Tag-Archive for ◊ Travel ◊

7 Easter Travel Tips
Author:
• Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Theres not long to go now until the school Easter holidays. Two weeks of no school means that lots of parents will be taking their children abroad to grab some longed-for sunshine.

If youre off on holiday this Easter be prepared for busy airport terminals, busy public transport and, of course, queues.

Below is a list of tips that could save you time and hassle this Easter:

1.Getting to the airport
Plan how you are getting to the airport well in advance. If travelling by public transport, check the timetable, and book your seats. Remember that over the Easter holiday services may be limited due to public holidays.

If travelling by taxi, book it in advance, dont call up an hour or so before you wish to leave and expect to get a taxi straight away. Book in advance, and call the night before to confirm the booking.

If you plan to drive, make sure you plan your route in advance. Even if you use satellite navigation, check the route and put a map in the car just in case.

Allow plenty of time to get to the airport. Dont forget, the roads will be just as busy with holiday travellers as the airports, so allow extra time in case of delays.

2.Parking your car
Remember, if you are driving yourself to the airport you will need to use airport parking. Always book your airport parking in advance, never just turn up at the car park as you could find the car park is full, and prices are always more expensive if you pay on the day. Sometimes you can find savings of up to 60% when booking online compared with gate prices.

3.Check-in
If you have the option of checking-in online, do so. By printing off your own boarding passes you will only need to drop off your baggage, if you have any, and the queues for baggage drop are usually much shorter than the check-in queues, saving you loads of time.

4.Luggage restrictions
Check luggage dimension and weight restrictions prior to packing. Some airlines have changed their luggage restrictions in the past year so check before you pack. Dont just guess or think that this years limits are the same as last years. You dont want the hassle, expense and inconvenience of having to pay expensive excess baggage fees.

5.Hand luggage restrictions
Check your hand luggage entitlements before you travel. Note the restriction on weight, size and liquids in hand luggage. Dont forget the 100ml liquids-in-hand luggage rule also covers gels and pastes. If you plan to carry presents in your hand luggage this Easter, make sure they are not wrapped as these may be subject to inspection at security.

6.Travelling with children
Make sure you are carrying enough items in your hand luggage to keep your children entertained at the airport and on the plane. Better still, give them their own small bag / backpack so that they can carry their own book, snacks, electronic toy etc., effectively making them self-contained travellers.

7.Foreign currency
Get organized early and buy your foreign currency before you reach the airport, not only will this save you time at the airport, you should also secure a better rate. Check online for the best rates, or visit the high street to compare rates and commissions.

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Madrid Travel Tips
Author:
• Monday, May 14th, 2012

If you are planning to go to Madrid, you should expect to enjoy lots of exciting experiences. This place is known not only for its stunning beauty but also for its delicious food, hospitable people, spectacular events, and interesting culture. To get you covered for all the things that you need for the trip including visitor health insurance, here are some bits and pieces of practical information to keep in mind.

What to See

There are so many wonderful things to see in Madrid. One of your first stops should be Plaza Mayor, which is where most of the events in Madrid are held. This is where you will see the Spanish Bull Fighting events, which you certainly should not miss. Another attraction you should definitely see is the Royal Palace and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Both of these places are ideal to visit in the summer. If you want something more exciting, go to Retiro Park.

People go here during weekends to watch performances and art exhibitions.

How to Go Around

You can explore Madrid by taking the underground train system. You may also get around using the bus transportation services. Buses run around 24 hours a day so even if you go very late at night, you do not have to worry much about riding back to your hotel. If you do not mind walking around, do so and you will find the wide boardwalks ideal for this purpose.

When to Go

Many of those who have gone to this part of Spain would tell you that the best time to go here actually depends on what kind of trip you want to have. Summer starts in June and this is when the city’s bars and restaurants open during the early hours. You may also want to catch the spectacular events and festivals.

One of the city’s biggest festivals is the month-long celebration of the Fiestas de San Isidro, which honors Madrid’s patron saint. It starts on the 15th of May. During the month of August, particularly from the 6th to 15th, the Fiestas de San Lorenzo, Virgen de la Paloma, and San Cayetano are also to watch out for. These are filled with concerts, performances, dances, and many more.

Other Travel Tips

As with any trip you take, it is crucial that you do your research before taking a trip to Madrid. There are a great number of events and festivals that you would want to see during your trip. It is also a good idea to consult family or friends who have been to this place before to find out some insider’s tips. Be sure that you also look for affordable visitor health insurance that will give you full protection during your trip in case unfortunate events like baggage losses, health problems or accidents occur. See to it that you get suitable coverage for the kind of the trip that you have. For example, you would need a visitor health insurance and not international student insurance if travelling for holiday. Knowing the right insurance type to get would give you the maximum protection that you need.

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Europe Travel- What You Should Know Before Renting a Car
Author:
• Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Do you really need a car?
Before you book a car rental, decide which mode of transport will work for you. If you will be moving from city to city, trains will be a better mode of transport than cars, thanks to the excellent transport system in Europe. However, if you will be exploring the countryside, hiring a car will be better.

Money matters.
Savvy travelers are always looking to save on car rentals and one of the best ways of doing this is to reserve your car in advance. Your preferred car rental company in US is likely to be having an office in Europe. Call the agency and ask for their rates in Europe. Alternatively, look at international price scan websites and compare rates of different companies. From there, visit your preferred agency’s website and check for any special offers.

Arranging your rental will a consolidator may be cheaper.

However, the downside of using a middleman is that you may not get the help you would want in case you encounter a problem.

Renting a European car for a week and with unlimited miles is usually cheaper. Daily rates can be quite high in Europe. Find out how extending or reducing the number of days will affect your rates.

Which routes will you be travelling?
You are likely to pay more if you pick your rental at the airport than downtown. Instead of picking the car at the airport, get a taxi or board the airport shuttle to a downtown rental car agency. Picking up the car at a small town may be more expensive than in the larger towns. Also, many small towns are rigid on their working hours and you may pay extra to pick up or drop off the car during a weekend or holiday.

If you will be moving from city to city, go for bigger car rental companies which have branches all over the country.

Most companies will allow you to pick up and drop off the car at different towns within at no extra charges. This is however only valid within the same country. However, be wary of international drop-off fees. They can increase your cost by $ 200 to $ 400.

If your route will be crossing through different countries, such as Ireland and Great Britain, it is better to get different car rentals in the countries.

Fees
There are many extras you may have to cater for when renting a car in Europe. Tax is usually 18% to 25% on top of the base price. You may also have to pay the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), which is usually $ 15 to $ 35. Some countries, such as Italy, require consumers to take mandatory theft protection, which costs about $ 20 per day.

Automatics can add an extra $ 100 to $ 200 per week. Most rental cars in Europe have manual transmissions. If you would prefer automatics, book it well in advance.

The above are some of the things you should keep in mind when you will be going to rent a car in Europe.

For more help and advice regarding cheap car rental, please visit car rental Darwin airport.

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Lakshadweep Travel Tips
Author:
• Monday, May 07th, 2012

 

Lakshadweep, India’s smallest union territory is the only coral island of India comprising of twelve islands, three reefs and five submerged banks, with a total of nearly thirty nine islands and islets. The region has 10 inhabited islands and 17 uninhabited islands. The main islands of Lakshadweep include Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy and Amini. The region located around 440 km from the coastal state of Kerala, offers tourist the perfect escape from city life or for that from civilization as a whole as the region due to its fragile bio diversity is a protected region and hence it is not much commercialized with only a limited number of hotels and small restaurants present in the region.
 
However, when vacationing in this beautiful islands these facilities or the lack of it don’t make much difference, as the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of the islands gives you the perfect opportunity to adorn the beauty of nature, relax and also ample time to introspect.
 
But vacationing at this beautiful Indian island is not that easy, tempting tourists all over the region remains elusive and out of reach of many travelers, owing to the huge formalities that are needed to be duly complied with before you can set foot on these magical island. Hence to make things little simpler for tourists here is a simple compilation of few Lakshadweep travel tips.
 
Firstly, Lakshadweep is not a budget friendly holiday destination. Although the facilities offered are not much but I guess every good thing in life comes at a price, similarly the natural beauty and the peaceful surroundings of the region are just something money can’t buy.
 
Secondly, due permissions from authorities are required without which no tourists, Indian or otherwise are allowed to set foot on the Islands, in fact foreigners are further given only restricted entry limited only to few islands of the region.
 
Thirdly, having advance booking in a Lakshadweep hotel is an essential requisite to get the due permissions of authorities for entering the island.Fourthly, Lakshadweep enjoys a tropical climate with the temperature rarely moving above 28 degree Celsius and hence light cotton clothing should be carried.Fifthly, the region is not overtly commercialized and as such there is no such emergency medical services in the region, so do carry your essential medication and some first aid with you.
 
Sixthly, alcohol is not permitted on the islands, with the exception of Bagram islands, so do not carry any alcohol with you if visiting other islands of Lakshadweep.Lastly, Lakshadweep is still inhabited predominantly by tribal people, hence do respect local traditions and culture.

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Sydney Australia – Travel Tips
Author:
• Saturday, May 05th, 2012

So here are some travel tips for things to do in Sydney, Australia!
Sydney Beaches
Sydney is renowned for its beach-side suburbs, which include Manly, Bondi and Cronulla plus plenty more. During summer, these beaches are packed full of swimmers, who flock to enjoy the city’s beautiful sandy beaches. Like Rio de Janiero and Los Angeles, Sydney is somewhat unique in that it’s a major metropolis surrounded by beautiful beaches, making it an ideal holiday spot. If you’re heading to the beach in Sydney, don’t forget your sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen, as the UV rays here are extremely high.
Trains, buses & ferries
A combination of all these modes of transport is the best way to enjoy both the tourist and resident experiences of Sydney. A rental car is best acquired for trips outside the CBD; the nearby Blue Mountains are just one of many scenic destinations you can reach from Sydney if you have a vehicle. Within Sydney city itself, however, public transport can very often be faster than driving. Sydney’s integrated ticketing system, permitting travel across trains, buses and ferries on a single ticket, makes traveling on any mode of public transport easy.
Of all the trips you can take in Sydney, the ferry to Manly is a great one for any tourist, offering great view of the Sydney skyline and its beautiful harbour. Ferries can take half-an-hour to travel from Circular Quay to Manly, a refreshing tour itself and a great way of seeing the city. To catch the Manly Ferry, you’ll need to head to the terminal at Circular Quay: easy to find right between the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney Landmarks
The Centrepoint Tower, Sydney’s largest building, rises high about the Sydney cityscape and is an amazing sight to behold from Darling Harbour. The elevator ride and revolving restaurant at its top are well worth doing for the 360-degree panorama of Sydney on a fine day.Like any major destination, Sydney has its fair share of tourist attractions. In Sydney, though, it really is worth seeing all the famed attractions: Bondi Beach, Manly, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour…. All these places really do live up to the hype, and it’s great to cross them all off your list before you go on to enjoy all the rest of the things to do Sydney has to offer.
Sydney CBD
The central city of Sydney is an interesting mix of old and new architecture, parks, and streets, with many unique characters represented. Take a wander around and see what you find. Don’t miss The Rocks: this re-developed historic precinct is located just outside the main financial district, and offers a blend of the original colonial settlement and early Sydney architecture with the latest in Sydney culture.
Eating in Sydney
In multicultural Sydney you’ll be able to sample a variety of cuisines, including Asian, Indian, European and Middle Eastern dining. Fine food venues in Sydney can often be found overlooking the harbour, or along the waterfront at Darling Harbour and the Rocks, meaning a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The city has many tourist hangouts, however if you want to experience real Sydney cuisine, find where the locals eat and go there.
Prices are generally a little more expensive than Brisbane and other major Australian cities, in keeping with the higher cost of living here. There is a national Goods and Service Tax (GST), to which tips can be added at your discretion, though these are by no means necessary.
Sydney Fashion
Sydney is home to names like Akira Isogawa, Marcs, Morrisey and Collette Dinnigan, so for those fashionistas amongst us, you won’t want to skip taking a stroll down George Street for your fix. Take a look also at The Rocks precinct for boutique shopping and hip haute couture. Sydney is home to a lot of Australia’s glitz and glam, so fashion is a major commodity in Sydney. That said, most Australians are fairly laid-back about dress sense, so you won’t need to worry about dressing up unless it’s a formal occasion.

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International Airport Travel Tips
Author:
• Wednesday, May 02nd, 2012

In recent times, there are lots of rules and regulations concerning the luggage and things you carry onboard an airplane. If you are aware of these rules and regulations, you can save time in those security check points and enjoy a smooth travel experience.

When you are planning a vacation, close attention must be paid on the things you need to carry on the plane. There are a few items that are prohibited from carrying on the plane and such items when found by the security personnel will be discarded. The items which are not allowed to be carried onboard airplane must be placed in a ziplock cover and packed in the check-in bag.

If you carry lighters, matches, pocketknives, knitting needles etc, it will be deemed as a weapon. However, the cigar cutters, nail cutters, safety razors etc are allowed to be carried on board by some airlines whereas others might not allow you to carry any of these items.

It is always wise to talk to the airline and educate yourself about the things that are legal/illegal to carry. These could again vary from an airline to airline.

Many travelers may carry medicines that are probably not allowed onboard. In such scenarios, the passengers must declare these items to an airport security officer, so that they can be screened at the checkpoint. Ensure that you carry the medicines that are properly labeled along with the doctor’s prescription. If not, it will slow down the screening process.

Every airline has a specific limit of things that you can carry/bring for example, cash, gold, electronic items, gadgets etc. In case you exceed your limit you might have to pay excess fee. However, irrespective of whether you are carrying / bringing any of the above mentioned items, it has to be declared with the airline security officer at the airport.

Otherwise you will be liable for a penalty.

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Travel Tips For Enthusiasts
Author:
• Tuesday, May 01st, 2012

Getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life requires several years of hard work and with no vacation tends to make Jack a dull young man… When one is actually ready and asks the question of where to visit creeps in… South America, Africa, Asia… How about Europe? Spain, Italy, France… These are extremely popular vacation spots. Australia and New Zealand are also extremely popular among hikers. Or any other location requires one to get proper information of a specific region and on various tour deals offered.

You will find one million and one tour companies on the web and one would certainly get baffled as to which one of these to use for their yearned or most anticipated for vacation. Visit online travelling forums to get a glimpse of what various other tourists have to say regarding their upcoming holiday or others reveling on their activities from a recent holiday overseas. You can also find plenty of travel weblogs that will surely help you make the correct decisions without having to spend too much time with the travel agent.

The very first thing should be to consider a reputable tour business that provides guidance on the very best tourist spots in the region of visit and ultimately plan an unforgettable vacation of a life time. Don’t fear to ask for travel tips until one becomes pretty much familiar with that country of visit, one wants to be careful as many tour businesses are disguised as know it all, it could be wise to search for tour operators that provide or offer professional services; do not fall for low-cost tour packages as this will ruin your adventure holiday.

I don’t know how cheap is cheap but what I know is that cheap is expensive in the long term. Try to stay away from brief-case tour agents; these businesses will ruin you most wanted holiday. There are a few things that you don’t want to skimp on money. These aren’t places where being cheap will in fact save you money. This is actually one of the most useful traveling tips you can get…

Don’t be scared to look for info on: travel tips, healthcare covers and health requirements or limitations, what to carry or not carry, travel advisory, vehicle and driver guide, highlights on places to be discovered, and so on. Do not overlook your sense of adventure when on holiday and most importantly a holiday full of memories is a deserved and needed adventure of a life time!

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