OK betong

Travel tips to Bulgaria

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:53:00 +0000

About the county

Officially known as the Republic of Bulgaria or Bulgarian Republic, Bulgaria is a beautiful mountainous country lying in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. The largest and the capital city is Sofia. The country may be very small in area but it is rich in ancient culture, picturesque locales, down to earth and friendly people who provide the warmth and hospitality of old days. Bulgaria is known as “Land of Roses” due to the largest production of roses here. Although Bulgaria is known mostly for its sea resorts much of the actual country can be explored in great mountain regions, with many ski resorts a perfect destination for skiers. With unique customs, spectacular crafts, colorful festivals, folklore and so on Bulgaria has it all to take the imagination of visitors by surprise and excitement.

Population & Languages

The population of Bulgaria is roughly 7.4 million and the official language being spoken is Bulgarian. Turkish and Roma are also spoken by considerable percentage of the population.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The types of plugs used are Round pin attachment plug and "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.

Geographic Location

It lies in Balkan Peninsula in Southern Europe bordering the Black Sea to the east, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, Romania to the north, Greece and Turkey to the south. Bulgaria also borders Turkey, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia along the sea. Bulgaria is strategically located near Turkish Straits making it the control point of key land routes connecting Europe to Middle East and Asia.

Climate

The climate of Bulgaria can be termed as temperate with hot and dry summers and cold and damp winters. Summer temperatures average around 75ฐF (24ฐC) and winter temperatures average about 32ฐF (0ฐC). The ideal time to visit Bulgaria is summer.

Local Customs
Like any other country Bulgaria has its own customs too and normal courtesies should be followed. Handshaking is customary. Dress should be conservative but can be casual. Souvenirs from home country are appreciated if invited to home. Here is Bulgaria, a nod of the head means ‘no’ and a shake of the head means ‘yes’. Tipping up to 10 to 12 percent is customary for all services including restaurants, bars, clubs, taxis etc.

Attractions

Sofia
* St. Sofia Church
* St. George Rotunda
* Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
* National Ethnographic Museum

Mountains
* Village of Momchilovtsi
* Pirin National Park
* Rila Monastery

Travel

By Air – The national airline of Bulgaria is Bulgaria Air. Other international airlines operating from Bulgaria include Bulgaria include Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, El Al Israel Airlines, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, MALEV Hungarian Airlines, Olympic Airlines and Swiss Air. Sofia International Airport EAD (SOF) is the biggest airport which is like six miles east of Sofia. Other international airport is Varna International Airport (VAR) located in the western outskirts of the city about five miles from Varna.

Sea - The important international ports are Bourgas and Varna along the Black Sea.

River – Ferries can cross into Romania from Vidin to Calafat.

By Rail – Sofia is connected to Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest, Thessaloniki, Paris, Vienna, Munich and Berlin through frequent services of trains.

Cuisine
The food is great - fresh, simple and strong ...
Bulgarian cuisine is one of the tastiest in Europe. Food is still cooked with fresh, naturally grown ingredients. It combines the wonderfully rich Ottoman influence with a peasant cooking style that uses flavour-packed vegetables and herbs. Yum! Start with a salad of fresh tomatoes and home-made sheep cheese. Follow up with a slow-baked stew in a clay pot and you are in heaven. There are plenty of non-meat dishes too.

Bulgaria excels in sirene (a white salty cheese) and yoghurt. The yoghurt is so good and so distinctive that it is exported world wide simply as Bulgarian Yoghurt. Sirene is an ingredient for two immiscible specialties. Try them. Number one is Shopska salad, made with chopped tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and onion. Number two is banitsa, a savoury flaky pastry that every Bulgarian grabs with a coffee at street stands.

Meat lovers? The main dishes are chicken, pork and lamb-based - typically hearty, simple and tasty. Grilled meats are popular and include kyufteta (spicy meat balls), and kebapcheta (elongated meat balls). Chushki byurek- peppers stuffed with cheese and herbs and fried in breadcrumbs - are a great entree or a meal in a moment.

Festivals & Religion
Bulgaria preserved its Orthodox Christianity through five centuries of Muslim domination and fifty years of Communist atheism. Nowadays Bulgarians celebrate both Christian celebrations and traditional festivals, many of which have their roots in pagan beliefs. In some regions the predominant religion is Islam and in others the two religions coexist peacefully side-by-side.

The Orthodox churches, with their dark, incense-filled interiors, spectacular icons and heavy wood-and-gold icons engender a sense of mystery and awe. Easter is the largest church celebration in Bulgaria, when a sea of people with swaying candles gather around the churches at midnight to hear mass.

The traditional holidays, rooted deep in folklore, are more prevalent in rural Bulgaria than in the cities and tend to relate to the harvest and health. At the start of Lent, the Koukeri, men disguised in animal skins and furs, wearing grotesque painted masks, do the rounds of the villages banging loud bells to ward off evil spirits and ensure a good crop; whilst in the south east of Bulgaria Nestinari still dance on burning embers to mark the beginning of summer on the feast of Saints Constantine and Elena. Even sophisticated city folk will get up at a wedding to join in the Horo - a dance in a circle to folk music.

Festival of roses - in Kazanlak: 30 May-1 June
The Bulgarian rose production is popularised every year during the Festival of Roses. This festival originates from the celebrations held at the beginning of the rose-harvesting period. Old rose growers used to organize pageantries in which manufacturers paraded, dressed up in rose flowers.

Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
2. 1 liter of spirits and 2 liter of wine; 50g of perfume and 100g of eau de toilette
3. Gifts and personal use items.
Prohibited Items
Un-canned goods, meat or dairy products, Narcotics, pornography, firearms, ammunition, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks and alcoholic beverages that contain more than sixty per cent alcohol.

Travel Tips to Belgium

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:33:00 +0000

About the Country

Belgium is situated in the west of Europe. The land here mostly comprises of flat coastal plains in the northeast, and southeast is occupied by the Ardennes Forest. Dutch, Flemish, French and German are the official languages of Belgium, with Dutch being the widely spoken followed by French. The weather here is pretty predictable. Months from April to September are the warmest. Otherwise the weather is pretty humid and skies are gray, that explains why umbrellas and raincoats are a part of the dressing. So, if the visit is planned for holidays during the rainy season, one must not forget to carry sufficient cover for maximum protection, as this is a coastal region. In case of emergency call 100 or 112.

Culture

Belgians are English-friendly and will make every attempt to speak in English with a foreigner. Always remember to carry a small gift or at least flowers especially when invited over dinner. The dress to wear will be mentioned in the invitation, when invited for a party. Smoking in public is acceptable.

Shopping

Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Ostend, Namur, Mons, Li่ge, Ghent and Mechelen are the main shopping centers. Belgium is famous for ceramics and hand-beaten copperware from Dinant, laces from Bruges, crystals from Val Saint Lambert, woodcarvings from Spa and Belgium’s finest chocolates. In jewelry, diamonds from Antwerp are on high demand.

Eating Out

The specialty of most of the restaurants is horse and rabbit meat dishes. Although visitors can find a wide range of ethnic foods, but the most famous are frites and mayonnaise and mitraillette; mitraillette is a large bun filled with fries, donair meat and garlic sauce, the vegetarians can ask for a veg. substitute for the donair meat. While eating at a restaurant, tipping is considered customary along with the value-added tax. At the cinemas, leave a €0.50 tip for the attendant and €0.25 after using the public toilets.

Electricity Voltage is 230 V and frequency is 50 Hz.

Travel

Delta Air Transport has inaugurated its new European airline SN Brussels Airlines recently. It flies to more than 58 destinations in Europe and as well as worldwide. The Brussels Zayentem airport is twelve km from the city and it takes 35 minutes to reach the city from the airport. The airport has facilities like duty free shops, car parking, taxi booking, car hiring, banks, post office, restaurants, and medical help. Internet and fax services are provided for the passengers. The Airport City Express train transports passengers to three main railway stations - Brussels North, Central and South. One can avail a bus which runs regularly from the airport, taxis can also be hired which wait outside the arrival hall. Tipping the taxi drivers is considered customary. Train runs every 15 minutes.

Another airport, Brussels South Charleroi, is 5 km away from Charleroi and 46 km from Brussels. Ryan air serves as the local airline here and has cheap deals for several European destinations to and from Charleroi. The facilities provided here are bus and train services, cafe, car hire, and duty free shops.

Ostend airport is 5 km away from the city and car parking, car hire, duty free shops, and restaurants are provided here.

Antwerp airport is just 2 km away from the city. Buses run to the Brussels Central Station every few minutes.

Liege is situated at a distance of 5 km away from the city. Buses run at regular interval here.

The departure tax at Brussels Zayentem is €20.93, Brussels South Charleroi is €3.49, Ostend and Antwerp is €10, and at Liege is €7.

There is a network of high-speed trains, which are operated by Thalys, from Belgium to France, connecting Brussels with other destinations like Bordeaux, Chamb้ry, Cannes, Marseille, Lyon, Nice, Valence Perpignan, and Rennes. Booking should be made in advance for these trains. The national railway operates through out the day providing service every few minutes to destinations such as Andorra, Austria, France, Czech, Germany, Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands. Insiders can avail the Inter-Rail pass which allows visitors to travel almost 29 European Countries. This service is valid for residents who have been settled there for more than 6 months.

Duty Free Items

Visitors can carry alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, coffee and tea without getting customs duty levied on them, but only the goods should be limited. Check out for the limits before carrying such goods. Food items that are not preserved are better avoided.

Travel Tips to Austria

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:49:00 +0000

Located in central Europe, Austria celebrates world’s best music festivals like the Salzburg Festival, Haydn Festival in Vienna, and the International Chamber Music Festival. Vienna is the capital of Austria as well as the musical capital of Europe. Music and art are in full flare here after centuries of hardship and innovation. That explains Vienna being the birthplace of Mozart. Horse dances are also part of these festivals. Since it snows in winter, the snow covered Alps is a must be visited place during the winter. Austria experiences a moderate summer. Rains can be expected year round. Incase of emergency call 120 or 123.

Site seeing

The romantic castles simply leave you astounded. The Schloss Durnstein provides a magnificent view besides the River Danube. A 10% tip should be paid to the taxi drivers, which is customary here.

Culture

German, Hungarian, Slovene, and Croatian are the languages spoken by the locals. To greet the locals, a handshake will do. When meeting someone for the first time, its better to refer them by their last name, but once better known they can be addressed by the first name. When out in the public, say Guten Tag or Gruss Gott to greet people and while leaving say Auf Wiedersehen. Carry along flowers when going over to someone’s house. The locals here have a passion for horse riding. The world’s best art of horsemanship can be found here which is as old as 400 years and to watch the horses perform at these schools; tickets must be booked in advance. Although service charge is levied on restaurant bills, an extra 5% should be paid as tip.

Getting there

Three national airlines operate in Austria, Austrian Arrows, Austrian Airlines and Lausda Air, which work in collaboration with the Austrian Airlines Group. The Vienna airport is 18 km away from the city. Airport buses transport passengers to the South Train and West Train Station. Railway, chauffeur-driven car and taxi service is also provided at the airport. Duty free shops, post office, bank, eateries, left luggage, tourism information, conference hall, nursery, car hiring and car parking facilities are provided to the passengers at the airport.
Salzburg airport is 4 km away from the city and buses, trains, taxis and hotel coach shuttle passengers to and from the airport. Facilities such as duty free shops, post office, currency exchange, left luggage, conference hall, restaurants and car hire exist at the airport. Check out the other airports such as Klagenfurt airport, Graz airport and Linz airport for more details. All the airports charge a fixed rate for porter service.

International tourists can get to Austria by Austrian Federal railways, if planning to travel by train. It has a large network which connects the major cities within Austria and also outside Austria. Travelers can find connections to/from Germany, Russia, Greece, Romania, Turkey Brussels, Paris and Italy. International rail passes or Eurail pass can be bought to travel around Austria as they provide unlimited travel and other offers too.

A good network of roads here provides an interesting journey. Take Eurotunnel when crossing the Channel Tunnel while traveling by car. Bookings should be made in advance. The cars can be hired at the airports and railway stations and if driving own car carry documentations like UK driving license or national driving license and car registration papers. Toll booths are installed on the motorways and ‘S’ roads, so if change is carried in advance it will ensure no delays in the journey. Registration documents should be carried along all the time while driving. The lights should be turned on while driving, in the city or outside, all the time. There are strict laws for seat belts and drinking while driving. If using the motorbike, high visibility jacket and helmet must be worn, it’s a compulsion for both the passenger and the driver. Many federal, private companies and local authorities provide bus service. Coaches are provided for moving around within the cities.

Wurm and Kock provide cruise passenger service. Along with the cruise trip, packages include stay at a hotel. Check out, before hand, for offer. There are many Ferry service providers too.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco or a proportional mix of these products
2. 1l of spirits over 22 per cent or 2l of fortified wine or spirits up to 22 per cent or 2l of sparkling wine or liqueur and 2l of still wine
3. 500g of coffee or 200g of extracts, essences or concentrates of coffee, and 100g of tea or 40g of tea extracts
4. medicinal products sufficient for the journey
5. 50g of perfume or eau de toilette
6. All the above mentioned goods should be carried by a person over 17 years of age.

Travel Tips to Albania

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 03:08:00 +0000

Albania is a mountainous country and the one of the smallest countries of Europe. The residents supposedly descended from ancient Illyrians.

Culture

The culture of Albania is majorly influenced by that of the mainland Greeks especially in the urban locality; nodding one’s head means ‘no’ where as shaking the head means ‘yes’. To greet someone, handshaking is preferred, though Shoku (Comrade) was used before, which has been long forgotten now. People dress informally here. Swim suits are meant for the beaches, otherwise women are expected not to dress in a revealing outfit. When addressing someone prefix Zoti(Mr) or Zonja(Mrs) before the name and always remember to carry some gifts when visiting someone, although flowers aren’t much acceptable. The guests are served with coffee, raki or sweets. Smokers don’t have to worry much, but they should avoid it where they see a sign of Ndalohet Duhani or Ndalohet pirja e duhanit.

Travelling within the country

Buses with relatively cheap fares operate in the main cities of the country or taxis are another choice which provided service for some main hotels.
Visit Dajti Mountain and experience Dajti Ekspres Cable car for an unforgettable 15 minute ride passing through Dajt Oark to reach Tirana. The route is about 4.2 km long and the ride costs €6.5.Alpha Yachting provides crewed yacht which is a luxury in itself. Tirana Bank is the best place for withdrawing money as it allows access to Visa cards.

Eating Out

Restaurants are not always sufficiently heated, so always wear warm clothes if out in the night during winters. Foreigners are charged more than the locals. Both the entry fees as well as any merchandise will be on a higher scale, so it’s better not to reveal the fact that you are a foreigner when out on the streets.

Site Seeing

If you enjoy canoeing, this is the right place to be. There are places right outside Tirana which is an amazing site for not just canoeing, but also rock climbing, hiking, and camping.

Accommodation

If you want a 5-Star ambience, try The Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers, which is situated in the middle of a shopping and entertainment center. There are about 151 rooms and 56 suites. So, along with the comfort, one can shop at once convenience here. Another hotel which provides all modern facilities is Hotel Mondial. It is located 1000 m away from the city and is also a good example of traditional architecture.

Getting There

One of the best and the easiest means is to go by air. Albanian Airlines is the national airline which works in collaboration with Tyrolean Airways, and provides service to almost all the big European cities. The airport, Mother Teresa, is 16 miles or 26 km away from the capital. A tourist bus is available every 3 hrs to get to the city center and takes about 30 minutes to get there. Taxis are available round the clock. While waiting for any transport service, tourists can check out the duty free shops, bank, eateries and car hire at the airport. A departure tax of $10 USD is imposed on all foreign nationals. Check out www.flyalbanian .com for flight times and offers.

If trying to get there by sea, try the ferry services which are provided by Adriatic Line and Agoudimos. The main ports are Durres (has ferry connection to Italy, Bari, Brindisi, Trieste, and Ancona), Vlora (has ferry connection to Bari, and Brindisi), Saranda (has connection to Corfu), Shen Gjini (has ferry connection to Bari). Check out www.adriatica.it and www.aqoudimos-lines.com for more information.

Bus is another option. Buses start from Istanbul, Athens and Sofia. Internal passengers have lots of options with bus services provided. If traveling by road in a private car, there is road network to the Kosovo region, but they are too dangerous to use because of the political tensions within the region. Crossings at Hani I Hotit, Bllata, Oafa e Thaes, Tushemisht, Gorica, Kapshtica, and kakavija can be taken. If tired one can take halts at hotels or other designated areas. There is a network of 18,000 km, out of which only 7450 km are main roads, for local travelers. About 2138km stretch of these roads is in poor condition and has pot holes, and utmost safety precautions should be taken when driving on such roads. Speed limit should be strictly followed on highways as well as within towns. Driving at night should be better avoided because of the absence of street lights on the road except for urban areas. Traffic should drive on the right-hand. There is a shortage of gas stations in the countryside, so filling the gas tank completely when passing through urban area is recommended and since there is lack of national recovery system; travelers should be prepared for an emergency or breakdown before hand. One should carry necessary documents like International Driving Permit and national driving license.

Duty Free Items

Following are the items that can be carried without customs duty being levied on them:
1. 1liter of spirits or 2liter of wine
2. 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco
4. 50ml of perfume.

Prohibited Items

Things that are prohibited to carry are firearms, narcotics and ammunitions. Special export permission should be taken for precious metals, books, antiques, work of art, or material of national or historic value.

New York town: Traveler’s Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:50:00 +0000

New York City, hailed because the town that never sleeps, fondly referred to as the large Apple, is home to approximately eight million individuals and with the population still expected to rise within the years to come back. the big apple town is touted because the center of the planet perhaps as a result of every a part of the world has left an indelible mark during this place. From food to works of art to culture exhibits to tourist spots, no matter it's you would like your senses to require pleasure in, the big apple town most likely has it.

Hotels : this is often one in all the common issues that travelers encounter when setting foot on foreign land. In the big apple town, however, you wish not worry that you simply won’t be supplied with the sort of services you expect to receive. If you’re the artsy sort keen on bohemian living then you’ll in all probability like to keep in the big apple City’s Greenwich Village or downtown Soho. If you’re a yuppy and you’re connected to your PDA learning concerning the stock market, then you’ll feel right at home in the big apple City’s famous Wall Street. If posh places but are what takes your fancy then take a ride to downtown Manhattan and see for yourself what the Hilton or the Four Seasons Hotel should provide.
Dining : whether or not it's sashimi, pesto pasta, kimchi, shawarma or paella that you’re craving for, trust me once I say that the big apple town has everything that your style buds might want to savor.
Nightlife : the most well liked places within the U.S. will little question be found in the big apple town. If you’re keen on star-gazing and I’m not talking concerning those who you'll be able to realize within the sky, then positively, the big apple town is that the place to be. Go club hopping and rub elbows with the wealthy and famous.

Tourist Spots : With numerous points of interest to go to in the big apple town, it’s typically quite tough to only apprehend where to start out. however in fact, we’ll attempt our easiest. A visit to the big apple town wouldn’t be complete while not touring the subsequent sites:

Empire State Building : want I explain?

The Statue of Liberty : take a ferry ride to the present gigantic statue, a present to the u. s. from the French government some centuries ago.

Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum : currently, now, now, don’t you begin believing that what you saw in Paris Hilton’s House of Wax is predicated on a real story. This explicit website was even featured in Ripley’s thanks to the uncanny resemblance of its…err…inhabitants.

World Trade Center : currently, i do know that technically speaking, this isn’t a cheerful place however it might do all people sensible to pay our respects to the victims of the September eleven bombing. This tragedy has a minimum of proved that the individuals of recent York town wouldn’t let any terrorist attack faze them into cowering in terror. Hail, hail the big apple City!

Now, bear in mind that the big apple town, for all its bright lights, can’t be compared to a bed of roses. therefore take the mandatory precautions to avoid unnecessary accidents. It’s conjointly simple to induce lost in NYC therefore take care that you simply perpetually have a map---and a cellphone preferably---handy, simply in case.

Happy sight-seeing!

Branson introduce

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:11:00 +0000

Branson is understood because the Live Entertainment Capital of the globe and boasts forty nine live performance theaters performing a hundred and twenty shows daily. With a name engineered on love of God and Country, this all-American city of simply over half-dozen,000 dazzles tourists annually with its complete of music, humor and "down home" attractiveness.
Visitors generally pay 3-4 days in city, typically seeing as several as eight shows throughout their trip. Since there's no airport in city, several elect to drive in and acquire around on the motorcoach. Having that isolation has done nothing to harm the success of the town, though. In fact, several favor to embrace day visits to Springfield and alternative nearby destinations in their trip, that helps the encompassing communities' economies further. During the Civil War, the realm surrounding Branson was thought of a no-man's-land. Lacking law and any men to enforce it, ladies and families were terrorized and attacked by bushwhackers, men who would rape the ladies and then pillage the house for food, provides and valuables. In 1865, what's usually thought of to be the terribly initial street shootout occurred in nearby Springfield, when Wild Bill Hickock killed a person named David Tutt in an exceedingly quarrel over a watch.

7 tips for The Spinster

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:28:00 +0000

Here are seven Tips for single lady from those who have a cheerful and long-term marriage…Tip #1: it's alright to be Single

First of all, DON’T PANIC. Remember:

* there's no shame being single!
* wedding isn't for everyone!
* No ought to marry a fool!

Marriage isn't the destination for the complete humankind. Being single isn't a sin; you'll opt to stay single, as long because it causes you to happy.

Always keep in mind why you wish to urge married: to search out someone who causes you to HAPPY and be proud of him for the remainder of your life.

Marriage isn't for your oldsters, though your oldsters would possibly wish to simply grab someone on the road to complete this job.

Marriage is for your friends. Why you care others’ voice over the one from your own heart?

Marriage isn't for saving face: there's no shame being single!

Marriage isn't simply another step in your life, a bit like progressing to school, finding employment or obtaining promoted. Trust me. it's a turning purpose in your life!

Marriage isn't finding a patron or a living ATM: it's pleasing journey for you and another soul.

Marriage isn't putting an attractive dummy beside you: beauty is simply a skin deep and can fade in years.

Marriage isn't to urge kids. kids are its natural result, not the aim.

Marriage isn't to urge sex. you'll get sex while not marriage!

Marriage isn't to urge married. No ought to marry a fool!
A bad predicament doable is being married to somebody you are doing not love. it'll cause no finish of grief and complications in your life.

An even worse living hell is being married thus somebody you are doing not love. Life is simply too short to waste this way!

7 Tips To Enjoy Walt Disney World On A Hot Summer Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:32:00 +0000

Orlando is a hot part of the earth and come summer the humidity and temperature can reach triple digits. Worse still, weeks of heat occur exactly when school is out and families head to Walt Disney World. No one in her right frame of mind considers heat, humidity and crowd a great combo, but with some planning, your family’s summer vacation to Disney World can still be fun.

Staying at an on-property Disney hotel is a good start. You can commute to the parks in air-conditioned comfort using Disney bus, monorail or water transportation. This is definitely a better choice than driving a car that has been baking in the sun for hours.

Another incentive for staying on a Disney property is that you can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour. On designated days, a Walt Disney World theme park will open an hour early for Disney Resort guests only. With that extra hour, you have time to take a break during the afternoon for a swim or a nap. Some resorts even have water activities, such as water skiing and surfing lessons, which are perfect for a hot day.

Pack a few water-mister fans. These little gizmo's are life-savers. It’s fun to buy the Mickey version in the park, but why pay $15 a pop if you can get them at Wal-Mart for $4.95 each? Kids will be fighting over them, so getting a few of them cheaply and packing additional batteries to go is a smart choice.

If you have a Park-Hopper Pass, cool down by visiting the water parks. Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon offer lots of fun for the whole family in the form of slides or raft rides. The water parks get crowded in a hot day pretty fast, so if you arrive at 11 am or after, expect plenty of queuing in the hot sun.

This is obvious, but crucial to mention nonetheless: dress light and wear sandals. Most theme-park guidebooks advise proper shoes and socks, but with the heat and humidity, wrapping your feet in socks isn’t actually going to help.

Remember to drink plenty of water. If someone in your group does get dehydrated, get to the First Aid Station. Each Disney theme park has one.

This is the best tip, which is why I’m saving it for the last. If you have tots, let them set the pace. Kids get cranky easily in the heat. This is more so considering that while you are looking at castles, they are in a hot stroller with nothing interesting at eye level. So if the kids are tired, head to somewhere with air-conditioning, have a break in a restaurant, or do anything that allows everyone to cool down.

7 Time Saving Airport Security Checkpoint Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:14:00 +0000

1. Do not bring 'Prohibited Items' to the airport (common sense items like swiss army knives, lighters, etc)
2. Use carry-on luggage for valuables such as cash, a laptop, and jewelry. Also to be placed in carry-on luggage are cameras and undeveloped film (The X-Ray will not damage film under 800 speed).
3.Tape your personal contact info or business card to the bottom area of the laptop and any other valuable you deem necessary.
4. Avoid wearing metal/foil containing clothing, accessories, and items (such as coins money clips, cell phone, keys, medicine, gum wrappers, batteries, lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc). In the case of things like coins and keys, try placing them altogether in a specified bag so it's easier to take them out and put them back in later.
5. Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal and/or have thick soles. The reason for this is because shoes do not have to trip off the alarm in order to have their own specific search procedures applied (so nothing can be hidden in the shoes).
6. Sure the Holidays are approaching, but make sure you do the wrapping of the gifts upon arrival, or ship them as opposed to bring them to the airport pre-wrapped as these will be checked by security personnel.
7. Arrive an hour to an hour and a half earlier before your scheduled departure since you will be searched no matter if you plane leaves in 5 minutes or 5 hours.

In light of the recent world events, these increased airport security (and beyond) measures are becoming a fact of life with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. However becoming educated and following a simple system can help you avoid foreseeable hassles along this turbulent journey called life.

5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation You Ev

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:58:00 +0000

Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa! Buying Caribbean beach front property can range from a bargain to outrageous. This does not mean that the cheaper Caribbean beach front property is any less attractive or luxurious than the more expensive ones, but means the location is different. For instance, Caribbean beach front property in the Bahamas is attractive, over run with tourists, & incredibly expensive. However, Caribbean beach front property in the Dominican Republic is as attractive, has less tourists, & a considerably more affordable price tag.
Tip #2 : Rent a villa for your trip! If you are not into real estate investment, why not rent a villa instead? Often, the price won't be a lot more expensive then an all inclusive package in a crowded hotel. & instead of having to eat buffet food for a week, you can cook your own meal, or even have someone do it for you!

Tip #3 : Rent a Caribbean island! Did you know you can rent a whole island for yourself? This can come with staff & everything you need to spend a luxurious holiday. it's also a very cool idea for a wedding!
Tip #4 : Charter a luxury Yacht! If you are looking for something a little less extravagant then the huge private Yachts, & a lot more affordable then there's a variety of luxury yacht charters Caribbean providers that will also be able to meet your needs & your budget. The wonderful thing about they Caribbean is no matter what your budget, preferences, & schedule there's someone who will be able to provide exactly what you are looking for.
Tip #5 : Contact a Caribbean holiday specialist Certainly, you can get online & start searching & learn everything there's to do in the Caribbean, however it's certainly a lot not as hard to basically employ Caribbean holiday specialists to help you plan your holiday. Not only will this save you time, but it will also save you funds because more often than not Caribbean holiday specialists are aware of different discounts & preferred rates. they have insight & knowledge & plenty of years experience booking Caribbean vacations, where you will have to do some serious work & effort to plan the holiday yourself.

5 Tips for Business Travelers in Moscow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:42:00 +0000

With over 10 million residents and a rich and fascinating history, Moscow is the center of Russia's economic, cultural, and educational landscape. As a result of the country's steady economic growth and virtually unlimited potential, an increasing number of multinational corporations have set up shop in Moscow, bringing an unprecedented number of business travelers to the city. Yet the city's size and complexity, combined with the country's unique language and culture, make Moscow hard to navigate for foreigners. Here, then, are some tips to help ease the way for business travelers. 1. Carefully Choose Your Accommodations Where you choose to stay can make the difference between a successful and a disastrous business trip. Your best bet is to select a business class, fully equipped, serviced apartment rental in Moscow. A short term rental will provide you with familiar Western comforts, while giving you access to the equipment you need (like Wi-Fi Internet; a computer printer, scanner, and fax; and free local calling) to stay connected and get the job done. Many come with a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine, which will help you settle in and concentrate on the business at hand. When selecting Moscow rentals, be sure to look for rentals in the upscale Arbat area of Moscow, within the Garden Ring Road. This is a very safe area, and one that is close to supermarkets, embassies, stores, restaurants, financial institutions, and nightclubs. Furthermore, unless you're fluent in Russian, choose to work with a company that is Western owned and operated. An English-speaking staff will go far in ensuring that your stay in Moscow goes smoothly and is stress-free. 2. Getting through Passport Control When you arrive at Domodedovo International Airport or Sheremetyevo 2 International Airport, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the lines and procedures at passport control and customs. The best serviced apartment rental companies can also arrange for full airport VIP services, Fast Track check in, and business lounge access. 3. Visa Registration Russia has very strict regulations for foreigners visiting Russia. Not only do you have to register upon your arrival in Moscow, but if you visit other cities, you have to register there as well. If you are staying in a short term rental, the Western company that manages the rental should be able to assist you in complying with the myriad visa requirements. 4. Airport and Train Transfers Many business travelers are overwhelmed by the logistics involved in going to and from Moscow's airports and train stations. There are four major airports and nine train stations in the city, as well as the world's most extensive Metro system. Although it's possible to negotiate Moscow's transportation system on your own, it's much less of a hassle to book an airport or train station transfer with the Moscow rentals company you select. 5. Taxi and Transport Services Whether you need to get around Moscow or are going to one of the many popular tourist destinations in Russia, it's important to select a reliable taxi and transport service. Again, it's helpful to be able to rely on Westerners, who can arrange for you to book an hourly taxi. With the right planning, business travel in Moscow can be both productive and enjoyable.

5 Reasons Why Skiing Is Good For You.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:31:00 +0000

At last, solid proof for what we’ve long suspected: skiing and snowboarding are good for you. And that’s not just because they’re both great fun and put a smile on your face but because this also improves our health, happiness, red blood cell count and makes us live longer. The evidence has always been there for us to see: the bearded septuagenarian bounding past you for the fifteenth time as you struggle down your first run of the day. Here’s his secret... Sunlight. Are you SAD? 1 in 50 people in the UK suffer from seasonal affective disorder which is a type of depression which commonly occurs during the winter months when the days are shorter. You travel to and from work in the dark, are cooped up in the office all day, and levels of serotonin, the brain’s natural mood lifter, drop. SADs can vary from mild winter blues to a more severe form where people can’t function in the winter without treatment. So get treatment and get up on the mountain. You may get depressed about the cost of a beer on the slopes, but that’s not quite the same thing.

Adrenalin. We’re all just animals, obviously some creationists may disagree, but we need to exercise our fight or flight responses. What safer, or better, way of doing this than searching out the steepest black run you can find, or something just a little bit beyond your normal comfort zone. The adrenalin surge will activate the beta receptors in your nervous system causing your heart to beat faster and increasing air to the lungs. This stimulates the brain, and the endorphin rush of relief when it’s over, will make you feel like a super human after every run. You can then undo the good work done by celebrating with some apr่s ski in the bar afterwards. Altitude. Can the news get any better? Just being at altitude can make you thin, fit and desirable - at least the first two are true. A couple of years ago the Austrian Moderate Altitude Study was carried out. Men who were overweight and suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol were prescribed walks at an altitude of between 1400m and 2000M. The result? Exercise at altitude improves heart function and circulation, lowers blood pressure and burns calories. There was also an increased number of young red blood cells. So, as far as the theory goes, skiing rocks and just getting off at the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m) could add years to your life. Fresh Air. Spending time in the great outdoors helps to prevent disease and boost recovery. You can avoid the pretty nasty particles which float around in the urban air. According to some Harvard boffins in their Six Cities 1993 study those people living in the most polluted cities have a 26% greater risk of dying young than those in the cleanest. So give yourself a break from the congested traffic and polluted air and breath in that fresh, crisp, revitalising mountain air. Learning. Learning is good for us. Your parents told you so and they were right, but they and you need to heed that advice. Learning new skills later in life can slow down the onset of dementia. Attempting challenges such as learning a foreign language - which you can practice at the bar - or new skills, such as skiing, will reduce the risk of getting age related symptoms and diseases such as Alzheimer’s. So what are you waiting for? Skiing is not only great fun but also scientifically proven to be good for you. Now that surely is an unbeatable combination.

5 Reasons to Use a Full Service Online Travel Agent

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:44:00 +0000

When it comes to planning your vacation, it's tempting to go the do-it-yourself route. After all, it's easy enough to book an airline flight reservation. Why shouldn't you also do your own booking for a car rental, hotel, or even a cruise? Here are five reasons why you should leave your vacation planning to a professional, full service online travel agent:

1. Terrific Deals

You can do your own booking, but you won't necessarily get a low far or the best deal. Airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and cruise ships count on people to make their own reservations and charge higher rates to those who do. Yet they don't really make a profit until they're completely booked.

Think of hotel rooms, airplane seats, and cruise ship cabins as perishable commodities. Just like an expired carton of milk has to be pulled off the grocery store shelf, on any given night, an empty hotel room is lost revenue that will never be regained. Similarly, an airplane is going to fly and a cruise ship will embark whether or not the seats and cabins are full. It's in the best interest of hotels, airlines, and cruise ships to be fully booked. That's why they offer discounted fares to an online travel agent, who can then pass along the savings to you.

2. Full Packages

A full service online travel agent can put together package vacations to destinations and hotel properties to which you might not otherwise have access. Perhaps you're a golfer, and want a dream golf vacation. Maybe a Caribbean vacation is on the horizon. Or maybe you are looking for the perfect cruise package. Although it's sometimes possible to book travel packages with the destination, you often don't get the options that best meet your needs. An online travel agent can put together packages that work best for you and your family.

3. Great Service

When you go the do-it-yourself route, it's often difficult to coordinate all aspects of your travel. Making sure that your flights depart and arrive at optimal times, that your hotel reservation is in order, that your car rental will be available, and that you'll have everything in order to board a cruise ship is no walk in the park. An online travel agent can do all the legwork for you so you can concentrate on preparing for your trip. And, if you have a change in plans, the great service that an online travel agent provides can make the transition a smooth one.

4. Group Travel

Extended families often travel together, and businesses have group travel requirements from time to time. In either case, a full service online travel agent can easily book trips for people who have the same destination but who are traveling from different places. Having a group travel coordinator gives everyone peace of mind and ensures that the group's needs are met.

5. Honeymoon Registry

If you're planning your honeymoon, an online travel agent can provide you with the latest trend in wedding gifts: the honeymoon registry. When you register with a full service online travel agent, your guests can contribute funds to your honeymoon, or they can buy specific services (such as a spa treatment or a romantic breakfast in bed) that you have on your wish list.

While it's possible to book travel yourself, why would you want to? After all, the advantages in using a full service online travel agent are limitless.

5 Occasions to Use a New York Limousine Service

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:37:00 +0000

While many people perceive a New York Limousine service as a luxury reserved for the wealthy, others are embracing the concept that a New York limo can be both cost effective and practical. Indeed, there are many occasions where a limo makes more sense than other forms of transportation. Here are five:

1. Airport Transportation

With the heightened security measures at airports across the country - and especially at New York airports - it's far too much of a hassle to drive yourself to the airport. When you have to park and drag your luggage to a shuttle and into the airport, it can add another hour to the time you have to allot for pre-boarding. Whether you're looking for JFK airport transportation, or need a ride to LaGuardia or Newark, a limo service can be just the ticket. You can go in style in a stretch limo, or opt for the more practical Town Car. If the whole family is heading to the airport, a limo in New York can be a seven-passenger van or even a 19-passenger limo bus.

2. Weddings

A stretch limousine in New York may be standard for the bride and groom, but a limo service can also be a godsend for the bridal party and even for out of town guests. The best limo companies have worry-free wedding packages and coordinators who can ensure that everyone will get to the church (or synagogue or mosque) on time - and then to the reception and back to their hotels.

3. Tours

If you're visiting the Big Apple and want to take in the sights, a New York limousine service can show them to you in style. Depending on the number in your party, you can use a limo, a sedan, a van, or a bus to enjoy all that New York has to offer. You can create your own itinerary, and rest assured that the driver will double as a professional tour guide. The best services provide complimentary refreshments and snacks, and even have drivers who can give tours in languages other than English.

4. Sporting Events

When you and your buddies are going to a game, the last thing you need is that hassle of driving and parking at the event. Plus, if you want to knock back a few beers, you certainly don't want to be behind the wheel after the game. A New York limousine can take you to Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, or Flushing Meadows and back again in style.

5. Business Meetings

Whether you're in town for business, or are hosting out-of-town colleagues or potential clients, a New York limousine service can help ensure that attendees will get to your meetings on time. A good limo service has experienced drivers who are knowledgeable, discreet, and familiar with the needs of the business traveler. If needed, some limo services also have armored vehicles in their fleet.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but rest assured that a New York limousine service isn't only for the wealthy. There are many occasions when a limo can take the hassle out of transportation.

5 Days In Amsterdam

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:57:00 +0000

All was still. Around one hundred people had settled in the rest room for the overnight ferry crossing from Hull to Holland. It was pitch black and the only sounds were the faint humming of the engines and the odd snorer.

All the seats had been snapped up so I found myself lying in a vacant space on the floor with a couple of mates trying to get comfortable. About five minutes had passed and I could feel myself about to drop off.

You could hear a pin drop. Then my mate farted. It began as a kind of muffled snort and developed into a full crescendo. The whole process must have taken at least five seconds. I struggled for a moment, trying to contain my laughter. Eventually I had to leave the room, quickly followed by my two mates.

After docking in Holland we were ushered onto a waiting coach for the one-hour drive to Amsterdam. The landscape was full of all the quintessential things that make Holland so unique.

Windmills were liberally scattered throughout the land. Wonderful white structures whose arms spun endlessly in the wind. The undramatic flat countryside seemed to stretch forever. In fact, over a third of Holland lies below sea level.

The coach dropped us off in the heart of Amsterdam, deep amongst the network of canals that divide this old city into a million different pieces. We found ourselves stood outside the central train station debating our accommodation options. We had decided beforehand to wait until our arrival until finding a hotel.

Just as we were getting anxious, a middle-aged woman approached us. She walked with a swagger and wore an air of confidence.

“Are you lads looking for a room?” she asked in broken English.

“Yes,” we all replied simultaneously. We sensed a solution to our predicament was imminent.

“I have a bed and breakfast not far from here, just two stops on the underground. Would you like a room?”

The hotel was reasonable enough. A twenty-minute walk and we were back in town with all the other tourists, walking round in circles trying to get a bearing.

Amsterdam is a truly surreal place. Legalising cannabis has certainly raised an eyebrow from the rest of the world and is regarded with a certain fascination. As we sampled the local delicacy, one day pretty much blended into another like some sort of hazy dream. Before we knew it we were back home contemplating a quite bizarre vacation.

"Roughing" Style

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:52:00 +0000

You've seen the Expedia.com commercials with the couple in the beachside bungalow with mosquito nets... and the thought of going on vacation to stay in a tent gives you the creepy crawlies already. Not to worry, you won't need a sleeping bag and a bottle of Off! for this exotic vacation. When was the last time you stayed in an air-conditioned, 790 square-foot tent with wooden floors, embroidered interior canopies, private gardens, outside deck for sunbathing, king size four-poster bed, freestanding rolltop bath and separate shower? And just to make sure you don't feel like you're "roughing it," your tent comes with a DVD player and minibar.

It's seems contradictory that the words "luxury" be used to describe a tent but at the Oberoi Vanyavilas, located between the Aravali and the Vindhya mountain ranges in South-Eastern Rajasthan, India, the concept is far from novel. Nestled among 20 acres of landscaped gardens, lemon and mango trees, and lakes and fountains, are 25 tents, bordering on one of the most extraordinary wildlife reserves in the world, Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve, which is home to the majestic Indian tiger, as well as deer, leopard, and crocodile.

Now, before you think that this is an isolated retreat, consider the fine dining options and extensive spa services available. In the Dining Room and Inner Courtyard, Executive Chef Saurav Banerjee and Indian Master Chef Arjun Singh Yadava present an impressive spread of Western, Thai and Indian cuisine from a revolving menu. The exquisitely decorated restaurant features hand painted frescoes of flowers and animals by the celebrated miniaturist Mohan Singh Kumawat. Outside is the walled terrace of the Inner Courtyard which is lit at night by a massive log fire (camp fire songs optional).

As with any quality resort, there is a spa, where you'll find steam rooms, showers and private therapy suites and a long menu of spa treatments, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Try the stimulating Indian Spice Wrap and a delicious Orange Wrap. All the massage and aromatherapy treatments are aimed at relieving stress and promoting a deep sense of relaxation and wellbeing. And for fitness buffs who can't miss a workout, there is an exercycle, rowing machine, steppers and a treadmill, as well as an outdoor heated pool.

5 Romantic Travel Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:23:00 +0000

A new year always means a chance for a new start. You and yours can begin this new year by making some travel resolutions together, regardless of your time and budget restraints. Put aside those new travel habits and make some new ones! Let this be the year that your travel designs focus on fun, fantasy, and festivities!

(1) we are going to plan a real vacation. No, it doesn't have to be an around the world cruise or first class getaway (but if you can afford it, what are you waiting for?) It does have to be an honest-to-goodness vacation, though. No cell phones, no laptops. Mark the dates on the calendar and keep it like you'd keep any business appointment. The business of romantic travel, though, is a fun four and an activity that the one of you can plan for months.

(2) we are going to involve each other in the trip planning. All often, four partner gets the job for planning a trip...and that task quickly becomes a bore. Plan your trips together! Anticipation is half the fun. Visit a travel agent. Collect brochures. Buy a guidebook. Rent a video about your destination. Search the web for information.

(3) we are going to do something we have rarely done. Here you can be as mild -- or as wild -- as you dare. Go whitewater rafting. Rent a houseboat. Take a hot air balloon ride. Spend the night in a local bed and breakfast. Learn to scuba dive. Dance the whole night away under the stars. The choice is yours.

(4) we are going to take four mini-vacation every month. Whether it's for the night or for the night out, plan four tiny slice of a vacation every single month. The only rule: you must pretend you are on vacation. Book a night at a local bed and breakfast. Call your local hotel and find out their non-peak nights (in business-oriented cities, it's usually Friday and Saturday) then plan a short romantic getaway.

(5) we are going to go to at least four festival. Special events take place at about every community around the world. Whatever your interests -- from square dancing to sandcastle building -- you'll find a festival celebrating with a day or one of fun and food. If you don't have the time or budget to go far, contact area chamber of commerce or tourism offices within a day's drive of your home for their calendar of events. If you can, extend your trip into a long weekend. If you have got the time and resources, check out a quantity of the major fun festivals: Carnival, Mardi Gras, Rio's Carnivale. Don't forget your costume!

3 Little Known Tips To Saving Money On Beach Vacation Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:59:00 +0000

Here’s a really simple way to save on beach vacation travel. We are going to show you 3 ways to save you some bucks when booking your next beach vacation. The beach is an incredible experience. No matter whether you’ve traveled to far western Australia or taken a quick weekend trip to the Jersey Shore, barring rain, the beach is usually a really enjoyable experience. We’ve taken trips all over the world we’ve missed giant opportunities of money savings that were seemingly all around us if we had just taken the time to do a little extra research. Well, you are in luck. The travel research has been done for you, all you have to do is be willing to keep reading. Before you know it, you’ll be taking the beach vacation of your life, for a steeply discounted price. Here we go:

1) Buy it used. Well, not really used: more like discounted (or unused actually). Sometimes, people can put their vacation opportunities up at real discounts. Did you know that there are all sorts of people out there who own time shares but can’t use them for various reasons? Maybe the season isn’t right, or they can’t seem to get the flight that they need. Ebay has a thriving market for timeshare opportunities. A lot of the listings are permanent (e.g. people looking for others to buy their times shares out completely), but sometimes people are just looking to monetize a weeks worth of timeshare that they can’t seem to use themselves. Their loss can be your opportunity. Ebay is an auction, and the highest price wins usually.

2) Compare everything. Guess what? Expedia and Orbitz seem like they are juggernauts of internet travel and they control a lot of the market. BUT, they don’t have every vendor available. A lot of the discount airlines like SouthWest and JetBlue don’t use either of these massive companies and you can only get their deals by going directly to their website. Don’t’ tell anyone, but from what we’ve heard JetBlue is supposed to have really nice seats and monitors on new planes with really good prices. We haven’t used JetBlue ourselves yet, but it’s supposed be really good (especially at delivering good value on Northeast to Florida routes). That tip alone could save you some bucks while getting you a really nice flight.

3) The first 2 points are perfectly valid in any trip planning but almost worthless when you consider that you might have to shell out a lot more bucks for destinations abroad. There is a beautiful beach state located not too far from anyone East of the Mississippi. That’s right. Florida. Florida is back and it’s beaches are still fantastic. Florida is still beautiful. There has been a lot of development of Florida during the last 50 years, but Florida is still a massive state with plenty of undiscovered beaches. The state of Florida can be great if you know where to look. It’s pretty nice. Trust us….the undiscovered spots of Florida can really be something else. However, they are becoming more and more difficult to find as thousands of people move to Florida every month.

A "Home-From-Home" Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:33:00 +0000

Owners of boutique hotels strive to provide guests with an experience during their stay. They want them to feel pampered by the service and comfortable with the atmosphere, but most of all, they want guests to feel at home. This is difficult to achieve in a hotel environment and relies on good use of space, creative design and high service standards to succeed.

Public spaces

Public spaces are important in any hotel, but need to be put to particularly good use in a boutique hotel. No matter whether the hotel is in a large mansion or a three-storey town house, making people feel at home in a place they are paying to stay in is a challenge. Public areas must be open enough to allow people their own space, without making the room feel bare or unfriendly. They must also have comfortable furniture, so that guests can relax, and a variety of lighting, so that guests can read, eat or just talk. These hotels are famous for encouraging a “shoes off” or “barefoot” attitude, where guests don’t feel that they have to dress up or follow certain formalities during their stay.

Rooms

The things that make you feel at home in your room are the details. Everyone’s used to a hotel room with a bed, some drawers and some hanging space, but it’s the extra details that turn a basic hotel room into a boutique hotel room. These details include creative bathroom solutions, antique furniture, quality linens, internet access and flat screen TVs. In addition, freshly-lit candles and exclusive toiletries create a luxurious but comfortable space.

Service

One of the downsides of large hotels is that the staff can never know who you are, where you’ve come from or why you’re visiting. This is something that doesn’t happen in boutique hotels. The lower number of total bedrooms in hotels of this type means that there is often more staff than guests, and this leads to high levels of personal service. Staff know your name and your room number and, in some of the more exclusive boutique hotels, they find out what you like before you even get there, so that it can be provided on arrival.

People who stay in a luxury boutique hotel for the first time are struck by how very different the design, ambience and service is from a standard hotel. As a guest, you immediately feel more relaxed and comfortable and this in turn contributes to the “home-from-home” feeling that many guests remark on.

Birmingham part3 Comedy Clubs

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:08:00 +0000

If you are looking for some fun filled stag weekends, then a stag weekend in Birmingham is the best option for you. Birmingham stag nights are the finest in the country, with electrifying nightlife activities, lap dancing, stag friendly bars and clubs, curry houses and much more. Named as ‘The Midlands’, Birmingham gets this name because of its central location. You can involve yourself in all types of stag night activities showing very little concern for your pocket, as Birmingham is one of the cheapest ‘decent’ cities in the country. From the powerful quad biking to the adventurous white water rafting, Birmingham stag weekend activities will keep you on your toes.

Comedy Clubs in Birmingham – the Favourite Stag Do

The best way to ease all tension and enjoy your stag weekend in Birmingham is to visit the Comedy Club. Get ready for some rib tickling comedy and a whole buffet of delicious food. It’s the best way for you and the others to break the ice and enjoy the top performances by the experienced comedians. Beware to move around too much, you could easily be made the butt of fun and jokes! On a typical stag night in Birmingham, you get to see three comedians on stage giving you the time of your life.

One of the main attractions of spending stag weekends in Birmingham at the comedy clubs is the mouth-watering food. Stag night Dinner in the comedy club consists of the delicious Caesar salad, crispy chicken, chicken burger, tikka masala, beef chilli, 3 bean chilli and much more.

The fun doesn’t end there. After dinner, this stag venue transforms into a pumping nightclub inviting you all to step into the dance floor. The DJ’s play some of the chart hits as you tune your steps with your partner.

Benefits of visiting Comedy Clubs as popular Stag Do

The comedy club opens its door for you at seven in the evening and the show continues from 8:15 pm to around 10:30 pm. The DJ-driven nightclub opens at the end of the comedy show until 2 am. A refundable ฃ100 behaviour bond is applicable to groups of 12 or more. Stag weekends in Birmingham organized by Chillisauce are the best ways of relaxing the mind and enjoying you weekend to the maximum.

Birmingham part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:02:00 +0000

When you think of a perfect stag weekend with exciting stag parties and nightlife, the first place that comes to your mind is Birmingham. With its central location and reasonable price, Birmingham is the hottest stag weekend venue. This stag venue boasts of having the largest lap-dancing club in the world, with thrilling nightlife activities, stag friendly bars and curry houses, stag clubs and much more.

Stag Weekend Activity – the fun of a Football Match

If you are looking for some fun filled challenging stag weekend activity, the 5-a-side football tournament in Birmingham is the right option for you. The best part of this stag weekend activity is that you get to work as a team, thus building a sense of team spirit and unity among the players. All information regarding the rules and regulations of this stag event is provided to the individual teams prior to the start of the match. Each team will get to display their skills for 45 minutes with a minimum of three games each. You will get the feel of a real contest, as this stag event will be officiated by fully qualified FA referees.

Do not worry; Chillisauce will not leave you starving. On your arrival, freshly brewed coffee/tea and biscuits will welcome you. A bar and a lounge are there at your disposal throughout the duration of this exciting stag do. That is not all. There is a delicious buffet for all the players. If your team wins, be prepared to grab the engraved tournament cup along with seven individual engraved trophies. If your team is the runners-up, don’t be disappointed, as the team members will be given an engraved trophy each. A case of Carlsberg is presented to the winning team!

Advantages of Stag Do in Birmingham

Birmingham is the best place for a stag weekend where you indulge in stag parties and stag nights. All your needs while you are on a stag weekend in Birmingham will be catered by Chillisauce, a high quality tour operator that specializes in organizing the best stag weekends, parties and stag nights. The main objective of a stag weekend in Birmingham is to enliven and cheer you up, thus bringing out the best in you.

Birmingham City Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 10:51:00 +0000

Britain’s second biggest city after London is Birmingham. Birmingham is the cultural centre of the West Midlands and offers the casual visitor an enormous range of exciting opportunities and things to do. Offering an unsurpassed range of shops and shopping centres, and literally hundreds of activities and things to do, Birmingham is the ideal tourist destination; a city that is always guaranteed to keep you occupied.

As a city, Birmingham is packed with places to visit, enabling you to get a real taste of the city’s culture. Just a few of the places include:

Birmingham Cathedral: Built in 1725, this is one of the city’s most beautiful historic buildings, complete with four Pre-Raphaelite stained-glass windows.

The Royal Air Force Museum: Treat yourself to a stunning display of aviation history and witness over seventy aircraft situated within three separate wartime hangars. You’ll see Spitfires, Hurricanes, Vulcans and more.

Cadbury’s World: One of the country’s biggest and most popular museums. You’ll find out about the history of chocolate, and how it originated in South America, as well as seeing a genuine production line. Of course, a visit isn’t complete without sampling the produce…

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: Witness a huge variety of exhibits that range from spooky Egyptian mummies to a wooden toy collection for the kids. Treat yourself to some culture and examine the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens: An astonishing fifteen acres of beautiful gardens are available for exploration, as well as four glasshouses containing exotic plants.

When it comes to finding something to do, you’ll find that Birmingham has it covered. Some ideal places for pursuits include:

The Ackers: If your family’s into sport, then enjoy taking part in a variety of activities including climbing, canoeing, skiing, snowboarding and more. Occupying over seventy acres and located just two miles from the city centre, The Ackers couldn’t be more convenient.

Second City Canal Cruises: Enjoy cruising down the Birmingham canals and buy gifts from the souvenir shop.

The National Sea Life Centre: Witness over sixty displays of exotic marine life, and find yourself enthralled by the undersea world. See giant turtles, reef fish and sharks too.

Newbrook Farm Experience: Visit a working farm and keep an eye out for the many rare breeds of animals that include cattle, hens, pigs, ponies and goats.

Woodgate Valley Country Park: The perfect place for walkers, with mile upon mile of tracks to explore. There’s something for the kids too, with a farm, play area and a fun pony-trekking centre.

If you’re feeling hungry after touring Birmingham, you’ll discover that Birmingham is renowned for its culinary diversity – meaning that you’ll find the right meal, no matter what variety of food you’re looking for. Within the city, home-cooked traditional British food goes hand-in-hand with exotic cuisine from India and China, and all of Birmingham’s eateries are in easily accessible locations. Whichever end of the scale interests you – whether it is a simple takeaway or a slap-up three-course meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant – Birmingham has it covered. Here’s a small selection of the city’s eating-places:

City Cafe Birmingham: Service, style and ambience are on the menu at this top-rated restaurant that offers a la carte menus, a famous Sunday lunch buffer and a vegetarian garden. Enjoy a live Jazz band every Thursday evening.

Metro Bar&Grill:Free-range meats are the order of the day here, along with a comprehensive fish board that changes daily. Metro also serves a range of sandwiches and simple snack foods if you’re looking for something quick.

Peppers: Birmingham’s top-rated Indian restaurant has every kind of Indian dish imaginable, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when you see the menu. The restaurant’s ethos is value for money.
San Carlo Ristorante: Authentic Italian food is what this restaurant offers, with many of the ingredients imported directly from Italy. The chefs and the management bring real individuality to the menu.

Opus Restaurant: Seasonal and regional are the keywords for this eatery’s menu, which offers genuine British meals with the ingredients locally sourced.

When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in Birmingham, the only problem you’ll experience with Birmingham is the amount of options available – so many, in fact, that you’ll be spoilt for choice! Short breaks and long stays are catered for in hotels and guesthouses in the city centre or on the outskirts. Further, the prices range from the immediately affordable to more expensive and luxurious rooms. If you’re looking for an alternative, then you’ll find that Birmingham has plenty of options ranging from campsites to self-catering accommodation. There are also special packages available, such as the spa break, where you’ll find yourself pampered into luxury.

When you’ve finished exploring Birmingham by day, you’ll discover that the city comes alive at night with some of the coolest pubs and nightclubs around. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing sit down and drink, or want to party away the small hours, you’ll doubtlessly discover the ideal venue. The Nightingale Club, located in the heart of the city centre, has three levels incorporating numerous bars, discos, a restaurant and a games room. Meanwhile, The Jam House is a nightclub supported by music maestro Jools Holland, and holds up to 600 people. Alternatively, Rick’s Garden Caf้ & Bar in Birmingham offers you the opportunity to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine under the stars.

The above information should give you some idea of just what Birmingham has to offer as a city. There’s something to keep you occupied whatever your interest, with a whole range of different cultural activities. If you’re traditional, you’ll enjoy visiting the city’s many museums and art galleries, and learning about Birmingham’s history. If you’re part of a family, you’ll discover attractions that have proved to be popular with thousands of children while in Birmingham. Eating, shopping, seeing and doing… all four bases are covered when you come to Birmingham.

Hotels in Birmingham

Birmingham NEC/Airport Premier Travel Inn
City Inn Birmingham
Campanile Hotel - Birmingham
Copthorne Hotel Birmingham
Birmingham Great Barr Hotel
Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport
The Norfolk Hotel
Portland Hotel
Ye Olde Station Guest House Birmingham, Shustoke
Days Inn Birmingham East
Britannia Hotel Birmingham
Macdonald Burlington Hotel
Best Western The Westley Hotel
Central Guest House
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Castle Bromwich
Heath Lodge Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham NEC
Novotel Birmingham Airport
Hagley Court Hotel
Apollo Hotel
Corus hotel Birmingham South
Bridge House Hotel
Fairlawns At Aldridge(Best Western)
RAMADA BIRMINGHAM (FORMERLEY DAYS HOTEL)
Express by Holiday Inn Birmingham Oldbury M5, Jct.
Novotel Birmingham Centre
Paragon Hotel
Thistle Birmingham City
Birmingham Edgbaston
Jurys Inn Birmingham
Premier Apartments Birmingham
The Edgbaston Palace Hotel

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Barbados Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:58:00 +0000

When considering a travel holiday to the Caribbean Barbados is considered by many to be the best choice of islands with its beautiful beaches, high standard of living, and amazing people. Whether you are in the market for total relaxation or a holiday packed with activities and parties Barbados will not disappoint.

Barbados, located in the southern Caribbean, is the most easterly of the Caribbean islands, located at Latitude 13ฐ north and Longitude 59ฐ 37W. This isolated pear-shaped island is for 21 miles long and 14 miles wide at its widest point, giving it a total land area of 166 square miles.

Barbadians or Bajans as locals call themselves are among the most educated people in the world with free education a right of each and every Barbadian citizen.

Although there a many private doctors and clinics on the island providing excellent care. Health care is also guaranteed to every citizen and the standard of care is high.

The island’s lone airport. The Grantley Adams International Airport, is one of the most modern in the Caribbean and is serviced by many major airlines including Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Air Jamaica, BWIA International and Virgin Atlantic.

This charming island is made up mainly of coral limestone and is fringed with coral reefs. However, the north-eastern part of the island or The Scotland District which runs through the parishes of St. John, St. Joseph and St Andrew is comprised of sandstone and clay. This area is well known for its lush vegetation and spectacular scenery and is covered in most if not all island tours.
The island is characterized by gently sloping; terraced plains which rise west to east to it’s highest point Mount Hillaby at 1100 ft.

Most of the development in the island can be found along the south and west coasts of the island with the Capital Bridgetown at its centre. Most hotels on the island are also located on the south or west coasts of the island, with the south coast being the most active, the hotels on the south coast in general tend to be mostly 2 to 4 star hotels with many no frills accommodation available while the west coast is where most of the luxury hotels are located, including the exclusive Sandy Lane Hotel, although there are exceptions to the rule in both instances.

The crystal clear ocean of Barbados beaches provide the perfect setting for days spent at the beach engaged in water or beach activities including jet-skiing, surfing, kiteboarding, windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing, sailing, water skiing, snorkeling, wakeboarding and scuba diving. There is also deep sea fishing, boat cruises boat charters available. For the true water enthusiast there are rentals available for almost all disciplines including scuba gear, surfboards, kayaks and kite equipment. Lessons are available for almost all water activities as well.

If you were to travel the coast of the island you would find the calm waters of the west coast meeting the small shore break conditions of the south getting increasingly rougher as we come around the east with the Atlantic waves rolling in and finally the equally rough conditions of the north battering the cliffs.

Transportation on the island is also excellent with the Transport Board which is government run and Route Taxi’s providing excellent coverage to just about every conceivable destination. In addition there are many taxis and Rental Car companies available for those who wish to travel at their own convenience.

The nightlife on Barbados is very varied and ranges from the cultural rum shops to modern nightclubs, beach bars, pubs and also some of the best restaurants to be found anywhere in the Caribbean.

Barbados Restaurants

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:33:00 +0000

When people plan their Barbados vacation they usually think Sea and Sun…. Think again. Restaurant and Food standards in Barbados are extremely high, with chefs from the island winning international culinary awards and competitions year after year. Good food is very important to the average Barbadian with Many young teens already skilled in preparing food at home and I mean preparing food from scratch not instant meals.
There are many highly trained chefs on the island both expat and local and the range of cuisine is astounding and includes Mexican, Chinese, Thai, French, Italian, Indian, Local as well as Caribbean cuisine.
Whatever your mood for the evening or depth of your pocket there is a restaurant that will suit your needs as they vary from casual atmosphere and very reasonable prices to Posh and oooh la la prices.
There are also the dinner cruises or as I like to call them “floating restaurants” which can be quite large boats complete with floor shows or intimate catamaran cruises both of which can be very romantic.
Also popular on the island is “Oistins”. This is a fishing village which has numerous kiosks which prepare local food for sale at night. The price usually ranges from approximately U.S. $8 – U.S. $13 per person and the taste is just as good as any of the restaurants on the island. On Friday nights there is a party as well with music and dancing that usually lasts until Midnight.
There are quite a few establishments on the island who serve dinner from around 6:30 p.m. and then at about 10:30 you realize that the entire atmosphere has changed to a nightclub atmosphere and will continue in party mode till at least 2:00 a.m. Some close their doors as late as 4 or 5 in the morning.
For nights that you just want to stay at home there is also the option of ordering in. While the selection available is not as large as it would be in bigger countries there are a few restaurants and fast food restaurants that do deliver.
Checking out the restaurants is very important when planning a holiday. Remember little lady is on holiday too she does not want to be stuck with the cooking and washing up afterwards. Also relationships are built on memories and what could be more romantic than intimate dinners together not always possible with our hectic lives.
When deciding on where you will eat there are a lot of consideration to keep in mind such as the type of food served, the price, location as well as ambiance. With this in mind it is no easy task in choosing what is right for you. This is where a good travel guide can really come in handy as they usually have pretty in depth information on there restaurants which can include photographs and menus as well to help you make your choice.
Choosing a local travel guide, that is one that is actually run by locals can be your wisest choice as they usually can give you first hand information on the restaurants as well.

Algarve Portugal, The South's Delight

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 07:55:00 +0000

Algarve or as it was baptized by the Arabs as Al Gharb meaning 'to the west', is the most southern province of the eleven that Portugal has been divided into. Its variety in terrain which starts at the small town of Odeceixe on the west coast, nicely tucked into the Espinhaco do Cao mountain range bordering the coast and the brave Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its shoreline runs down through Aljezur, symbolic in the Portuguese history thanks to its castle which is one of the seven that appear on the flag of Portugal. Still enjoying the different shades that the fertile valleys offer, you continue along the shoreline to Alfambra, a walled in city and well-known as a fishing village and tourist attraction. To the most western tip is the Cape of Saint Vicent and to the town of Sagres where Henry the Navegator first started his navigation school. At this point, you have come to the come into contact with the most attractive Algarve beaches. Long soft sandy stretches which enclose secret coves at the beginning where the outline of the coast is extremely flat around the towns of Lagos but after the city of Albufeira it turns into cliffs. Not leaving the hypnotizing view of the Atlantic, your car hire seems to know the route and continues on to Faro, the capital of this area after having taken this title away from the city of Silves in 1577. Here in Faro you have the main gateway into this southern region when arriving at this well-prepared international airport for your holiday stay. But there is still more beach towns like Tavira, a very historic medieval town and Castro Marim another city surrounded by a protective wall. From here, the journey northward following the Guadiana River, which is the natural border between Spain and Portugal.

Saved by its Ancestors

The Algarve region has seen all the cultures beginning with the Lusitanians, Celtics, Romans and Arabs who were forced out of Faro in 1249 by Sancho II. But thanks to the combination of all these people, especially the Arabs, the Algarve province ( http://www.lisbon-and-portugal.com/algarve/algarve-portugal.html ) now has a strong production of olive trees which produce rich olive oil, figs and almonds. It is said that the almond trees were a gift from a Moorish sultan who was in love with a Nordic princess. She dearly missed the snow covered ground in winter and what most resembled that were the almond trees in full bloom in the spring. From this, the Algarve makes a rich dessert from almonds, figs, eggs and sugar called 'morgados'. And thanks to the dry weather, pears, tomatoes, melons and grapes are among the delicious fruits available year round.

Algarve Wine, A Sweet Caress for Your Lips

Grapes in Portugal are synonymous to wine, and Algarve has quite a variety. The exportation of wine from this region started under the Muslim domain and reached its climax in the 14th and 15th centuries. Lagos, Portimao and Tavira are the principal wine producers.

+ The Algar Dry from Lagos is a dry wine, served very cold for appetizers. The dry and sweet moscatel wines are aged in oak barrels for at least seven years and have about 18% alcohol content.

+ Alfonso III is another dry wine from Lagos and also served very cold.

+ Cruz de Portugal is a smooth red wine which should be served at room temperature for dessert.

+ From Tavira you have Licoroso de Tavira which is very sweet and dark in colour, served at room temperature.

+ Medronho is a type of liquer very well known all over the Algarve region and usually found in the typical 'tascas' or taverns and served in glasses from Oporto.

Cute places to see around Portugal

Between Tavira and Castro Marim, one can easily manage a nice beach day in Monte Gordo and a leisurley stroll through the Natural Reserve Park to appreciate the marvellous view of pink flamengos and long-legged storks soaring in and out of sight. For golf lovers, near Albufeira and hidden among pine trees and the shore you will find Villamoura with its campestral fields for playing a relaxing game of golf. Wherever you go in this region, be it on the coast or deep in the forest area, there are all kinds of hotels with great facilities for your stay in Algarve or the capital of Portugal, Lisbon.