China vacations involve more than just travel to Beijing; the country has opened up over the past few years, and many of China's secrets are now open to the west, even those on a Chinese vacation.
Showing posts with label travel abroad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel abroad. Show all posts
Monday, July 27, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
European Travel and World Travel Awards
Who Is On The Roll Of Honor of the World travel Awards?
Nearly 1500 European travel companies, destinations, hotels, resorts, and airlines have been nominated in the prestigious World travel Awards 2009.
This is a great place to get information on these travel related companies who are nominated by the travel industries for providing top service worldtravelawards.com/
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
European Travel on a Budget
When it comes to traveling across Europe, many people assume that such an adventure is beyond their modest means. However, the legions of college students and others on shoestring budgets that descend on Europe every summer undermine this assumption. If these budget travelers can make Europe affordable, there is no reason you cannot get budget travel to Europe as well.
Europe is actually quite a travel bargain in many ways, and if you choose your lodging, meals and transportation carefully a vacation in Europe can actually cost much less than a week in some of the most expensive cities in the United States.
One of the primary considerations of enjoying Europe on a budget is how to get around. When it comes to getting around, there are basically three choices – the bus, the train and air travel. Renting a car is often impractical in Europe, with the different types of roads, different laws and road signs in a myriad of unfamiliar languages.
Europe’s intercity bus lines offer passes, similar to rail passes, that can be purchased for various lengths of time and which provide for unlimited travel during those times. Single city to city bus tickets are often quite reasonable as well.
The main disadvantage of the bus system in Europe is that it is slow compared to rail travel and air travel. In addition, there is limited legroom on most buses, few opportunities to stand up and stretch, and some buses lack on board toilet facilities.
For many people, the extra convenience of the train more than justifies the difference in price, and train passes are still quite affordable for students and others on a budget. In addition to being faster, trains provide such amenities as toilets, and also sleeping quarters on overnight trains. Be aware, however, that there is often an extra charge for sleeping cars and other first class accommodations, even for rail pass holders.
One option that is overlooked by many budget travelers is that of city to city air travel. In Europe, however, air travel is actually quite a cost effective alternative to train and even bus travel. There are a number of excellent low cost air carriers all around Europe, and the fares they charge are often comparable to, and in some cases even lower than, train tickets between the same cities.
No matter how you get around, you will need a clean and safe place to stay once you reach your destination. There are a number of excellent low cost lodging options in Europe, ranging from hostels to hotels to bed and breakfasts. In most cases, hostels will be the least expensive option, but for groups of two, three or more it may be just as cheap, or even cheaper, to rent a small room at a budget hotel instead.
For those who arrive at their destination without reservations, there are hotel booking services available at most major train stations and airports. These booking services can usually find you a place to stay, even if the city is very crowded. For this service, they usually charge a small fee, either a set fee or a percentage of the room charge.
Europe is actually quite a travel bargain in many ways, and if you choose your lodging, meals and transportation carefully a vacation in Europe can actually cost much less than a week in some of the most expensive cities in the United States.
One of the primary considerations of enjoying Europe on a budget is how to get around. When it comes to getting around, there are basically three choices – the bus, the train and air travel. Renting a car is often impractical in Europe, with the different types of roads, different laws and road signs in a myriad of unfamiliar languages.
Europe’s intercity bus lines offer passes, similar to rail passes, that can be purchased for various lengths of time and which provide for unlimited travel during those times. Single city to city bus tickets are often quite reasonable as well.
The main disadvantage of the bus system in Europe is that it is slow compared to rail travel and air travel. In addition, there is limited legroom on most buses, few opportunities to stand up and stretch, and some buses lack on board toilet facilities.
For many people, the extra convenience of the train more than justifies the difference in price, and train passes are still quite affordable for students and others on a budget. In addition to being faster, trains provide such amenities as toilets, and also sleeping quarters on overnight trains. Be aware, however, that there is often an extra charge for sleeping cars and other first class accommodations, even for rail pass holders.
One option that is overlooked by many budget travelers is that of city to city air travel. In Europe, however, air travel is actually quite a cost effective alternative to train and even bus travel. There are a number of excellent low cost air carriers all around Europe, and the fares they charge are often comparable to, and in some cases even lower than, train tickets between the same cities.
No matter how you get around, you will need a clean and safe place to stay once you reach your destination. There are a number of excellent low cost lodging options in Europe, ranging from hostels to hotels to bed and breakfasts. In most cases, hostels will be the least expensive option, but for groups of two, three or more it may be just as cheap, or even cheaper, to rent a small room at a budget hotel instead.
For those who arrive at their destination without reservations, there are hotel booking services available at most major train stations and airports. These booking services can usually find you a place to stay, even if the city is very crowded. For this service, they usually charge a small fee, either a set fee or a percentage of the room charge.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What to Know Before You Travel
If you want to start your vacation with less hassle and more fun, it is best to educate yourself on what is and is not acceptable before you go to the airport.
The Transportation Security Administration has an informative website to answer all your questions, before you go.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm
The Transportation Security Administration has an informative website to answer all your questions, before you go.
- Traveling with Food or Gifts?
- How to Get Through the Line Faster
- Liquid Rules: 3-1-1 for Carry-Ons
- Acceptable Identification at the Checkpoint
- Prohibited Items
- Why? The Reasons Behind TSA Security
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Ways to Save When Traveling in Europe
There are lots of deals on flights and hotels in Europe this summer but, if you really want to save money while traveling, consider staying at a hostel.
Several thousand hostels provide beds and rooms throughout Europe — in cities, towns, and the countryside for $20 to $40+ per night.
Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, and some are sightseeing destinations in themselves. There are castles in Bacharach, Germany, moored ships in Stockholm, alpine chalets in Gimmelwald, Switzerland, huge modern buildings in Frankfurt, lakefront villas in Lugano, Italy, former prisons in Ljubljana, Slovenia, medieval manor houses in Wilderhope Manor, England, former choirboys’ dorms in St. Paul’s, London, country estates in Loch Lomond, Scotland, and former royal residences in Holland Park, London, just to name a few.
Hosteling is different from staying in a lonely hotel. It is very much like going to visit and stay with friends. You give up privacy for a chance to meet travelers from all over the world. Some make friends for life, gain travel buddies and love hosteling so much they chose hostels over hotels. If you're not one who enjoys meeting and sharing with others, hosteling may not be for you.
Several thousand hostels provide beds and rooms throughout Europe — in cities, towns, and the countryside for $20 to $40+ per night.
Hostels come in all shapes and sizes, and some are sightseeing destinations in themselves. There are castles in Bacharach, Germany, moored ships in Stockholm, alpine chalets in Gimmelwald, Switzerland, huge modern buildings in Frankfurt, lakefront villas in Lugano, Italy, former prisons in Ljubljana, Slovenia, medieval manor houses in Wilderhope Manor, England, former choirboys’ dorms in St. Paul’s, London, country estates in Loch Lomond, Scotland, and former royal residences in Holland Park, London, just to name a few.
Hosteling is different from staying in a lonely hotel. It is very much like going to visit and stay with friends. You give up privacy for a chance to meet travelers from all over the world. Some make friends for life, gain travel buddies and love hosteling so much they chose hostels over hotels. If you're not one who enjoys meeting and sharing with others, hosteling may not be for you.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Travel is Going High Tech
All this technology will finally really be worth something as the Airlines and Airports really start to put it to good use.
Travelers are discovering they can save time by using online check-in before arriving at the airport.
Most airlines now allow you to print your own boarding pass, pre-pay for checked bags if required, and bypass the traditional check-in line by dropping any checked bags at a "Web Bag Drop."
In addition, several airports, including New York, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, and Boston, are now testing paperless boarding passes which can be scanned from the screen of your mobile phone or PDA.
Travelers are discovering they can save time by using online check-in before arriving at the airport.
Most airlines now allow you to print your own boarding pass, pre-pay for checked bags if required, and bypass the traditional check-in line by dropping any checked bags at a "Web Bag Drop."
In addition, several airports, including New York, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, and Boston, are now testing paperless boarding passes which can be scanned from the screen of your mobile phone or PDA.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Should You Take a European Tour?
European Travel is up recently because of all the discounts available, but should you go alone or take a tour?
The fact is escorted tours can save you up to 40% off the price of traveling the same itinerary on your own. That's because tour operators negotiate low group rates on everything from hotels to sightseeing, and pass the savings on.
And that's not all. Escorted tours are worry-free and hassle-free, as all the details are handled for you. It's easy to budget for escorted tours, as tour operators include so much in one price. And escorted tours include the services of a tour director with years of experience to help you discover more sights than you could possibly find on your own.
The fact is escorted tours can save you up to 40% off the price of traveling the same itinerary on your own. That's because tour operators negotiate low group rates on everything from hotels to sightseeing, and pass the savings on.
And that's not all. Escorted tours are worry-free and hassle-free, as all the details are handled for you. It's easy to budget for escorted tours, as tour operators include so much in one price. And escorted tours include the services of a tour director with years of experience to help you discover more sights than you could possibly find on your own.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Is Travel Insurance A Good Idea?
Many health insurance companies have reciprocal agreements with other countries, but usually the policy just covers you in case of an emergency. Of course coverage for emergencies are what most people think is all they need when travelling. Not true.
Travel insurance is not just about medical expenses. Travel insurance can also cover loss of luggage or other personal belongings such as passports and money, repatriation costs and cancelled or delayed flights. Also, damage that you may cause to third parties is also covered in many cases. With all these potential expenses, it's easy to see why a comprehensive travel insurance policy is highly recommended.
Travel insurance is not just about medical expenses. Travel insurance can also cover loss of luggage or other personal belongings such as passports and money, repatriation costs and cancelled or delayed flights. Also, damage that you may cause to third parties is also covered in many cases. With all these potential expenses, it's easy to see why a comprehensive travel insurance policy is highly recommended.
Monday, June 29, 2009
European Travel Deals
Is now the time to travel to Europe? Yes!
According to the European Travel Commission travel to Europe is up due to all the discount deals being offered.
If you ever wanted to go to Europe, go online or contact your travel agent because the deals are out there now.
For one of the best vacations in the United States, go to our nation's oldest city St. Augustine, FL.
According to the European Travel Commission travel to Europe is up due to all the discount deals being offered.
If you ever wanted to go to Europe, go online or contact your travel agent because the deals are out there now.
For one of the best vacations in the United States, go to our nation's oldest city St. Augustine, FL.
Friday, June 26, 2009
International Travel Information
If you are looking to travel abroad this summer you may find the State Departments information very useful. This information comes from their website with links for more information.
What Are Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts?
Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Country Specific Information. You may also want to review specific country Background Notes.
Travel Alerts
Travel Alerts are a means to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. The TAs are made when there is a specific threat that cannot be countered. In the past, Travel Alerts have been issued to deal with short-term coups, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.
Country Specific Information
Country Specific Information are available for every country of the world. They include such information as location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties.
If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security."On limited occasions, we also restate in this section any U.S. embassy advice given to official employees. Country Specific Information generally do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make his or her own decisions concerning travel to a particular country.
Country Background Notes
If you are looking for information on any of the U.S. territories and possessions, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or American Samoa, you can go to the CIA Factbook.
In addition, please see the section “Tips for Traveling Abroad" for other important health and safety information. Also, stay current with current information by visiting their “News "section.
Get Information for a terrific place to stay in St. Augustine
What Are Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts?
Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Country Specific Information. You may also want to review specific country Background Notes.
Travel Alerts
Travel Alerts are a means to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers. The TAs are made when there is a specific threat that cannot be countered. In the past, Travel Alerts have been issued to deal with short-term coups, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.
Country Specific Information
Country Specific Information are available for every country of the world. They include such information as location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties.
If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled "Safety/Security."On limited occasions, we also restate in this section any U.S. embassy advice given to official employees. Country Specific Information generally do not include advice, but present information in a factual manner so the traveler can make his or her own decisions concerning travel to a particular country.
Country Background Notes
If you are looking for information on any of the U.S. territories and possessions, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or American Samoa, you can go to the CIA Factbook.
In addition, please see the section “Tips for Traveling Abroad" for other important health and safety information. Also, stay current with current information by visiting their “News "section.
Get Information for a terrific place to stay in St. Augustine
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