The people, lights, Times Square, Rockefeller, everything seems so exciting! This poised a big question though… What to do? What New York City event to pick? Well, I want to share with you some tips on New York travel that won’t break the bank! These are all an incredible experience and I would suggest doing them all if you can. Keep in mind there is no shortage of things to do in New York City. You’ll never get the chance to do everything, so do what you can, relax and enjoy what this wonderful city has to offer!

1) New York City comedy clubs: This is maybe the best thing I can suggest if you enjoy any sort of comedy at all. It works out really well because they have salesperson on the streets in the middle of Times Square, you don’t even have to look or try to find tickets. They will literally just flag you down and give you a very good price (We only paid $20 for both of us) on the condition that you buy 2 beverages at the club. The nice thing about their special, for those who don’t drink alcohol you can buy any drink of choice. Soft drinks and water were accepted as well so it really can appeal to everyone who enjoys this sort of thing and the cost is very low for the reward. It really was such a great time, the comedians were fantastic and we were very glad we decided to go. Highly Recommended!

2) Times Square: I realize this must be on everyone’s “top of the list” but it really is an amazing sight to see. This experience is something that you will never forget. The lights, people, banners, you don’t even realize how crazy it is until you are there. I must have seen Times Square on television a million times but honestly it really just is not the same. Spend a little time there to take in the atmosphere. There are plenty of very nice places to eat but the prices on their novelty restaurants (Hard Rock Café, ESPN Zone, etc) are very expensive. If you want something for a very good price, check out the side streets and look for the local pubs. I would really recommend going at night to see it lit up. A note to those who absolutely hate crowds of people, if you go to Times Square don’t go on a Friday or Saturday evening when it is the most busiest. We went on both a Saturday and Sunday night… the Saturday was chaos, and the Sunday was very nice and calm in comparison All the same, I really enjoyed both of them in different ways.

3) Rockefeller Center: We had the pleasure of going during December month, so we got to experience the Christmas tree and Skating Rink all done up at Rockefeller center. This is also home of the famous NBC Studios (Costs $18.50 for the tour).

4) Central Park: One of the most famous parks in the world and the most visited park in the United States, Central Park is a wonderful place to go on a nice day. Central Park is actually bigger than 2 of the world’s smallest nations; Monaco and Vatican City.

5) See a local New York City Event: Take in a ball game, a musical, or something at the theatre! New York really has everything to offer no matter what your hobbies or interests are! You can usually find something very reasonably priced as well, depending on what you are after.

I realize as most people do, New York tends to be quite expensive but with these travel ideas you can go out and have a really great time and still not spend too much money. There is plenty to see, even just going to see the landmarks and places like Rockefeller, Central Park and Times Square are well worthwhile! I really enjoyed my time just walking the streets and taking in the atmosphere.

If you are planning to stay in Manhattan for a week or so, I would really suggest picking up a copy of “The New York Pass”, spend your week and do everything you can. These passes are actually very reasonably priced (Starting at $55.00 daily and only $139.99 for a 7 day period, per person) and you get FREE access to literally almost EVERYTHING you could want in New York City. Here is just a glimpse of what is here. Keep in mind these are only about a quarter of the free things you get, not even including the other discounted items and special offers.

* Central Park Zoo
* CNN Studio Tour
* Empire State Building
* Madison Square Garden All Access Tour
* NBC Studio Tour
* New York Aquarium
* New York Botanical Garden
* Radio City Music Hall Stage Door Tour
* Rockefeller Center Tour
* Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island Ferry
* Suede Lounge (VIP nightclub access)
* The United Nations Tour

Well worth the money if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, Museums and Tours.

Here’s a link to the page directly for those who are interested:
http://www.tropicalbeachdestinations.com/NewYorkPass.php

I absolutely loved my time in New York! I found it really offers you so much, no matter what month, or what day, there is always something for you to do that is interesting. How can you not like that about a city? It has everything and it is a great place to visit. I hope these tips on New York travel were helpful! I know I can’t wait for our next adventure, here in the Big Apple!

Until next time,
Best Wishes and Happy Travels!

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There are a huge number of resorts in the Maldives to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets. Here, we’ll take you through many of the popular destinations.

Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives

Angsana is located in the Ihuru islands (North Male Atoll) and is a short 14 km distance from the capital of Male.

The resort contains 45 villas – some of the nice features of these include thatched roofs, individual private gardens and pleasant verandas. Guests can choose between d…

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maldives holiday,maldives resort,maldives vacation,cheap maldives holiday,bargain maldives holiday

Article Body:
There are a huge number of resorts in the Maldives to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets. Here, we’ll take you through many of the popular destinations.

Angsana Resort & Spa Maldives

Angsana is located in the Ihuru islands (North Male Atoll) and is a short 14 km distance from the capital of Male.

The resort contains 45 villas – some of the nice features of these include thatched roofs, individual private gardens and pleasant verandas. Guests can choose between deluxe beachfront villas and standard beachfront villas.

Ihuru has a great reputation for having some of the finest house reefs in the Maldives and so is a good destination for those wanting to do a bit of diving and snorkelling.

The spa at Angsana offers a wide range of treatments including facials, massages and various others.

Asdu Sun Island Maldives

Asdu Sun Island is a three star resort with 30 rooms located in the Kaafu (Male) Atoll.

While it may not be one of the more luxurious choices, Asdu Sun Island does offer the usual range of activities including diving, canoeing, snorkelling, fishing and more.

Additional facilities include a reading library where guests can take out books to read by the beach plus a video hall and internet surfing.

Bandos Island Resort Maldives

The Bandos resort has 225 guestrooms of varying types – guests can choose from standard, deluxe, garden villas, Jacuzzi beach villas, and water villas. The resort is located in the North Male atoll.

Bandos first opened in 1972 although it has grown considerably since then to become one of the largest Maldives resorts with facilities to match. For example, just some of the facilities include tennis courts, a coffee shop (and five restaurants), a disco & bar, gym & sauna, pool room, a couple of swimming pools, beauty salon as well as a spa offering massages.

The diving facilities are good with a diving school offering diving courses.

Banyan Tree Maldives

The Banyan Tree is another luxurious resort set in the North Male atoll. The resort offers five different types of rooms from standard to ocean view villas. There’s a choice of four restaurant and bars, a very good spa, and excellent recreation facilities including diving, snorkelling & deep sea fishing to name but a few.

Baros Island Resort Maldives

Located in North Male Atoll, Baros is just a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male airport. The resort offers three types of accommodation – water villas, baros villas and deluxe villas.

There are several bars & restaurants offering a wide selection of continental & oriental cuisines.

The recreational facilities at Baros are huge, and aside from the standard diving & snorkelling options offered at practically all resorts, Baros offers several additional services – badminton, aerobics and cycling are just a few of these.

Bathala Island Resort Maldives

Certainly one of the smaller resorts located in the Ari Atoll, Bathala is well regarded by divers.

The 4 star resort contains 37 cottages and is better suited to those who do not plan to do much other than laze away.

Biyadhoo Island Resort Maldives

Biyadhoo is located on the Kaafu Atoll (South Male Atoll) is a four star resort containing a total of 96 rooms. The resort is highly regarded as a good place for diving and snorkeling. Certainly an island for those looking for water sports and activity in addition to the spectacular scenery that the Maldives offers.

Boduhithi Island Resort Maldives

This club style resort with over 80 rooms is a particular favourite with Italian clientele. As you would expect, this means a high number of available activities and all the fine Italian dining you can handle. The staff are also predominantly Italian.

Boduhithi is located in the North Atoll (Kaafu) and has an official rating of four stars.

Bolifushi Island Resort Maldives

Located in the South Male Atoll, about 12km Southwest of Male this 4 star rated resort has three types of rooms – Boli, Beach Villa and Water Villa.

The facilities are good and offer diving, snorkelling, scuba diving and plenty of other activities. There is also good Spa.

Club Med Farukolhufushi Maldives

Set in the North Atoll, this island resort is very good for scuba diving and watersports. The 4-star resort offers a wide range of facilities and 150 rooms. There are two room types – superior, and superior with balcony.

Tuition is available for water-sports including windsurfing and sailing while other activities on offer including kayaking, beach volley, soccer, water-polo and more. The resort also offers a swimming pool, spa, arts/crafts workshop, a TV/pool room and more.

Coco Palm Resort & Spa Maldives

This five star resort is located on the private island of Duikolu (Baa Atoll) and is approximately half an hour via sea-plane from the Capital of Male.

The accommodation is highly luxurious and there are four types of rooms from beach villas to the incredible lagoon palace suite.

The resort offers several restaurants and bars, all set in highly tranquil locations and also has a highly recommended spa.

Activities and diving are also available with a diving school and plenty of sports such as water-skiing, canoeing, surf-biking, sailing & more. Tennis, badminton, volley ball are also on offer and the resort has a gym too for the health conscious.

Cocoa Island Maldives

Cocoa Island is a five star resort in South Male Atoll and is approximately 30 minutes from Male via speedboat.

The rooms are of a high standard and come in varying types including one and two bed villas, dhoni loft suites and dhoni standard suites.

The main activities on offer are diving, water-sports and island hopping.

Dhonveli Beach & Spa Resort Maldives

Not surprisingly, “Dhonveli” in Maldian stands for “crystal white sand”. This is a five star resort with five different types of rooms that is located on the North Male Atoll.

The resort has one main restaurant, the Banana Garden Restaurant but also offers a sunset bar & coffee shop.

There are several of the usual indoor and outdoor recreational facilities available, including “big game fishing” and “adventure cruising”. Floodlit tennis/badminton, carom, table tennis are a few of the more traditional activities on offer and the resort has a gym and spa too.

Ellaidhoo Tourist Resort Maldives

Located on the North Ari Atoll is the four star Ellaidhoo resort. It’s quite a distance from Male (over an hour by speedboat although only 20 minutes via seaplane). Ellaidhoo is one of the smaller resorts and the whole island is around 300 metres long and 280 metres wide.

There are 156 rooms split up into standard, superior and deluxe. The dining facilities include the restaurant, coffee shop and bar.

Diving & recreation activities are available and these include island hopping, snorkelling safaris, morning fishing, an excursion to Male and more. There is also a Spa.

Embudu Village Maldives

This four star resort is set in Kaafu Atoll and the island is just 300 metres long. There is a very easy-going feel to the island. There are 118 rooms divided between standard, superior and water bungalow rooms.

As you would expect, the main activities in Embudu are diving, water sports and a feast of additional activities normally found in Maldives reorts.

There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop serving a variety of food and beverage.

Eriyadu Island Resort Maldives

Set in the North Male Atoll, Eriyadu is a four star resort that contains 57 superior rooms only. It’s a 45 minute transfer via speedboat from the capital Male. It’s a 4-star resort.

There is a restaurant, bar and coffee shop available for guests and there are good diving facilities available as you would expect.

Filitheyo Island Resort Maldives

Situated on the Faafu Atoll, Filitheyo is a five star resort with 125 villas of different types.
Filitheyo offers a main restaurant, a couple of bars and a coffee shop and several of the standard diving & recreational facilities are available including cultural shows and live music too.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives

Set in the North Male Atoll, Four Seasons is a spectacular five star resort with 106 rooms of various types (from standard beach villas and beach bungalows with outdoor showers to water villas).

The resort offers three restaurants and two bars and some of the features include a healthy offering of vegetarian food as well as themed nights.

The facilities & recreational amenities are very good – as well as the standard Maldives offerings guests can try their hand at aerial excursions, catamaran sailing, big game fishing and island hopping.

The resort is a half hour transfer via speedboat from Male.

Full Moon Resort Maldives

The five star Full Moon resort is located in the North Male Atoll and is a 20 minute speedboat ride from Male.

There are 156 rooms – from deluxe and cottage rooms to water bungalows and water villas. The architecture has a very traditional, wooden feel and the accommodation is very comfortable.

No less than five different restaurants offer a huge selection of international cuisine and keep the guests pallets delighted at all times. There are also three bars and a coffee shop.

While most Maldives resorts have their own spas, the Full Moon spa is actually located on a separate island – a delightful touch.

A good range of activities and recreation are also on offer.

Hakuraa Club Maldives

On the Meemu Atoll lies the four star Hakuura Club offering either beach or water bungalows. The resort is 130km from Male. A good range of activities and recreation are offered.

Halaveli Holiday Village Maldives

This is a three star resort in the Ari Atoll offering a range of beach bungalows. The transfer from the airport is half an hour by sea plane or 1.5 hours via speedboat. Dhon transfers are available but take 360 minutes.

There is a main restaurant and bar offering a wide range of cuisine. A fair standard or recreation and diving facilities are also available.

This is a fair option for those with a tight budget that are looking for a Maldives experience. While the rooms are not exactly cheap, they are more affordable than the four and five star options available.

Helengeli Tourist Village Maldives

Helengeli is a four star resort that’s based in the Kaafu Atoll. There are 50 beach villas available and offers the usual choice of recreation and activities. To name a few, they include Spa, restaurant/bar, internet facilities, freshwater pool as well as dhoni/speedboat/seaplane hire. There is also a dive school.

Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa Rangali Island Maldives

The luxurious five star Hilton is not for those with a fragile budget! Located in the South Ari Atoll, the resort is 90km from Male airport.

There are 150 rooms divided into standard/deluxe beach villas, water bungalows, and sunset water villas.

The main restaurant is the Atoll restaurant containing two open kitchens. The sunset bar & grill is a lovely addition built over the water with stunning views of the lagoon. You can even have a private barbeque specially made by a resort chef.

Some great recreational & diving activities are offered including swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness rooms & spa and a huge range of water & other sports.

These are just a handful of the premier holiday resorts available in the Maldives. While all tend to be mid to high end, your choice may be determined by the type of holiday you’re interested in so some further research is always recommemded.

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Introduction:

Blackpool is one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations. It is a town full of roller-coasters, clubs, and even the biggest mirror ball in the world. Add this to the world-class shows, cosmopolitan restaurants, vibrant nightlife, an active sports scene and breathtakingly beautiful scenery on Blackpool’s doorstep you begin to understand why Blackpool is so popular. If you feel you really need to get away from it all, have a leisurely stroll through the …

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Blackpool hotels

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Introduction:

Blackpool is one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations. It is a town full of roller-coasters, clubs, and even the biggest mirror ball in the world. Add this to the world-class shows, cosmopolitan restaurants, vibrant nightlife, an active sports scene and breathtakingly beautiful scenery on Blackpool’s doorstep you begin to understand why Blackpool is so popular. If you feel you really need to get away from it all, have a leisurely stroll through the leafy Stanley Park, Blackpool’s award-winning horticultural and wildlife treasure. Spot the cute, inquisitive, squirrels and take in the showpiece Italian Gardens or hire a boat and float away lazy summer afternoons beside the swans on Stanley Park’s boating lake.

Places of interest:

A vast range of exciting attractions awaits you in Blackpool. Fill your days with adrenalin pumping thrills at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, or while away the hours at the water’s edge in the subtropical Sandcastle Waterworld. Take a trip up to the top of the famous Blackpool Tower, or visit the menagerie of residents at Blackpool Zoo, come face to face with sharks at SeaLife Centre or hold audience with the Queen at Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks.

Blackpool Tower contains the UK’s best circus, the world famous Tower Ballroom, children’s entertainment plus Jungle Jim’s Playground, Tower Top Ride and Undersea World.

Blackpool Zoo, set amid 32 acres of maturing parkland and lakes, is home to over 1500 beautiful, rare and exotic animals from all around the world. With elephants, lions, otters, zebras, sea lions, tigers, kangaroos, many types of monkeys, plus all your animal favourites. With play areas, crafts, miniature railway, shops, picnic areas, it’s an excellent value family day out.

The Grundy Art Gallery hosts an annual programme of temporary exhibitions including traditional, modern and contemporary art and works from the Gallery’s permanent collection.

Sea Life Centre on Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile houses one of Europe’s largest marine collections with the ‘Lost City of Atlantis’ shark feature as the dramatic centrepiece.

Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks has an all-new CelebCity, where you can mingle with the stars and get closer to the A-list. Once you’ve walked the red carpet, you’ll be immersed in a world of celebrity, rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s A List and the tabloid’s favourites.

Things to do:

Blackpool is not just about the seaside and the associated funfairs, rides and sideshows. There is another side, as a base for adventure, experiences, shopping and outdoor pursuits. It is only an hour away from the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and close to the historic city of Lancaster and the shopping experiences of Manchester and Liverpool.

The Blackpool Countryside Experience is a series of nature walks from Stanley Park through the Woodland Gardens, and linking to Marton Mere Nature Reserve. There is a wide variety of walks of differing lengths, ranging from a short stroll around Stanley Park, to a more challenging ramble.

Comed Flight Training based at Blackpool airport gives you the opportunity to control an aeroplane and see the local area. You can take your friends with you, control the aeroplane as much or as little as you like and go where you want.

Blackpool Illuminations – sum up with town with their sheer autumn magic. Blackpool’s most electrifying night is when the Lights are switched on and the ceremony, a real razzmatazz showcase, has been performed by all the biggest names. You can enjoy a grandstand seat aboard a cleverly disguised tram – such as a Wild West Train or Space Rocket – where you actually become part of the display as you travel along the Promenade.

Stanley Park is where you will find stone statues star with formal borders and frothing fountains in the show piece Italian Gardens. There are pathways galore leading to quiet corners, while bridges carry you across the lake, home to a variety of hire boats and bobbing birds. There is a playground for the children and all the family can enjoy the likes of pitch & putt, tennis.

Food & Drink:

Whether it is a pre-show meal or dinner, or fish and chips, fast food or traditional seafood that you want it is all in Blackpool to complete a culinary experience that’s second to none. In Blackpool you can enjoy fine food from around the world with scores of restaurants offering everything from Caribbean to Mandarin, Indian to Italian. And of course, Blackpool has more than 30 clubs and fun-pubs alongside countless welcoming inns ensuring everyone has a great night out.

Autumn Leaves Restaurant serves consistently high quality freshly prepared food, with a wonderfully varied A La Carte menu. The weekly changing specials board always boasts an impressive array of fresh fish and steak specialities. Vegan and vegetarians are well catered for by an imaginative selection of dishes, all coupled with a friendly atmosphere.

Cafe Ambience is a friendly Mediterranean style restaurant specialising in Anglo-European cuisine with all meals cooked from fresh ingredients. Parties are catered for in a professional and comfortable environment. There is a full restaurant license with a large wine list and beers on draught.

Seniors NW LTD is a cutting edge traditional Fish & Chip Shop specialising in increasing fish variety, including turbot and Dover sole, for your enjoyment.

Alabama Showboat is within the Libertys Hotel, this venue featuring an outrageous host. A full floor show with the Kristie Speed dancers and some of UK’s top vocalists appear there most weeknights.

Jaggy Thistle is a goodtime fun bar with a distinctly Scottish flavour. Traditionally a home from home for Scottish visitors to Blackpool, the Jaggy Thistle extends a warm welcome to everyone who enjoys a friendly drink during the day or a fun packed night out.

Mitre Public House is a traditional town centre public house & doubles bar. It is probably the smallest town centre pub though it has a big atmosphere.

Blackpool Hotels & Accommodation:

Blackpool offers a variety of types of accommodation for the discerning tourist including – from four-star luxury to homely bed and breakfasts, flats and apartment, caravan and camping – whether you’re planning a relaxing weekend getaway or an action packed family holiday, Blackpool can offer you the perfect ’short break’ or holiday by the sea. The resort has 120,000 holiday beds, which is more than the whole of Portugal. With over 16.8 million visitors to Blackpool each year, there are now 3500 hotels, guest houses and self-catering units in the resort.

The Danescourt Hotel ( PLEASURE BEACH)
The Carlee
Warwick House Hotel
Warwick Hotel
The Wescoe
Norwood Hotel
Lynmar
Albert Hotel
Claremont Hotel
Ooty Bar Restaurant & Hotel
Arandora Star Hotel
Marlow Lodge (Blackpool) Hotel
Shepperton Hotel
Royal Carlton Hotel
Hurstmere Hotel
Viking Hotel
Leverdale Hotel
The New Guilderoy Hotel
The Mallory Hotel
The Brayton
The Norbreck Castle Hotel
Middleton Hotel
Chequers Plaza Hotel
The Merecliff Hotel
Glenshee Hotel & Leisure
Cliffs Hotel
The Dudley Hotel
Vidella Hotel
The Woodley Hotel
Chelston Hotel
Daniel Hotel
Rutland Hotel
The Imperial Hotel
Homecliffe Hotel
Ingledene Hotel
Brooklyn Hotel
Kingsway Hotel
The Wilton hotel
De Vere Herons’ Reach
Best Western Carlton Hotel
The Big Blue Hotel – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
The Savoy Hotel
Minotel Lucena
Grand Metropole
Carousel Hotel
Clifton Hotel
Staymor Hotel
The Palms Hotel & Apartments
Courtneys of Gynn Square
Revills Hotel
Sherwood Hotel
The New Hertford Hotel
Feng Shui Hotel

Entertainment:

Blackpool has a wide selection of shows, night clubs and pubs available providing a broad range of entertainment to suit most tastes. But don’t think the younger generation has all the fun. Remember, the famous Tower Ballroom has been the perfect partner for more traditional dancing steps for a century.

The Grand Theatre continued success is based on conserving the integrity of the irreplaceable Grade II* Listed Victorian theatre, and welcoming theatregoers by presenting a discerning programme of popular, thought-provoking and progressive theatre for Blackpool and the North West.

Blackpool’s Winter Gardens gilded exuberance makes it one of the most amazing buildings in the world. As if being Britain’s biggest theatre was not enough, it is crammed with bits and pieces from dream palaces of a dozen ages and cultures. The Winter Gardens is partly Tudor England, partly Strauss’s Vienna, partly Seville in its golden age, partly ancient Rome. This four acre site also houses the Empress Ballroom and Opera House.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has something for everyone. There are over 145 rides and attractions plus spectacular shows, including the world renowned Hot Ice at the Arena, the famous Mystique cabaret of magic and illusion at the Horseshoe, and the internationally acclaimed Eclipse at the Globe Theatre.

Blackpool is not just a seaside resort; it offers something for all ages. There is always something going on whether you prefer to do or watch. A perfect place to stay, as a base for touring the North West of England or, as a final destination to enjoy all that Blackpool has to offer.

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Introduction:

Nestled in a valley and bordered to the east by the Irish Sea, the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a vibrant and lively Celtic city that lives up to its nickname of “The Hibernian Rio.” Situated on the River Lagan, the pedestrian-friendly city enjoys a focal point in Donegal Square where the architecturally stunning City Hall dominates the skyline, and elsewhere Victorian and Edwardian architecture can be enjoyed by visitors on foot.

Places of int…

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Belfast hotels

Article Body:
Introduction:

Nestled in a valley and bordered to the east by the Irish Sea, the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a vibrant and lively Celtic city that lives up to its nickname of “The Hibernian Rio.” Situated on the River Lagan, the pedestrian-friendly city enjoys a focal point in Donegal Square where the architecturally stunning City Hall dominates the skyline, and elsewhere Victorian and Edwardian architecture can be enjoyed by visitors on foot.

Places of interest:

Belfast’s glorious seafaring history and place at the forefront of the industrial revolution is evident in the greatest shipyard in Great Britain, where the Titanic was built. The city’s name is derived from the Irish “beal feirste” which means “at the mouth of the sandpit” and nightlife, arts, festivals, dining and shopping are all in abundance in the city. The sea front in particular is now pedestrianised and visitors can enjoy the best of Irish culture in street musicians and theatre against the backdrop of the Irish Sea.

Standing 120 metres above sea level, Belfast Castle offers breathtaking and panoramic views of the city, bay and surrounding areas. Belfast Castle was the ancestral home of the Chichester, later Donegall, family who were descendants of Arthur Chichester who planted the land that was to become the city in the 1600s. The history of the castle, and city, are celebrated in the Cave Hill Visitor Centre in the castle grounds.

Ulster Museum, set over 8000 square metres of grounds, is likely to take up a full day, so extensive and fascinating are its archaeology, ethnography, art, history and natural sciences exhibits. The collections portray and celebrate the history, culture, artistic, scientific and industrial achievements: in short, the story of the Irish people from their ancient roots up until modern day. The museum houses both permanent and temporary collections, and regular, creatively planned tours are offered to distil some of the wonders of the museum into palatable chunks.

For stunning hiberno-romanesque architecture, the Belfast Cathedral is worth a visit, and the exciting, interactive and interpretive St. Patrick Centre tells the story of Ireland’s patron saint, in his own words.

The Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City of Belfast International Rose Garden, in the southern outskirts of Belfast features an International Rose Exhibition, as well as gardens, walks, a children’s playground and live music concerts.

The Linen Hall Library was established in 1788 and boasts a collection of over 20,000 volumes of Irish literature and an enviable Robert Burns collection.

Things to do:

Belfast will never leave tourists wondering how to entertain themselves! Plenty of things to do and see exist in Belfast.

The world class Belfast Zoo features plenty of don’t-miss attractions, including the monkey park, reptile house and children’s playground.

Walking Tours of Belfast include The Old Town, Titanic Trail and the City Centre Walk.

The oldest covered market in Ireland, St George’s Market offers a range of fish and speciality foods that are unrivalled in Europe.

The world’s largest dry dock, Haarland and Wolfe, is where the Titanic was built and its famous cranes, Samson and Goliath, can be seen from all over the city.

At the The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum a fascinating insight into the history and the daily lives of Ulster people can be found.

The Home Front Heritage Centre features collections that portray the Belfast experience of the Second World War, and is also home to the museum of the Royal Ulster Rifles.

W5 is a world renowned innovative and interactive centre of science and technology exploration, with activities, exhibits and demonstrations to expand and intrigue minds of all ages.

Food & Drink:

If it is excellent food the tourist seeks, they won’t have to look far in Belfast.

Traditional pub fare in a historical atmosphere is to be found at Belfast’s most famous pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon in the heart of the historical district.

Altos was rated number one by Yahoo travel for stylish and contemporary cuisine, serving cutting-edge Mediterranean food and featuring an extensive wine list and speciality coffee choices.

The Gypsy Queen Vegetarian Restaurant is on of Europe’s premier vegetarian dining destinations. All dishes are GMO approved, and organic wherever possible.

For the cuisine enthusiast, Deane’s Restaurant is a high end, luxurious dining experience, featuring dishes created by one of Ireland’s top chefs.

Live music pubs are a staple of Belfast nightlife, including the Duke of York, Morrisons and at the docks, Pat’s Bar Princes.

Belfast Hotels & Accommodation:

As befitting a major European destination, a full range of accommodation options are available in Belfast. Visitors can chose from cosy, family run bed and breakfast establishments, a variety of self catering options and luxury five star hotels to suit every taste, set of requirements and budget.

Ravenhill Guest House
The Crescent Townhouse
Europa Hotel
The Malone Lodge Hotel
Tara Lodge
The Park Avenue Hotel
The Stormont Hotel
The Chimney Corner Hotel
Culloden Hotel
Days Hotel
Jurys Inn Belfast
Ramada Belfast
Parkview Lodge
Ten Square

Entertainment

Nightlife is one of Belfast’s main attractions, with revellers enjoying everything from world class dance clubs to traditional pubs. The Potthouse, opened in November 2004 was built on the site of Belfast’s first pottery factory and comprises The Potthouse Bar & Grill, Sugar Nighclub, which plays Top 40, House and classic Disco, and the Soap Bar guestroom. The Fly and The Grill Room and Bar are also notable Belfast nightspots. The Movie House Cinema on the Golden Mile offers the latest cinema releases, as well as arthouse and independent films, and Ireland’s only 3D and 2D large format cinema, the SheridanIMAX is located on Queen’s Quay. Fantastic shopping is available in the city centre Donegall Place and the Waterfront Concert Hall hosts concerts and music tours from all over the world.

Belfast enjoys an enviable position at the forefront of Hibernian culture, scenery and history. With an ideal and unique combination of Celtic culture and British industrial influence, Belfast is an ideal seaside destination for family friendly events, educational and historical attractions and a nightlife that is second to none throughout Europe. In common with much of the British Isles, Belfast experiences a temperate and often wet climate, but is protected by the surrounding mountains of Divis Mountain, Black Mountain and Cave Hill.

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The first impression of Athens, and not just in my view, is usually awful. The smog is intolerable, traffic congestion enervating, people are noisy, and once you check into your hotel room the city looks… just plain unsightly from above.
But don’t be put off by what you’ve just read: it only gets better from here. Athens might not be a city where I would like to live, but it’s certainly a city I’d like to visit again.

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greece hotels, athens hotels, athens greece hotels

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If you’re going to enjoy yourself in Athens, you better get in shape and bring comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water. Most of the famous sites in the city require either walking uphill, or walking along a stony path. And beware of the marble stairs, wherever you go: they are dreadfully slippery!

I took a city bus tour on my first day in Athens and it was worth the money. The tour included the Acropolis, and took in the region of to the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, Zeus’ Temple and other important tourist sites. It was a nice way to make introduction to the city and plan out the rest of my trip.

How about the food? Modest neighborhood restaurants are your best bet. They dish up inexpensive, delicious and truly local fare. Fancier restaurants in spots like Plaka are expensive, and you’re more likely to see fried chicken on the menu, than a gyro or souvlaki. And a word of warning: go easy on the OUZO! That stuff goes down way too easy, and after finishing half a bottle with dinner, I slept for 12 hours and had a hangover the next day.

Where to stay? Hotels and hostels are plentiful in Athens. Rooms do get booked up during high season – so book early. Quality and standards may vary just like any other destination. Location and price should be you main priorities. A good website for client reviews is www.tripadvisor.com. For good deals on a range of Athens hotels and other Greece hotels check out Cybertravel Network’s Greece website at www.hotels-greece-athens.com.

How to Get Around:

Athens has allegedly more taxi cabs per capita than any other city in the world. Having said that, the fact is, it’s almost not possible to hail down an empty one during the rush hour. Often a cab will slow down and pull up to a curb and cabbie will ask ‘Pou?,’ which means ‘where.’ Just yell out where you want to go to (in Greek preferably), and if you’re fortunate it will be on his way. I can’t say anything in good faith about the truthfulness of cabbies in Athens. I took a cab three times, and twice I got ripped off, so make your own conclusions.

In my view the best way to get around Athens is by bus or trolley. The tickets are not expensive and available at kiosks along any street. Just make sure you cancel the ticket in a ticket machine immediately after you enter the bus or a trolley. There are plenty of ticket controllers around to catch you if you travel without a ticket, or if you forget to stamp it.

Things to see in and around Athens:

Acropolis

The Acropolis is Athens’ most recognizable, breathtaking and astounding site. The Acropolis is in fact the name of the hill upon which there are three main temples: Parthenon, Erechteion and Temple of Athena Nike; as well as the Acropolis Museum and Propylaea, which was the original entrance to the Acropolis.

Being a fan of archeology and Greek classical studies, I was absolutely enthralled by the place. The total size of the Parthenon is extraordinary, when you comprehend it was built 2,500 years ago. The museum houses artifacts found in the temples on the Acropolis, which were put there to avoid weather damage.

Acropolises is a hill, and a pretty steep one, so take good quality walking shoes and bottled water with you when you go. And take careful steps, because the marble steps are very slippery. I introduced myself to the marble the hard way: face first, and let me tell you: it’s not an enjoyable experience.

On the path to the Acropolis there are many souvenir peddlers that sell postcards, papyrus drawings and other trinkets. They sell the same type and quality of souvenirs as the museum gift shop but at half the price. I recommend loading up on souvenirs from them on the way out of Acropolis.

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The temple is one of the only two remaining parts on the Olympieion site. The utter size of this monument is incredible! There is only a few of the original Corinthian columns left of the original 104! This is an ideal site to sit down on a sunny day with a gyro in your hand and just admire its beauty.

Interesting fact about the Temple of Olympian Zeus is that it took almost 700 years to construct. It was started in 515 BC by Peristratos and completed in 125 AD by Roman emperor Hadrian.

Close to the Temple, on Amalias Avenue you can take a closer look at the other remaining monument – Hadrian’s Arch, built a few years later by the same emperor. During my visit it was all covered in cellophane for reconstruction, so wasn’t very inspiring.

The Agoras – Ancient and Roman

Ancient Agora (Arkhaia Agora) was the gathering place of the ancient Athenians. It’s hard to tell now, considering almost nothing is left from the original structures. Hephaisteion (Temple of Hephaistos) is the exception. It’s quite a monument and probably the best conserved of all Greek temples in Athens. Stoa of Attalos, which was entirely reconstructed, houses the museum of Ancient Agora and is a resting place for most of the artifacts found here.

Roman Agora (Romaiki Agora) is situated near the other one. It is much smaller, and a much younger site than Ancient Agora. A couple of interesting things to see here are a Turkish mosque: Fethiye Djami, and Tower of the Winds.

I marked this site as Recommended, not Highly Recommended because unless you have a real interest in archeology or history, you might simply get fed up here. There isn’t as much to see, besides the Hephaisteion, because most of the monuments are almost completely ruined. But if you are a history/archeology buff, have an extra day, or happen to get bored in Plaka, than by all means stop here and do a little exploring.

Panathenaic Stadium

Panathenaic Stadium was the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Its name, Panathinaikon, stands for “All Athenians Stadium”. It has been reconstructed in the place of the original stadium. This stadium is one of those places that just give you a good quality feeling inside. You’re welcome to run laps around it, or to take a look at marble slabs documenting all the modern Olympic Games. At the front of the stadium is a statue of the Discus Thrower.

Kerameikos Cemetery

This one was quite a stunner! Traditionally I was used to cemeteries being rather solemn places where people come to worship or recollect. Not Kerameikos. In fact, judging by people sitting on gravestones, or lying around in bikinis getting a tan, you’d hardly know it’s a cemetery. But you can’t fault anyone; no one has been buried here for over thousand years.

So against my original feelings, I’d have to suggest this site as a nice relaxation place: a place to sit down and read a book, stretch your legs and relax or just get a tan. Oh… there is a museum here as well that exhibits some burial items, gravestones, urns etc.

The Ruins of Delphi

A visit to Delphi site is an absolute must for any history buff. Plan a whole day for the trip as it is around three hours away by bus or car.

The Temple of Apollo is the main pull of the site. This magnificently preserved temple is where Pythia, the High Priestess of Apollo would be asked to predict the future, and in return she would give very inexplicable answers (and they weren’t always good).

The Theatre of the sanctuary and The Stadium are located higher up on the site (approximately 10 minutes walk). Not quite as eye-catching, and can be avoided by those for whom the climb proves too much.

And of course you cannot miss the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which houses the valuable artifacts found at the site. And fortunately it is situated at the base of the site, so no climbing is necessary.

Plaka

Plaka is the tourist’s heaven. It’s very similar to Paris’ Montmarte district. There are hundreds if not thousands of modest souvenir stores, taverns, liquor stores, small churches and open air stands where you can buy everything from produce to ceramic vases to olive oil soap. It’s a place you have to visit on your last day in Athens when you want to load up on cheap souvenirs. You’re not really going to see all that many locals here, at least proportionally to the thousands of tourists passing by every minute. And by Goddess, don’t forget to bring a map! Plaka is a labyrinth, a network of streets that all look alike.

There are plenty of places to eat in Plaka, but most of the fancy looking ones tend to be terribly costly and don’t really offer that good of the local fare. Little take-out places or little restaurants are the best bet for food there. Their gyros might grease the wrapper, but they taste fine and you’ll have money left over for those souvenirs.

One thing I discovered when buying souvenirs in Plaka, that the price of the item is almost never the price you’ll pay if you play your cards right. In some stores, the owners will tell you right away ‘Today discount 20 percent’ or ‘More you buy, bigger discount’. But as a general rule, you should barter. You’re stupid if you don’t, because you’ll simply overpay for everything. Everyone bargains here, both locals and tourists. And if the store owner is reluctant to make a deal, put down the stuff you’re looking at and say you’ll look somewhere else. They will most likely change their tune and offer you money off right away!

National Archaeological Museum of Athens

If you’re going to see any museum on your trip to Athens, see this one. It is the largest and most inspiring archeological museum in Greece. Even the building itself is quite something to look at. The museum has quite a few different exhibits, but obviously the most interesting ones are the Greek pottery and sculpture, which also happen to take up most of the space. There are also exhibits of Egyptian arts and prehistoric and bronze age artifacts.

The Museum is easily reached by various buses from any point in the city. It’s huge and can easily take up a whole day, but dissimilar to Louvre in Paris, this museum contains such a diversity of things, that I found it very easy to spend several hours there without getting weary of admiring the pieces.

One final note, even though the Type of Museum states it’s an Art Museum, it really is a mixture of an Art/History/Culture Museum. I want to make that clear, so I don’t frighten away art-unconscious people.

National Gardens

National Gardens, which are accessible behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, offer a nice escape from all the hustle and the bustle of the city. Looking at the crowds present, I have a feeling they are a trendy hang-out spot for the locals. This is a nice place to take a leisurely walk or eat a brown-bag lunch. In the heart of the park there is a neoclassical structure called Zappion, which I’ve been told is used for important political and cultural events (a security guard told me Greece’s entry into European Union was signed here). It’s quite an eye-catching structure worth checking out if you appreciate architecture.

It is also a fine place to talk to the locals if you so desire. I stopped at a pretzel stand run by a Kurdish immigrant and immediately got into a discussion about the fate of the Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan (who was being incarcerated at the time by Turkey). Not that I spoke any Kurdish or Greek, or the stand owner any English, but amazingly enough using hand-gestures, and a combination of English, Greek, German and a word ‘caput’, we somehow came to an understanding that he was a goner and we both supported his cause. Afterwards, I was promptly ripped off for a pretzel, but… it was for a good cause.

Constitution Square

Syntagma (Constitution) Square is centrally positioned in Athens and a pretty good starting point for tourists. There are banks here where you can exchange money, travel agencies where you could pick up information on what to see in Athens or book a bus tour and some rather luxurious hotels.

Top tourist attraction in the Square is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which is watched over by guards wearing EVZONE costumes, which is the customary male Greek costume comprising of a white skirt and shirt, red vest and hat and shoes with pompons. They look rather attractive! The best time to see the changing of the guards is Sundays at noon, when the big service takes place. I believe that the early event starts at around 11 or 11:30 am, when a battalion of soldiers starts marching down the street with a military band playing. When they approach the Tomb, they stop in a systematic fashion, wait until noon, then the ceremony of changing of the guards begins. It’s really quite interesting as there is so much custom and ceremony involved. The soldiers take these long careful steps: I was amazed to see how they keep their balance while standing on one leg.

There isn’t much else to see in Syntagma Square itself, but from here you’ll have easy access to the National Gardens, as well as Plaka and Omounia Square. Somehow, my every day in Athens started and ended here.

Three Island Cruise

This was well worth the time and money. I booked the cruise through Cybertravel Network www.hotels-greece-athens.com one of about a dozen travel agencies offering the identical tour (later I found out many tour agencies use the same boat, which can carry several hundred people). It was very well planned: in the early morning a van picked me up from the hotel and dropped me off where air-conditioned coaches took us to the harbor. From there, it was a couple hours of sailing to our first port of call: Hydra. What a magnificent, laid-back small place! White houses, red roofs, blue water and the sky, about 25 Celsius… and that’s in Feburary! Shopper’s paradise of course with souvenir shops everywhere. We moved on to Poros, during which time lunch was served on board. Poros, wasn’t as tranquil as Hydra to me. It was more commercialized, reminded me a bit of Honolulu, Hawaii. But it was a nice place to grab a bowl of ice cream and just lounge a bit on the harbor. From there we moved to Aegina and were offered to pay for an optional bus tour on Aegina to the Temple of Aphaia.

The bus tour was well worth the money. Temple of Aphaia at Aegina is very well preserved and an outstanding site to take a look at. Aegina is also a very good place to purchase pistachio nuts: there are vendors all over the place, so pick up a bag or two on the way out!

The cruise back was very laid back. There was on board entertainment: live band, comedian, Greek folk dancing etc. I chose to just kick back with a bottle of Retsina (Greek wine) and watch the display which was quite pleasurable. Upon arrival, the coaches dropped everyone off back at their hotels.

Dealing with Athenians

Athenians (or perhaps Greeks) are a one of a kind type of people. Very talkative, not inhibited and most of all very curious. Now, of course these are my opinions and they are highly personal to what I have experienced, so anyone who disagrees with this view should bear this in mind.

This mannerism has proven rather out of the ordinary on many occasions. Almost everyday, I went to the same small family-owned restaurant in Kifissias called ‘Ta Salona’. Besides having good quality food, it also had very curious owner. Every night, we’d sit down over a bottle of Greek beer ‘Mythos’ or a glass of ouzo (killer stuff!) and discuss where I come from, life in Athens, food, drink… etc. It really made for enjoyable evenings.

Another example of this extrovert nature freaked me out a little bit. On a couple occasions while walking in the Plaka, I asked a person walking by what time was it, or how to get somewhere and after receiving the answer, the person said ‘You want to go to bar, drink ouzo?’ Now… I’m sure there is nothing wrong with asking someone to go drink with you, but it took me aback a little bit. Coming from the US, I was feeling that if I accepted an offer like this from a complete stranger, I’d probably end up in a biker-bar, arm wrestling with a 300 pound guy called ‘Bulldog’. A British woman I met couple days earlier on a cruise to the islands told me that she was approached a couple of times on the street by complete strangers either asking her out on a date or making remarks like ‘She’s tall! I bet she’s real good’.

If I drew any conclusions from this occurrence, if you ignore the person, they will in due course drop the subject. But in a location like a restaurant or a bar, it actually proved really fascinating to talk to the locals and find out a little bit about their daily lives.

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The foreign and commonwealth office draws up an extensive list of countries that should not be travelled to quite regularly, and is from that, that our, and other global travel insurance providers’, underwriters decide which countries travel insurance should be provided for. We look at the government travel advice and decide from that whether or not we can provide insurance to travelers.

Although global travel insurance does, by its nature, cover the majority of the world,…

Keywords:
Travel insurance, Global travel insurance, UK travel insurance, foreign office travel advice

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The foreign and commonwealth office draws up an extensive list of countries that should not be travelled to quite regularly, and is from that, that our, and other global travel insurance providers’, underwriters decide which countries travel insurance should be provided for. We look at the government travel advice and decide from that whether or not we can provide insurance to travelers.

Although global travel insurance does, by its nature, cover the majority of the world, the current climate ensures that there are some places where the likelihood of incident means that UK travel insurance providers are unable to offer protection. Thankfully, the list is clear of the majority of popular holiday destinations, and you’re unlikely to have your big holiday plans affected. The most likely group to have their travel plans altered by the foreign office’s travel advice are business travelers.

The foreign office’s travel advice is not to travel to the following countries, even if it means losing business – the risk from the warzones listed below is just too great to make the reward worth the danger:

Here’s our top 10 countries to avoid traveling to, and the reasons for the high risk factor! The risk is far from conclusive (the foreign office’s travel advice lists many more countries), but to me, these are the ones that all travelers should avoid like the plague:

10) Liberia

Economic hardship in Liberia is currently making outbreaks of violence common, and foreigners (especially westerners) are at risk targets due to their affluence. This extra likelihood of incident ensures that no UK travel insurance provider would risk offering you cover if you choose to visit Liberia

9) Nepal

Occasional acts of terrorism and political violence in urban areas make Nepal off-limits for those who want to get travel insurance. In September this year, three nearly simultaneous bombs went off in the capital of Kathmandu, killing 3 and injuring many innocent bystanders.

Haiti

Haiti is considered off limits to many travelers on account of the high risk of kidnappings and civil unrest that is prominent. At the time of writing, there have been 12 kidnappings of American travelers in 2007 – mostly criminal in nature. In the past, these kidnappings have ended in physical and sexual assaults and shootings. The potential for spontaneous protests and demonstrations has also been known to result in unexpected violence, day or night. It’s no surprise that the government’s travel advice is not to travel here!

7) Yemen

Due to the high levels of terrorist activity in Yemen, westerners are advised to steer clear of Yemen. If this is not possible, then all travelers are encouraged to stay vigilant and to keep a low profile to avoid attacks or kidnapping. The situation is so grave that the US Embassy often restricts American citizens from certain hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.

6) Israel

The Gaza Strip and West Bank has seen immense violence in recent months between Israeli and Palestinian factions, and shootings, kidnappings and violence demonstrations have occurred in each. The region’s continued instability makes travel to Israel widely recommended against – the risk of abduction or worse makes travel insurance impossible to obtain.

5) Democratic Republic of Congo

The democratic republic of Congo remains one of the most dangerous places to travel in Africa, where violence, neglect and corruption has left the country distinctly damaged. Fighting erupted in the streets of Kinshasa in March this year, and the situation remains volatile despite the immediate threat of violence calming down. Travel outside of Kinshasa is difficult and dangerous with security, especially in the north and easy, being unstable. Any traveler brave enough to travel to the Congo should be extremely cautious, avoid the North Kivu district which is the backdrop to armed conflict between government troops and army rebels, avoid crowds and keep a close eye on local media.

4) Burma (Myanmar)

While the human rights situation makes Myanmar an ethically uneasy place to visit, currently there is a lot of personal risk involved as well. Throughout September, the anti-government protests sparked a violent crackdown from the authorities and made international headlines. Although the dusk-til-dawn curfew imposed in some of the towns has been lifted, it still remains an uncertain time to visit the country and you’re unlikely to find any global travel insurance company who will insure you.

3) Colombia

Colombia remains one of the most dangerous places to travel in the world thanks to the crime the country suffers from. The illicit drug trade in urban areas such as Cali and Buenaventura means that there is often a high risk of violence, while the more rural areas expose visitors to the country at risk from narcoterrorist groups who will often kidnap civilians to use for ransom or to gain media attention. Naturally UK travel insurance companies are loathe to insure travelers who choose to ignore these warning and travel to Colombia anyway.

2) Afghanistan

With the war on terror in Afghanistan still fresh in the mind, it’s no surprise that the country remains a big no-go area. Western tourists are obvious kidnap and assassination targets, as many of the disbanded Taliban and Al-Qa’ida forces remain at large and hostile to the new regieme. Additionally, the country remains unsafe due to tribal groups, explosive devices, landmines, military operations and acts of terrorism. Unsurprisingly, the government’s travel advice is to avoid travelling here at all costs!

1) Iraq

Given the high profile nature of western kidnappings by various insurgent groups, and the regular acts of terrorism and hostility to Western troops, it is no surprise that no travel insurance companies will insure travelers to the troubled country. The instability is caused by various groups – Ba’ath regime remnants, transnational terrorists and criminal elements have been known to attack convoys en-route to venues, hotels, restaurants, checkpoints and police stations.

While holidaymakers are unlikely to be affected by these less touristy locations, their riskiness means that business travellers will have to forgo their travel insurance if they are unable to cancel their trips.

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How Can You Pay for A Cruise?

It’s one thing to say that you are going to take a cruise, choose the perfect package, and even get prices for your dream vacation, but it is a whole different thing to actually save up the money to pay for it and hand it over to your booking agent. It’s during this part of the vacation planning process that most people give up on taking a sea voyage and end up taking a short excursion inland.

When asked, many people admit that taking a cru…

Keywords:
Princess Cruise Lines, Cruise Ship, Vacation, Discount, Travel, Ocean, Mexico, Mediterranean, Voyage

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How Can You Pay for A Cruise?

It’s one thing to say that you are going to take a cruise, choose the perfect package, and even get prices for your dream vacation, but it is a whole different thing to actually save up the money to pay for it and hand it over to your booking agent. It’s during this part of the vacation planning process that most people give up on taking a sea voyage and end up taking a short excursion inland.

When asked, many people admit that taking a cruise has always been their dream vacation, but they have not been able to quite pull it off. Why? While some simply just can’t get the time away from work and responsibilities, most people are locked out of taking a sea vacation because they cannot afford to pay for it.

If this sounds like you, don’t worry. Cruises are more affordable than you think, and there are ways that you can pay for the vacation of your dreams without maxing out your credit cards or taking out a second mortgage.

The first thing to consider when trying figuring out how to pay for a cruise is the actual cost for the cruise. Many people take one look at the fare pricing and view it the same way that they would hotel pricing. (I write about this in a previous article: “Are You Saying You Can’t Afford A Cruise? Think Again!”) In their mind they are visualizing this as the base cost of the vacation with extras like food, entertainment, and other expenses added on. But the truth of the matter is that cruise packages include all of these costs. This means that the vacation that you have always wanted could be just as affordable as or even more affordable than the land-based vacation that you have always taken.

And if that’s not enough, you can cut the cost of your cruise vacation even further by cashing in on special promotions, booking and paying for your trip well in advance, and taking your cruise during the off-season. Booking passage on a smaller ship rather than the largest, most luxurious ship will also save you a great deal of money. You can even cut costs by choosing a smaller stateroom located on the inside of the ship over a room that faces outward and has a terrace or other amenities.

Even after you take off all of the possible savings, you will still have to come up with something to pay for your cruise. And just how will you do that? Well the key to saving for anything is early planning. If you save throughout the year rather than just for a few weeks or months before your trip, you will be better able to put something away toward your trip without having to let other financial obligations slide.

You should never finance a holiday with credit. No matter whether or not you get a great interest rate, funding vacations with credit is never a good idea. This is because you will end up paying much more for your vacation over a longer period of time than you would have if you would have saved for your trip before hand. Financing a vacation often makes it impossible to take future vacations until the financed holiday is paid for, and it may even create financial hardships. This can lead to resentment and hard feelings over a time that was supposed to only generate happy memories.

So unless you have a very generous aunt, paying for your cruise is going to be all up to you. Don’t worry, though. Paying for a vacation is possible even on the stingiest income if you know how to save.

The key to saving up for anything is consistency. You can’t simply say I’m going to put back any extra money that I have until I have enough saved up to take a cruise. If you go about it in this way, you will never save anything. When’s the last time you had “extra” money? And if you did have it, how long did it stay in your pocket? To save you need a plan, and you need discipline to stick to that plan.

The first step to making a savings plan is to decide when you will be taking your vacation and how much it will cost. Divide the amount of the vacation by the number of weeks you have until you have to have your cruise passage paid in full. This will tell you how much money you will have to put back each week in order to pay for the holiday. If you cannot possibly afford the amount that you need to tuck away each week, you may have to postpone the date of your vacation or make some adjustments to your living expenses.

Next, look at your budget. If you don’t have one, make one. Include everything that you spend money on each week. Don’t leave out extras. You would be surprised by how much income slips through your fingers only to be spent on frivolous purchases. Look for areas where you can cut expenses to free up some income to put toward your trip. Do you stop for a latte every morning or eat out frequently? By simply cutting out these extras, you could free up enough income to pay for your trip and then some.

Now that you have figured out where the money is going to come from, you will need to decide on a safe place to put it. This should be a place that you cannot raid if you feel the need to splurge. A savings account is a great idea if you can deposit money into it and forget about it. You and your significant other can check up on each other. If you think that you may be tempted to make withdraws from the account, you may want to have a trusted friend or relative open an account for you with the stipulations that they are not to withdraw any money for you for any reason. If your vacation is going to be well into the future, savings bonds are also a great idea.

Here’s a simple saving tip: At the end of every day any change PLUS any one dollar bills you have go into a jar for the cruise fund. That’s it, just be disciplined about it. $3 dollars a day for a year is more than $1,000. Don’t buy something everyday? Then step it up a notch? Never pay for anything with dollar bills so you will accumulate them throughout the day. If something is $2.50, than you have to pay with a $5 or $10 and get $2.50 in coin change and one dollar bill change that you will save. So now every single purchase will contribute to your cruise fund!

But no matter where you decide to keep your holiday savings, be sure that you make weekly deposits and stick to your savings plan. Don’t give up. The vacation of a lifetime is within your grasp. It’s up to you. Make the dream a reality.

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Many bags look alike. After you pull what you think is your bag off the carousel, check the name tag or the bag tag number. If your bag arrives open, unlocked or visibly damaged, check right away to see if any of the contents are missing or damaged.

Keywords:
airline, form, claim, pay, suitcase, damage, airport, lost, airlines, money, value, carriers, carrier, damage caused

Article Body:
Report any problems to the airline before leaving the airport; insist on filling out a form. Open your suitcase immediately when you get to where you are staying. Any damage to the contents or any pilferage should be immediately reported to the airline by telephone. Make a note of the date and time of the call, and the name and telephone number of the person you spoke with. Follow up immediately with a certified letter to the airline.

Damage

If your suitcase arrives smashed or torn, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If it can’t be fixed, they will negotiate a settlement to pay you its depreciated value. The same holds true for belongings packed inside. Airlines may decline to pay for damage caused by the fragile nature of the broken item or inadequate packing, rather than the airline’s rough handling.

Carriers may also refuse to give you money for your damaged items inside the bag when there’s no evidence of external damage to the suitcase. But airlines generally don’t disclaim liability for fragile merchandise packed in its original factory sealed carton, a cardboard mailing tube, or other container designed for shipping and packed with protective padding material.

When you check in, airline personnel should let you know if they think your suitcase or package may not survive the trip intact. Before accepting a questionable item, they will ask you to sign a statement in which you agree to check it at your own risk. But even if you do sign this form, the airline might be liable for damage if it is caused by its own negligence shown by external injury to the suitcase or package.

Delayed bags

If you and your suitcase don’t connect at your destination, don’t panic. The airlines have very sophisticated systems that track down about 98% of the bags they misplace and return them to their owners within hours. In many cases they will absorb reasonable expenses you incur while they look for your missing belongings. You and the airline may have different ideas of what’s reasonable, however, and the amount they will pay is subject to negotiation.

If your bags don’t come off the conveyor belt, report this to the airline before you leave the airport. Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight. If the form doesn’t contain the name of the person who filled it out, ask for it. Get an appropriate phone number for following up (not the Reservations number).

Don’t assume that the airline will deliver the bag without charge when it is found; ask them about this. Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases.

The amount depends on whether or not you’re away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you. If the airline does not provide you a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities. Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts.

If the airline misplaces sporting equipment, it will sometimes pay for the rental of replacements. For replacement clothing or other articles, the carrier might offer to absorb only a portion of the purchase cost, on the basis that you will be able to use the new items in the future. (The airline may agree to a higher reimbursement if you turn the articles over to them.)

When you’ve checked in fresh foods or any other perishable goods and they are ruined because their delivery is delayed, the airline won’t reimburse you. Carriers may be liable if they lose or damage perishable items, but they won’t accept responsibility for spoilage caused by a delay in delivery.

Airlines are liable for provable consequential damages up to the amount of their liability limit (see below) in connection with the delay. If you can’t resolve the claim with the airline’s airport staff, keep a record of the names of the employees with whom you dealt, and hold on to all travel documents and receipts for any money you spent in connection with the mishandling. (It’s okay to surrender your baggage claim tags to the airline when you fill out a form at the airport, as long as you get a copy of the form and it notes that you gave up the tags.) Call or write the airline’s consumer office when you get home.

Lost luggage

Once your bag is declared officially lost, you will have to submit a claim. This usually means you have to fill out a second, more detailed form. Check on this; failure to complete the second form when required could delay your claim. Missing the deadline for filing it could invalidate your claim altogether.

The airline will usually refer your claim form to a central office, and the negotiations between you and the airline will begin. If your flight was a connection involving two carriers, the final carrier is normally the one responsible for processing your claim even if it appears that the first airline lost the bag.

Airlines don’t automatically pay the full amount of every claim they receive. First, they will use the information on your form to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Like insurance companies, airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not their original price or the replacement costs. If you’re tempted to exaggerate your claim, don’t.

Airlines may completely deny claims they feel are inflated or fraudulent. They often ask for sales receipts and other documentation to back up claims, especially if a large amount of money is involved. If you don’t keep extensive records, you can expect to dicker with the airline over the value of your goods.

Generally, it takes an airline anywhere from six weeks to three months to pay you for your lost luggage. When they tender a settlement, they may offer you the option of free tickets on future flights in a higher amount than the cash payment. Ask about all restrictions on these tickets, such as “blackout” periods and how far before departure you are permitted to make a reservation.

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Summary:
Gee, How Much Does A Cruise Cost?

Okay, let’s say that you’ve decided to take the family on a cruise, or just you and your significant other, and now you need to figure out how much it’s going to cost. Your first glimpse at typical fares offered online has left you more than a little skeptical about the affordability of taking your vacation to the seas. But before you nix the whole cruise idea and book a stay at a dude ranch, why not take a more thorough look at cruise pri…

Keywords:
Cruise, Princess Cruise Lines, Vacation, Travel, Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, Cost, Price

Article Body:
Gee, How Much Does A Cruise Cost?

Okay, let’s say that you’ve decided to take the family on a cruise, or just you and your significant other, and now you need to figure out how much it’s going to cost. Your first glimpse at typical fares offered online has left you more than a little skeptical about the affordability of taking your vacation to the seas. But before you nix the whole cruise idea and book a stay at a dude ranch, why not take a more thorough look at cruise pricing? You may just find that you are getting a great deal and that cruises are actually cheaper than your typical run-of-the-mill vacation.

The problem with cruise pricing is that cruise lines hit you right up front with the numbers, (WHAM!) and that can be a little hard to swallow. But if you can get past your initial shock and not click off your browser, you will find that most cruises are all inclusive, meaning that the entire cost of your vacation is included in the fare price.

Far from just providing you with accommodations, your cruise fare will cover the following: meals and snacks, admission to lounges and nightclubs aboard ship, and tickets to view live bands, productions, and comedy shows. In most cruise lines, the cost of meals alone accounts for up to $75 per day of your fare. Once you subtract this amount and the amount that it would cost for daily entertainment while on a land-based vacation, you could very well be getting your accommodations aboard the ship for free. Sounds like a bargain, huh?

The price for taking a cruise varies greatly and depends on several factors. In some cases, you can book a fare for well under $1,000 per person. Others can cost up to $6,000 per person. It really just depends on your preferences and also how you go about booking your trip. Following is a list of several factors that can affect the cost of your cruise:

1. Time of year – The time of year that you plan to take your cruise will greatly affect the cost of your fare. As with most vacation destinations, the cost of a cruise fare is lower during the off season and higher during the peak season

2. Length – Obviously the length of the cruise will affect the price. If you’re looking for a cruise vacation at a great price, you may want to choose a shorter, 3-day cruise instead of a cruise that lasts 10 days or more.

3. Destination – The cruise destination will also affect the price of your ticket. Generally, the most popular cruise destinations cost more and are harder to book.

4. Type – Many cruise lines offer themed cruises or ones designed for a special group of people. These normally cost more than cruises open to the general public.

5. The cruise line – Different cruise lines have different pricing tables. If you have a favorite line that you wish to travel with, you might be limited when it comes to finding a lower fare. But if you are flexible, you might be able to find a cheaper deal to the same destination simply by choosing a different cruise line.

6. The type of ship – Cruise lines have different types of ships with different pricing tables for each. A smaller ship will likely have fewer amenities than a larger ship and will therefore be less expensive to book a passage on.

7. Accommodations – The size of your room, the view from your cabin, and how many people are staying in it will affect pricing a great deal. To save money, many people opt for an inside stateroom rather than a room that faces outward and has a terrace. The deck that your room is located on will also affect the cost.

8. Package options – Many cruise lines offer extras or upgrades that can be purchased along with your fare.

9. Promotions – If you book a cruise as part of a promotion or special offer, you can save a lot of money on your fare. You can also save money by booking in advance and paying for your fare quickly.

Other cost considerations that you will need to make when calculating the cost of your vacation include any traveling costs to get you to the location where your cruise takes off and a little bit of spending money for souvenirs and purchases made while docked.

Other than that, normally what you see is what you get in cruise pricing. But I do want to say to be sure you ask about any thing that is not included so you don’t get surprised. Ask about any additional taxes, charges, surcharges and even take a look at tipping and also figure out of pocket expenses on shore excursion or the purchase of any items or services on the ship that might not be included. Some offered tours on some of the shore excursions might have their own price. If your not sure ask your travel agent, or someone you know that has been on a cruise, or look for what you think is a good cruise forum on the web and maybe post a question or two, or even write/email the cruise line itself and then you’ll have something in writing. This way the budget for your cruise will be more accurate and you’ll feel more confident and relaxed. And getting away to relax is the point, right?

Yes, you may pay a little more up front, but all the things already included in the costs makes a cruise vacation quite a bargain over many other types of vacations. Plus, during a cruise you can visit numerous exotic locations instead of being stuck in one place for the whole duration of your trip and you don’t have to do any of the driving. And that’s the real attraction of taking a cruise, it becomes many little exotic adventures…

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Summary:
Have you purchased a travel package over the phone? Is it legitimate?

Keywords:
travel, phone, fraudulent, usually, credit, charges, package, credit card, company, information, offer, card, offers, receive, consumer, legitimate

Article Body:
Hello…you have been specially selected to receive our SPECTACULAR LUXURY DREAM VACATION offer!

Have you ever been tempted to sign up to win a “free” trip at a fair, trade show or restaurant? If so, you may get a phone call, letter, unsolicited fax, email or postcard telling you that you’ve won a vacation. Be careful. It may be a “trip trap.” The vacation that you’ve “won” likely isn’t free. And the “bargain-priced” travel package you’re offered over the telephone or Internet may not fit your idea of luxury.

While some travel opportunities sold over the phone or offered through the mail, Internet or by fax are legitimate, many are scams that defraud consumers out of millions of dollars each month.

The word “offer” can be a clue to hidden charges. When you get the phone call, or place the call in response to a postcard, letter, fax or Internet ad, you also get a sales pitch for a supposedly luxurious trip – one that you could pay dearly for.

The salesperson may ask for your credit card number to bill your account for the travel package. Once you pay, you receive the details of the “package,” which usually include instructions for making trip reservation requests. Your request often must be accompanied by yet another fee. In addition, many offers require you to pay upgrade costs to receive the actual destinations, accommodations, cruises or dates you were promised. Some offers may require you to pay more for port charges, hotel taxes or service fees.

See a pattern developing? New charges are being added every step of the way. You may never get your “bargain” trip because your reservations may not be confirmed or because you must comply with hard-to-meet hidden or expensive “conditions.”

Telemarketing travel scams usually originate out of “boiler rooms.” Skilled salespeople, often with years of experience selling dubious products and services over the phone, pitch travel packages that may sound legitimate, but often are not. These pitches usually include:

Oral Misrepresentations. Particular schemes vary, but all fraudulent telemarketers promise you a “deal” they can’t possibly deliver. Unfortunately, you won’t know it until your money’s gone.

High Pressure/Time Pressure Tactics. Scam operators often say they need your commitment to buy immediately or that the offer won’t be available much longer. They typically brush aside questions or concerns with vague answers or assurances.

“Affordable” Offers. Unlike fraudulent telemarketers who try to persuade people to spend thousands of dollars on an investment scheme, fraudulent travel telemarketers usually pitch club membership or vacation offers in a lower price range. The offers sound reasonable and are designed to appeal to anyone who is looking for a getaway.

Contradictory Follow-up Material. Some companies may agree to send you written confirmation of your deal. However, it usually bears little resemblance to the offer you accepted over the phone. The written materials often disclose additional terms, conditions and costs.

How To Protect Yourself

Unpleasant surprises can ruin a vacation, especially when they cost money. That’s why it pays to investigate a travel package before you buy. But it can be difficult to tell a legitimate sales pitch from a fraudulent one. Consider these travelers’ advisories:
Be wary of “great deals” and low-priced offers. Few legitimate businesses can afford to give away products and services of real value or substantially undercut other companies’ prices.

Don’t be pressured into buying. A good offer today usually will be a good offer tomorrow. Legitimate businesses don’t expect you to make snap decisions.
Ask detailed questions. Find out exactly what the price covers and what it doesn’t. Ask about additional charges. Get the names of the hotel, airports, airlines and restaurants included in your package. Consider contacting these businesses directly to verify arrangements. Ask about cancellation policies and refunds. If the salesperson can’t give you detailed answers, hang up.

If you decide to buy, find out the name of the travel provider – the company that is getting your reservations and tickets. This company usually is not the telemarketer.
Get all information in writing before you agree to buy. Once you receive the written information, make sure it reflects what you were told over the phone and the terms you agreed to.

Don’t buy part of the package – the air fare or hotel stay – separately from the rest. If the deal is not what you expected, it may be difficult to get your money back for the part of the package you purchased.

Don’t give your credit card number or bank information over the phone unless you know the company. One easy way for a scam operator to close a deal is to get your credit card number and charge your account. Sometimes fraudulent telemarketers say they need the number for verification purposes only. Don’t believe them.

Don’t send money by messenger or overnight mail. Some scam artists may ask you to send them a check or money order immediately. Others may offer to send a messenger to pick up your payment. If you pay with cash or a check, rather than a credit card, you lose your right to dispute fraudulent charges under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If you charged your trip to a credit card, you may dispute the charges by writing to your credit card issuer at the address provided for billing disputes. If possible, do this as soon as you receive your statement. In any case, the law gives you up to 60 days after the bill’s statement date to dispute the charge.

Check out the company before you buy. Contact the Attorney General in your state or where the company is located to see if any complaints have been lodged against the travel firm or the travel provider. Be aware that fraudulent businesses often change their names to avoid detection.

If in doubt, say “no.” Trust your instincts. It’s less risky to turn down the offer and hang up the phone.

Where to Complain

Several organizations can provide additional information and help you with complaints.

Your state Attorney General or the Attorney General in the state where the company is located probably has a division that deals with consumer protection issues.

The American Society of Travel Agents, Consumer Affairs, at 1101 King Street, Alexandria,VA 22314, may be able to mediate your dispute with an ASTA member.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.