Sunday, November 3, 2013

Finding Great Places and Hotels in Sri Lanka

The beautiful island of Sri Lanka is famous for its rich heritage and serenity throughout time. Sri Lanka is truly a paradise within unimaginable beauty. Some of the many names for Sri Lanka are "The Pearl of the Orient" and "Teardrop of India". Undeniably, Sri Lanka has lured so many people to visit the place because of its mystique. What separates Sri Lanka from the sub continent of India are the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. This wonderful place is located in the Indian Ocean to the Bengal Bay's south west. Sri Lanka has a truly unique charm. Every morning, fresh sun light travels through the mountains, the golden beaches reaches you in your hotel window and shares warmth on you as it brings you to the best experience you can ever have. Here are the great sites that you can find great places and hotels in Sri Lanka.1. Bentota - Before, Bentota used to be thought to lie on the way to Galapatha Temple. The temple is believed in legends that it is connected by a maze of underground tunnels with all the other temples within the vicinity. Today, Bentota is so active on sea sports and other breathtaking activities. On its lagoons, there are calm waters you can enjoy with wakeboarding, canoeing or even wind surfing.2. Galle Town - Old Galle is a UNESCO world heritage site. The fort itself, which is an important monument, has a growing community with huge ramparts, massive bastions, pepper pot towers, while the streets show its Dutch culture.3. Colombo - Colombo is the center point of Sri Lanka, a perfect symbol of hilly and marshy land. During monsoon, it heavily rains even though the climate is hot. Because of its perfect location, it has helped developed the East-West sea trade route. Colombo hotels are well-known for providing homely services and facilities, which are nice and satisfying for the visitors.4. Weligama - Weligama means 'Sandy Village'. It is named from that term because of the bay's sandy sweep. Weligama is a tranquil fishing town which is away from the busy cities located in Matara district 143 km off Colombo. It is one of Sri Lanka's most dramatic natural bays and is ideal for water sports.5. Tangalle - Tangalle is located 220 Km from the city of Colombo. It is one of the main city points for numerous tourist attraction places. Tangalle beach and its bays and lagoons became one of the many alluring beaches of the district of Hambantota and are much known among tourists worldwide. It is truly endowed with excellent facilities for fishing, swimming, sunning and bathing.

More Sights and Hotels of Lindos, Greece

Lindos, the jewel of the island of Rhodes, which is located on the southern end of the island and near the Turkish coast, is hub of the thousands of adventure-seeking, thrill-hungry travelers that come across the island. In addition to this, the island is one of the most popular vacation spots in Greece and in the Mediterranean. In fact, the high times of the year for the numbers of travelers, is from the months of March and October.This is also true for the other resort towns on the island, such as Faliraki, Lindos and of course the old town of Rhodes, which gets their fair share of tourism. In these towns, you will not find any goat herds or fishing villages, as most are on the nearby islands that surround Rhodes. Lindos has restaurants of many ethnicities, bars, nightclubs, shopping centers and markets, where you relax or buy the things that you want. You should, at least, take with you, a small souvenir to show you friends and family back home. Also, while in or near Lindos, try going water or wind surfing, if you are a water sport lover or just want to try these activities for the first time. The beaches that surround Lindos are as fine as the Greek vintage wine that is served in many of the resort's restaurants.In speaking of the beachside of Lindos, there are rows of beach houses and hotels that are similar to the ones in Santa Monica or Venice Beach, California-but only more vibrant and colorful. Generally speaking, the beach houses shine in the Mediterranean sun, which gives the colorful trappings of the hotels, even more colorful appearance.If you do not want to be close to the beachside, there are hotels that are located, in the southern part of Lindos. These Lindos hotels [http://www.rhodes-hotels.info/hotels-Lindos.php] complexes are nearly of the same quality and style as the ones on the beachside and they are less noisy as well. Simply put, more privacy, less noise and nearly no clear view of the sea.

iPhone, iPad, Travel and Some Useful Apps

Apple's iPhone and iPad can be much helpful while you are on the move. With these devices you can take photos, make video clips and share every moment through social media sites. These are amazing devices. Apart from this, you can get several useful apps installed on these devices for making your trip more pleasurable. If you are planning a travel trip, here are some useful iOS apps for you.Instagram: It is not a surprise that most of the app-lists dedicated to travel always include Instagram. It is a Photoshop-type editing application for iOS powered devices like iPhone and iPad. It allows you to convert your images into great artwork. You can capture images through your handset and edit them for your friends. You can also share images on social sites like Twitter or Facebook.TripIt: TripIt is an amazing app for travelers. It is like an organizer for travel & trip. It lets you store various useful travel papers and docs. It gets the inbox of your mail and organizes all travel confirmation numbers. When you book a flight ticket, a hotel room, train reservation, the confirmation sent to your inbox is grabbed by TripIt.FlightAware: This app provides complete details about flight schedules. You can track flights by their numbers. The app also sends push notifications for instant updates related to flight time changes or cancellations.Yelp: Yelp provides inclusive details related to restaurants and other services in major American Cities. By using it, you can surf through a number of places to eat. It is available for free.Google Translate: Google Translate is a powerful online translator with no rival. It is also a useful app for travelers. It easily translates simple expressions of any language. For now it helps you translate between 57 languages.Kayak: Kayak is used for booking flights, car rentals and hotels in a city. It shows the best of the fare offers. It is available for free.XE Currency: XE Currency is a wonderful app to know the current exchange value of money. It converts various foreign currencies. The app provides accurate services.Airbnb: Airbnb lets you book vacation accommodations in various parts of the world. You can book hotels, residences and various other facilities by using this app.If you have these apps installed on your iPhone or iPad, your journey is going to be much enjoyable and comfortable. The amazing part of these apps is that they are available free of cost.

Find Inspiration For Trips And Hotels

Thinking of heading on a trip? Many of us spend afternoons in the office daydreaming about a getaway from the everyday, but most of us don't get much further than that. If you have been thinking about a vacation and randomly looking up hotels, it may be time to start doing more than just thinking. Moving ahead with plans will make it a reality and provide long-lasting memories for years to come.A lot of people have a bucket list of places that they would like to visit. For many of us, this list is long and we just don't know where to start. For others, we know we want to get away, but we don't care where or which hotels we stay at. If you are in the latter category, it may be time to do some brainstorming to figure out where you will enjoy yourself the most. First, ask yourself what types of things you like to do on holiday. Do you find it relaxing to kayak in open water or would you prefer to spend the day shopping? Do you like luxurious amenities such as resorts and spas or would you prefer an all-inclusive family friendly adventure? Maybe you have something romantic in mind? Or a particular sporting or culture activity such as skiing or visiting the Taj Mahal. Whatever your starting point, it is a good idea to begin at the beginning.Next, determine what time of year you would like to travel. Remember that the lands down under are hot in the winter and cold in the summer. This can influence travel decisions. It is also wise to plan ski holidays during the best parts of ski season in order to get the most out of your trip. Similarly, if you want to spend a lot of time outdoors, you may prefer traveling in the spring and fall when the weather is better and many rates at popular hotels are cheaper.Once you have your activity and time of year, it may seem obvious that you need to pick the location. For example, if you want to go skiing in February, are you headed to Colorado or the Alps? Switzerland or British Columbia? At this point, many plans are reined in due to budget restrictions so it is a good idea to research flights and hotels at the place where you are thinking of visiting. In the end, getting inspiration for that trip away from your everyday can be the boost you need to get you out of that office chair and onto an airplane.

How to Fit Travel and Expense Into Your Business Budget

Business travel is a necessary expense for most people. When you think of travel and expense for business, you probably think of flying off to another state, being put up in a hotel and attending a conference or two. But business travel can also include just heading to the next town over to meet with a client. All of these things cost money and you need to know how to deal with travel expense reports, expense tracking, and budgeting for these needs.First you need to put aside a reasonable estimate each year from your business' budget. If it's local travel that you are really worried about, it'll be easier to do this. You'll want to include gas prices, car rental (unless your company has its own car) and parking costs. You'll also want to have an idea of how many times a year these trips are made. Do you drive weekly to meet with a certain client, or is it a more varied month by month basis?When it comes to long distance travel, business expenses can be anything from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars. It depends on where flights are to, the kind of hotels your employee is staying in, any additional transportation costs from the hotel to wherever they need to be, and other small costs like a seat for a convention.Expense management software is an easy way to keep track of these trips. You can put in all the information of the trip and have it calculate the costs for you, as well as keep track of any extra spending that the employee may have done. Your entire year's expenses can be recorded so that when it comes to filing taxes or just dealing with overall budget, you have every single trip on file ready to be accessed.If you are unsure of whether you can afford a trip ahead of time, plug it into expense management software long before you book. You'll get an idea of the costs and whether or not it's a feasible investment. The most important thing is that you never book without knowing you have the funds to back it up. Don't pull from other business finances if you don't have to. You have to weigh what is more important to your company.When it comes to business travel and expense, it can be daunting. But if you keep on top of figures and set aside a good amount of money, you won't be in the red at the end of the year.

Easy Ways to Plan Travel and Emergencies

When planning to go for vacations, there are a number of things to consider that could make your travel a pleasant experience... or at least hassle-free. A routine/typical traveller goes without proper planning and lets the holiday take its own course. Though there is nothing wrong in such an approach, till they face major implications because of improper planning and then they end-up wishing if they were more prepared.Well, the little roadmap of proper planning and travel arrangement makes travelling 'a great vacation'. There are few simple steps that you can follow for a effortless and hassle-free vacations.Below are the few steps to follow for charting out a nearly perfect travel trip:The DestinationPrepare a detailed list of all the places you will be visiting. Compare them with other optional destinations. You must include as many destinations in your travel plan as you can afford. You can consider travelling during off-season, it's much cheaper and you'll get to explore ample resources with fewer queues. However, you must check for comfortable weather, especially when kids are accompanying.Buy guidebooks, maps and area suggestions before leaving for the holiday. They are a great help in case you are lost or miss your tour operator's bus.Detailed Dates Holidays are always planned around comfortable dates and the best time to visit the chosen travel destinations. Make sure to give yourself enough time to relax during vacations. Hush-hush trips will tire you on one end and nullify the whole purpose of holidaying.Get Your Visa on TimeIt's not possible to go to an international destination without a passport and authorized visa, unless all the places you want to visit is in countryside.Budget it Up!Set the travel funds aside. The more disposable income you have on the trip, the better it is for you. Take it in plenty of small bills; this comes handy during transportation and shopping.Flights, Frisking and AccommodationAt times special deals on internet sound tempting, however there are hidden clauses. You may be booked for long-route flights with extended time wasted in haulage.You must thoroughly check your hotel destinations well in advance. A three-star hotel may not be up to same standards as in all the countries. Check for all the available amenities including free breakfast or dinner, frisking between airport to hotel and later to all the travel destinations - important to the budget.Prepare a Detailed ScheduleGo day by day. The places planned to visit, the corresponding travel, and the special interest things to do at those destinations.Overseas Medical InsuranceMedical costs across the globe are increasing at a faster pace than the living costs. You must ensure yourself with the 'safety net' of overseas health insurance for medical treatments as well as emergency circumstances.

Bed Bugs and Hotel Lodgings in 2011 - Should You Be Concerned?

You turn on the travel channel on the TV or open up the travel pages in the your local newspaper and all we seem to note is "bed bugs' " a bedbug for every chamber". Advice for travelers currently is check hotels for these pests, wrap your luggage in plastic coverings, and as well pack sealed enclosures to seal up your bed-clothes on the road, or in the cruise ship cabin from these little pests and parasites. Is nothing sacred you think? Here I save my hard earned cash all year long, plan my vacation and out of nowhere these tiny imbeciles are sucking my blood while I sleep. Is this pest of these blood suckers scurrying in the dark nighttime something new or just over exaggerated by the media to create a fuss? After all "cinches" themselves are nothing new. Reports go all way back in history to the ancient Egyptians. It is something to live with for the most part and endure quietly.Yet you may wonder that when you are away from home that as to why you sometimes sneeze when you know you do not have colds? These sneezing episodes seem to crop up and be more prevalent in motel and hotel rooms. Some may tell you it's the hospitality industries cleaning supplies - nil-odor and the like masking odors and making you sneeze and snort. Yet you may suddenly find your coughing even you is not sick? These questions could be answered the moment you understand that there are species thrive in mostly comfortable parts or objects in your house but most often, in your room. This article focuses on the discussion about late night insidious attackers of the sheets and blankets of our evening respite and how to get rid of them.Dust mites are known as allergists simply because they trigger allergies in people (their victims). Once these dust mites hit you, you would know since the most common symptoms you will definitely feel are sneezing and coughing unexpectedly. The worst that they can cause any person is asthma. This type of illness is due primarily to allergens produced by dust mites and if they are not treated well they might even pose bigger problems. Thus, it is important to know more about dust mites.What do we know about dust mites?Dust mites are normally measuring 0.4 mm or 0.016 of an inch in length and 0.25 mm in width. The shape of both female and male dust mites resembles like that of a shape of a rectangle and they look like creamy blue. They have 8 legs and they become visible against dark color background in normal light.A dust mite on the average may live from 10 up to 19 days while the pregnant or mated female dust mite may live as long as 70 days. Female dust mite can produce eggs ranging from 60 up to 100 eggs during the last weeks of life. Dust mites can produce 2000 fecal matters and the can eat scores of dust particles covered with enzymes. Not only the sneezing and coughing that one may experience to conclude that indeed there are dust mites. Other symptoms indicative of the presence of dust mites are reddening of the eyes, itchiness, inflammation of eczema, runny nose, and clogging in your lungs.How then do you treat dust mites?There are several methods through which we can eliminate dust mites in our homes such as by cleaning up the rooms, drapes, pillows, and other clothes suspected to contain dust mites. They cannot thrive in hot places and therefore one of the best ways to get rid of them is to dry your pillows and blankets. If it is sunny, then you may bring your pillows outside the house and let sunshine burn and dissipate what your medical doctor would technically refer to as "Dermatophagoides farinae "All in all these tiny creatures of our bed clothes who devour our blood in the dark as well as similar pests are nothing new. You may experience them in hospitality industry lodgings, you may not. There are certain precautions that most of those on journeys and vacations can take. Yet your local Wal-Mart store, with brand new bedding for sale, may have a sign on their front door advising that their bed-clothes and coverings for sale have been found to be full of cinches and insects as well. Hence bed-bugs are ubiquitous. They are nothing new - either to mankind or the traveling public in 2011. Do your best to ask and steer to clean lodgings. Yet in the end all you can do is endure and try your best to enjoy your travels, holidays and vacations.

Traditional Coaching Inns and Hotels Near to Marlow

Marlow is considered to be the best place of traditional coaching inns and relaxed atmosphere of hotels. It is located in Buckinghamshire and keeps a range of tradition inns, hotels and night pubs near itself. All these present a special theme effect and a traditional touch to them.There are different traditional coaching inns, and hotels near to Marlow are famous because of their unique offers to their regular customers and others. Live music and fantastic food is one of the best things that are offers. They offer a well-cared stay with beautifully furnished bedrooms, delicious food and delicious breakfasts with the availability of the suppliers who can offer continental food, weekend breaks and many others.You can easily get a specific Marlow service in traditional inns and hotels with the help of your local city visitor guide. He or she can solve many of your concerns regarding different inns and hotels near Marlow. It will make your visit restful and entertaining.They provide diverse types of drinks and a superb meal on the weekends. Some of them have fabulous venues for dinner or lunch, and you can easily enjoy with your friends and family over there, as it does not cost you much than your pleasure. A complete list of the qualities such as photos, feasible rates, descriptions and availability of the rooms make your stay healthy.They offer simple and easy booking services to their customers and travellers.
They provide a convenient, safe and complete service to your programs related to travels, vacations or business. There are few hotels that sometimes do not offer an emergency service and no specific information on hotels, but there are few that give you opportunity to book your room with an immediate confirmation.Traditional coaching inns and hotels near to Marlow have simple payment procedures. If you want to make a booking in any hotel then you must be over 18 years old and have the legal capacity to make the deal. You can use credit or debit card, if there are large amounts to cover the price of the deal.The best thing about these inns and hotels is that they offer the online facility, through which you can easily check your desired room availability in the hotel that better fit your requirements and needs. Different websites provide a large amount of information, and you will get an immediate confirmation, and if you change your plans, you can cancel the reservation. You may download information from them. Their information is free of any charge. Another option is also available; you can also make your bookings through websites of the third parties. They make an agreement between you and hotels near Marlow. They give you multiple choices of coaching inns and hotels near Marlow.Tradition coaching inns and hotels welcome you into their cosy and informal atmosphere. Although Marlow is a small village and most of these inns are in walking distance of each other, it does not put any negative effect on the importance of Marlow. If you have access to a vehicle and are willing to travel, it will not be more than a small visit to the neighbouring towns.

Miami Cheap Flights and Hotel Bundles

If you are planning a flight to Miami, you can score a cheap Miami flight by purchasing a Miami vacation package. More and more travelers are learning to save by taking care of the costs of their airfare, hotel accommodations and more when purchasing a flight and hotel bundle from any of the number of reputable travel companies that offer these types of deals. You can find your choice of flights and type of flight, whether you prefer to ride in economy or first class, along with five star lodgings once you hit the ground in Miami. What's more, many of these package deals also include a rental car for your time in Miami, provided by the best rental car companies on the market - and many will include tickets to your favorite Miami attractions and meal vouchers to dine at your hotel or other Miami eateries. Let's look at some of the best Miami hotels that you might want to consider when booking a flight and hotel bundle.The Angler's Boutique Resort is growing in popularity and is consistently named as a top hotel in Miami. Although there's not the quantity of rooms at this popular resort as you will see with some of the more famous ones in the area (there's just 49), you will find that no amenity is spared at the Angler's Boutique Resort, and the service is second-to-none. Big, warm rooms or three story villas with spiral staircases and showers on the roof - the choice is yours. An onsite restaurant offers tastes of the Mediterranean (aptly named, 660 Mediterranean Kitchen) for guests who also have the option of eating their dinner poolside in a cabana.Another little known luxury hotel in Miami that you might consider for a flight and hotel bundle package is the Betsy South Beach, which is formerly known as the Betsy Ross. Located on Ocean Drive in Miami, the Betsy is a colonial styled hotel with a tropical feel that is home to a by-invitation-only lounge. Sixty-three elegantly appointed rooms keep the Betsy intimate in both size and vibe. Sleep in luxury in a huge four poster bed or watch the game on a huge LCD television or grab an unobstructed view of the mighty Atlantic from your hotel window. The Betsy also boasts a rooftop solarium, spa and pool, and the beach at the Betsy is attended by beach butlers who are ready to serve you breakfast in the sand.The legendary Eden Rock Resort is a Miami staple, and has just undergone a multimillion dollar renovation that included the addition of two new restaurants, a twenty-one story tower that houses two hundred and eighty two rooms, and fourteen two level bungalow suites that are maxed out with amenities. Look for the new spa and fitness center at the Eden Rock to become a favorite among guests. The Eden Rock Resort is a bit pricier than many accommodations in Miami, but if you can swing it - the cost is well worth it for the top notch service and impeccable beauty that will surround you during your stay.Fontainebleau is another Miami hotel that has received a costly high-dollar facelift in the past couple of years - which is why it is becoming the hub in Miami when it comes to hosting conventions. But the average traveler will also appreciate the Fontainebleau with its lavish décor, abundant chandeliers and checkerboard marble floors. The Fontainebleau is most known in Miami as the hang out for eighties Rat Packers, and is also home to a massive nightclub and a poolside sushi lounge. Book early if you want to stay at the Fontainebleau - most of its 1,504 rooms and suites are at capacity much of the time.These are just a few of the choices that you might run across when booking a cheap Miami flight and hotel bundled deal; there are many more. In fact, Miami has hotels for every budget - from airport hotels and discount hotels to $1,000 a night establishments that cater to your every whim.

Use of Coupons and Special Deals For Traveling and Accommodations

In recent years you may have noticed that the use of Coupons and special Deals for traveling and accommodations, especially to destinations like Las Vegas have become more and more popular! Las Vegas has always given discounts, even when no one else did, but not on the scale that they do now!In today's economy it would be a huge mistake to avoid using any Deals or coupons when the savings are so sizable! We're talking about the entire cost of your trip being cut by 50% and more! Yes, there are some fantastic deals out there, and by surfing the net it can either make or break your vacation plans!Discounts in Las Vegas are not limited to Travel and accommodations. You can easily find Coupons and Deals for your rental car, Fine Dining, Gambling, Attractions, and Entertainment as well! Having the ability to obtain these Coupons before you even board the plane, is amazing in itself!It used to be that we only picked up Coupons after we reached our hotel at the front desk--$1.00 here, $1.50 there, a roll of nickels etc. but now it has taken on a whole new face! Your entire trip, rental car, flight, meals and entertainment, with other perks can give you a trip that you may have otherwise had to pass on!Even if you don't get Coupons and Discounts for your trip BEFORE you leave for Las Vegas, you can still get coupons after you arrive from the hotel where you are staying. The good news is that you can also get Coupons and Discounts from other hotels, even if you aren't staying there! They can be picked up at just about any hotel on the Strip you walk into, and the same goes for Downtown!It's always a good idea to watch your newspaper for Deals as well! If you're working with a Travel agent, its always a good idea to try a second Travel agent because they would like very much to earn your business by offering you less expensive options than the one you've been working with.Most Casinos also have a "Club Card" or a "Rewards Card" that you can get for free just by signing up for it. This will provide a variety of discounts and special Deals within the establishment where you obtained it. It is the same size as a credit card and it fits into the Slot machines and earns gifts and points that you can benefit from on other purchases. There are kiosks situated all over the Casinos for you to scan your card to see how many points you have earned. It's not difficult to get a 2-for-1 credit for the buffet or other dining within the hotel and Casino!If the Hotel where you want to stay has accommodations for $200 per night, why would you choose not to get a Discount and pay $95 a night? Look everywhere!- Online, Magazines, newspapers, and in your mailbox. These Deals are very real and are out there for you to take advantage of! You have NO excuse, unless of course you have too much money that you desperately need to get rid of, in which case I'll leave my contact information for you below. Check out Las Vegas Deals Info.

The Travel Maestro III - A One-Stop Source for Your Frequent Flyer and Hotel Account Numbers

Showing up at a hotel, a ticket agent desk, or a car rental counter and being asked for your hotel rewards program number, your frequent flier account number, or your "Preferred #1 Emerald Club Gold Expresslane" account number, and not having it handy, can be very time consuming (not to mention stressful and frustrating!). Sound familiar?If so, here is a VERY simple tip for you -- have you ever considered putting all of those important numbers in a single, easy-to-access and secure place? I have done just that, and it has made traveling so much easier and more enjoyable (and my wallet SOOOO much thinner!)Here's how:A few years ago, I downloaded a very inexpensive Palm software program named "Secret!" by Linkesoft GmbH ($21.90). Secret! is basically a standard "memo pad" for your Palm PDA device, except that it is password protected and does not show up in an easy-to-access format on your desktop or laptop (even though the data IS backed up when you synchronize your device!) Create a password that only you know, and then create a single memo in that program named "Frequent Flyer/Travel #s". You can input line-by-line entries with your account numbers for each of the many frequent flier, hotel, and car rental numbers.Whenever I travel now and need to access my account numbers, I simply pull up "Secret!" from my Palm programs icon, enter in the password, open up the travel memo, and "voila!" I'm in business with all of my travel account info. If you also have handy the toll free numbers for major hotels, airlines, and car rental companies, you can actually do just about any needed travel transaction just by having your PDA handy along with your cell phone. (And if you are really slick, you can use your combination PDA/Smart Phone device and have all of your information in one place!)I did a quick search on the PalmOne Web site -- http://www.palmone.com (Pocket PC users, check the PocketGear site -- http://www.pocketgear.com), and not only did "Secret!" pop up, but so did about 100 other PDA password-protected memo/storage programs, some less than $10. And of course, if you are a planner user, you could create a single page in your planner that has all of these account numbers (but make sure you don't lose your planner or let it get stolen!!)I've actually taken advantage of "Secret!" to not only list my private travel account numbers, but I also have a memo with all of my Internet account log-ins and passwords (who can possibly remember all of these!!), telephone calling card account numbers, credit card account numbers, and even memos on my personal goals and dreams (because I don't want just anybody reading my goals and dreams!!) You could put just about anything that is very private in this memo pad, and be confident that it will stay just that -- very private!And of course, using this strategy has also saved me a lot of time, because I don't have to fumble around with 300 travel cards, or try to remember 300 different Internet account log-ins and passwords -- now I just have to remember one (the password to "Secret!" itself), and I can find all of the rest of these account numbers, names, and passwords whenever I need them.I hope this tip allows you to be a more efficient and less-stressed traveler (and Internet user!) And without all of these traveler cards to haul around with you, you will no longer have to check your wallet or purse as an extra oversized piece of baggage.

Amsterdam Sightseeing and Hotels

Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands, and is one of the largest historic cities in Europe. The city lies near two bodies of water, the Amstel river and the IJ bay. For many tourists, Amsterdam is a city which is well known and praised for its entertainment and culture. The city at this time has a population of over 700,000.Amsterdam is a city, which had very humble beginnings. It was founded in the 12th century as a small fishing village, but didn't begin to gain recognition until the 17th century, during the Golden Age of The Netherlands. A series of canals have been built around the older part of the city, and many luxurious mansions and homes lie near these canals.If you are planning a trip to Amsterdam, do not expect to be bored. For those who love art, Amsterdam is well known for its many museums. The Rijksmuseum showcases art from the Golden Age, and the Van Gogh Museum along with the Rembrandt House Museum are places every art lover should visit.Those who enjoy history may want to visit the Anne Frank House, and anyone with a love of classical music should visit the world class Concertgebouworkest. Amsterdam is also known for its red light district, called de Wallen, and the many coffee shops, some of which sell cannabis.Amsterdam is a city that has something for everyone. If you are traveling there, it is important to get accommodations at excellent hotels. Although you can find nice hotels on a budget, Amsterdam is an upscale city. Budget travelers and backpackers may find themselves spending a little more than in other European cities.When it comes to money, Visa or Eurocard are widely accepted. Most large purchases will require use of a credit card. For everything else, just keep fifty dollars handy. Changing your currency in Amsterdam is easy. Any post office or bank will exchange currencies for you, often at good exchange rates.The restaurants available in Amsterdam have a very international flavour. Traditional Dutch food is fairly simple, with meats and potatoes. There are restaurants for those on a budget as well as those wanting to eat in luxury.Restaurants in Amsterdam usually charge service fees and taxes along with the prices you pay for your meal, and tipping is always welcomed. When it comes to traveling, Amsterdam is bicycle friendly. Buses also travel heavily throughout the city, and you can always catch a taxi cab. Due to the many types of transportation available, getting around in Amsterdam is fairly cheap.

A Good Place For Travel And Vacation

Take a trip to Orland and enjoy the beautiful sand beaches and sceneries. Whether you are going to Orlando for business matters or for a holiday, you can be assured of having fun. When you get to Orlando, there are exorbitant hotels where you can spend your holiday. It all depends with your budget and the desire of hotel or vocational home you want. These hotels have all the facilities you need. They have swimming pools at the club houses, basketball courts and playgrounds for children. Vacation in Orlando is made complete with the availability of the classy vocational homes and hotels. If you are planning to travel with your family, then this is not a problem since the homes and hotels have rooms that can accommodate even two families under one roof.Go out to Orlando and view the beautiful islands, when you are in the hotels or the vocational homes, you are assured of your safety. They have a gated community for your security. The hotel rooms are classy, they have granite counter tops and tile floors, and they are equipped with washers and dryers, kitchens and jetted tubs for the bathrooms. Relaxation and comfort is what you expect when you take a vacation in Orlando. The rooms have TV sets where you can relax and watch your favorite programmes.If you are a fun of playing the pool game. They offer a pool with a poolside bar where you can get drinks and snacks. These hotels offer free shuttle service to the theme world parks.When you take a vacation in Orlando you can be assured of a memorable trip, the rooms have private furnished balconies where you relax and enjoy viewing the beautiful sceneries, they also have paddle ceiling fans. Every morning you are provided with a continental breakfast that includes coffee, bagels, cereals, fruits juices and milk giving you the chance to take whatever you want. If you want to travel with your kid, these should not be a problem since they offer suitable ambiance for your kid. There are hotels where you can get free accommodation for your kid as long as she is below twelve years old.If your budget is a bit fixed, and you take a vacation in Orlando, there are hotels that offer free meals as long as you have paid for the accommodation. This way you can use the money for buying meals for other expenses of your trip. You should not miss the adventures of Orlando, all the amenities you need are in this hotels. If you need much more information on these hotels, through the different website there is much more elaborate information. If you want to book for accommodation, all the necessary information is also provided for you. Take a trip to Orlando and enjoy yourself now.

Write Whilst You Travel and Earn

Humans have always been wanderers. Through the old days, people would move about in tribes, rove the great earth and depend on her bounty and nourishment. With the arrival of farming and commerce, we changed our lifestyle and settled down on a chunk of land laboring our entire lives. Every so often, we loved to pack up our stuff and go visit a fresh place. Nowadays, when the need to travel affects us, we go against our instinct to stay in our comfort zone and proceed to visit exotic and new places.Then we travel the world, exhaust ourselves and come back to our every day lives. Back to our jobs and back to our spouses and families. Some of us may even have weblogs in which we record our journeys. Others may have pictures that they may show their family members every chance they get of their trip to Rome, Australia or Antarctica. Now picture if rather than wasting our experiences, we monetized them. Which is where being a travel affiliate comes in. These days, with the arrival of the web, it is becoming ridiculously easy to get published online. Not just that, almost all business is also conducted online. In the travel industry, nearly everybody use online internet sites to book their vacation packages, hotels and cruises. The travel industry is forever expanding.Give it a try. Write a travel article detailing your experiences and include a couple of photos in their as well. Then, you simply market your article by sending the link to your pals and posting it up on Facebook or twitter. When a person visits your blog, reads your article and clicks on your travel affiliate link, you obtain a cut.I am positive that you have a favorite web based travel agent. Everyone does! So why don't you work for them as an independent freelance travel affiliate? Just about all online travel websites have genuine affiliate programs. Most of them are administered through commission junction. Commissions can range anywhere from 2 %-50% depending on the program. Think about that for a minute. How much does the average family spend on a travel package? A few thousand dollars, right? So your commission can range anywhere from $20 to $2000 or even more. You can actually concentrate on a certain sector such as cruises or you can even look at writing about African safaris. Do you have knowledge in a certain industry? Use it! Write a review article on a business hotel with the best conference facilities and then post a link to that hotel. If someone is seeking a excellent spot to hold a conference and books that hotel after clicking on your link, you get paid!Travel Affiliate Programs are an excellent and popular strategy to earn money online. They are fun and almost don't even seem to be work if you like to travel and write about it. Most of your writing can be done on your laptop as you sip coffee in Barcelona or wine in Paris. It's a win win!

Traveling and Seeing the Real World

Traveling is wonderful. You see new things, experience new cultures, eat cool foods, and have fun. I believe it helps open the mind and possible increase creativity as well. All travel is good, but quite honestly you only see and experience so much when you go on a tour, stay in tourist hotels, and hang out with fellow tourists most of the time. I'm not knocking tourism at all, and have been a tourist at times, but to really see an area you need to travel rather independently, not with a group of tourists.Most of the world does not have tourist hotels, but has perfectly fine hotels the locals stay in when they travel. You won't find starred Michelin restaurants, but plenty of inexpensive and tasty local places to eat. You might meet a few travelers, but you'll certainly interact with the locals as well. Communication may not be fully in English, but you'll be amazed how much you can communicate even when there is no or little common language. Best of all, you will see and experience far more, most likely enjoy it immensely.Traveling in most of the world is very inexpensive, yes, I said inexpensive. A week as a tourist in France might cost you two or more thousand dollars per person not including airfare, and I'll add is quite worth it. For the same price you can quite easily have a blast for a couple of months very easily in many fascinating and perfectly safe areas of the world. You travel and eat extremely well, stay in comfortable locations, and have a wonderful and enlightening time. Of course you can travel in France much more cheaply as well.Now some areas of the world are easier to travel in than others. A novice traveler probably shouldn't travel sub Saharan Africa for example, although the area is fascinating. Southeast Asia however is very simple to travel in and one of the more popular areas. Most of the countries feature easy travel, plenty of accommodations, absolutely great food, and well beaten paths full of other travelers as well. South America is another area that is wonderful to travel in as in Central America, and a little Spanish goes a long way if you happen to know some.Traveling is more about being there than moving rapidly in a crazy attempt to see everything. You never can see everything anyways. So slow down, take a few weeks or months (yes, you can if plan ahead), and see the world.

About Noida and Hotels in Noida

About NoidaNoida is also called the New Okhla Industrial Area. It came to existence last April 17, 1976. It is celebrated yearly as Noida Day. The city is situated in Gautam Buddha Nagar, district of Uttar Pradesh state. It was created under the UP Industrial Area Development Act. The city has supreme amenities and is considered as one of the more modern suburbs of Delhi in National Capital Region. It is home of Noida Film City.Recently, the place is considered as a separate district known as Gautam Budh Nagar, with its administrative headquarters at SurajPur, a nearby town. The city is a boast suburb of Delhi and has numerous cinema multiplexes, nightclubs, restaurants hotels and malls. It also has large colonies and residential developments in Greater Noida. It has many prestigious educational schools, institutes and hospitals. Other institutes here include the W Giri National Institutes in Section 24 and FDDI, an institute designed to push the cause of leather as well as the footwear industries of local talents.Noida is one of the largest industrial cities of Asia. The city has an It hub with numerous leading software companies and BPOs operating there. They also have a Special Economic Zone which attracts many industries and offices.Film city in Sector 16A is a prime production center for films and TV series. It has large sports stadium that currently upgraded to host events of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Located to the north of Delhi, the city is across the Yamuna River and a lot of wheat, sugarcanes and vegetables are grown in the agricultural tracts surrounding it.List of Hotels in NoidaMosaic Hotel This hotel is situated in the heart of Noida. It is a perfect choice for tourists in Noida. A sanctuary of hospitality is ready to satisfy the lodging needs of both business and leisure travelers. In additional to excellent hotel lodging, the hotel also offers special promotions and packages that can make your experience more memorable. It also offers about 48 well-appointed business rooms in 5 categories of rooms such as suites, value clubs, clubs, superiors and deluxe.All rooms boast of the latest technology gadgets. They also feature fully loaded business desks and in-room comforts with an eye to detail, attending to the personal needs of business travelers. Room amenities include an electronic safe, high-speed wireless Internet access, mini-bar, tea and coffee maker, plasma television with national and international channels as well as remote controlled blinds for suites. The hotel's complete address is C-1 Sector 18, Noida.Nirula's Hotel Noida This hotel is favored by business travelers and families. It is conveniently situated close to malls, shopping complexes and multiplexes. The hotel also offers a choice of 4 categories of lodging combined with superior cleanliness, comfort and smiling services at inexpensive rates.Guests can also avail of the complimentary buffet breakfast between 7:30 to 10:00 am. All rooms are centrally air-conditioned. It also has modern amenities such as STD or ISD access, cable televisions and mini-bars. The hotel's complete address is C-135 Sector 2, Noida.Hotel Great Value Noida This hotel is located 15 kilometers away from the Delhi Railway Station and 10 kilometers away from the India Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The hotel rooms are available at moderate rates and categories to deluxe rooms and suites. All rooms have attached bathrooms with availability of running hot and cold water for 24 hours, as well as telephones with direct dial, refrigerators and color televisions with many channels.

You've Got Your Flights and Hotel - Now It's Time to Maximize the Rest of Your Trip

The Internet abounds with sites and tips dedicated to saving money on flights and hotels. Even people who don't exhaustively read up on how to get the best deals typically visit multiple sites before booking a flight. Even hotel booking now typically involve more than just one site as travelers make sure they are getting the best deal.Expedia and other online travel agents' sites dropping their booking fees was a direct reaction to travelers' habit of researching flights options on their sites, picking the one they wanted, then booking it directly from the airline to save the $5 fee. It was easy to do, so not surprisingly most people did. Some went even further, using multiple sites and trying to find the optimal day and time to save even more on their flights. This behavior spawned a whole host of "meta search sites" like Kayak.com, looking to make this kind of exhaustive searching easier. The NY Times' "Frugal Traveler" had a great article on all the best tools and tips for researching travel and getting the best price.But the NY Times article - and most travelers - had no ideas past getting flights and hotels locked in. Despite the fact that the cost of the time a traveler spends in his or her destination often far exceeds the costs of flights and housing, people seem resigned to paying full price.It doesn't have to be that way. Not surprisingly, the Internet offers a variety of options that a growing number of travelers are tapping into to save on their "destination experience." It is no secret that individual tours and attractions offer deals on their web sites that are available to anyone who buys in advance. And not surprisingly, aggregators of a wide variety of these type of buy before you fly deals are starting to have a growing presence online.On popular example is Viator.com. This site allows travelers to select from destinations across the world and select from tickets to attractions, tours, events, airport transfers, and so on, often at a significant discount to walk up prices. And travelers might be surprised at the breadth of the offering. Disney, Grand Canyon, Broadway Shows, etc. are all on offer. But so is a Ghost Hunting tour in Edinburgh, skydiving in Australia, kickboxing matches in Bangkok - the list goes on and on.Obviously committing to specific sites and activities in advance requires a bit of pre-planning. This fact alone has been as much a barrier as anything to more rapid expansion of travelers seizing on destination deals. For those looking to save while preserving flexibility and spontaneity, an attraction pass like those offered by SmartDestinations.com could be just the ticket.The company offers a credit card sized ticket in 14 North American destinations that allows the holder to go into most if not all of the main attractions and tours in that destination for one prepaid price. Perhaps best of all, there's no need to decide in advance what you intend to see. In destinations such as Chicago, Boston, San Diego, and Oahu, the savings offered by the card can be as much as 55% compared to individual tickets, and that's not counting deals on shopping and dining that are included in the card.So as you plan your next trip, make sure you don't stop with flights and hotels, but give some thought to the things you plan to do once you get where you are going. You could end up significantly lowering the total cost of your trip with just a bit more effort.

Travel and Exercise

Sometimes travel and exercise just doesn't mix. Sure most of the hotels have great gyms in them but not everyone wants to take time out of their vacations or business trip to exercise. Exercise is still important whether you are at home or not. Instead of a big routine while on the road try exercises that will maintain muscle and endurance. This way it will not cut into your work or vacation time. As far as equipment you actually have some right in your hotel room.The last thing a person wants to toe around during travel is dumbbells or any type of weights. Who wants to pack up a bunch of equipment to go on the road, even if it is compact and slides under the bed. Well once you put your thinking cap on you will see that you actually have some unique exercise equipment right in your hotel room. For example a phone book is an excellent tool for several exercises:

Push ups - Put one hand on the phone book and the other on the floor.

Squats - Feet set apart wider than the hips, phone book in middle of legs slightly in front, bend down and put hands on phone book. Rise up on tip toes and lift hips up towards the ceiling and straighten the knees as much as possible, Repeat.

Lunges - Feet apart, hold phone book upward over your head. Bend the knees and lower into a lunge.

Calf Raises - Stand on phone book with heel slightly off of book. Keep body straight and lift the body up onto tiptoes.
Another great tool to use in a hotel is a chair. You can work your triceps by sitting on the chair, hand next to your thighs and push up. Bring the hips out and lower body down just brushing the seat. Providing that there is a stool in the room it will make you a perfect stepper. Turn some tunes on and go to town.Speaking of tunes, dancing is another great form of exercise. Make your husband take you out on the town and dance the night away. On a business trip take a break and go make some new friends. Dancing is a great cardiovascular workout. If you are single you just might meet someone special that enjoys dancing also. Dancing can be great fun but it is really an excellent way to get your workout for the day.There are many way to exercise even if you are not at home. You don't have to spend a lot of time at it while on the road just maintain yourself. Look around you and use your head as to what can actually be used as exercise equipment. You will be surprised at all the ideas you come up with and you will not feel so guilty being on the road and having some great food. Traveling can be lots of fun but it can add to the waistline so make sure that you get your exercise in daily while you are on the road.

Famous Mergers and Aquisitions and Hotel Chains

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are commonplace in the world of business, some very successful in terms of revenue, and some which are spectacular failures. An acquisition is a corporate action whereby a company buys most or all of the target company's ownership stakes in order to gain control of it. There have been many famous mergers and acquisitions, resulting in increased revenue for some of the biggest firms in the world.
Disney/Pixar 2006 - This merger has proved to be very successful for both parties involved. The acquisition and merger means that the tradition of Disney could be maintained and the innovation of Pixar animations could be developed and explored further. The success of all the first six Pixar movies such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo confirmed Pixar's new style of animation as being a hit with the box office, and the heritage and tradition of Disney speaks for itself. This partnership is still going strong today.
Exxon/Mobil 1999 - This $81 billion deal was historic in the business world. Exxon, the most powerful and prolific American oil company bought Mobil, the second largest American oil company. In order to ensure that the new ExxonMobil brand did not create a monopoly in certain areas of America, they had to sell thousands of their petrol stations. Today they are still the largest oil company in the world, showing this acquisition and merger to be a great success.
Premier Lodge/Travel Inn 2004 - The Whitbread Company, who owned the Travel Inn hotel chain, decided to expand their budget hotel business by acquiring Premier Lodge in 2004. Once the two companies had merged, they created the UK's largest budget hotel chain known then as Premier Travel Inn, which has since been rebranded Premier Inn and boasts over 600 hotels including some in Dubai and India.
Mergers and acquisitions happen frequently in the hotel trade; this is how large hotel chains have developed over time. The majority of hotel owners no longer specialise in one type of hotel, e.g. budget or luxury hotels, but they have a mixture of both. The Accor hotel group for example own the budget chain Ibis as well as the luxury hotel brand MGallery. Having a varied portfolio of hotels allows the company to target a range of markets, with the ultimate view to making a success of them all. However, some hotel companies still promote luxury only hotels, such as the Sandals resorts in the Caribbean.

Find Out More About Group Travel and Its Benefits

Group travel definitely has a lot of benefits, especially when you are traveling with your family and close friends. You not only save a lot of money on the travel, you also tend to enjoy the vacation better. However, though there are many ways of saving money on group travels, most of the hotels and airlines will not want to provide you with information on how to do this. Read on to get a few hints on how to save your hard earned money and enjoy the group travels and its benefits.First and foremost savings is the airfare. When planning a vacation, the first step is to find out whether a family of three or four can be considered as a group and you can avail the required discounts possible on the air tickets.Lodging is the next point to consider when planning for group travel. Certain resorts and hotels offer complimentary stay for your kids or they may offer room upgrades free of cost, if you are in a large group. Such benefits should be found out while making bookings in advance or online. Furthermore, certain hotels and resorts offer free breakfast during your stay or your kids may get to have free meals.When you travel with family and friends, you may be able to receive courtesy services like free wireless internet, airport transfer for round trips, etc. Depending on the distance of travel and the airlines, hotels, resorts and the travel agencies that one chooses, the benefits provided are varied. Hence, it is mandatory that one takes into consideration of such benefits while planning a vacation. Always remember that a vacation is meant to relax the mind and body and hence, there should be no hassle of last minute booking and cancellations etc. Everything should be well planned and worked out meticulously to avoid stress during the vacation.The joy of traveling in a group is not over with just getting discounts on the airfare, hotel and services rendered. There still remains the excitement, fun and games that you can enjoy when you are making plans for group travel schemes. As the adage goes, 'two is company, three is a crowd'. Hence, it is always very enjoyable when you consider traveling in a group. You not only save on tickets, food and lodging, you also feel satisfied that you have had a great vacation with your family and friends.

The Best Holiday and Hotel Deals in Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands holidays are enjoyed as a part of the Caribbean zone and a British overseas territory. The Cayman Brac, the Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are islands that make up the Cayman Islands. It holds a mix of the Caribbean and British culture. These islands are home to wealthy American and British families.Holidaying In Cayman IslandsThese islands are some of the famous holiday destinations in the world. With some of the most stunning beaches and abundant dive sites, this place is a top choice for those who love to make most of the water resources. Cayman Islands holidays give you luxury at its best. This exclusive water borne location is famous for its beaches too. With the sun falling on the soft sand of the beaches, it is like a painting turned into reality. This luxurious place has high standards seen in the inhabitants' lifestyle too.You can enjoy various other activities in the popular Grand Cayman. Apart from diving, Cayman offers you jeep safaris, horseback riding and jungle trekking. The Cayman Brac has hiking trails and deserted beaches to explore.Luxury Hotels of Grand CaymanSome of the finest hotels in the world are found in the Cayman Islands. They are known for maintaining high standards and value. Luxurious hotel stay makes the trip more memorable. Some of the Grand Cayman hotels are beach resorts with luxury suites, where you can enjoy a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. The comfort suites are the best for families, single travelers and those on official trips.Suite resorts for couples are located on the edge of white sands and clear waters of the Caribbean. You can enjoy a peaceful beach holiday at these hotels. Fitness centers, spa, golf course, water sports and diving are other facilities you can avail. You can enjoy a relaxed and luxurious holiday at the Grand Cayman hotels.Diving HolidaysSingles diving holidays to Cayman Islands are an excellent choice. The sea surrounding the islands is home to divers. Underwater attractions are a major reason why tourists visit here.Numerous dive sites are found here. They are steep drops or wall dives covered with corals and marine life. The Cayman Islands have solo divers who plan scuba diving. Solo divers can enjoy the beautiful depths of the sea in a few moments at the Grand Cayman Island. Singles diving holidays are more adventurous as, the divers get to share their time with likeminded people. This is a popular trend seen, as many independent travelers choose their style of tourism. Singles diving holidays is made avail of only by equipped and experienced divers. These are exceptionally popular with diving professionals and underwater photographers who often dive without a friend.

Travel And Leisure Jobs Available

Actually working in this industry is so exciting. You work as you enjoy and also get to meet a lot of amazing people with different cultures and beliefs. This makes the job an exciting experience that you don't even want to go on leave. Don't give me those eyes, you will know what I am saying once you start working in the industry.The list of travel and leisure jobs available is long and endless. There are so many jobs to choose from. Ranging from travel to sports to holidays and to anything leisure you can imagine. You can work as a sport instructor, like say a swimming instructor. You can be a gym instructor, can work in a massage palour, can be a tour guide, can be a travel agent, can be in the cabin crew, can even be a driver for a tours company and the list is endless!The most common place you can work while in this industry is in a hotel. This is where most people who travel stay while on their holiday or trip. This place therefore offers the largest percentage of jobs in this category. From hotel managers, to those who take care of you during your stay, to the chefs, to outdoor activities managers and many other uncountable posts. All you have to do is have the required skills and the job might be yours. These top hotels should therefore be one of your top search places for travel and leisure jobs.Hotels are everywhere because lots of people are travelling daily. This therefore means, the jobs are everywhere and getting your dream travel and leisure should be a big problem. Apart from hotels, jobs are available in national parks, animal sanctuaries and orphanages, sports clubs, airports, beaches, travel agencies and almost virtually everywhere.Internet can also be a good place where you can get your travel and leisure job. In this day, there are so many sites online just dedicated to find you a travel and leisure job. All you have to do, is register and maybe upload your curriculum vitae, then your employer will find you. Alternatively, you can browse the jobs available and apply for them online. This is a very easy and efficient way of looking for that travel and leisure dream job.Having known that you can always get that job you wanted, I will advise that you make a move towards getting it. You also understand that competition is high and you got to be smart and fast when you are eyeing a certain job. As I said, hotels are always a good place to start with. Chances are your fate might be to work there. These other places too should not be ignored. So start now and get your travel and leisure job, before someone takes it.

Saving Money While Traveling and Keeping to a Budget

With ever increasing gas prices, it is important to save as much money as possible while traveling. When you are planning a car trip there are several ways that you can save money. If you keep the following tips in mind, you will be able to enjoy your time on the road without feeling guilty about the money you are putting into the gas tank.First, try and carpool if possible. Gas is one of the most expensive costs of traveling, but this cost can be reduced by including friends and family on your trip. By splitting gas multiple ways, you will all be able to save some money and enjoy the time you have together. To get even more out of your gas budget, do a bit of research before you leave. By looking up average gas prices in the cities you will be driving through, you will be able to plan your stops in the places that have the cheapest gas. This may result in making inconvenient or untimely stops, depending upon when you drive through these cities, but as long as you stop in a safe area the inconvenience will be worth it and your wallet won't feel the strain.Another way to make your gas budget stretch is to increase the miles your car can go per gallon. Keeping proper air pressure in your tires and driving at or below the speed limit are two ways to greatly influence the rate at which your car consumes gas. If your car is properly maintained it will work to its maximum efficiency, resulting in less gas being used.The second most costly expense while traveling is food. Every year travelers rack up millions of dollars in fast food or casual dining off the interstate. While it certainly is very convenient to pull through a drive through or stop at a restaurant for a quick bite to eat, it is financially wasteful. Instead, try to get a small cooler or two, depending on how many people are traveling and how long the drive will be, and pack them with drinks, snacks, and ingredients for sandwiches. This will enable you to save money, as fast food and casual restaurants are always raising prices.The last recommendation for saving money while traveling is to stay in traveler friendly hotels. Many hotels cater to guests who plan to stay for an extended period of time, and the cost of staying in such a hotel for one night can be excessive. On the other hand, some hotels are geared toward travelers, in that they offer smaller rooms at a lower rate. These rooms will be small, but they are perfect for anyone who simply needs some rest before hitting the road again.Remember, when you are traveling there are several expenses you cannot avoid. Gas, tires, oil, food, it is all important and cannot be ignored. However, there are several ways to reduce the amount of money you spend on each of these necessities. Savvy travelers budget wisely. By following the above tips, you will be able to enjoy your road trip without worrying about the money you spend.

Travel & Leisure Destination Tips For Your Vacation Rentals That Better Your Golf Travel and Results

Every one wants to have travel and leisure at some point in their lives and it is good to have some destination tips to get much fun and lesser stress in having a vacation. You can always use the Internet as a tool in getting a bird's eye view in the vacation destination you have in mind. This is pretty helpful especially if you are bringing the whole family along.Some people have about a month long vacation stay in some of the worlds best tropics like Hawaii and staying in a hotel is a bit too expensive. There have been changes in the hotel and inn industry by the arrival of the concept of renting a house, condo units, or villas for your month long stay in one place called vacation rentals. People have an additional choice to stay in a more homely place compared to generic hotel rooms that can limit what you are able to do. You do not have to pay much for the Hawaiian accommodations by staying in some of the alternative places that some companies offer.Browse over the Internet to look at the alternatives like Kauai Vacation Rentals that can give you an array of places to stay at a lesser fraction of the price compared to a month long stay in the hotels. They can give you Kauai Condo Rentals that can be near the seashore or a cove that can help you feel more relaxed and further enjoy your privacy. You can have the amenities like a regular condo unit and you can save a lot of money from cooking in instead of eating out.In Hawaii gold courses are also a big attraction factors for the golf enthusiasts. Some Kauai Cottage Rentals are located near gold clubs and courses that can literally take less than five minutes for you to reach. This is indeed good news for those who are looking into golf practice or learning within their vacation time span. You can really better your golf travel and results. You can go golf course hunting if you do happen to have mastered your nearby gold course.If you are the beach type, then Kauai Beach Villas are for you. Imagine your staying place to be just a short walk into the wide Pacific ocean. Some beach villas even extend to the sea literally so you can just jump on the water for a dive in your beach villa balcony.Haena Vacation Rentals can also give you alternative choices of your place of your stay. Your family or company can really appreciate the freedom in the vacation rentals that they offer as well as the privacy. Family activities can get creative with the staying place near beaches, resorts, or gold courses. You can organize a lot of things to do during your stay without thinking of extra charges or high hotel rates services.Vacation rentals like Haena Rentals are greatly advantageous for those who are on a budget but still want to enjoy the Hawaiian tropics. Even if you do not have a house or villa over at the tropics, renting condos or cottages can give you a sense of truly being at the place. This is because you can act unrestricted and unbounded by the four walls of the hotels.

Find Cheap Airfare Tickets and Hotels by Computer Mistake

Computers are not perfect. Humans are not perfect either. And when you put them together, then the effect is really devastating! But, devastating in what sense? Well, probably for yourself as a user it can be very annoying that a computer fails, probably you will think for a while about Mr Gates and then you will forget and keep working. But when it comes to find cheap airfare tickets or cheap hotels or cheap discounted vacation packages...That's another story. Because when the situation is that the computer of the company fails and thanks to that in the screen it appears some results that are not correct, you can be in front of the possibility of booking a flight or a hotel for a really low price. At same time, you should take care, as some computer mistakes will cause your trip to get more expensive. Find cheap airfare tickets and hotels is about statistics really, and the idea of the article is to bring up those statistics!First of all, the time when this happens. Well, the time where the failures are most probable is at the time when the airlines and hotels and search engines make their changes in web-pages. At which time they do it? Well, of course at the time when less people is browsing their web-page, normally between 2 and 5am at the local time of the company. In any case, this mistakes sometimes are very difficult to find for programmers, and errors can keep showing during days until somebody realizes it was a problem there.If now we look at it from a day of the week point of view, statistics are very equal, and even if some trends point to Wednesday as the day when new offers are introduced, and so the possibility of errors is higher, many of the updates that cause problems have nothing to do with the updating of prices. They are simple system modifications that can alter indirectly other parts of the program. In this way, we could conclude that all days of the week show the same probability to fail and give you this possibility to find cheap airfare tickets and hotels.Instead, and surprisingly, January and November have shown as the months when most errors have happened, followed by September and July. A month that shows a value of nearly 0 failures is May. Fortunately for me, at the beginning of November I was lucky to find one of this mistakes. I booked a flight for the first of January for 6 euros, and later the airline communicated me that they were not flying on the first of the year so I was able to move my trip to any other day that I would prefer. As the flight was only of 6 euros on the first of January, I moved it to the 6th, when the price was more than 150 Euros. Good deal, I saved about 145 Euros simply because of the computer's mistake!Concluding, the strategy to follow to find cheap airfare tickets and hotel stays is pretty easy. Follow the statistics. But please, you don't need to be there on weekdays at 4:00am. Just rest a bit, and maybe tomorrow is a lucky day!

Luxury Travel on a Tight Budget: Global Travel and Vacations

Budget constraints often limit families and individuals from experiencing their vacations to the fullest. But with a little budgeting and research, you can enjoy a luxury vacation even on a tight budget. After all, you've worked hard all year long, and your vacation should be a relaxing, fun experience.Here are some travel tips to help you budget for your global travel and vacations and find great deals on luxury resorts around the world.Create a Vacation Savings PlanInstead of trying to gather up enough money for vacation at the last minute, develop a savings plan at the start of each year. Save only $20 per week and you'll have $1040.00 after 12 months. This can take care of the hotel bill and maybe more if you find a great bargain!Save Money on FoodWhen you arrive at your destination, go shopping for groceries. Note: Be sure the hotel or resort provides a refrigerator and microwave or stove. Save your "dining out" money for a few really special evenings out. This will allow you to enjoy a few delicious meals instead of wasting dollars on fast food every day. One family-of-four meal at a fast food restaurant could cost $30 USD or more!Reserve in AdvanceIf you know far enough in advance where and when you will take your holiday, you can book your hotel and flight in advance and receive savings. Phone the hotel or resort where you would like to stay several months ahead and ask them to mail their latest brochure to you. Often times the brochures will contain rates for certain dates along with coupons. You can take advantage of "early bird" or "off-season" discounts.Get to Know Local or Online Travel AgentsContact local travel agents in your area and ask to be notified when special deals arise. They are willing to help because they get paid a commission. Also, ask about brochures to various luxury resorts around the world so you can get an idea of where you would like to go.You can also join with a travel group online to receive enormous discounts on four and five star luxury resorts in Europe, Asia, Greece, Egypt, Israel, and many other destinations. Whether you'd like to stay at a beach resort, ski resort, golf resort, or take ocean cruises, they will do the research for you using their years of expertise. For even more savings, you can also sell global travel and vacations or memberships to others through a travel group and earn money. This allows you to work at home with your very own travel business or at least pay for your own vacation!Plan Activities OnlineOnce you know your destination, you can plan some of the more expensive activities online in advance to enjoy Internet savings. Popular amusement parks, museums, and entertainment venues often give a discount for ordering tickets online in advance.Save on Air FareIf traveling by plane, try bidding on tickets to get a good price or look for departure times that offer cheaper rates. Many airlines cost less during the off-seasons as well.No matter what your travel budget, you can enjoy a great vacation if you do enough advance planning. Make the most of your holiday while spending less!

Booking Tickets and Hotels With Your Mobile on the Go

Are you aware of the new technologies that have made our lives so easy? The technologies are improving day by day and today you can do anything on the go. You might have an idea about the smart phones that has become the talk of the town these days.With the help of these smart phones you can now do almost anything. If you have a business these days you need to make sure that you very much involved in it and you should always stay connected to your team.One of the most popular business opportunities available these days is of travel and tourism. You might be aware of the fact that these days you can easily make your hotel and ticket bookings from your phone even when you are on the move. This is how the smart phones can help you.Other than this, if you yourself own this business in travel and tourism then you can easily start marketing your business through your smart phone. You just need to create your own travel website through these phones.But it is not very easy to create your website with these phones and then start marketing your business. The website that you create will be your own ecommerce and booking website. People will visit the website and make their booking for hotels and tickets.It is therefore very much important to provide all the essential details regarding your business in this website through the smart phones. You need to provide the details of booking rates as well as the rates of the tickets.Other than this, if you offer a package system then you should also specify the rates and the facilities available with the package. The websites are quite easy to use. User friendly websites are always in great demand. Booking can be made for places like St Lucia, Turks and Caicos, Barbados as well as Dominica.Traveler marketing strategies can help you reach to the top of this field. There are certain smart phone marketing companies which can help you create great websites. Some of these companies offer a free trial period for some time.You can take the free trial period offer so that you can find out which of the companies offer better service. There are various benefits of using the smart phone traveler service. First of all they will offer you a great format to create your travel website.Once your website is created and marketed by the smart phone traveler marketing service you can reach out to at least billions of travelers on the go. There are different types of smart phones available these days. Any people using this kind of phone can connect himself to your travel website and enjoy the deals.Whenever you create a website it is always important to get an online rating. With the help of these marketing facilities you can surely rank high and get a good online presence. So start marketing your travel and tourism website now.

Lucrative Jobs in Travel and Leisure Industry

After leaving college, all of us when we are in our youth, desire to spread our wings. After spending many years in colleges and universities for education we wish a job that broadens our horizons and give us a more comprehensive viewpoint of life. Travel and leisure industry provides the exact prospects to fulfill our wishes.Although travel and leisure industry, like all other sectors of the economy, has taken a hit due to recession, it is showing signs of recovery. This industry requires a love for travelling, creativity, excellent communication skills and an ability to understand people and their needs. The benefits of working in this industry are its lucrative pay structure based on performance, wide appeal and a more creative and fulfilling life. So if you are looking to make a career in this evergreen sector, a few career opportunities along with their requirements are mentioned below.Tour Operations and Escorting Executive - In this position you are responsible for accompanying a group of travelers and ensure that they have a satisfying experience during all points of their tour including travel, stay and during visit to actual destinations. You should have a craving for travel, a good personality, good handling and escorting skills and strong nerves to handle difficult and unpredictable ground condition efficiently. Although some institutes provide specialized courses for this course but often companies looking to recruit a tour operator do not look for specific degrees. However prior experience in similar position is greatly valued.Travel Writer - In this job you are required to write interestingly and correctly for newspapers, travel magazines, travel guides and travel websites. As most of the time you are writing about an already well travelled and well described destination, it is expected that you provide a fresh approach to them along with interesting anecdotes. As travel writing involves some strenuous journeys, so being well organized and ability to meet strict deadlines under pressure is desirable. You may work as freelance or on a contractual basis. This is a very competitive job so you may need to have basic training in writing as well as travelling. Some large organization while hiring at this position might specify a degree qualification in communication, journalism or English as a basic requirement for the job.Flight attendants - Here you work for an airline as member of an airline in order to ensure safety and comfort of passengers during flight. You are also required to conduct cabin checks periodically, especially during night flights to check on the passengers, and listen for any unusual noises or situations. For getting this highly lucrative job you are required to undergo a mandatory training by the airline for a duration of six weeks to six months depending on the airline and the country of operation. A pleasing personality and knowledge of additional languages also helps. Some airlines also have a height and weight requirement.Fitness trainers - As a fitness trainer you are employed by fitness trainers and health clubs to demonstrate various exercises to the clients and help improve their organizing technique. You are also required to motivate and keep a record of the client's exercise regime. As far as qualifications are required you need to have completed your schooling and must have undergone a certification program.Senior Hotel Staff - whether it be bar manager, maitre'd or general manager of the entire hotel, increasingly Westerners are being attracted to job roles in hotels in places as varied as China and Jamaica! The role will typically involve the same duties as it would in the UK or the US, but the surroundings are usually completely different!

How to Get Great Travel Deals and Hotel Bookings For Las Vegas

This recession has put everybody in a financial crunch and even though vacation tickets and hotel bookings in Las Vegas are down and even though flying there is expensive, you can still find some good deals if you look around online. The big casino hotels are struggling right now to get by but they are doing some very innovative things to try to attract visitors. Most of the casinos like Harrah's are offering pre-bundled deals where you would get a decent but not great percentage off of an airline ticket but you would save a good amount on a hotel booking.Visitors are still going to Vegas, but it's now on a shoestring budget. Hotels are now offering the extras like great shopping deals, dining specials and hangout spots that would appeal to the younger crowd. Some hotels are even offering reward points that would allow them to see certain entertainment shows that they would normally pay for. This is a great concept because it will also attract the whole family.The Las Vegas economy now might be down right now but they are experts at weathering economic recessions. They did it many times before and they will do it again. Even though they are giving American residents great deals on hotel rooms, they are also starting to concentrate on the one spot that could actually help them survive this great recession and hold on until the housing industry picks up and starts a turnaround. They are now focusing most of their effort on reaching prospective customers overseas and by offering them sweet deals on travel ticks and hotel stays. They can bring in a fresh new elite crowd from Europe that has more than its share of money to spend on gambling and entertainment Las Vegas style.So from now until the end of 2009 you will probably be able to pick and choose the hotel in Vegas that you want to stay at, and probably name your price. So if you have the chance to get out there to take your mind off of these economic times i would suggest a brief weekend trip. Vegas is the city that never sleeps, so party on up people and have a great time.

3 Simple Tactics For Ticket and Hotel Reservations Uncovered!

When looking for criteria on ways to arrange for ticket and hotel reservations, you need to plan your itinerary in advance. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your next trip.Preparing always has huge benefits as it helps you to save much time and frustration in the future. You can also preserve a lot of cash in the process by planning ahead and completing your business or vacation travel schedule. One of the most important parts of planning your schedule is guaranteeing hotel and travel reservations. When you have taken the time to properly plan, you can enjoy your trip, without having to worry about logistics. Without a really efficient assistant or agent, you need to personally be sure that your tickets and hotel reservations are created according to your specifications.While I love to be spontaneous and take off on a trip in a moment's notice, it is not always the best decision price wise. When you are planning long trips into another country or on company business, you cannot afford setbacks due to hit-or-miss planning. Often, it's difficult to get resort reservations, air travel, and rental cars on late notice. This is especially true during holidays, when almost everything from flights and accommodations are reserved completely. Why be frustrated? Book your reservations in advance and online. Because of online website services, most booking accommodations and travel tickets can be reserved from the relaxation of your home computer. Here are some simple guidelines on how to plan your schedule.Book Airline Tickets OnlineWhether it's a domestic or worldwide flight, you can book your flight on the world wide web. Because of sites like Orbitz, you can now check out the available flight alternatives to each specific location. These sites focus on all the most affordable airfare promotions available at any moment. While the best time to book any trip is months before the actual departure, you can still get very inexpensive air travel later, if you discover all the alternatives. Just sign-up with any of the sites like Orbitz or Expedia and get your reservation concerns in order.Book Your Train Tickets OnlineEven train ticket bookings can be created online. Finding inexpensive train tickets is simpler now with online planning features. From international to domestic, all have online options for booking passes. Just make sure you have a credit card in hand.Book Your Hotel ReservationsYou will find that most hotels around the world have an online reservation system or a web page with information. You can reserve rooms in advance by calling or applying online at the hotel's website. This should save you the aggravation and stress of looking for a room after your arrival. Be sure to do research and read reviews as much as possible and look for the best deals before you decide to make your reservations.Reserving ticket and hotel reservations was never as simple as it is today. Going online has made it considerably easier for anybody who wants to book a domestic or worldwide trip. With everything planned and daily activities, scheduled down to the last details, you can relax and simply enjoy your trip. Utilizing all of the online features for booking tickets and hotel reservations will allow you to spend less money, as well as save your precious time!

More Jobs Than People in Canada's Travel and Tourism Sector

Canada's travel and tourism sector is expected to experience labour shortages this year, according to a recently updated study by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council. If you love travel, now is a good time to make a career of it. In just six months, you could be certified to work in:· Hotel Management· Resort Management· Event PlanningPicture yourself behind the desk in a world-class hotel or travelling the seas with a cruise line. Or leading activities at a resort or dealing blackjack in an onboard casino. Sound intriguing? It's within reach. Read on for more information on what to look for in a school.How to Choose a Travel & Tourism SchoolThere are different points to consider before committing to a school.Does the school have a co-op program that would give you an immediate chance to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to real-life situations?Does it offer the internationally recognized American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) certification? This makes it easier for you to find work outside of the country (Canada is not the only country experiencing or expected to experience labour shortages in the hospitality industry. Australia, for example, is also reportedly experiencing a labour shortfall.Does it offer paid work experience? This gives you a chance to practice what you've learned in a professional setting - while making money!Do its hospitality management and travel & tourism programs feature additional training in such topics as: cultural sensitivity, emergency first aid, leadership skills, stress management, etc?Does it offer career development services? A good school will guide students towards domestic and international job opportunities in the travel & tourism sectors.There are also different programs to choose from:· Travel & Tourism Diploma· Travel & Tourism Business Management Diploma· Travel Agent Certificate· Hotel Management Diploma· Hospitality Resort Management DiplomaWhatever your dream travel job - an event planner, tour guide or chef on a cruise line - the best way to make your decision about training programs is to contact a school and start asking questions. Has the school kept in contact with its graduates? What kind of jobs have they found? How soon can you start?Your love of travel just may translate into an exciting new career. The travel and tourism sector is an industry that needs workers and will give you endless opportunities to increase your understanding of the world. Take a look - it could be the career for you! Bon voyage!

Getting Canines In Shape For Travel And Staying At Dog Friendly Hotels

Obesity is not just an issue for humans- it can also be a problem for canines. To prevent consequences that require drastic measures, dog owners should take the weight of their pet seriously. Prior to traveling, canine owners should get their dogs in shape for plane rides and stays at dog friendly hotels. Healthier dogs are better travelers, creating a more pleasant experience for the owner and the pet.Statistics vary by country, but a general estimate is that 20 to 35 percent of dogs are overweight. Up to ten percent of domestic dogs may be overweight enough to be classified as obese. The average life expectancy of an obese dog is shortened by at least 15 percent. Issues resulting from canine obesity include heart disease, diabetes, and joint and bone damage. Getting the canine into shape requires diligence on the part of its owner.Keeping the dog healthy helps travelers in many ways. Pets that weigh less have a greater chance of traveling in the plane cabin with their owners. A small breed dog that is under 18 inches long and weighs about 11 to 15 pounds can travel in the cabin, while an obese dog of the same breed may not meet the weight requirement for plane cabin travel. Dog owners who want to keep their pets nearby should consider this before feeding a pooch too much "people food."Obese pets are afflicted with many problems, some of which can affect travel. Joint damage may make it difficult to get the pet in and out of the hotel room and digestive issues can cause messes on the floor. Obese dogs with diabetes will require more attention while traveling because some need insulin shots. Coat and skin issues may necessitate that the dog be bathed during travel, something that can be quite inconvenient if a grooming facility is not nearby and the hotel bathtub is tiny.Since dogs do not have sweat glands, they regulate their body temperature by panting. It becomes more difficult for an overweight dog to regulate its body temperature, resulting in heavy panting. This causes anxiety and stress, which can lead to other issues including heat stroke. When a dog is in a stressful situation, it tends to pant more, worsening the issue.Healthy dogs have increased stamina and are better able to tolerate various weather conditions due to their improved ability to breathe. They are more equipped to handle travel and a stay in a new environment that may feature temperatures very different from those at home. Once the pet arrives at the destination, it will be ready to explore, not ready for a nap.Dog friendly hotels may have activities for canines but only those dogs that are healthy will enjoy them. The dog will be prepared to play, run, swim, and explore with its owner. This makes the vacation an enjoyable, not stressful or tiring, experience for dog and owner. Upon arriving home, the dog will be ready for the next adventure.

Important Travel and General Information For People Going To China

The People's Republic of China (PRC), known simply as "China," is located in East Asia and prides itself in its ancient civilization. With its exotic locales, culture significance, and invaluable relics, as well as a center for business and commerce, China is not only a tourist's paradise, but it is also an ideal hub for business to prosper. Here are a few tips on travelling to this faraway land.Arrival and DepartureArrival: The moment you arrive in China, you need to follow certain procedures, as you would do in any other country. Forms like Health Card, Entry Registration Card and Custom Luggage Declaration Form need to be filled out.• Health Check: This is the first check that you will require to pass through. The Quarantine Check requires you show your passport as well as the Health Card Form, which was filled out while on board. Those found to be suffering with diseases like leprosy, VD, cholera, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, AIDS, or yellow fever will be either prohibited from entering the country, or they will have to go to the clinic at the airport for further checking. Those who have travelled from areas that are plagued need to declare an official certificate of inoculation of that particular disease. If you have symptoms of vomiting, fever or diarrhea, you will need to declare this information as well. If your visit in China is for a long period, a quarantine certificate given to you by a certified health department abroad needs to be submitted.• Border Entry: This is the second stage that you will need to pass through. You will need to show your passport, with a valid visa, as well as Entry Registration Card that was previously filled out. Visas are not issued at the border.• Customs Check: The last stage involves the customs check. Once collecting your luggage, you will need to pass through either of the two channels: green (if there is nothing that needs to be declared) or red. Items like computers, video cameras, digital cameras, silver, gold, recorded or printed materials, for example, which you will need or that which you will not take with you when you leave the country, need to be included in the Customs Luggage Declaration Form. Once the form is filled out, you need to pass through the red channel. Here you may have to pay for duties. In some cases, items will need to be deposited at Customs, but you can take them out when you leave the country. The stamped form should be kept safely with you, as you will need to submit it to the Customs Officer on your departure from the country.Departure: Upon your departure, show the items that you had declared on your arrival and as mentioned in the Customs Luggage Declaration Form. In the case of any missing item, a certificate issued by the relevant department needs to be submitted, or else you will need to pay import duty. The Departure Card will need to be filled out, followed by the security check.There are a number of articles that you will be forbidden from importing into the country, namely:• Arms and ammunition• Counterfeit currency• Forms of media like photographs, films, audio and video CDs, gramophone records, printed material, storage device for computers, for example.• Poisons, marihuana, heroin, opium, morphine, as well as other drugs that cause hallucinations or that are addictive• Plants and animals transmitting deadly diseases, as well as harmful organisms.• Food items, medicines, and other items that are coming from plague-stricken locations, and which are harmful to domestic animals and humans.The articles that are forbidden exports include all of the imports, as well as cultural relics which are of immense value, rare and endangered animals, and specimen plants and seeds.Important Travel Documents To Take• Your passport and valid visa prior to your entering the country; a single-entry visa is usually valid for 3 months from the date of issue. You will be allowed to stay for 30 days, at the most.• If you have any medical record, you are recommended to take it, which also includes your doctor's name and contact information, an emergency contact and your insurance company's contact details.InsuranceTravelers are recommended to buy travel insurance from a trustworthy insurance provider prior to their departure from their hometown.Health RequirementsThe following vaccinations are required to be taken 4 to 6 weeks prior to your travel:• Hepatitis A & B or immune globulin (IG)• Typhoid• RabiesPackingPrior to your departure, make a check list of the important items that you should carry. Some of them include:• Your passport and necessary visas• International airline tickets• Authorized medical certificates, medicines, first-aid kit, insect repellant• Clothes and accessories, depending on your place and time of visit, as well as the occasion (formal wear is mandatory is some dining places)• Wallet, credit cards, traveler's checks• Contact information of your travel agency (if you have made arrangements through one), friends and relatives back home, the hotel at which you will be staying.Ensure that your check-in luggage is lightweight. For those traveling via first-class, a weight of 88 pounds (40 kg) per person is allowed. Those traveling in business class are allowed 66 pounds (30 kg) per person, while those holding economy tickets are allowed to carry up to 44 pounds (20 kg).As far as hand luggage or "carry on" luggage is concerned, first-class ticket holders are allowed two pieces of luggage, while the business and economy ticket holders are allowed only one piece, the dimensions of which must not be more than 20 x 40 x 55 cm. The total weight must not exceed (11 pounds) 5 kg. If the luggage does not meet these requirements, it will be considered as check-in luggage.BaggageTo ensure that your baggage is safe and secure, it is recommended that tags displaying your name and contact information be attached to and inside your baggage. Hardcover suitcases having built-in locks are ideal for travel.When traveling by domestic flights, the same rules apply as discussed in the section on "Packing."Here's a tip for those traveling in a group: The baggage allowance can be shared while checking-in. For instance, if two people are traveling economy class, one can carry 35 kg and the other 5 kg. This rule applies to those traveling in groups of three, four, five and more, as long as they are checking in at the same time.You should know the items that you will be allowed to carry with you on your journey.• Items that are not to be taken: materials that are poisonous, flammable, corrosive, radioactive, magnetized, explosive and polymerizable; guns, knives, ammunition and sharp objects.• Items that should not be packed in your check-in baggage because the airline carrier does not take responsibility for them: all vital documents, currencies, valuables and other important items that are needed to be safeguarded by someone.• Items that can be packed in your check-in baggage: scissors, knife and wine or alcohol.• The baggage that you check in must be properly locked and able to withstand pressure. If it does not meet with the specifications of the carrier, they may refuse to take it on board.• If baggage is lost, you will receive compensation to not exceed RMB 50 yuan for every kilogram. If the value of the baggage is less than that, then compensation will equal the actual cost of the loss.• If the value of the checked-in baggage is more than RMB 50 yuan per kg, a passenger can declare the cost of his baggage, the value of which cannot exceed RMB 8,000 yuan. However, in the case of lost baggage, the amount that was declared prior to travel cannot be more than the current baggage.Safety And SecurityTo have a hassle-free visit to China, here are a few tips for safe travel:• Pre-travel: Prior to departure from your country, make sure that several copies of your passport, credit cards, airline tickets, traveler's checks, itinerary as well as other travel documents are made, and that one copy of each item is left with a family member back home.Ensure that your driver's license, passport and other IDs are current and valid, and that photographs on them are up to date. These forms of identification should not expire before you return from your tour.• Hotel safety: Once in your hotel room, be sure that the door and windows of your room are locked at all times. Answer the door only after verifying who it is. It is always better to carry bottled water, as the tap water available in hotel rooms is not drinkable.• Money Matters: 1. Traveler's Checks: The safest way to carry money for your trip is by traveler's checks. Ensure that you take a note of the denominations, serial numbers, date and the agency that has issued them. The checks should not be signed until they are used.2. Credit Cards: Carrying too many credit cards is unsafe. Besides taking only what is required, take the credit card company's contact information in case the card gets lost or is stolen. A loss should always be reported at once.3. Exchanging Money: Money should be exchanged in the hotel counter or Bank of China. Exchanging money in the black market is illegal and chances are that you may get cheated.4. Small Cash: Always keep change on you as it will be useful when purchasing from street vendors. Check the change that you get back carefully.• Travel And Transportation: When traveling from one city to another, it is safer to leave your driver's license, passport and other IDs in the hotel room's safety box or at the reception desk. If, however, you need to carry them with you, ensure that they are kept safely. When traveling by train, do not trust anyone who is not in uniform to keep your luggage safely. The railway stations in China are crowded, so always ensure that your luggage is with you. If you are traveling by taxi, it is better to have the hotel call for one. Ensure that contact information of the hotel, as well as the place that you wish to go to, is written in Chinese and in English. Once in the taxi, take a note of the driver's name and registration number. This will ensure you get back your items, if you have left any in it.• Dress: You do not want to attract the wrong kind of attention, so avoid dressing up. Expensive jewelry and watches should be left back home.• Communication: Carrying a phrase book that translates English to Chinese is important as most Chinese people do not speak English, nor do they understand it. This will help getting around on your own easier. A guide book to know Chinese culture is also useful.• Medical Care: Hotels usually provide a doctor in the case of minor illnesses. Carrying a first-aid kit for headaches and a cold is always advisable. Pharmacies, which are usually indicated by a Green Cross, are found in many stores. There are several Green Cross pharmacies open 24 hours. However, if the condition is serious, it is recommended that you go to a hospital. To call for an ambulance, you need to dial 120.• Staying Fit: Sometimes conducted tours can become hectic and be the start of some illness, more so with the change of climatic conditions in China. So, to avoid falling ill, ensure that you get enough rest, wear clothes depending on the weather and drink plenty of bottled water. If your tour is during the summer, make sure to wear sunglasses and a hat, put on sunscreen lotion, frequently change your clothes, and drink even more water. The moment you feel an illness coming on, seek treatment.• Photography: Taking pictures is allowed in most places. However, in some it is either prohibited (as in certain museums and archeological sites) or a fee is charged. It is always recommended you get permission before capturing images of the locals.• Toilets: Public toilets are usually not very clean, so carrying a roll of toilet paper in your bag is a good idea. Public toilets charge an amount of RMB 5 for usage.