienced ample jumps influence tourism being the dollar loses its buying ability agency aged European standbys according to considering London, Paris and Rome.

Travel cheap - booking Mesh site Travelocity saying biking to South America rise by 7 percent compared adumbrate last age; commutation to Central America bittersweet 14 percent and cruising to Asia bittersweet 17 percent, vocal Amy Ziff, Travelocity ' s editor at goodly.

The Caribbean has again be remodelled level added of a stay purpose, hide expedition rising added than 20 percent since a time ago, Ziff uttered.

Any of the motive has been the dollar, which still buys a lot agency Latin America and Asia but is weakening access Europe, Canada, Australia and Current Zealand. Over the preceding five dotage, the euro has gained about 50 percent inveigh the dollar, and the British pound has strengthened by about 30 percent. You ' ll save almighty dollar practicing your French access Montreal instead of Paris, but you won ' t pocket considering much because you might anticipate: the U. S. dollar ' s worth about 1. 11 Canadian dollars double time.

Authentic ' s not aloof the exchange ratio influence some regions; increase boundness ante up tourists extra sticker shock. Ireland, Greece and Spain aphorism costs rise added than 3 percent last bit, higher than the U. S. ' proportion influence 2006 of 2. 5 percent. The U. K. had increase of 3 percent, and Australia and New Zealand - whose currencies keep and strengthened rail the U. S. dollar agency recent agedness - saying breakthrough near 4 percent.

A thrifty cheap traveler ' s ace bets are places that may cost a lot ascendancy airfare, but longitude domicile and aliment aggrandized than accomplish up the asymmetry. Do the math: Authentic may booty an extra $300 to fly to Buenos Aires than to London, but if your hotel is $100 a after dark cheaper, you ' re saving banknote beside aloof a few days. And $40 agency the Argentinian place authority buy you a fancy steak ball for two that would cost you twice because much command Europe, Ziff notes.

If you ' re wedded to Europe, consider heading east, says Amanda Webb of STA Travel Inc., a budget travel agency aimed at students. Travelers hoping for big bargains in Prague might be disappointed, she says - the Czech capital is still cheaper than big cities in Germany and Austria, but its days as a struggling student ' s haven are over. Better deals can be found in Eastern European countries such as Latvia, Lithuania and Croatia.

Other exchange rate - conscious travelers may want to consider Japan. It ' s still a pricey destination compared with other countries ( Tokyo topped the Economist Group ' s list of most expensive cities to live in for more than a decade until last year ) but the yen hasn ' t risen against the dollar over the past five years, noted David Durrant, chief strategist at Julius Baer Investment Management. Also, Japan ' s inflation has been virtually flat, so U. S. travelers who visited there many years ago might be pleasantly surprised to return and find prices haven ' t soared as they have in European cities.

Cheap travel and cheap flights - it`s very easy, believe me

Travel cheap to NY with a CityPass (new york city travel and tourism)

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:00:00 +0000

In my new york city travel and tourism post i need to say about the brand-new York CityPassr adds The Metropolitan Museum of Art considering the sixth blockbuster ticket influence its leaflet of charge - distinguish attractions credit Contemporary York Place. CityPass, recognized for bundling ample - place destinations ' most popular museum and attractions tickets into one bout - and almighty dollar - saving leaflet, announces a advanced time of its Brand-new York CityPass. Available June 1, 2007, Brand-new York CityPass bag the iconic Empire State Box Observatory, a Circle Line Travel journey, and four of the cosmos ' s most big-league museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art ( MoMA ), Guggenheim Museum, and the American Museum of Characteristic History and Brick Bull's eye. Priced at $65 for adults - a $130 assessment - Au courant York CityPass represents a commutation capital of 50 % kill individually purchased attraction tickets, character line - jump privileges. Visitors own nine days to appliance the six tickets.

New york city travel and tourism Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the creation ' s antecedent cultural destinations. Its collections accommodate also than two million works of art spanning 5, 000 agedness of cosmos culture, from prehistory to the coeval and from every apportionment of the globe.
The Advanced Greek and Roman Galleries - the Met ' s newest grand public space - were inaugurated on April 20 to ample fanfare. A ostentatious architectural space, a aglow - filled, aerial atrium, bodily comprises New York ' s newest museum - a " museum - hide - the - museum " - for the affectation of the Met ' s extraordinary collection of Roman, Hellenistic, and Etruscan art, much of actual abstruse ascendancy New York for generations. More than 5, 300 works access all media, blase since the continuance of the museum ' s founding influence 1870, are installed on the two levels of the contemporary galleries. Note: The Museum ticket entitles its holder to bypass assurance products, and provides entrance to all galleries and exhibitions, virtue twin - age acceptance to The Cloisters, which is the Met ' s branch for medieval art and arrangement access better Manhattan.

Ace ' s no bout according to summer to ascertain the arctic halls and galleries of Advanced York ' s other antecedent museums. The American Museum of Common History tells the remarkable adventure of human evolution from millions of age ago to current Homo sapiens; Gold!, a appropriate display adumbrate a ton of gold influence a thousand forms evoking Complexion, desire, attraction and efficacy appears buttoned up August 19, 2007. Note: CityPass ticket holders may upgrade to beam Gold! for a poor charge of $9.
The Museum of Current Art offers a chronological overview of Post Impressionism to contemporary art agency its galleries, access a gamut of six curatorial departments: picture and sculpture, drawings, prints and illustrated books, photography, chart, and film and media. Its remarkable environment and collections introduce vanguard artists of changeable periods, or the chance to stroll up to a Brice Marden or Jackson Pollack depiciton, or beam what the fuss is about Fassbinder films.
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum ' s city travel and tourism now recognizable curving Frank Lloyd Wright exterior is after all unbefitting restoration to cinch more 50 dotage of landmark grade. Inside, the Kandinsky Gallery remains a magnetite, because are Chagall, Picasso and van Gogh paintings, the changing exhibits and the museum ' s intriguing multidisciplinary art programs.

The remaining two tickets deliver breezy daytime or superb dusk skyline counterpoints to the streetscapes. The Circle Line Commutation journey ticket includes a close composition of the Statue of Liberty and stories of Manhattan ' s bygone and ad hoc. The Empire State Abode is added than imaginary constitution; actual is a trip to the top of a landmark that has appeared influence added than 90 movies and fueled the city ' s romantic reputation for decades.
Also included to underscore Big Apple distinctions and nibble at other costs, the booklet includes tips, transportation information, contact numbers and Web sites, museum shop discounts, restaurant values, and Bloomingdale ' s shopping package.
New York CityPass, $65 for adults and $49 for youth 12 - 17, is valid from June 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008. Ticket holders have nine days from first use to visit the six museums and attractions in New York CityPass travel and tourism.

New York city travel and tourism CityPass is one of ten destinations designed for ultimate value and urban distinctions. CityPass destinations also include Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, Hollywood, and the theme parks of Southern California. Ticket booklets can be purchased in advance at www. citypass. com, and at all participating attractions or visitor information centers in each city.

Eastern Europe is final frontier of budget travel

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Sun, 13 May 2007 11:16:00 +0000

Leave it to an upstart airline sowing its post-Soviet-era oats to redefine the word "discount."

With the weak dollar and strong euro I'd been thinking a lot about Eastern Europe when a notice popped up in my in-box from Slovakia-based SkyEurope.

The airline offered to whisk travelers from London, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam to Budapest, Bratislava, Krakow and Prague. The deal: tickets for 7 cents.

I punched in some dates, and hit the jackpot -- two seats on a flight from Amsterdam to Budapest.

With taxes and a $6.50 "transaction fee," the total came to $52.19 per ticket. British Airways was quoting $146 and the train takes 20 hours.

For adventure-seekers looking for an escape from $5 cups of coffee and hordes of tourists, these and the other ex-communist countries are the final frontier for European budget travel.

Most of these countries haven't adopted the euro as their currency (Slovenia is the exception). So things still cost less than they do in Western Europe, and the dollar still buys more.

I used the Internet to book a flight on Romania's Air Tarom and rooms. Postings on VirtualTourist.com and TripAdvisor.com yielded lots of lodging suggestions that I didn't see in guidebooks. Getting around is fast and cheap with new flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome. (see www.flylc.com for a list).

It's true that the secret is out on many destinations. Croatia is on everyone's radar.

So I'm happy to be getting to Romania while Adam Marius still rents rooms for $25 in the old walled city of Sighisoara in Transylvania. He built a Web site showing rooms he built next to the family home in the birthplace of Vlad Tepes, the 15th-century Romanian prince known as Dracula.

Entrepreneurs such as Nicolae Prisacaru, in the farming village of Vadu Izei near the Ukraine border, offer inexpensive travelers' services. I hired Nicolae as my guide for two days at $30 a day plus gas money. He has arranged to pick me up at a train station, and booked rooms for me.

Of course, low prices alone don't make a destination worthwhile.

I'm happy with my $50 room in a hotel in Eger, Hungary. But I'm going there to soak in the thermal baths and sip the Bulls Blood wine.

The journalist in me is looking forward to a visit to Sliven, Bulgaria. There I hope to meet traveling sock saleswoman Diana Beleva to whom I loaned $25 through Kiva ( www.kiva.org), a San Francisco nonprofit that pairs individuals in the U.S. and elsewhere with entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Kiva has linked hundreds of people with Roma, or Gypsies, trying to make a living. There's Idriz Akiof, 64. He owns his own barbershop.I'll be touring socks stalls and barbershops, and looking forward to my stay in a $40-a-night Bulgarian guesthouse with built-in wooden wardrobes, woven carpets and a tavern that serves roasted lamb and rabbit.

By the numbers

Eastern Europe can be affordable -- here are some sample costs for a particular trip.

$52.19: Price per ticket to fly from Amsterdam to Budapest on SkyEurope

$146: Same flight, British Airways

$25: Cost per night for a room in near Dracula's birthplace.

$25-$30: Cost per day, including meals, to stay in a guesthouse in Transylvania

$1.30: Cost for a haircut by a Gypsy in Bulgaria

Please, read my other article about the best way to visit Europe this summer

By the The Seattle Times

Planning a Budget-Friendly Vacation?

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Sat, 12 May 2007 23:20:00 +0000

These Tips Will Help You Get There.

Planning their annual family vacation is something DawnDenise and Douglas Capers III of White Lake, Michigan, anticipate with zeal. And last year was no different. The Capers decided to take their two kids, ages 12 and 2 1/2, to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for the holidays. For more family fun at Disney, log on to www.blackenterprise.com/disneyblog.

Although they did not purchase a travel package, their travel agent managed to save them $700 by booking their airline reservations in advance and traveling on Christmas day. The Capers also saved tremendously on their hotel accommodations by using their business reward points at a top hotel. They ended up paying a mere $159 for a six-night stay in a suite. The Capers spent close to $3,500, which included airfare, three-daypasses to all the Disney parks, a minivan rental, food, lodging, and souvenirs. "We saved where we could. There was nothing to complain about. Overall, it was a great trip, even though we went there during a peak time," DawnDenise says.

Planning a vacation can be expensive, especially when you are talking about a whole family. But with a little time, creativity, and persistence, you can extend your travel buying power. The key is to start early in order to get the best deals.

Before you begin, decide what you want to get out of your vacation. Are you searching for a trip abroad, a cruise, a relaxing all-inclusive family resort vacation in the Caribbean, or a fun-filled excursion at a specialty destination? Whatever you desire, staying within your budget is possible with proper planning and minimal Web-surfing skills.

Here are some tips to help you book a budget-friendly vacation:

* Extend your travel buying power by purchasing vacation packages at sites such as www.priceline.com. You can save money by booking your airline tickets along with a hotel room or rental car. If flying, airline tickets are cheaper February through May and September through December (except the week before Thanksgiving and two weeks before Christmas).

* Instead of trying to pack the family up and fly across the country, consider taking the scenic route--and yes, that means a road trip (www.roadtripamerica.com). Road trips can be fun because you have control of when you can stop and enjoy your surroundings. However, be prepared for your kids to ask you over and over, "Are we there yet?" Pack food, books, music, and games for the road.

* Be flexible about when you travel. Plan your vacation for the off-peak season. Peak and off-peak seasons vary depending on where you are going and the time of year. If you want to avoid the crowds and save a few extra bucks, ask the hotel about the best time to travel.

* When making hotel reservations (try www.go4travel.net), be sure to ask for the lowest rate available for corporate, senior, AAA, AARP, and military members. Hotels are typically more expensive the closer you get to a major attraction. Also, consider staying at a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast. Talk to the concierge where you are staying. Ask them where to find the deals.

* Take advantage of a trip to a national or state park (www.nps.gov or www.reserveamerica.com). Rates are cheaper and there is a lot to do, including visiting beaches and lakes or going swimming, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Many of the state parks offer cabins, and camping is even cheaper.

* Travel with a protection plan from your travel agent or credit card provider. For a small fee, purchase insurance in case of trip delays, unpredictable weather, medical emergencies, and baggage delay or loss.

TOP 10 SPOTS TO VACATION ON A BUDGET

Atlanta, GA

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

Raleigh-Durham, NC

Orlando-Daytona Beach, FL

Kansas City, MO

Denver, CO

Los Angeles, CA

Chicago, IL

Cleveland, OH

Washington, DC

SOURCE: HOTWIRE.COM

Students Work Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Sat, 12 May 2007 23:17:00 +0000

Students have many opportunities to travel abroad, but one campus organization offers students the chance to work in another country. AIESEC connects 40 U.S. campuses with 800 universities in 97 countries and is sending 14 Ohio State University students to work throughout the world this summer.

This organization gives students the chance to work abroad at schools and orphanages - all at a cost of $500. Ann Bacon, a junior in international studies who taught English in Morocco last summer, said it was a very rewarding experience. "(The Moroccans) were wonderful and so were all the people I met from other places participating in the program," Bacon said. "I am going back to visit my friends in Morocco this summer." This summer her job will be visiting students at their work sites throughout the world, she said.

Bacon spent Tuesday evening promoting the program at the Global Village Festival at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center. AIESEC is originally a French acronym meaning International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences. It was created in the 1970s and originally helped students obtain corporate jobs abroad. "Whether you want to go abroad or stay local, the organization wants to expand global cultural awareness," said Brittany Thompson, vice president of financial affairs in the organization.

Members participate in cultural events, such as a traditional Indian dinner at OSU and around Columbus. To get into the global program, students pay a $45 application fee plus a $455 internship fee. "It is one of the cheapest ways to work abroad," said Thompson, a senior in international studies.

The fees go toward helping students with transportation to the airport, finding a place to live and showing students around. Students must pay for their own airfare. The cost of living can be covered by a salary. "If the work is unpaid, only room and board will be covered," said Brian Morgan, a senior in political science and president of the organization since May 2005. "But if it is paid work, you will probably break even with the cost of living." The program leaves much room for students to personalize their trip based on their interests.

There are four types of "traineeships" or work categories: management, development and environment, Internet-based, and educational. "Students set up where they go, when they leave, and what type of work they want to do based on their interests," Morgan said.

For more information, visit aiesec.org.ohio-state.edu

True Cost Of Budget Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Sat, 12 May 2007 22:56:00 +0000

People are being misled by cheap holiday deals. According to Trading Standards tour operators are advertising prices which do not represent the amount you end up paying. The hidden charges can sometimes more than double the cost of a holiday.

Sky News Video

Web gives clues for cheap travel

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Sat, 12 May 2007 22:08:00 +0000

So staying in a five-star hotel is out of the question. So you're not even eligible for a free little bottle of midflight scotch, much less an upgrade to business class.

Worry not: There are options for cheap travel that will give you the experience you want.

Start at www.budgettravel.com, which claims to "know the kinds of travel information you want." It bills itself as a "central location" for inexpensive excursions, and offers breakdowns by region, country and activity. This site also is a library of extensive information on hotels, embassies, visa applications and ways to get things done cheaply and efficiently. You can even submit your own vacation photos for others to see.

Crazy Dog Travel Guide (www.crazydogtravel.com), aimed especially at backpackers, gives all you need to know about hostels, airlines and -- an important point for budget travelers -- avoiding scams that will relieve you of your much-needed cash. Several parts of the site, replete with "hot links," take you through a series of questions to determine your best route to cheap travel.

Via Nova Destination Magazine (www.destinationmag.com/) features new locations monthly -- "South Padre Island," "Alabama's Undiscovered Coast" -- and allows travelers to sign up for a monthly travel bargains newsletter via e-mail.

At Student World Traveler (www.studenttraveler.com), an e- magazine that assaults the eyes with its yellow background, information is offered on everything from inexpensive clubs and bars to finding out how to "learn about the world while teaching English abroad."

Eurotrip.com (www.eurotrip.com), "your backpackin' Europe site," is also worth a look, especially its "cheap flight tactics" and "budget guidebooks" section. And Shoestring Travel (www.stratpub.com) is culled almost entirely from information submitted by other travelers.

Other sites to consider: U. Can Travel (www.netos.com/uct/), which gravitates toward national and international work and volunteerism; Backpack Africa (www.backpackafrica.co.za) is Africa's backpacking community's clearinghouse site and worth a look; and Amazon Road (www.amazonroad.com) offers information on how to "work your way around the world" on the cheap.

For the British Isles, Visiting Britain Cheaply (www.soon.org.uk/ britain.htm) offers a wide variety of tips -- especially geared toward students -- to lower costs.

More conventional travel sites like Expedia (www.expedia.com) and Biztravel.com (www.biztravel.com) may not be particularly oriented toward the budget traveler, but with a bit of persistence and trip permutations they can produce some genuinely cheap fares. And, of course, Priceline.com (www.priceline.com) will allow you to bid for travel and may or may not make you a winner. But if you're the roll- the-dice type, it's worth a try.

Finally, one of the world's most popular travel guides -- Lonely Planet -- has been, for a generation, dedicated to inexpensive, meaningful travel. Visit them at www.lonelyplanet.com.

9 things you didn't know about journey in Europe

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Fri, 11 May 2007 09:18:00 +0000

Think you've got it see away? Think again. Even for the experienced traveller, less things you didn't think of are perpetually revealed as you guarantee each original travel. Here are a few to recall when backpacking the first-world countries...

1. Backpacks are overrated. Although the thought of strapping your reality to your shoulders seems strong and enticing, there are countless advantages to having wheels. When dealing with ticket lines and beaurocracy, taking away and putting on a 70-pound suitcase can be a plenty more hard than setting downward a manage.

2. Don't think everything you view. This applies particularly to the price of living - just because three restaurants in a quarrel are charging 13? for a smoothie doesn't mean you won't discover a café around the twist charging half that, or be capable to buy sweet fruit for simply a pair of dollars.

3. Get off the beaten route. This is vital to capable touring - seeing what everyone else is seeing (at the cost everyone else is paying) can not simply be overrated, it can really trouble from the hidden treasures a spot has to provide.

4. Don't make your preparation. at least, not overly far forward. Trying to difficult to see away in rise what your agenda can be and what you should view can be overpowering, not to cite really misleading; the most up-to-date data should normally be obtained at the station the day before exit.

5. Don't be yourself. Well. you should ever be yourself, but be cautious to behave sure, still if you have to counterfeit it. Being prominently lost, susceptible, or hesitant will have you an instant objective for pickpockets, trivial thieves, and seedy guys (particularly seamy guys.

6. Don't drink the water. Actually, you truly shouldn't be drinking the USA water, either, but that's another tale. Even in first-world countries, most locals purchase their water bottled or establish filters.

7. If you wear't request, they won't say. Special discounts that may be accessible to you - pupil, young, military, or corp-related - won't surface by themselves. When you buy anything, ever take certain that you clarify yourself, and cite anything that might have you a trade.

8. Google doesn't know everything. I'm the best one to talk the praises of our internet super-search car, but really correct tips (and directions) will be best obtained from locals.

9. You can't view the woodland for the trees. It's simple to be sucked into the form of sightseeing and frenzied touring, snapping photos and bubblegum - but wear't leave the target of your voyage; if you aren't enjoying yourself, learning, or at least growing, go a measure backwards and assess your position.

Super Cheap Travel Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Fri, 11 May 2007 00:08:00 +0000

Today i found a superb article at The Frugal Duchess. She wrote it wery well.
Now, you can read it to...

Old downtown hotels in many cities frequently offer lower weekend rates. That's the word from Melissa Gracey, a bank marketing specialist.

For work and for pleasure, Gracey is frequently on the road and while traveling, she's learned to conserve dollars. For instance, for weekend trips, Gracey typically books elegant rooms in grand old hotels in the downtown districts of the cities on her itinerary. Her rationale is simple.

"Nothing goes on downtown on the weekends. You can always get cheaper rates on weekends," Gracey says.

From Washington, D.C., to Denver, business districts are often ghost towns on weekends, therefore, the operators of many upscale and historical hotels will significantly cut room rates to fill vacancies.

Consider the evidence. One summer, Gracey and her siblings took their father, Gene, for his 60th birthday, to Milwaukee to visit the Harley-Davidson factory. Gracey booked downtown quarters in The Pfister, a 150-year-old historic hotel. The family paid a weekend rate of $120 per room, a considerable savings from the weekday rate of $400-plus, Gracey says.

Likewise, in Denver, Gracey has enjoyed handsome savings at The Brown Palace, another historic hotel with weekend bargains. And in Memphis, The Peabody also offers steep discounts on weekends. Gracey also saves money on airline tickets. She conserves cash by always comparing flights that leave from either Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International.

Sometimes a flight to the same destination will be $50 cheaper, depending on the airport. "You can never tell which airport will be cheaper. I always check both," Gracey says.

Her routine also includes a price check at Southwest Airlines. That's because Gracey, as a frequent traveler, has discovered that Southwest is constantly adding new destinations with rates as low as $59 a ticket. The airlines also offers various specials through Internet sales, she adds.

Family vacations can present many opportunities for parents to educate children about finance, says Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach.
"Vacations and weekend getaways are something to look forward to and with careful planning, they can fit into your budget," Cecere says. "Showing children you can have fun without spending hundreds of dollars is an important lesson in their financial literacy education."

Compare prices for transportation and lodging options, searching for special Internet-only offers and discounts, and identifying fun and affordable events and attractions. source for the tips below: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Palm Beach

* Enroll in frequent flier, hotel rewards and preferred customer programs. They offer future savings and usually have no membership fee.
* Book lodgings with amenities. If you're among the 55 percent of U.S. residents who stay in hotels, motels or a bed-and-breakfast when traveling, choose lodging with free breakfasts, swimming pools and fitness centers.
* Consider driving. A family can save hundreds of dollars otherwise spent on airline tickets and destination rental cars by driving. Traveling by car, truck, camper/RV and rental car accounts for 79 percent of domestic trips.
* Pack food and snacks. Packing sandwiches, fruit and beverages rather than eating in a restaurant can save a family of four almost $50 per meal.
* Research airline options. Be flexible with your air travel plans. Layover flights are often less expensive than nonstops. If several airports are within an hour of your destination, compare ticket prices. Staying over a Saturday night and purchasing your ticket in advance could reduce your airfare by two-thirds.
* Book cruises months ahead. Rates are typically cheaper with advanced purchase. Remember to budget for drinks, tips, side trips and souvenirs.
* Go out for lunch rather than dinner. Restaurants charge less for lunch.

Luxury hotel rooms at lowest prices

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Tue, 08 May 2007 10:17:00 +0000

Whether you like to spend your
holidays in the snow, sand or seaside, you can find the best hotel
deals in the most popular destinations of the world. Below are some of
the most popular holiday destinations with links to book luxury hotel rooms at lowest prices.

London

London
, the capital city of England, is energetic, cosmopolitan, hectic,
diverse and thrilling. It is the largest city in Europe, and is a
mixture of wealth and poverty, of glitz and grime, of imposing
buildings and elegant shops, of world-class theatre and incredible
nightclubs. Sights not to be missed include the National Gallery, the
Tate Gallery, the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey,
the Tower of London, and Covent Garden.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/London.htm

Paris

Paris
is the economic, artistic, historic, and cultural capital of France. It
is also deeply traditional, almost village-like and in parts, a
dilapidated metropolis, which houses around 2 million people. The river
Seine bisects the city, the Right Bank is home to the grand boulevards
and most monumental buildings, many dating from Haussmann's
nineteenth-century redevelopment. The Left Bank has a noticeably
different feel, it has an atmosphere of Bohemian, dissident,
intellectual connotations, and it shows in Paris' best range of bars
and restaurants. The Eiffel Tower is Paris' most famous and instantly
recognizable landmark. The Champs-Elysees is the city's most well-known
boulevard. Elegant and broad, it links Place de la Concorde with the
Arc de Triomphe.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Paris.htm

Prague

The
capital Prague, largest city of the Czech Republic, and former capital
of Czechoslovakia, is located on both banks of the Vltava River.
Visitors are drawn to the 'fairy tale' characteristics of Prague, but
this is only part of its lively blend of styles. Prague is
unquestionably a city best explored on foot, the entire central area
has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city centre is
like an enormous open-air museum with an interesting mix of
architectural innovation including Renaissance, Baroque, Gothic,
Romanesque, Cubist and Art Nouveau styles.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Prague.htm

Rome

Rome
combines a sense of living history with a bustling, lively capital
city. It is endlessly fascinating, utterly compelling and a feast for
the eye with fountains, churches, palaces and ancient monuments at
every turn. From the awesome splendour of the Colosseum, the Sistine
Chapel, the Pantheon, the Trevi fountain, the Spanish Steps, the
Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica oozes romance and excitement.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Rome.htm

Barcelona

Barcelona
is the Mediterranean metropolis of excellence and yet at the same time
open to all cultural influences flowing in from beyond the Pyrenees.
Its well-ordered and proportioned town grid has given it quarters of
unrivalled beauty, such as the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas and the
modernist Paseo de Gracia.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Barcelona.htm

Brussels

The
capital of Belgium, Brussels, is a cosmopolitan city, with liveliness
and an appeal that are intimately related to its role as a crossroads
for all of Europe. The many aspects of Brussels are expressed in the
four quarters of the city. The Lower Town, which extends from Manneken
Pis via the Grand Place to the Botanique. The Royal District in the
Upper Town occupies the area between the Warande and the Palace of
Justice. In the North of the city lies the Heizel with the Atomium and
Bruparck. Just outside the city centre visitors will find the
Cinquantenaire park and the European District facet.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Brussels.htm

Amsterdam

A confident mix of old and new, Amsterdam, capital city of The
Netherlands, features beautiful 17th- and 18th-century buildings and
boasts some world-class museums, most notably the Van Gogh Museum, and
the Rijksmuseum, home to some of the world's finest artworks, including
those by famous Dutch artist Rembrandt. Nightlife in Amsterdam is as
mixed as the city itself, with something for everyone's tastes
available. A trip to Amsterdam would not be complete without renting a
bicycle ( Holland has more bicycles than residents), or cruising down
the canals by boat.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Amsterdam.htm

Edinburgh

Scotland's
capital Edinburgh, is perhaps the country's most alluring city, it is a
fascinating place with many historical and artistic treasures, a
fantastic pub scene and scenery as beautiful as the Scottish highlands.
Edinburgh Castle is a good place to start your exploration of the
Scottish capital. The castle is beautiful, mysterious, romantic and a
reminder of the city's bloody past. Edinburgh's Royal Mile is one of
the world's most captivating streets.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Edinburgh.htm

Melbourne

Multicultural
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia behind Sydney.
Located on the Yarra River at the mouth of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne
is a city of style, of Victorian architecture, of trams, of fashion,
food, theatres, art galleries, and leafy gardens. It is a sport-mad
city, which hosts events such as the Australian Tennis Open, the
Australian Formula One Grand Prix, and the premier horse race, the race
that 'stops a nation,' the Melbourne Cup. The " Great Ocean Road" is a
popular drive for tourists and locals alike, acknowledged as one of the
world's most spectacular coastal drives, visitors can view the
spectacular site of the Twelve Apostles.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Melbourne.htm

Stockholm

Visitors
can experience the magic of age-old traditions, historical sites and
breathtaking settings in practically every part of this unique country.
The most popular tourist destination is the Swedish capital, Stockholm.
The grand old city by the water is known for its unique wonders such as
the Vasa Ship; its elegance and grandeur, typified by the Royal Palace
and surrounds, and its wonderfully preserved Old Town, "Gamla Stan",
with 13th-century roots, subterranean vaults, church spires and narrow,
cobbled laneways.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Stockholm.htm

Sydney

Many
visitors would be surprised to find that Sydney, it's largest city, is
not the capital of Australia. Built on the shores of the stunning Port
Jackson, Sydney is one of the world's landmark cities, and is also
Australia's oldest city. Sydney, the nation's premier metropolis, mixes
a flare for groundbreaking architecture, a love of the arts and
high-powered commerce. The must-do's on every visitors list include the
Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Centrepoint Tower, The Rocks, Bondi Beach,
Olympic Park Homebush better known as the site of the 2000 Olympic
Games, and Darling Harbour.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Sydney.htm

Vienna

Located
on a plain bordered by the Wienerwald and the Carpathian foothills, the
Austrian capital, Vienna, is a cultural, industrial, commercial, and
transportation centre. Vienna owes its spectacular architectural
heritage to the Habsburg dynasty that controlled much of Europe for 600
years. Of special interest are the Hofburg, or Imperial Palace, with
it's 14th century Augustinian church, Imperial Apartments and Royal
Chapel where the Vienna Boy's Choir sing. Many of the world's most
important composers including Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss and
Mahler have lived and performed behind Vienna's Baroque facades.

http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Vienna.htm

Author Bio

Chloe
Lim is a photographer and avid traveler. She travels extensively for
work and family vacations. She is always on the lookout for bargain
travel deals and discount luxury vacations.

Traveling doesn`t have to be financially painful

noreply@blogger.com (Dingo) — Tue, 08 May 2007 08:38:00 +0000

Make practical decisions in Europe

I am a student. I am also a European traveler.

But I am a student first, which means I have no money. Don't let this stop you from traveling this amazing continent - make some smart financial choices, and you can enjoy an unforgettable trip this summer.

Europe gets cheaper the farther south and west you go. You will see outrageous prices in the United Kingdom - but pay practically nothing in the Czech Republic.

I recommend traveling in the off-season, but more sights will be open in the summer. Just be prepared for long lines and inflated prices.

And the difference between a frantic European tour you'll never afford again and one on which you can relax, knowing you're not breaking the bank and can return someday, comes down to three things: sleeping, eating and getting around.

Getting around

There are plenty of deals for getting around in Europe if you're willing to do some research. Flights from the United States are reasonable if you book far enough in advance, and travel agencies like STA travel offer student discounts.

Once you're in Europe, flying from country to country is dirt cheap. Ryanair, Easyjet and www.opodo.com are just a few online resources for flying in Europe.

Everyone I know recommends a Eurail pass if you're travelling for an extended period of time. For one prepaid price, you criss-cross by train. I paid $438 for 11 days worth of travel over two months. It easily got me around Europe for a month, though some trains require an additional reservation deposit.

Public transportation is much cheaper than taxis. But don't underestimate the strength of your own legs - taking the Tube from sight to sight might save time, but you miss out on the little extras you discover when you travel by foot.

Sight-seeing

My advice: pick and choose what you really want to see and do in Europe. Don't try to do everything.

Many sights are great from the outside. Why climb the Tower of Pisa when you can get the full satisfaction from just looking at it? Churches and cathedrals are free, unless they charge you to climb to the top or see special tombs. Don't pay for the elevator in these cases - use your legs and climb the stairs. This applies to the Eiffel Tower, as well.

Don't overdo it on museums and art galleries. It's worth it to visit the Vatican Museums in Rome and Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. I didn't think the Jewish Museum in Berlin was worthwhile, and my friend thought the same of the Prado museum in Madrid. Paris offers one pass for all its museums - definitely worth it.

Shell out a few extra euros for an audio guide in big museums - you won't regret it. You've already picked the museum and paid the admission fee - why not make an effort to understand the art you're going to see?

Other free and very worthwhile stops that are unique to Europe are the concentration camps. It doesn't make for an uplifting day, but they were unforgettable, life-changing experiences.

Again, don't skip a sight you want to see just because of the entry fee. Trust me, you'll regret it.

Sleeping

Why spend $400 a night for a private, 4-star hotel suite when you can meet people your age, pick up practical travel advice and sleep in a cozy bunk bed at a $15 per night hostel? Granted, I've gingerly laid my head on a few sketchy pillows - don't sleep cheaply in Athens, by the way - but the savings are phenomenal, especially if there is a kitchen.

Check out www.hostelbookers.com or www.hostelworld.com for deals, but be warned that many exaggerate their amenities. And don't pick one located miles from the train station and major city sights.

Many people save on a night's accommodation by crashing in airports or train stations. Not comfortable - but free! Overnight trains are also an option.

Eating

There are plenty of ways to save money on everyday meals. My friends tell me kebabs - gyros - are great in every country, and food in side-street cafes is generally well-priced. Grocery stores make for an inexpensive meal. Try to treat yourself to at least one big meal in every city or country; you won't regret it. And eat gelato - Italian ice cream - every day.

As for drinking, don't buy a lot of alcohol when you eat out. Pick up a bottle of wine at a grocery store and people-watch, as one of my friends did, or go out and use your foreign accent to pick up free drinks (probably works best if you're a woman).

More travel tips

Are you a student? If you're reading this, you probably are, and therefore qualify for great deals all across Europe. I bought an International Student card for $22, which you can always flash in hopes of a few bucks off your entry fee or meal. Many places just wanted my student ID, however, so carry that, too.

Believe it or not, there is now a company in Europe that offers free walking tours of major cities. I took the New Berlin tour in Germany, and it was phenomenal. Visit www.neweuropetours.eu for more information.

Don't be too cheap, however. If I was as stingy as my travel partner last month, for example, I would have missed out on the greatest experience of my trip - paragliding in the Swiss Alps. For 183 Swiss francs (about $150), I leapt off a cliff and glided down through the most spectacular views imaginable.

My friends and I haggled with a gondola driver in Venice, and though the trip still wasn't cheap, it was totally worth the experience.

And if you find that special, can't-find-it-anywhere-else souvenir, you'll kick yourself later if you don't just buy it. I picked up original prints and artwork in every country, which is a great way to remember my travels.