Saturday, December 19, 2009

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

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

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

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7 Time Saving Airport Security Checkpoint Tips

1. Do not bring 'Prohibited Items' to the airport (common sense items like swiss army knives, lighters, etc)
2. Use carry-on luggage for valuables such as cash, a laptop, and jewelry. Also to be placed in carry-on luggage are cameras and undeveloped film (The X-Ray will not damage film under 800 speed).
3. Tape your personal contact info or business card to the bottom area of the laptop and any other valuable you deem necessary.
4. Avoid wearing metal/foil containing clothing, accessories, and items (such as coins money clips, cell phone, keys, medicine, gum wrappers, batteries, lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc). In the case of things like coins and keys, try placing them altogether in a specified bag so it's easier to take them out and put them back in later.
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5 Tips for Business Travelers in Moscow

With over 10 million residents and a rich and fascinating history, Moscow is the center of Russia's economic, cultural, and educational landscape. As a result of the country's steady economic growth and virtually unlimited potential, an increasing number of multinational corporations have set up shop in Moscow, bringing an unprecedented number of business travelers to the city. Yet the city's size and complexity, combined with the country's unique language and culture, make Moscow hard to navigate for foreigners. Here, then, are some tips to help ease the way for business travelers.

1. Carefully Choose Your Accommodations

Where you choose to stay can make the difference between a successful and a disastrous business trip. Your best bet is to select a business class, fully equipped, serviced apartment rental in Moscow. A short term rental will provide you with familiar Western comforts, while giving you access to the equipment you need (like Wi-Fi Internet; a computer printer, scanner, and fax; and free local calling) to stay connected and get the job done. Many come with a fully equipped kitchen and a washing machine, which will help you settle in and concentrate on the business at hand.

When selecting Moscow rentals, be sure to look for rentals in the upscale Arbat area of Moscow, within the Garden Ring Road. This is a very safe area, and one that is close to supermarkets, embassies, stores, restaurants, financial institutions, and nightclubs. Furthermore, unless you're fluent in Russian, choose to work with a company that is Western owned and operated. An English-speaking staff will go far in ensuring that your stay in Moscow goes smoothly and is stress-free.

2. Getting through Passport Control

When you arrive at Domodedovo International Airport or Sheremetyevo 2 International Airport, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the lines and procedures at passport control and customs. The best serviced apartment rental companies can also arrange for full airport VIP services, Fast Track check in, and business lounge access.

3. Visa Registration

Russia has very strict regulations for foreigners visiting Russia. Not only do you have to register upon your arrival in Moscow, but if you visit other cities, you have to register there as well. If you are staying in a short term rental, the Western company that manages the rental should be able to assist you in complying with the myriad visa requirements.

4. Airport and Train Transfers

Many business travelers are overwhelmed by the logistics involved in going to and from Moscow's airports and train stations. There are four major airports and nine train stations in the city, as well as the world's most extensive Metro system. Although it's possible to negotiate Moscow's transportation system on your own, it's much less of a hassle to book an airport or train station transfer with the Moscow rentals company you select.

5. Taxi and Transport Services

Whether you need to get around Moscow or are going to one of the many popular tourist destinations in Russia, it's important to select a reliable taxi and transport service. Again, it's helpful to be able to rely on Westerners, who can arrange for you to book an hourly taxi.

With the right planning, business travel in Moscow can be both productive and enjoyable.
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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Discount Travel Deals To Stretch Your Travel Budget

Stretch your travel budget from the beginning by saving on your airfare discount travel deals. Your flights will probably cost you less if you travel off season. You'll save money on hotels and find fewer crowds too. Shoulder seasons are best. The really "off" season may be too rainy or cold for you to enjoy your holiday. You want to save money... not be miserable.

If you're going to visit several cities consider flying with an "open jaw" ticket. It may cost a little more for the ticket itself, but you might save in time and ground transportation costs. If you're renting a car, drop off charges might cancel any savings, so it could be better to get back to the same airport. Do your research to see which way you will get the best discount travel deals

Once you're at your destination, stretch your travel budget by using public transportation to and from the airport... taxis can be expensive. You can compare prices... if there are four of you sharing the taxi, it might be a push or only a little more and worth it.

Share rental car expenses. Rental cars can be a great way to get out to the countryside, but they add a daily expense to your budget. Cut that down by traveling with others. If four of you are traveling together, a car may be less than the price of four train tickets.

Try to avoid the collision damage waver charges on rental cars. Generally if you have a "gold" credit card, the credit card company will cover this insurance. Check with your card company though, because certain counties are not included in this coverage. In those counties, the CDW will be mandatory and should be included in the priced you are quoted.

You don't want to have your rental car in big cities. Those big cities are a headache to drive in. To keep your rental car safe, you need to park in a garage, and parking fees are expensive. Do your city touring first. To save the headaches and stretch your travel budget, take trains or buses between cities, then pick up your rental car for your drive in the countryside.

If you're going to stay only in cities, use the train and local transportation. When you're taking the train, go second-class. The seats aren't quite as cushy, but they are comfortable enough for your trip, and you'll save a bunch with this discount travel deal.

When you're using the local subways and buses, consider how many trips you'll be taking on that transportation... It might be worth while buying a transit card... or at least a booklet of tickets for a discount. If you're only going to take one trip, just buy one ticket. No need to pay for transportation you won't use.

Walk around the city on your own with a good map is a great discount travel tip, rather than taking a bus tour. Organized walking tours can be a fun and inexpensive way to go. If you want to arrange a tour, you might do better arranging it through the tourist office rather than your hotel.

You can stretch your travel budget if you are smart about how and when you travel to your destination. Take the less expensive options to get around once you're there. You'll be traveling frugally, but having just as much fun.
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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Road Trip Vacation Planning - Some Things To Consider

Are you planning to go on a family road trip? If you have never planned or went to a road trip before, it is important to anticipate and know what things to bring. Road Trip Vacation Planning is important to determine the success of your road trip. Bad Road Trip Vacation Planning will lead to frustration and a lot of hassle, and may potentially ruin your vacation. Be sure to take note of the following:

1. Transportation

If you'll bring your own car, have your tires checked, have an oil check, and check the overall condition of your car. You wouldn't want to bother yourself with car problems in the middle of a road trip. If you decide to rent a car
, choose carefully. Opt for a car that will fit your family and luggage comfortably. Of course, make sure the car is sturdy enough to withstand the rain, the terrain, and the woods.

2. Food

While there may be several fast food chains along the road, it will save plenty of time if you bring your own food. Pack a cooler, and bring snacks and beverages to limit unnecessary stopovers.

3. Entertainment

To keep yourself entertained, bring music or audio books. Hours on the road are unavoidable so make sure to keep yourself busy. If you're bringing kids, bring small toys or books, or engage them in fun road games.

4. Fun

Lastly, have fun! Now is not the time to be a killjoy! Family road trips should be fun, enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Exploring Guardalavaca on Your Cuba Holidays

With its perfect sandy beaches and azure blue sea, Guardalavaca is the perfect place in which to take your Cuba holidays. The destination is full of some of Cuba's finest luxury hotels and can be paired up with your Havana holidays as a relaxing multi-centre break. Here are some of the best activities that the destination has to offer:

Swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is a once in a lifetime experience, and on your Cuba holidays there are two main resorts where you can take part in this incredible activity: Varadero and Guardalavaca.

The dolphinarium at Guardalavaca is based in a lagoon and the dolphins are allowed to swim in the sea whenever they require. As well as splashing around with these playful porpoises you will plenty of opportunity for photographs, including the famous 'dolphin kiss' where you are simultaneously kissed on the cheek by two friendly dolphins; the photograph certainly makes for a great souvenir on your Cuba holidays. A peck on the cheek isn't the only trick that these friendly dolphins are capable of; they will sing to you in a series of clicks, dance with you and even flip you in the air. If you can't swim then you may want to just stick to the hour-long dolphin show which is certain to be a hit with children on their Cuba holidays. The dolphins put on an excellent show which involves dancing the Macarena and jumping through plastic hoops.

Enjoy a Relaxing Massage

The Cuba, luxury hotel of Paridisus Rio De Oro can be paired with a Havana holiday as the antithesis to a bustling city break, or simply enjoyed alone as a longer Cuba holiday. This all-inclusive resort includes a number of daytime excursions in the price of its package. However, it is best known for the luxury massages that it provides, which are considered to be among the best in Cuba. Not only does the spa offer a wide range of treatments but it faces one of the world's most beautiful coral reefs. The signature massage is with volcanic Obsidian stones which are believed to offer cleansing properties to the body and soothing properties to the mind, providing the perfect relaxing treatment on your Cuba holidays.

Take a Train Ride

The small town of Santa Lucia lies to the west of Guardalavaca and is definitely worth taking a visit to on your Cuba holidays. From here you can take a trip by steam train deep into the Cuban countryside. As you chug along you are sure to spot many beautiful sites from the high-rise Cuban, luxury hotels of Guardalavaca to the scenic sugar plantations which are located a little way from the main resort. The train provides a photo stop at the Columbus Monument, which commemorates the place on the island where Columbus first landed in 1492. The tour also takes in a theatrical production and one of the local theatres, which is sure to include typical Cuban dance and cabaret. A romantic horse-drawn buggy will collect you from the theatre, where the starlight ride home will provide the perfect ending to your Cuba holidays.
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Friday, July 3, 2009

Corfu Hotel: Try the Traditional Cuisine Made of Local Ingredients

Corfu Island is located on the vast Ionian Sea. Over the years it has become a popular tourist destination among travelers. This island enjoys pleasant climatic conditions. You will not find a perfect sunny weather during your stay on this island and maybe some showers. Corfu’s beautiful verdant vegetation is due to the island receiving the highest rainfall that results in scores of vegetables and herbs to thrive in this region. The vast mountains are interrupted by valleys of olive plantations and other local vegetable products that are grown by the villagers. Corfu’s cuisine in fact has played a significant role in developing the tourism infrastructure on this island. At a Corfu hotel, you can observe that a lot of importance is given to the food that is served to guests and visitors. One Corfu hotel is distinguished from another by that very special item that is available at the Corfu hotel restaurant. There are plenty of famous Corfu dishes that can be available at the Corfu hotel of your choice. These dishes can be sampled into two categories, one that has subtle Mediterranean flavours and another that has strong Venetian flavours. Use of large proportions of olive oil in the dishes can be observed. The Mediterranean dishes usually comprise of meat, fish, vegetables and olive oil whereas the Venetian dishes consist of spicy mixture of different ingredients and pasta. When you are staying at a certain Corfu hotel, do not hesitate to try out the local, traditional dishes, like pastitsada, strapatsada and sofrito. All these dishes are mainly non vegetarian that include beef, fish, sausages, meat and beacon. Sea food is also fantastic in Corfu. Frequently, a Corfu hotel will have restaurants dedicated to sea food entirely. The locals like to cook fresh fish. The famous fish dishes include “Bourdeto” that is a spicy fish stew and “Bianco” which is a white fish soup with an overwhelming potion of garlic. Fish is basically baked or grilled, so that the flesh attains a typical smoky flavour and then it is seasoned with herbs, olive oil and lemon juice. Meat however is cooked in a different style. In traditional dishes, people will opt for lamb. Whereas pork, beef and chicken are also some of the famous options. Meat is grilled or roasted along with onions and garlic. Corfu is famous for its wines as well. Each and every Corfu hotel has a wine cellar where some of the best wines are preserved. Some wines in a Corfu hotel can be very costly whereas others are quite affordable. You will certainly find a wide range of red, white and rose wines on the island. If you doubt which is the best, you can ask the staff of your Corfu hotel. The locals always know better. At the local taverns and restaurants, or even in the cafeteria of your Corfu hotel, you will see plenty of dishes served with Ginger Beer. This drink was brought to the island by the British people way back in 1860 and has been in vogue till today. If you have a sweet tooth, then Corfu cuisine can provide you with the perfect sweet dishes. Some of the popular ones are Mandolato and Tiganites. Seasonal fruit based ice-creams are also very popular. Syrups and marmalade made from Kumquat is a huge favourite. Each morning at a Corfu hotel kitchen, all the food items that will be served for that day are arranged. Fresh products from the village farms are collected and brought to the kitchen and then the cooking for the day begins. The Corfu hotel chefs are renowned for their expertise in cooking and ecclectic knowledge about the various gastronomic delights. Such factors make cuisine of a Corfu hotel very special and attractive to travelers.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Cheap Holidays For A South of France Getaway

The desire to visit France is not just a British or American pipe dream, but an urge felt all over the world. Whether you stay in one of the larger cities, the countryside, on the beach, close to the castle regions, or you simply focus on visiting all the glorious villages, France has something that will appeal to urbanites, city-dwellers, and even those more suited and appreciative of a slower pace.


The beautiful areas of southern France captivate and seduce travelers every year, and appeal to many who've yet to find the way over. However, trips to anywhere in Europe can be straining on the pocket book, especially in these difficult economic times.


What is a desperate traveler to do? First things first?investigate!


Take the time to find the best possible travel arrangements. On the web, sites such as South-of-France or France This Way are there to help with information on how and where to find the cheapest flights. Don't rush into a ticket, and remember that commercial airlines may not necessarily have the best deals available.


But before you can find the best travel itinerary, do your research, and determine where it is you'd like to go. If visiting the south of France, try out these excellent locations as well as these affordable suggestions for building memories that will last you a lifetime.


Aquitaine


Follow its Atlantic coastline to the Spanish frontier and discover worlds of adventure. Visit medieval villages and castles, or spend all your time surfing or lounging on the beach, during the day. At night, take in authentic French restaurants and the fast-paced nightlife of Bordeaux and other major cities in the area.


Northern Languedoc


Take a stroll through the Gard department and visit some of the ruins of Rome. Explore the cosmopolitan town of Montpellier, or, if you're a fan of French literature, check out Pezenas, a town that is a living shrine to the great writer Molieres. From Cathar castle country to the sea and mountains, this region continues a tradition common in the south of France?having something for everyone.


La Couvertoirade


One of the most beautiful villages in France, La Couvertoirade housed a chapter of the Knights Templar in the 13th Century. It boasts historical significance and natural beauty. While there, you may consider visiting the castle and its ramparts, which remain in good condition, despite hundreds of years having passed since its origin. In addition to this, there is the Saint-Christophe church, which dates back to the Knights of Saint John (14th century). If visited outside the peak of summer or early in the morning, a traveler can really get a sense of what this village was like ages ago. Highlight: a view from the watchtower gives travelers an excellent look at the community, and all its neighboring villages!


So pinpoint the south of France for your next destination. Do your research and planning. Use the tools that are available online, such as those discussed in this article, and a cheap holiday in France will be an adventure you'll never forget!
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Monday, May 18, 2009

Cheap Europe Tour Package: Travel Without Financial Constraints

Europe is the second largest continent and the most favoured tourist destination all across the world. However, the exorbitant costs that traveling to this tourist destination incurs may refrain most of the individuals to drop out the idea of taking a tour to Europe. But with the changing times, the trend in tourism has also taken an appreciative twist, wherein tour packages are especially structured in view of the budgetary constraints as well as particular requirements. In fact, this is one prime reason why the flow of tourist has seen a drastic flow of tourist in the continent.

This continent has numerous places of interest inclusive of World Heritage Sites as well as some of the Seven Wonders of the World. In short, it has ample to share with its visitors in terms of history, culture, as well as cuisines. If you are interested to take a Europe tour but are worried about your limited budget, then probably a cheap tour package can be an appropriate option for you. Now-a-days, most of the travel agents do offer cheap Europe tour package that can benefit all pocket-sizes.

Some of the key factors that are likely to influence you cheap tour package are inclusive of monetary limitation, the number of individuals planning to travel amidst other considerations. One of the easiest ways to find services providers who can facilitate you to avail cheap tour package is to go online.

In the recent times, the online search has caught up with old and young alike to locate appropriate information. Online search would let you access a number of travel related services providers who could help you out in finding a cheap tour to Europe. Scan through all the options that are presented to you, ponder over them thoughtfully. There are going to be options that seem appealing but have too many hidden costs, so thoroughly understand the packages before you actually avail it.
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Europe travel guide: helps you plan carefully

Europe is the second largest continent in the world. Its cultural diversification makes it a diversified continent. An established fact about the continent which came out in the year 2004 is that Europe is visited by the 59% of the total people visiting across the world. If you are also planning a trip there then Europe travel guide could be the best solution for you to guide you with the whole lot of information about this beautiful continent. European countries are vast and have different culture; places, history etc and one can learn and get oneself enriched with all these information through guides for traveling to Europe.

A preplanned trip is always successful and gives the most pleasure. These guides have all the information about different countries which really help you to plan out a perfect trip for you vacations. These guides can make your tour unforgettable. The guide provides you with the deepest insight about a place in Europe and makes you feel like that you are already there.

These guides are made by the professionals who have a good experience and association with Europe. Guides have the information about hotels; hang out spots, night life, popular restaurants, shopping centers, sight seeing information, taxi rentals, places of attraction, weather information and lots more. These guides are perfect for planning your holiday trip in a most efficient way.

Travel guides for Europe are also available online and can be accessed from anywhere. These guides are maintained by the tourist and professional people. Most importantly travel guide comes with the rate cards which will help you to plan your budget. In fact these guides are the professional advisors to you and give you the right information about Europeans as well as the best solution which let you design your trip in the most efficient way.
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