Travel Trips

Thailand was my first tourist destination outside Europe and North America. Based on the sage advice of my Thailand-experienced friends, I was sure that this paradise vacation would be carried out on ridiculous costs. However, back home, I have found out too late, that during my little Thailand adventure I have spent almost the same amount of money as one of my regular surges to Europe. If only I knew that carefully planning your trip to Thailand can manifest itself in huge savings. The following list includes some solid advice that can help those novice Thailand visitors to save significant amounts of cash and still enjoy their vacation:

1. Season choice. Traveling in Thailand Islands during the low season can save you up to 25% of the accommodation costs (up to 25$ per bungalow per night if you choose high standard – not luxury – accommodation). Similar to many other world locations that are based operate seasonally; there is a significant price fluctuation across seasons. Not less important is that fact that the weather in Thailand is quite pleasant even during the low season. The temperatures’ difference between the “hot season” and the “peak season” is miniscule, and during the “wet season” one can experience only a mild occasional rain. Therefore, in Thailand one can lower accommodation costs by avoiding the peak season without paying the price of suffering from unbearable cold or coping with endless monsoon.

2. Transportation. Getting from Bangkok to your final destination in one of the Southern Islands by train or bus instead of by plane can save you up to 80$ each way. You can save a bundle if you arrive to Bangkok International Airport in the evening. In this case you save, besides the gap between relatively expensive airfare and train or bus ticket, the first night’s accommodation cost as well (40$ – 100$ per bungalow per night in high standard – not luxury – accommodation).

3. Food. In Western style countries, the more you pay for your dinner the better it is, so everyone can make a personal decision about getting an appropriate cost – benefit balance. In Thailand, and especially in the Southern Islands it is much simpler: in most cases, the cheaper the better. Expensive restaurants in Thailand Islands usually specialize on Western food that is neither authentic nor of superior taste; a standard dinner will cost you 10$ – 30$ in a restaurant of this kind. Alternatively, the dinner in a cheap restaurant with plastic chairs will cost you 3$ – 8$ and it is usually both tasty and authentic. My most disappointing Thai dinner was served in a fancy restaurant in Bangkok and had cost 120$ for a couple, whereas my best dinner was served in a cheap family restaurant in Koh Phangan. The owner – young mom named Mam – prepared the meal for us exactly as we wished it would be and charged us with measly 5-6$ per person.

4. Air Conditioning. The presence of air conditioning in your room can make a huge difference in accommodation rates. For example, the same room rates in the same resort can vary from 15$-30$ for a bungalow with a fan to 40$ – 100$ for an air-conditioned bungalow. Although choosing an air-conditioned room during the hot season (such as March – April) is crucial, if you visit Southern Thailand during the rainy season – a bungalow with a fan can both satisfy your needs and cut your expenses in more than a half.

5. Location choice. Similar to the principle held in most places in the world, the accommodation rates in Thailand Islands depend on your location choice. The bungalow in the central beach, close to the airport or seaport full of thriving nightlife will probably be twice as expensive as the same bungalow in a remote quiet beach. However, accessibility is an issue in the Thailand Islands, and the taxi fares and taxi boat fares operate under the same principal as the accommodation rates. So there is a rule you may adopt: if you are looking for social activities and busy nightlife- stay close to the airport or seaport; otherwise make a little effort and move after your arrival to a remote beach. You will save up to 60% on the accommodation rates this way.

6. Communication. It will probably not come as a complete shock, but the use of cellular phone from outside of Thailand could be extremely expensive. To save on communication costs you can either buy a local cellular phone with prepaid SIM card or use the Telephone & Internet centers services. Mind you that the cost of these services may vary. As usual, if you’re calling overseas from your resort’s office – it will be more expensive than using a call center in the town. The cheapest solution is probably giving your phone number to your friends or relatives overseas since every call center has a phone number that can be used for calling back.

7. Price negotiation. In tourist locations in Thailand negotiation is a necessity or a way of life. Likewise, in the less touristy islands and areas price bargaining is accepted as well. Just try it – in Thailand price negotiation isn’t considered an embarrassing behavior, so you have nothing to lose.

8. Psychology. Although, in Thailand everything is perceived to be cheaper than in your home country, don’t be fooled by the seemingly low prices and control your expenses. Buying an enormous amount of inexpensive things can really add up to a surprisingly large sum of money.

During my last visit to Thailand, I followed these guidelines with persistence and I was happy to disclose, that budget travel in Thailand can be more than just an economical issue, it can also be enjoyable. Interestingly enough, in Thailand, the less you spend – the closer you get to the local authentic experience.

Independent researcher, MA in anthropology, and travel enthusiast Ella Evans has spend more than a decade exploring Thailand focusing on the Southern Islands. The fruits of her labor can be found in the Koh Phangan Experience Website: a comprehensive travel guide to Koh Phangan, Thailand, which includes information articles, tips, advice and a message board. To visit Koh Phangan Experience Guide, click here: http://www.kohphangan.eternaltravel.net/

[tags]Thailand, Thailand Islands, Travel to Thailand, Budget Travel[/tags]

You know you are going somewhere special when your resort complex has its own lounge at the airport. Laguna Phuket Airport Hospitality Centre at Phuket Airport is available to resort guests for relaxing after or before their flight. And there is staff on hand to assist with arrival and departure queries.

Laguna Phuket is situated on sandy Bangtao Beach around 30 minutes south of Phuket International Airport. The beach stretches some 8 kms, along the edge of the Andaman Sea, on the west coast of Phuket Thailand.

Today, Laguna Phuket is probably Asia’s premier resort complex but when I first saw the area in 1982 it was nothing more than wasteland.

The dramatic transformation was brought about by the visionary Chairman of Singapore’s Wah Chang Group. From a tin-mining wasteland there grew 5 top-quality hotels and a shopping ‘village’ all set amidst beautiful landscaped gardens and a network of lagoons. Between them the hotels have 30 bars and restaurants and a whole host of facilities including gyms, games rooms, tennis, archery, swimming pools and watersports.

Adjacent to the resort is the 18-hole Laguna Phuket Golf Club This par 71 course makes good use of the undulating landscape and lagoons. All Laguna Phuket guests can enjoy reduced green fees.

Each of the hotels has a spa and by all accounts the Banyan Tree Phuket Spa is probably the best. When it comes to awards I tend to be a little cynical but there must be some substance when a hotel, like this one, is voted World’s Best Spa Resort by readers of Cond

Single Supplements for Lone Travellers

As an active “Travel Blogger”, I regularly hear from people regarding the way that single travellers are penalised by the imposition of the various single supplements that tour operators and hoteliers add.

Here’s a recent comment I have seen:

“From an outsider looking in, I think that travel agents are realising that holidaymakers are becoming bored of traditional holidays, and this has meant that travel agents are moving towards marketing different niches. One travel niche that has never really taken off is for holidays for people who love travelling but, for whatever reason, must travel alone”.

Unfortunately, such travelers are hit by quite substantial “single person supplements” at most hotel accommodations, which can often take the final price of the planned holiday to almost twice that charged for a person able to share.

As a working, web-based travel agent I have disappointed so many potential customers over the years because the prices they have seen bore no resemblance to the final price that they, as a single traveller, would pay.

In fact I have read many comments on the main travel blogs and forums where people have complained about this very problem.

However, there are now a number of “travel companions” websites that have sprung up to help single travelers team up with potential travel companions. These sites allow you to partner up with suitable traveling companions, with the same ideas as yourself. Hopefully, you can then travel together so allowing you both to avoid the heavy “single supplements” that would otherwise be levied.

Now I know this is not the perfect answer as some peoplemay not take to this idea at all but I think it shows how big a problem this really is if such sites are now in existence and flourishing.

I have been a travel agent for over 30 years and I have to say its’ always been the same. At least the web allows some kind of solution with these types of websites.

It will be interesting to see if I anyone can come up with any other sort of long term solutions.

Until then, if you are a “single traveler” you should explore the Web for the best of these “companion” sites. This will surely save you a lot of money and you may well end up with some great new friends.

Colin and Barbara Maddocks own and operate several successful “niche” travel websites including http://www.nilecruises4u.co.uk They have been travel agents for over 25 years. Colin is also a musician, video-maker, writer and podcaster.

[tags]travel, single travel, traveling alone,[/tags]

On the very southern tip of Africa lies a large land whose generous endowment on the natural beauty front provides plenty of ticks on most travelers’ desirable destination wish-lists.

South Africa’s pristine beaches, majestic mountains, great quantity and variety of animal and plant life make it an obvious and compelling travel destination. Though visitors undoubtedly find themselves uniquely enchanted by the country’s dramatically varied landscape, abundant wildlife, pulsing cities and innumerable eco-tourist and outdoor adventure possibilities, it is the people of South Africa that constitute this country’s singular charm.

The people who occupy the land from which it is believed all humankind sprang are as dramatically diverse and fascinating as the country’s geography. Those who ‘Go South’ discover, alongside a myriad of natural attractions and inviting pursuits, a colorful cornucopia of cultures and a proud people whose warmth, resilience and refreshing mindset make for the most memorable of holidays.

The People The estimated population of South Africa in Aug 2005 stood at +- 46.7 million, with the following racial mix: African: 79% White: 9.6% Colored: 8.9% Indian! Asian: 2,5% – Population Density: 35.3 per sq km.

Cultural Groupings South Africa’s population is made up of the following groups:

The Nguni People (including the Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi), who account for two thirds of the population The Sotho-Tswana people, who include the Southern, Northern and Western Sotho (Tswana) The Tsonga The Venda The Afrikaners (of Dutch, German, French, Koi Origin) The English Coloureds Indians The Khoi and San people Other immigrants from Africa, Asia and Europe

Languages

South Africa has no fewer than 11 official languages, namely: Afrikaans English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Most South Africans are multi-lingual and English is fairly widely spoken, notably in urban centers. Our impressive linguistic endowment gives South Africans of different ethnic backgrounds an equal chance to be heard in their own language – thus preserving our much cherished heterogeneity. However, most of us speak English – even if not at home – so you’ll have very little trouble communicating.

This multi-cultural background has peppered our speech with some colourful idioms – most of which come from one or more of the many African languages. For example, you can use the Zulu word “yebo”, which means “yes”, for almost anything, even a greeting and, in Afrikaans it is not uncommon to begin a sentence with the phrase “ja-nee”, meaning “yes-no”.

When we do speak “proper” it’s the British rather than the American variety of English – although many younger people are being influenced by television and cinema, and that is slowly changing.

Now that you’ve figured out the language bit, the actual communicating is also pretty easy. We have a well-developed communications infrastructure, with extensive landline phone networks and three mobile phone service providers with extensive coverage. You can rent mobile phones from the airport on arrival. You should find an internet caf

A funny thing happened on the way to my closet. This unforgettable journey from my shower confirmed an age old theory: a lot can happen in fifteen feet.

One night earlier I’d switched on the news to see civil unrest in Budapest, Hungary. My sister August was just there, I thought. Grand old buildings towered behind burning cars. As many do, I wondered: what is wrong with the world? Some of these countries

At the time, there was no physical sensation caused by my foot being put in my mouth. I was oblivious to its presence. Fast forward 24 hours and enter my studio apartment in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I pulled the towel from my wet hair as the newscaster spoke: “Another country is in turmoil tonight.” Ho hum, here we go again. Now, where are my pajamas? As I stepped past the television, her words rang out: “Tanks have entered Bangkok in a reported coup attempt.”

You know those moments in life when the space-time continuum warps around you? Everything freezes, yet your mind processes over three million random thoughts. That’s where I stood. Only then did I begin to notice my foot lodged deep in my mouth. In the .25 seconds it took to take one step backwards and wrench my head to the right, I had all the following thoughts.

That newscaster mis-spoke. Learn your job!

She means Hungry.

Buy a map.

What!

Mom’s gonna freak.

Wait, I’m 40

Mom’s gonna freak.

My mind is getting even for the Budapest comments. I deserved that.

What did she really say?

Eek! What do I do?

Pack.

No. Don’t pack.

Stay calm.

Pack.

I own way too much stuff!

I’m not breathing.

Perched on the end of the bed, I watch three channels simultaneously for well over an hour. I resolved to take the coup in stride. But! Maybe I’d pack one bag. It would be a ‘just in case’ bag. The essentials a person would need if a quick exit should be close at hand. Of course, I’d sleep fully dressed in running shoes. Okay, I made that last part up. (My running shoes are in my gym locker.)

Then came slow motion. My eyes panned the room. Books, dishes, bedding, electronics, enough inventory for a small camera shop and clothes, lots of clothesdespite my vow, I had nested. How had this happened?

It was not the first time I had contemplated moving my small household. I had always planned on relocating to Southern Thailand in the spring. It wasn’t even the first time this week I realized extra stuff had to go. Just days before Thailand had suddenly tightened its tourism visa laws. Tens of thousands of other long-term travelers, such as myself, must be out of the country in ninety days. We can not reenter for three months. Now this.

The coup gave me a whole new perspective. I had been worried I needed to buy another suitcase to move my precious inane possessions. In my panic, I grabbed just important things. Money, my laptop, camera body & one lens, debit cards, IDs, a couple changes of clothes and three packs of dry noodles. My backpack was only

Approximate flying times: From New York: 17 hrs. From Chicago: 22 hrs 30 mins. From LA: 19 hrs 25 mins.

If New York is the city that never sleeps, forget the alarm clock. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, comes a very close second. The city was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the present Chakri Dynasty. Today it’s the country’s spiritual, commercial and educational hub, home to approximately ten million people or more than 10% of the Thai population.

City of contrasts and confusion.

Bangkok (or Krung Thep in Thai which means “city of angels”) is an exciting, high energy melting pot of east meets west. A dynamic city that has embraced technology and modern living with its busy expressways, bold skyscrapers and designer-filled shopping malls. Yet underneath it all, it remains a traditional haven of culture, history and time-honored customs, where elders are respected and family always comes first.

As you travel from the airport you’ll see plenty of examples of modern architecture dotting the city scape and amongst them all, standing proud, are glittering Buddhist Wats (temples) such as Wat Phra Kaew and The Grand Palace. Snaking through the concrete jungle, you’ll spy echoes of the “old Bangkok” below you – ancient canals and waterways that are well worth exploring on a boat trip.

Every Thai household and building, even the most modern, has a traditional spirit house built outside for good fortune and to honor the spirit of the land. Each day, small offerings of fruit and water are laid out, often with garlands of orchids. If you’re an early riser, keen to make the most of your vacation time in Bangkok, don’t be surprised when you see Buddhist monks in saffron robes making their morning “alms” rounds accepting food and donations from local people, young and old.

Some like it hot, but not all the time.

Thailand has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of around 75 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack light clothing for your trip. Natural fibers are often more comfortable when you’re walking and touring in hot weather. Practically everywhere you go in Bangkok you’ll find you some relief from the heat, with blasts of icy cold air conditioning in shops and hotels.

From March to May it’s the hottest time, with the highest temperatures and humidity. From June to October is monsoon season, so remember to take an umbrella. November to February is cooler and less humid. Bear in mind that the monsoon season varies throughout the country and can affect the weather you experience.

Bangkok Hotels to match every budget.

You’ll find every type of accommodation – from lavish 5 star international names to smaller hostels, favored by back packers. Book online and see what special rates you can find. Web sites such as http://www.hotel.com.au/bangkok have over 100 hotels in Thailand, ranging from the natural peace and luxury of The Sukhothai on South Sathorn Road, to business hotels in busy downtown Bangkok to the Hard Rock Hotel on Pattaya Beach, Bangkok’s favorite seaside resort.

Getting around is easier.

One of the first words you’ll learn in Bangkok is “Rot tip” or “rot tit” which literally means “cars that stick”, in other words traffic jam. But the everyday snarls and gridlock have been vastly improved by Bangkok’s cosmopolitan transport system.

You can now ride the subway, the Hua Lamphong – Bang Sue line has 18 stations along the 12 mile route. It’s fast, quiet and modern.

Jump on a BTS Sky Train. BTS sky trains ply along Sukhumvit, Silom and Phahonyothin roads. The routes connect Bangkok’s leading hotels and major shopping areas such as Siam Square, Silom, Ratchaprasong and Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Of course, you can’t go to Bangkok without a ride in a tuk-tuk. These zippy three-wheeled open-air motorized taxis are popular for short journeys. Fares must be bargained in advance, it’s part of the fun.

Top 5 must-see highlights.

The Grand Palace: the number one attraction. Every visitor to Bangkok should see the magnificent buildings within the Grand Palace compound to get a feeling of this grand architecture. Since the founding of Bangkok as the Nations capital by King Rama I, The Grand Palace has been the major architectural symbol of The Thai Royal Family. The Royal Family actually resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes.

Wat Pho: possibly the most interesting temple in Thailand. It combines history, medical science and is a center for meditation and traditional massage training. Have a massage while you’re here, at a very fair price.

Chatuchak Weekend Market: with over 9,000 shops and stalls you’ll be tempted over and over. Close to everything that is for sale in Bangkok is here, including antiques, Buddha amulets, handicrafts, clothes, flowers and furniture. (You’ll notice that some maps spell it “Jatuchak”. Many English words have multiple spellings, so if you’re in doubt, ask the hotel concierge to write it in Thai for the taxi driver.)

Vimanmek Mansion Museum: the world’s largest golden teak building located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road. The three-storey royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing unique memorabilia.

Jim Thompson’s House: this exquisite Thai house and buildings stand as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry after the Second World War. The company he founded, Jim Thompson Thai Silk, is recognized worldwide for its brilliant fabrics, home accessories and fashion items. The gardens are equally impressive with a lush tropical jungle imitating nature’s haphazard beauty right in the center of the city.

Shopping till you drop!

Shopping in Bangkok is not limited to one or two streets. You’ll find dozens of malls, markets and luxury retail outlets throughout the city. The most popular are located around the Ploenchit-Ratchaprasong area, Sukhumvit Rd and Silom-Surawong-Patpong, including the fantastic Patpong night market where you can pick up your souvenirs, fashion and Thai handicrafts. Don’t be shy to bargain in the market (nicely) as your dollar can go a long way.

Bangkok rocks.

Bangkok has no single area for nightlife – it has several. Bars are spread out all over town in places such as Patpong, Silom Soi 2 and 4, Soi Sarasin and Lang Suan, Royal City Avenue, Banglumpoo, Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit Soi 33, among others.

One of the hottest new spots is called “Bed” is an extraordinary space-age designer lounge in fashionable Sukhumvit Soi 11. The Bed Supper Club is a “dining in bed” experience. Best described as a unique combination of upscale restaurant, club, art gallery, theater and stage merged into one.

Celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

If you need another good reason to visit “The Land of Smiles”, here it is. This year marks the Diamond Jubilee of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth king of the Chakri Dynasty. The King has reigned for almost 60 yeas, making him not only the longest reigning Thai monarch, but the longest reigning King in the world today.

A once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

In true Thai style, the Bangkok celebrations promise to be a spectacular tribute to the Royal Family, full of color, pomp and ceremony. One of the main highlights is The Royal Barge Procession on June 12-13 2006. It will be an international event with twenty-eight monarchs from around the world in attendance. This is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for visitors, as the Procession is only held to mark significant historical events such as His Majesty’s ascension to the throne.

A river of splendor.

Bangkok’s main river, the Chao Phraya will become the place to be. Imagine a royal armada stretching as far as your eyes can see. A flotilla of superbly carved royal barges slowly sail into view, manned by the Royal Thai Navy dressed in ancient ceremonial uniforms. Each sailor rowing in perfect unison, honed through months of intense practice. If you plan to be in Bangkok in June, do leave the bargains for a few hours and be part of the adoring crowd – and bring your camera.

Incidentally, two major dress rehearsals are planned for the June 6 and 9, so if you can’t attend the real event, this is as close as you may get.

Thailand has a well deserved reputation as the “The Land of Smiles”. You’ll receive a warm welcome and feel the genuine friendliness of the locals. One thing’s for sure, the memories of a vacation here will stay with you for a lifetime.

[tags]Bangkok, Thailand, hotel, shopping, culture, nightlife[/tags]

Spring break is probably the most anticipated holiday ever and as with all highly anticipated events, the pressure to make it perfect is absolutely huge.

Let’s face it, deciding on where to go for spring break is a difficult decision to make. The Internet has so many offers it’s frightening. Pretty much everywhere on the planet, from Jamaica and Mexico to Palm Springs and San Diego, is an option, but the best way to go about organizing a spring break is to start by answering just two simple questions:

1. How much money can you spend?

Spring break trips can get very costly very quickly. If you are on a limited budget, it doesn’t mean your choices are limited, they’re just different. Prices will vary from the budget to the expensive depending on your choice of destination and length of stay. A good solution for a lower budget is to choose a closer destination (you save on airfare that way) but stay for longer. In any case, have a clear budget in your head when you start browsing the Internet for initial ideas.

2. Do you want to hire a travel agent?

Travel agents can be very helpful because they are the experts and you are not. Randomly choosing holiday packages on the Internet could well yield some excellent, fun and memorable trips, but so much depends on having a perfect spring break trip that it could well be worth seeking the advice of the experts, first. Some agencies specialize in spring break holiday packages, some agencies target students, others are experts in budget package holidays.

Every destination has a different atmosphere to it as does every hotel. It is important that you stress you’ll be on spring break when booking your accommodation so as to avoid being inadvertently placed next to, for example, a family. You’re on spring break to let loose and not to worry about spoiling someone else’s holiday.

Another thing to keep in mind is safety. Read up on the laws of the place you are visiting. And remember, there’s safety in numbers, so do travel with a group. That goes for both guys and girls.

Some of the best spring break options are the cruises. A quick Internet search for “black spring break” or “Cancun spring break” will bring up the appropriate results. The Cancun “booze” cruises have now gained legendary status and are well worth investigating, what with the open bars, live music and boats full of happy people, plus the bikini contests and parties on beaches that go for miles. The Cancun experience certainly lives up to media expectations of spring break trips as wild and rowdy, but of course, there are Aztec ruins to see during the day so the trip has added educational benefits too!

Whatever you choose in the end, make sure you organize and book everything well in advance. Not only will you be sure you’ve planned the best trip, but you can also secure better deals when booking in advance.

Dean Erickson: Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.spring-break-fun.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

[tags]spring break, spring break girl, spring break pic, cancun spring break, spring break 2005[/tags]

If your passion is travel, imagine going it first class for much less then what you are paying for now. Imagine receiving upgraded accommodations, VIP treatment and much more as you travel the world’s most exciting destinations.

Travel is the largest and one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

- Over US$6 trillion is spent on travel annually.

- The travel industry is growing 23% faster then the world’s economy.

- Travel is the number one product sold on the internet.

- Approximately 80% of all vacations are booked via word of mouth recommendations from friends, family and co-workers.

An explosion is taking place in the travel industry. More luxury cruise ships are being built now then ever before. Resort builders, hotels and other vacation properties are building more properties to accommodate the boom in the travel and vacation market.

The travel industry is exploding because of a group of people born between 1946 and 1964 known as the baby boomers. The baby boomers are a billion people worldwide and have been shaping the world’s economy for decades. When the were young, they put up companies and factories as they got older. The baby boomers are beginning to retire. In fact one in every eight seconds for the next 20 years to come, giving them their desired freedom.

And now the baby boomers are beginning to inherit the wealth of the previous generation, “savings generation”. What do you think they will do with the money?

Industry analysts state this money will be spent in record amount on travel. There is never been a time for you to get involved in the travel industry.

The world is changing and the number of traditional “brick and mentor” retail travel agencies declined worldwide by 11% in 2002 and 19% in 2003, while on-line travel continued to prosper. Travellers are now making bookings at the comforts of their homes as independent travel agents.

Being an independent travel agent, you will enjoy fantastic lifestyle benefits. The fantastic discounts you will receive will allow you to travel more then you thought possible. Whether you are traveling the world or journeying on business, as an independent travel agent you will get a world of discounts and savings which include:

- Upgrades to first class on airlines.

- Get travel agents discounts on hotels.

- Save on car rentals.

- Discounts on world cruise ships.

- VIP attention.

- Vacation packages and many more travel perks.

- Profits by getting commissions when booking on your own travel, family travel and colleagues travel. And also just by introducing them to be independent travel agents.

As an independent travel agent you can own your own “brick and mortar” travel agency at the comfort of your home and take advantage of travel agents discounts and upgrades worldwide.

© Copyright Independent Travel Agents. All rights reserved

Birdwatching is becoming a very popular outdoor activity all around the world. There are 835 species of birds in North America only and more than 70 million Americans are either feeding or watching birds. Birdwatching can be done in two ways: You can actually go to a location where there are a lot of birds; you can go by yourself or find a birdwatching tour in your area, or you can make the birds come to you, to your own backyard by some means. In order to really appreciate the excitement of birdwatching, you need some tools to enhance your vision, tools that enable you to see everything in striking detail.

There are also some other ways to participate in the hobby of birding: You can feed the birds, provide them nesting sites or birdhouses, you can grow special plants and gardens to attract birds, travel to nature sanctuaries or birdwatching areas, keep notes on birds you see in the wild, make diagrams or sketches or snap the perfect photograph of your favorite species.

Another way to enhance your birdwatching experience in winter can be learning bird’s song. Sight and hearing are the birds’ strongest senses and they use special signals to communicate and recognize their own species. You can turn your backyard into a much more interesting place by beginning to recognize bird songs. You will be able to see through the leaves and around buildings which will give you a feeling like you have supernatural vision. You will be amazed to realize how much you had been missing out on.

As you get more experience in birdwatching, you will want to broaden your vision beyond your backyard and to travel to some bird-rich areas. There are birdwatching tours planned by serious bird enthusiasts to some bird sanctuaries, nature parks and other locations where birds can be found in large numbers, in their natural habitats. You will have the chance to see some species you have never seen before by traveling to a region other than the one in which you live. For example, you can find many impressive species like acorn woodpecker in the south eastern Arizona Mountains, especially in the Chirachua Mountains. Another attraction in this area is the diversity of hummingbirds; you can observe as many as 14 different species. But you can find the large magnificent hummingbird only in the south west.

The following tips are useful when birdwatching:

- You have to make as little noise as possible, move slowly and keep your distance. The important thing is that the birds don’t know you are there.

- Do not go close to a nest or scare a bird off its nest. This can cause the parents to abandon the nest and the eggs will then be vulnerable to predators.

- Avoid touching the eggs or young birds.

- Do not leave the paths and trails to get a closer look.

- Do not litter.

The easiest way to attract birds is to build a bird house and start feeding them, providing them water all year around, especially in extreme weathers. This is the best way to keep birds coming back to your backyard.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Birdwatching Tours

[tags]birdwatching tours[/tags]

The internet has revolutionized the way we live our lives. We can now make international phone calls across the internet for only a few pennies. We can plan, book and check in for a holiday with a few clicks of the mouse. If you’ve ever turned up at a hotel only to find out they don’t have your booking then this ‘how to’ guide is for you. Read on.

The internet has hundreds of websites that are designed to help you book a hotel. Unfortunately, some of them just seem to make the process harder. In a few short paragraphs below we’ve included some hints and tricks that will help you feel confident about booking a hotel online.

You where you’re headed but where do you go from there? Ask yourself questions like: What attractions do I want to see? Where do I want to visit? What is going to make my trip worthwhile? Take a few minutes to understand what you want. It’ll help down the road. There’s no point booking a hotel in New Jersey when you want to spend your week exploring Manhattan. By knowing what you want to see and where you want to go you can narrow down the number of hotels to choose from.

The next step is to think about how much you want to spend. What’s your price range? Will you pay more to be closer to the tourist spots? Travel websites like Expedia and Travelocity will let you organise the hotels in price order. That way you can quickly skim the list and rule out any hotels that are too expensive.

Once you know what you want you’re ready to log on and start browsing the web for hotels. There are a multitude of hotel booking websites that can be found with a quick Google search. Some of the larger hotel booking sites include: Expedia, Travel-o-city, Hotels.com and Lastminute.com. Most of these sites will give you detailed information about the listed hotels. They will tell you what attractions are nearby, the approximate room prices, availability in the hotel and any price offers that may be running. Ensure you choose a site that offers instant booking confirmation. If they don’t then move on.

Choose a few hotels that you like and then look them up on a review site like drakeandcavendish.com. Review sites will give you that little bit of extra information from past guests and independent reviewers. Information you won’t probably won’t find on the hotels website. You can judge the quality of the hotel from the reviews and work out your preferred choice.

Now you should be ready to book. Keep the email confirmation that the website sends you. The confirmation is that extra bit of insurance should any problems come up. It also pays to make sure that there is a little yellow padlock in the bottom right hand corner of your screen as you enter your credit card details. This padlock means that the site is secure and the financial information entered is safe.

Good luck and happy travelling.

Russ Pooley writes for Drake & Cavendish who provide a luxury hotel research directory featuring over 5,000 luxury hotels in over 700 resort locations around the world. As a content provider we are committed to developing entertaining and informative travel related information. You can read further articles and details at http://www.drakeandcavendish.com

[tags]travel, hotels, luxury, internet[/tags]