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26. Feb, 2010

Holidays Made Easy

vacation travelThere are always many options available when you are looking into booking your next holiday. However, one increasingly popular opportunity that few know about, is a self catering holiday. This is the perfect solution to all your holiday planning, it provides you with the freedom you want, without any of the downsides that come along with traditional accommodation options.

Tired of hotel stays? Tired of cold, impersonal rooms that are uncomfortable? Want a more “at home” feeling while you’re relaxing on your vacation? Try the self catering option, where you can stay in a home like environment, with all the ammenities and surroundings of home. You’ll be on private grounds, with excellent facilities, and all the comforts of home, at your home away from home. Everything will be available to you, from a swimming pool to cool off in during the warmer months, to laundry facilities for those on an extended stay holiday, and even tennis courts and restaurants. Everything you could ask for from a vacation, all in one place. After a long day sight seeing and walking, you will want a relaxing place to unwind that doesn’t feel like a bare hotel room. Have the perfect holiday you’ve always been looking for!

09. Feb, 2010

The Informed Traveller

The Informed Traveller

Deals2It is true for almost everyone that if you have information on the location in which you are travelling to, you will have a much more enjoyable, and rewarding experience. This can be anything as extensive as the history on the country, local statistics, or as simple as knowing the best hot spots that are worth seeing, or local secrets of the best places that are not so well known among the tourism masses. All of this information can be found in a travel guide.

When it comes to travel guides, there are a variety of publishers, and focal topics for you to choose from. Whether you are a budget traveller, a senior traveller, a history buff or other, you can find a travel guide that suits your needs.

These guides often include reviews by real travellers, such as yourself, on restaurants, tourist attractions, accommodation and other aspects that are crucial and common to every vacation. Having this info can make the difference between a good trip, and a great trip. If you know what hotels to avoid, or what attractions are worth the trip, you can make more of your time and overall holiday.

20. Jan, 2010

Getting about in Cornwall

Getting about in Cornwall

beach-cornwallWhereas package holidays might take care of everything for you, including all of your travel arrangements, they also force you into a strict, rigid, set plan of what your holiday will be like, governed entirely by your tour operator. Making your own decisions regarding your trip can leave you much, much happier, as long as you’re sure to properly plan before hand, and ensure that you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Accommodation, activities, weather and so on are not normally things that people overlook, but travel once you’re there is left until the last minute more often than you’d think. It’s a real shame as well, as if you’ve decided to book a more intimate holiday, perhaps in a hotel with a loved one, then shoddy travel arrangements can really ruin the mood. Family cottage holidays don’t have the travel pre-planned either, and little Jeremy and Ron are going to drive you mad with wailing if the travel arrangements are less than satisfactory.

So what can you do to alleviate this? Well, depending on where you are you have plenty of options. From my experiences in the UK (mostly in Cornwall, in the South West), I can say that travel is easy there as long as you spend the time preparing. Train, plane, coach, or car are all available, and booking early is a possibility in all cases. Almost every service also allows you to view schedules or even book online if you want to, making the whole process as hassle-free as possible.

The train lines in the UK are generally very good, though planning for delays is for the best, especially if the worst does happen. Many smaller lines also branch of the main one, meaning that once you’ve taken the main line down to Cornwall, you can get a smaller train to near your Sennen Cove cottage, for instance.

Plane flights in the UK can get you around, but I always find it actually takes just as long as getting a train, what with check-in times, and then getting transport to and from the airport. If you can rent a car whilst you’re abroad then that’s great, but longer journeys may still be better if you utilise a bus or train.

04. Jan, 2010

World’s largest Cruise Liner

oasisOasis of the Seas, the most recent line launched by Royal Caribbean Cruises. It is 20-stories tall and 1,180 feet long it is now the largest passenger liner afloat. It is five times the size of the Titanic and has lodging available for 6,300 passengers. The crew total is 2,100 and too many buffet tables to count. At a cost of $1.3 billion to build, this ship was six years in the making. This cruise liner is the definition of luxury travel. It was build in Turku, Finland and from there made its maiden voyage with its amphitheatre that seats 750 people outdoors.  It also offers a mini-golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, an ice rink and an indoor theatre for 1,300 and enough swimming pools to satisfy everyone.

Although this ship has been compared to the Titanic, designers feel it is an undue comparison. This ship’s interaction with an iceberg would be an unlikely concern says Assistant professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan Matthew Collette, “All ships are designed to make the chance of large-scale structural collapse very remote.”  He went on to say, “If it was struck by one I would expect there to be some local damage at the point of impact – broken portholes, bent railings, but little else.”

28. Dec, 2009

Going on a Stag Weekend

stag2Stag weekends are now a common phenomenon and have replaced the concept of a single night’s party. They last for more than one evening; hence, it is the weekends that prove best for holding such a party. The trend has given rise to a separate industry altogether, which help the groom and his friends steer clear of the hassles that are associated with the arranging of a stag weekend.

Currently, a stag party on the weekends has become something like a mini-vacation, the revelry outgrowing what people knew formerly as just a night out in the town. The diminishing airfares have also contributed to the trend. Thus, if smoking pot is on the agenda, it is highly possible to fly down to Amsterdam one Friday and return on Sunday evening.

However, only a handful of people are so typically hedonistic by nature; for most, it is paintball, go carting and playing poker or some other card game. For the more daring ones, bungee jumping, paragliding and water sports are recommended and if the testosterone runs real high, legitimate agencies providing strippers are only a mouse-click away.

Now, any party is incomplete without appropriate music. Thus, romantic but danceable numbers should be given the first preference and unless someone has a knack (and expertise) for handling the sound consoles, a DJ must be arranged for the late evening in-house fun and frolic.

The same applies to the food. Stag parties mostly comprise roasted meat items because they go well with the drinks, so do dry fruits, and if strippers are appointed, chocolates must stay on the roster.

As for the gift for the groom, it must be sufficient to make the groom feel he’s the centre of attraction of the party. It could be on the lines of the old times that the groom and his friends shared or it could be something that connects more to his married life. For the more daring groups, sex toys also prove a worthwhile gift.

But one word of caution; no woman is allowed in the stag night except for the stripper(s). It’s a strictly all male night and the dance floor, if there is one, is meant for the groom and his friends. It’s because the vulgarity and profanity – the chief themes of a stag night – shall otherwise be lost. And that is what’s considered the chief attraction of a stag night, besides the meat and the drinks.

20. Oct, 2009

Vegas For First Timers

las-vegas_3964826211238431818If you’re visiting Las Vegas for the first time, you’ll want to know where the best places are for fluttering your cash. The choice of hotels and casinos here are endless and can be quite off-putting to ‘Vegas virgins’. To make things easier, we’ve come up with our very own Vegas travel guide to make your trip one to remember.

First of all you need to consider your budget.  Most casinos in Vegas form part of exclusive hotel and leisure resorts and some fantastic deals can be done if you know where to look. If you’d rather spend your money on the tables than on your hotel accommodation, try the Golden Palms Hotel Casino which is located just moments from the main Strip, offering comfortable room facilities and even an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi – perfect for cooling off from that stifling desert air! Alternatively, head a little further out to the Sonoran Suites Las Vegas which offers affordable accommodation and close proximity to Vegas’ range of terrific golf courses.

If you’re trying to make every penny count but you still want to be in the hub of all the action, the Sahara Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, positioned conveniently on the Strip, is a good option if you’re just after something fairly cheap and cheerful. Facilities include themed restaurants, a spa and salon, an 80,000 sq ft casino with a focus on blackjack tables, a comedy club and even a roller-coaster ride encircling the venue.

If money isn’t an option, however, and you want to experience the ultimate in Las Vegas pomp and luxury, the famous Bellagio hotel and casino is the venue for you. Aimed more towards high-rolling gamblers, the décor here is opulent and the atmosphere and clientele of the highest prestige, so unless you’re a particularly good bluffer, this is not really the place for amateurs. Guests can master their poker face in one of the Bellagio’s three poker rooms or bet to their heart’s content in the private lounge and swish sports-booking area. Either way, you will be sure to receive some of the best treatment on the Strip.

Most good casinos also provide drinks and food free of charge as you gamble, so make sure you take advantage of this little perk. However, if you would prefer a sit-down meal somewhere, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Most hotel casinos provide a range of themed and buffet restaurants, some with ‘all-you-can-eat’ deals at a fixed price which offer excellent value for money. Another great place to go for the whole family is  The Cheesecake Factory, offering a vast all-American menu, as well as specializing in their mouth-watering signature cheesecake dessert.

15. Oct, 2009

Five must-do activities in London

londonnightbigben2Planning a trip to London? Wondering what to do, but don’t know where to start? Then look no further than this top five guide.

1) ‘Visit a Museum’.

With London playing host to over 300 world class museum and many of them free, the only difficult part is which to choose. Whether or not you’re a budding Einstein, you can’t go wrong with a visit to London’s Science Museum. Set over five floors and covering topics from space exploration, medicine and technology, you can guarantee the museum offers something for everyone.  Hands on activities, simulator rides, or a trip to see an IMAX promise to delight visitor’s young and old.

2) ‘Sightsee’

Spend a few hours wandering London’s breathtaking streets and you’re guaranteed to take in many a famous landmark. A trip to Buckingham Palace to take in the regal residence is an absolute must see. The changing of the guards takes place daily, and is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Who knows, stick around long enough and you might just see the Queen. Either way, taking in the stunning architecture you’re sure to feel like Royalty.

3) ‘Hit the shops’

Credit cards at the ready for a trip down London’s bustling Oxford Street. The heart of the capital’s shopping district, whether it’s a major high street store, local boutiques or some window shopping you’re after, if you don’t find it on Oxford Street, you won’t find it anywhere.

4) ‘Get away from it all’

Escape the hustle and bustle with a trip to one of London’s beautiful gardens. Basque in the sunshine beside the soothing sounds of the Diana Princess of Wales memorial fountain, situated in the southwest corner of Hyde Park. The perfect way to relax after a hard morning’s sight seeing.

5) ‘Watch a West End show’

A West End show captures the very soul of what a trip to London is all about. From modern musicals to contemporary classics, there’s a show out there made for you. Make the most of your trip by booking a London theatre break package, including tickets to a show of your choice and a trip in a nearby hotel.  The perfect end to a perfect trip.

09. Oct, 2009

Holiday in Prague

charles-bridgeThe gorgeous city of Prague, famous for its turbulent history, lovely architecture and frothy beer has become a top destination for world travelers interested in the historic heart of Europe. Prague is one of the most exciting cities to visit in Europe and boasts numerous attractions in an intriguing Old World setting that many visitors find difficult to leave, attractions that include the massive Prague Castle complex- spanning over a thousand years of history, the National Theater-a true national treasure built from the pockets of Czech citizens, the world-famous Astronomical Clock and Wenceslas Square-the stage for the Prague Spring of 1968 and the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

To make your stay in Prague truly magical you can stay in one of the city’s many luxury boutique and design hotels, which are centrally located in Prague’s Old Town or Lesser Town, and are situated in meticulously renovated historic buildings.

Or if you wish, you can choose a fully serviced apartment in the center of Prague, perfect for families who need more space, or a world-renowned hotel chain such as the Four Seasons or the Mandarin Oriental. Prague offers a large variety of accommodation for all budgets and tastes.

Prague’s Old Town is home to Old Town Square with the Astronomical Clock and the intimidating Gothic Tyn Church, the Art Nouveau Municipal House and many shopping options including an open-air market. The Lesser Town of Prague has a more residential feel to it, being home to various embassies, which are located in beautiful Baroque palaces as well as secret gardens with courtyard cafes, the magnificent Baroque St. Nicolas Cathedral and the omnipresent Prague Castle looming majestically above the city and the winding Vltava River.

17. Aug, 2009

Vacation in Las Vegas

vegasLas Vegas is truly one of the most beautiful and happening cities in the entire world. It is truly an artificial heaven, which is embodied by extreme human endeavor. Though, one may come across many places, which are considered as heaven on earth like Kashmir and Switzerland, but this city is a perfect example of how man can turn a stone into gold.

Las Vegas is one of the most visited cities of the world. One may find a large number of executives traveling to this city throughout the year.  Besides that, millions of tourists come to experience the beauty and luxury of the city making it clear that you are not alone at all in this dreamland.

Las Vegas vacation has something exclusive for everyone, for friends, family, or business people. You can find amusing experience at the Sundance Helicopters or The Magic Motion Rides. The Coney Island Emporium is also a fantastic entertaining place. You can easily find some of the best Las Vegas vacation deals on the internet. These days you will find many tour and travel operators who are giving special discount packages on trips to Las Vegas. And of coarse if you love gambling, then there is no other place better than this.

10. Aug, 2009

Global Sim Cards

sim1An important aspect of a  sound business is the constant flow of cash. Without proper management of the cash, one cannot expect to run the business properly. If your business involves a lot of international dealings then you can consider the use of Global Sim. The three main reasons why one should consider Global Sim Card are:

1.      Prepaid: A prepaid Sim helps you get a firmer grip on the amount of money you are spending. With a prepaid Global Sim Card, you can actually slow down whenever you like and manage your money.

2.      Manageable Roaming charges: Many clients fall under huge phone bills due to only a couple of overseas visit. To avoid such problems, you can use Global Sim Card.

3.      Save a fortune: With this kind of sim, you can save up to 70% to 90% on your phone bills. These help keep your hard earned money save in your pocket.

So, do not let phone companies give you a hard time. Manage your bills before hand by spending what you have and not what you might have to spend later. Carry a Global Sim when you travel and you will be amazed by the end of the month at the amount of money you saved.