Friday, September 7, 2007

Villa Rental - A Great Vacation Alternative

You may not have heard about the possibility of renting your own private villa when you go on vacation. Available all over the world, these vacation rental homes are standalone homes featuring such luxuries as main service, private pools, and even your own private chef. Because you can share the cost of the villa rental among the people who are staying there, villas don't have to be expensive. They can even cost less than a standard hotel room, provided you choose the right villa and visit in the right season.

All travel destinations have a high season and a low season. In this case, "high" and "low" refer to the amount of traffic that comes to the destination at that time. When there are a lot of travelers going to a given location, the cost of renting villas and hotel rooms goes up. However, in the low season, you can get an excellent discount on your villa rental. By planning carefully, you can get great deals on a luxury villa that would otherwise be out of your price range.

If you want to experience private luxury, a villa is a great choice. You won't have to deal with running into other guests and sharing spaces the way you'd have to in an ordinary hotel. For the period of your rental, the whole villa is yours. Also called "private island rentals," and "holiday lets," villas allow you to enjoy yourself without the press of people getting in the way.

Villa rentals come in a wide variety of price ranges from as little as $1500 per week, to as much as $350,000 per week, for large luxurious structures in prime locations. Most of us will be renting villas on the lower end, since the most luxurious ones are normally occupied by celebrities.

Remember that it's important to get trip insurance when you stay at a rented villa. You may have to put 20% to 50% of the rental cost down in advance. Trip insurance will repay you this amount, should weather or other factors prevent you from fulfilling your vacation plans. A villa is a great investment, but you wouldn't want to lose the money you've put into due to unforeseen problems.

If you're thinking of taking your vacation abroad, but are looking for somewhere different and luxurious to stay, consider a holiday getaway at a private villa. These great vacation rental homes are much more affordable than they might seem, and offer a sumptuous and friendly home away from home. In addition to the off-season rates, it's also possible to ask for special "honeymoon rates" and other discounts. Remember that most villas won't guarantee your dates without a deposit, so plan carefully and get everything figured out before you reserve your vacation home. Villa rentals offer us a different, luxurious way to spend our vacations. Take advantage of them now.

About Author:
Randy Zlobec - Marketing Professional For http://www.villasoftheworld.com promoting Villa Rentals & Vacation Homes

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Thursday, September 6, 2007

A New City of England

Wolverhampton is located in the West Midlands. The city is a university city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. It is one of Britain's newest cities.

People from Wolverhampton are known as Wulfrunians. Within the city are also many miles of canal network, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, Birmingham Main Line Canal, the Shropshire Union Canal and the Wyrley and Essington Canal.

The Wulfrun and Mander Centres provide an excellent choice of local and national shops. The lively out door and indoor markets have been trading since the 13th century and offer a huge range of produce. Much of the city centre has been pedestrian.

Wolverhampton is renowned for its thriving nightlife. The atmosphere of the town as a whole is vibrant and exciting with a string of bars and clubs in the town centre. The rock groups Slade, Neon Hearts, The Mighty Lemon Drops, and Babylon Zoo all came from Wolverhampton. The biggest indoor venue is Wolverhampton Civic Hall, with a standing capacity of 3,000 people.

The football team is called Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and The team was founded in 1877 by John Baynton and Jack Brodie after a group of pupils at St Luke's school in Blakenhall. The Wolverhampton-based football club plays at the Molineux. Molineux Stadium is situated on Waterloo Road and has four stands all named after players who have become legendary at the club Steve Bull Billy Wright, Stan Cullis and Jack Harris. It is one of the oldest English football clubs

The Prince Albert's Statue in his full military uniform mounted on a horse was unveiled in 1866 on High Green, renamed Queen's Square after this illustrious occasion it was the first public appearance of the monarch since her consorts death. The statue replaced a Russian cannon captured from Sebastopol in the Crimea in 1855.

Wolverhampton Art Gallery has become renowned for its innovative programme of temporary exhibitions, backed up by a lively programme of workshops and events. The contemporary art collection is the finest in the region, the Gallery also houses an outstanding collection of British and American Pop Art along with traditional 18th and 19th century paintings by artists such as Turner, Gainsborough and Landseer.

The Bantock House was Restored in 1999, to its stunning Edwardian glory. The house is a hidden treasure set deep within Bantock Park. It has 44 acres of peaceful parkland. You can explore the delightful home of the Bantock family and discover the secrets of Wolverhamptons history. You can also admire the exquisite Decorative Arts collection that includes Enamels, Steel Jewellery and Japanned ware.

About Author:
Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The English Villa Rental Site

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

The Area of Hundreds of Lakes

Winnipeg is the largest city and capital of the province of Manitoba.The city is located near centre of North America. It lies in close proximity to hundreds of lakes including Lake Winnipeg, Canada's fifth largest lake. The city has been the gateway to the prairies since 1873.

The surrounding landscape is characterized by agricultural land utilized for livestock
and grain production.

Winnipeg have rapidly developed a reputation as one of the most desired locales for film initiatives in Canada.

The city has over 300 night clubs, bars and pubs. On a warm summer night. It is very enjoyable to go for a bite to eat or for drinks on Coryden Ave. For about 4 or 5 blocks, both sides of the street are jammed with restaurants and lounges. Most of them have outside patios.

Forks Market is part of the Forks development, this buzzing fresh and specialty foods emporium has the feel of an outdoor market, but is actually indoors. Winnipeg has great shopping, including several quaint and cosy shops.

The Hudson's Bay Company is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and is one of the oldest in the world. It was at one time the largest land owner in the world On the 2nd March, 2005, the company was announced as the new clothing outfitter for the Canadian Olympic team.

The Manitoba Museum is the provinces largest heritage centre renowned for its combined human and natural heritage themes. The Museum is noted for its Urban Gallery, which recreates Winnipeg in the early 1920s. Eight interpretive galleries explore the history and environment of the province from its southern prairie grasslands to its northern Arctic coast. The Museums collections reflect the heritage of Manitoba and other regions of the world.

In 1967 Winnipeg first hosted the Pan-Am Games and it did it again in 1999. The jewel of the games was the Pan-Am Pool, which now houses the Aquatic Hall of Fame and Museum of Canada. The pool complex covers an area of more than 13 acres and the museum includes items dating back to over 5,000 years including a Pre-Columbian merman, a 1st Century B.C. Greco-Roman Strigil, copies of Olympic medals of 240 A.D. to recent ones of Canadians Sasa Baumann and Sylvie Bernier. Artefacts, memorabilia, oil painting and poster displays are worth millions of dollars. The Aquatic Hall of Fame pays tribute to competitors in swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. It also houses the famous Cutty Sark collection.

About Author:
Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Winnipeg Villa Rental Site

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Homeland of White Clouds

Wuhan is known as the Yellow Crane and Homeland of White Clouds and is one of Chinas largest cities. The city of is made up of Hankou, Hanyang, and Wuchang, and are the three towns of Wuhan.

The citys commercial industry is flourishing with shopping malls and centres, super markets, chain stores and shopping streets throughout the city. One of the best shopping areas is found in the pedestrian street Jiangshan Road in the Jiangshan District which is the commercial district in the city. In the evening Jiangshin Road is bright in many ways like the Strip in Las Vegas, and crowded with people of all ages.

A great shopping area is in Hankou commercial district at the Zhongshan and Jianfang Avenues

At Number 209 Xianggang Road is a large antique market. A lot of stalls and stores sell traditional Chinese folk artwork, chops, curios, Chinese paintings, calligraphy, furniture, jade and other treasures from earlier days. Both locals and travellers enjoy looking for favourites.

Jiangtan Park is where you will find many music barsand discos all over the city, mostly open till 02.00 am. If you are in a disco with private rooms you can stay until it is time for breakfast.

Plum blossom is the city flower of Wuhan. From late February to early March each year, the Plum Blossom Festival is held at the scenic East Lake. Over 200 varieties of plum blossoms from different areas in China are exhibited. Activities on the theme of plum blossom such as Chinese calligraphy and paintings, plum mini-garden design contests, music and dance performances are presented.

One of the most famous and spectacular Towers in China the Yellow Crane Tower is a must to visit. Originally built in 223 A.D during the Three Kingdoms Period as a Wu Kingdom military tower. The tower has been destructed several times and is today placed one kilometre from its original site. Placed on the top of Snake Hill you have a 360 degree view from the top of the tower over the city and a magnificent view northwards over the great Yangtse River.

The Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge is the first highway and railway bridge over the Yangtze River. It was built in 1955, the bridge is 1670.4 meters long with the main body of 1156 meters. It has 8 piers and 9 holes. From the bridge, you can see the Hubei TV Tower on Tortoise Hill and the Yellow Crane Tower.

About Author:
Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Wuhan Rental Site

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

The Entrance to the Lake District

Windermere is a town in Cumbria, England, in the historic county of Westmorland. It lies about one kilometre away from the lake of the same name.

The town of Windermere grew around the railway station, about a mile and a half from the lake. The village was originally called Birthwaite, but the railway company decided to call the station after the lake. Lake Windermere, the largest and most beautiful lake in England. The railway is an ideal way to arrive in the Lake District if public transport is to be used.

Bowness-on-Windermere is a tourist town on the shore of Windermere, about halfway along the 12 mile length of the lake between Waterhead at the North end, and Lakeside at the South end. Windermere railway station offers train and bus connections to the surrounding areas, Manchester airport, Manchester, and the West Coast Main Line.

Windermere boasts many high class homes and private yacht basins. Many of the Victorian mansions were adopted by the National Parks Authority and have now been made into visitor centres or museums.

The largest inland Marina in Northern England, Windermere Marina Village provides a sheltered and safe location to keep your boat all year round.

The South Windermere Shopping Centre is a multi-building strip mall located at Windermere Blvd and Folly Road. The best shopping in Windermere can be found around Lake road and Queens Square. There are several specialty shops in Windermere offering a great sample of the local cuisine like some of Lake Districts famous Kendal Mint cake, Cumberland Sausage, Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, Hawkshead Relish.

Windermere has a variety of quiet country pubs and traditional inns, as well as a few lively bars. The majority of these hold themed nights or organize regular live music and events.

The World of Beatrix Potter in Windermere is a magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. You can meet Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregors garden, discover Jemima Puddle-duck in the woodland glade and visit Mrs Tiggy-winkle in her kitchen.

Belle Isle is a wooded island in Lake Windermere, landscaped in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The island is one mile long the longest in the lake.

Windermere Steamboat centre is a unique and historic collection of steam and motor boats as well as a Swallows and Amazons exhibition. The centre can offer exciting seasonal events and steam launch cruises and private charters.

About Author:
Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Windermere Rental Site

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Walled within the City of Rome

Vatican City, is the official State of the Vatican City is a land locked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. Vatican City gained independence from Italy on 11 February, 1929

The Holy See also known as Vatican City is the seat of the Catholic religion and home of the Pope since 1378. The Vatican City, is one of the most sacred places in Christendom, and is the largest religious building in the world. It is surrounded by Rome. Visitors enter Vatican City through St. Peter's Square.

It is the smallest sovereign state in the world. It has its own currency, passport, postal service, newspapers, radio station and rail road system. It has a population of less than 1000 who are almost entirely of Church personnel.

The pope has full legal, executive, and judicial powers. Executive power over the area is in the hands of a commission of cardinals appointed by the pope. The College of Cardinals is the pope's chief advisory body, and upon his death the cardinals elect his successor for life.

You can have an audiences with the Pope on a Wednesday morning. As you can imagine, tickets need to be reserved well a head of time.

The founding of the Vatican Museums can be traced back to 1503 when the newly-elected Pope, Julius II della Rovere, placed a statue of Apollo in the internal courtyard of the Belvedere Palace it was built by Innocent VIII.

On May 13, 1981, a Turkish terrorist shot the pope in St. Peter's Square, the first assassination attempt against the pontiff in modern times.

Vatican City receives approximately 17,000 visitors per day. The Vatican City is not a member of the United Nations.

The Swiss Guards protect Vatican City in their Renaissance costumes, with puffed sleeves and knickerbockers striped blue, red, and yellow, they stand on either side of the basilica, guarding the gates into Vatican City. The Swiss Guard banner is a white cross divides the banners in four quarters. In the right lower corner is displayed Pope Julius II's coat of arms, in the middle is displayed the commanders own coat of arms. The ruling Pope coat-of-arms is in the left upper quarter, the other quarters display the Swiss Guard colours

The Vatican Museum is a great historic museum. There are over 5,000 statues and sculptures inside and 2,000 ceiling paintings and murals.

About Author:
Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Vatican Site

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Built on Mount Sceberras

Valletta, is Maltas capital. It is the smallest capital of the European Union, is now the islands financial centre and major commercial and the permanent seat of the Maltese government. The city was built after the Great Siege of Malta by the Ottoman Turks in 1565. It is built on top of a hill called Mount Sceberras, and surrounded by harbours or the sea on three sides.

The city had two great sieges. The first siege by the Ottoman turks in 1565 when the Knights of St. John repelled the invaders and the second in the Second World War when the German and Italian forces bombed and attempted to unsuccessfully starve the island into submission..

St Barbara's Bastion is apparently one of Valletta's swankiest residential streets with some lovely apartments, having spectacular views over the harbour.

Valletta is Malta's main shopping centre and the main street is Republic Street. Merchant street, is the location of the market.

There is actually no night life in Valletta, after 21 o'clock every thing is closed and the streets are virtually empty.

When the summer festivals are on, you will find plenty of partying in the streets of Valletta at night. For the large fiestas, mainly Carnival and the feast day of St. Paul on February 10, the celebrations are even rowdier, with people dressed in colourful costumes, fireworks and performers playing traditional music.

There are 25 different churches in Valletta, St John's Co-Cathedral is one of the largest and most spectacular churches in Europe. The treasures found in the Cathedral are the unique Caravaggio Painting depicting the beheading of St. John, and an extraordinary paving of more than 300 marble in-lay tomb slabs and a splendid vaulted central nave with frescos of Mattia Preti.

The Grand Master's Palace was the head of the Order of the Knights of St John, and a total of 21 incumbents lived in this sumptuous building from 1575 until 1798, when the island was surrendered to Napoleon and the Order disbanded.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race, is organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, and is one of the oldest and toughest off shore racing Classics. It is held at the end of the Northern Hemisphere sailing season. Ted Turner has described the event as the most beautiful race course in the world. The best place to watch the ships depart is from the Sliemma Promenade in Valletta.

About Author:
Douglas Scott writes for The Car Hire Specialist. and is a free lance writer for The Valletta Rental Site

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Penang\'s Famed Beaches, Malaysia

Penang's northern shoreline is famous for its beautiful beaches. The beaches at Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang offer expensive stretches of glittering sand interspersed with secluded coves. It is along this famous coastline that resorts of international standard have sprouted up, offering a host of water-based recreational facilities.

If you crave for privacy, head for Teluk Duyung or Monkey Beach, Pantai Keracut and Pantai Mas. These beaches are accessible via the trails in the Pantai Keracut and Pantai Mas. These beaches are accessible via the trails in the Pantai Acheh Forest Reserve from Teluk Acheh Forest Reserve from Teluk Bahang. The Pasir Panjang Beach at the southwestern tip of the island is a good, clean stretch for swimming and can be reaches after a 25-minute hike over hilly terrain from Betong.

Penang is one of Malaysia's most famous resort destinations. The state consists of Penang Island, and a strip of the mainland known as Seberang Prai. Georgetown, its capital, is a fascinating metropolitan city with historical building and cultural landmarks. Penang's northern shoreline, characterised by expansive stretches of golden sand and glittering waters, is a vacation spot for foreign and local visitors alike.

Batu Ferringhi, situated along the coastal road northwest of Georgetown, is most popular beach in Penang, lined with a string of international-standard hotels and resorts.

Soak in the sun or unwind on the beach and enjoy a host of aquatic thrills from banana boat rides to canoeing and jet-skiing. For a spine-tingling adventure, try parasailing to enjoy the view of the beach from the sky.

As the sun sets, Batu Ferringhi comes alive with a carnival-like atmosphere with an open-air bazaar selling anything from ornate curios to enticing souvenir items. Watch local artisans demonstrate the intricate art of craft-making and batik-painting. Dubbed the Ferringhi Walk, the bazaar offers shoppers a host of attractions.

Tanjung Bungah is another popular beach resort in Penang. The numerous luxury resorts here offer a relaxing seaside vacation. The most charming feature of Tanjung Bungah is its many secluded coves. Nestled within the shelter of overhanging cliff and gigantic rocks.

At the northwestern end of the coastal road lies Teluk Bahang. Its idyllic beach offers a solitary luxury hotel promising a tranquil ambience for those who prefer privacy. Nearby is the Tropical Spice Garden, a living collection of more than 500 varieties of flora from Malaysia and around the world. The eight-acre valley is reputedly the largest showcase of tropical herbs and spices in the region.

Further west from Teluk Bahang are several beaches which lie off the beaten track. Situated in Penang's National Park, these pristine beaches make for excellent excursions to get a glimpse into the vast variety of the island's flora and fauna.

Monkey Beach, a secluded spot in the northwest of the island, is ideal for quiet picnics under shady casuarinas. Adventure-lovers can explore the jungle trail from Monkey Beach to the Muka Head Lighthouse, perched atop a 785-feet-high cliff.

Further away, Kerachut Beach offers an unspoilt environment and picturesque views. In the hinterland, a lake containing distinct layers of freshwater and seawater is an added attraction. Both of these beaches are only accessible by boat or by hiking trails from Teluk Bahang. Enquire with the respective resorts or private boat operators. Avid birdwatchers or outdoor lovers can delight in taking the jungle trail to observe monkeys, squirrels and other small animals along the way.

Jerejak Island, off the island's east coast, makes an interesting escapade. This tiny island resort offers total privacy amidst lush greenery.

To experience the charms of Penang, take a city tour for a glimpse into its nostalgic past. The Esplanade in Georgetown is a delightful seafront for an evening stroll. A distinctive landmark here is the Fort Cornwallis, erected by Captain Francis Light in the early nineteenth century. Hawker-style dining is the norm here and further up along Gurney Drive, a popular haunt for tourists.

Little India and Campbell Street delight with an endless assortment of bric-a-brac, souvenirs and antiques.

About Author:
Joshi@Network Sdn Bhd offers a wide selection of hotels in Malaysia, including budget hotels, business hotels, 5 star luxury hotels, 4 star hotels, 3 star hotels and beach resorts. All are based on instant verification and confirmation.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Experience the Exciting Cape Namibia Adventure Route

Cape Town is the ideal starting point for your holiday as the international airport provides access to all the major travel routes from America, Asia, Europe and the rest of Africa.

Cape Town, also known as the 'mother city' offers a plethora of activities ranging from hiking up Table Mountain to joining a helicopter flight to Cape Point from the V&A Waterfront.

Spending your first few days in Cape Town you can explore the West Coast and the Cape Winelands. Accommodation ranges from good quality Guesthouses to up market Boutique Hotels - the selection is endless.

Making your way slowly north towards Namibia you stop in Springbok, the heart of the Namaqualand. When in season (July - September) this area turns into the most spectacular flower wonderland.

Various small National Parks offer visitors unique views of this arid landscape. A small detour will bring you east to the Orange River and the Augrabies Falls.

The two major border posts into Namibia are at Vioolsdrift/ Noordoewer when coming from the town of Springbok and Nakop/ Ariamsvlei when having gone the detour via Upington.

The border crossing is fairly quick and after just another 2 hours drive you arrive at the second largest canyon in the world - namely the Fish River Canyon.

By staying at one of the lodges in the immediate vicinity or spending the night in the nearby town of Keetmanshoop a visit to the Fish River Canyon and Hobas viewpoint makes for a nice day excursion. Driving west one can visit the small harbor town of Luderitz with its old German colonial architecture.

The long drive can be broken up by an overnight or short lunch break in the settlement of Aus which is also home to the wild Horses of the Namib Desert. At Garub there is a permanent waterhole for these desert dwellers and you are likely to see the feral horses.

The Ghost town of Kolmanskop is only 20 km east of Luderitz and well worth a visit back in time. The town was built in the 1920's during the diamond rush and was abandoned when bigger and better diamonds were found further along the coast. The area is still abandoned and the desert has encroached over the entire town, giving an eerie feeling and real meaning to the word "ghost."

Heading north to the central Namib Naukluft Park you will find the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei and the Sesriem Canyon. See the Tsauchab River disappear into these massive giants of the Namib Desert. The sediment brought down by the ephemeral river forms the pan that is known as Sossusvlei.

Having experienced the many highlights this tourist route has to offer, a 4 to 5 hour drive will take you to Windhoek and an afternoon flight back to Cape Town or straight on to Europe.

You could of course drive this route in opposite direction or add on to your travel and explore northern Namibia or the rest of South Africa, the choices are endless! For your next holiday why not set a bit more time aside and enjoy the best of two countries, South Africa and Namibia.

About Author:
For enquiries please contact Africa Tourist Info (also known as ATI Holidays) Tel. ++264 61 228 717 Fax. ++264 61 250 258

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

2007 Holiday Hot Spots

New competition from former Eastern Bloc countries have focused the minds of the tourist boards in traditionally favourite holiday destinations for Europeans in recent years - and it appears they could be doing a good job as many of the most chosen areas for this year are pretty much the same as ten and even twenty years ago.

The biggest winner this year among the holiday resorts seems to be Spain with six out of the top twenty destinations either being regions of the mainland like the Costa del Sol, or one of the Spanish Balearic or Canary islands, such as Ibiza and Tenerife.

Among city breaks Paris ranks highly, as it always does, while London has suffered with a high pound resulting in visitors from the US dropping this year - and a boredom factor setting in - with some Americans not visiting a second time as they feel they have 'done it' after seeing Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament. While some will venture as far afield as Windsor Castle, some twenty miles out of London, and some Oxford, few venture to other parts of England, preferring to catch the Eurostar to Paris with a two city trip.

Far flung destinations reaching the top twenty include Egypt and the Dominican Republic. Florida is in the doldrums for European visitors despite good value with the Euro and British Sterling both doing well against the US dollar. But getting in and out of America is becoming a real chore for many visitors now. If it isn't bad enough queueing at Disney for the rides with children in tow, a long wait in line at immigration after a ten hour flight is not the best start to a holiday - and with EuroDisney a far easier option visitor numbers are unlikely to recover any time soon.

But it appears no matter what new destinations come up for holiday possibilities, Spain and her islands are resilient to the challenges, and when they are challenged aren't afraid to advertise to past tourists to visit again, and for new ones to visit for the first time.

Mallorca as an island has been promoting itself to the UK market by including a team distributing information at London's Victoria Station. Trains from Victoria run several times an hour to London's Gatwick Airport, allowing easy access to Mallorca for Londoners.

The Balearic Islands of which Mallorca is part consist of three islands, as well as Malloca there is Menorca (the smallest island)and and Ibiza. Menorca has a season that traditionally is at its peak early May to end September, but is now trying to extend that from mid April to mid October.

As part of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has welcomed many visitors back to live full time on the island. Menorca property has proved popular too, for those looking for a gentler pace of life than big sister Mallorca.

Property prices in Mallorca are similar to Menorca property, with a range of apartments and villas in both rural and town locations, and with twenty golf courses plenty of golf course developments too on Mallorca.

Menorca has just the one golf course, recently extended to eighteen holes, and is located in Son Parc, which has a choice of hotels, apartments and villas for holiday makers.

The cost of flying to Mallorca has come down in recent years from most European countries due to low cost airlines, especially in the island's core tourist areas of the United Kingdom and Germany, and last year easyJet started direct flights from London's Gatwick Airport to the sister island of Menorca, as well as serving Mallorca itself.

Despite competition from other destinantions, Mallorca looks set to remain a favourite holiday spot for some time to come.

About Author:
For holiday and flights information for Majorca, including cheap flights to Majorca and a Majorca map visit YourMajorca.net

Holiday companies offering holidays to Majorca include
Thomas Cook and Thomson Holidays

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Traveling with a Toddler

Are you looking forward to a long, leisurely vacation this year? If you have a toddler to look after, you'll really feel that you've earned it! But traveling with a toddler - whether by road or by air - can feel like hard work in itself. How can you cope for hours at a time with a small bundle of energy who has nowhere to run about? How can you keep your toddler from distracting the driver or annoying other passengers?

Successful traveling with a toddler takes patience and skill, but most important is preparation. Although you'll probably be feeling excited about the upcoming break yourself, try not to let that excitement show. In the days leading up to your trip, keep everything as normal as possible. On the day itself, answer your child's questions about the trip calmly and straightforwardly. Avoid giving sugary treats, which will just result in excess energy. It's a good idea to feed a heavy meal before the journey begins, so that your toddler will be sleepy, but avoid tangy or spicy foods, which are more likely to cause travel sickness. If this does occur, ginger biscuits are a great way of relieving it without the worries associated with medication.

When traveling, have a blanket handy for your sleepy toddler to curl up in. A blanket can also be used for simple games involving hiding, and, if spread out when you play with toys, it can help to catch escaping items. You should always have toys at the ready when traveling with a toddler, but avoid items that can easily be thrown. Self-contained activity boards are ideal, giving children more control over what they want to do when, but bear in mind that they can be noisy. Toys that encourage learning activity, such as counting and memory games, are ideal as concentrating on them will tire your child out and encourage napping, the easiest way to travel.

Traveling with a toddler can also be complicated by the fact that young children can't adjust their food and toilet needs to fit in with an adult schedule. Airline staff will understand this and will provide the facilities and assistance you need, but if you're traveling by car you should be prepared to pull over by the roadside to deal with toilet emergencies. Food needs are easier to cope with - have some low sugar snacks in your bag. Don't rely on airlines to provide appropriate food. Crunchy fruit and vegetables can be fun to play with as well as to eat, and exploring the tastes and textures of several different foods can be a good way to pass the time.

Traveling with a toddler will always require patience and effort, but it doesn't have to be exhausting. Make the journey into an entertaining adventure in itself and you and your toddler will arrive at your destination fresh and all ready to have fun.

About Author:
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com , Susies-Coupons.com and Susies-Travel-Coupons.com where you'll find hand-selected online coupons, coupon codes and travel discounts.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

General Pittsburgh Travel Tips

Traveling to Pittsburgh is always a great option there are so many wonderful activities that you can do, and so much stuff that can keep you busy for any length of time you decide to go on vacation. There are some tips you can follow though to ensure that you are traveling as safely as possible.

First, always remember that it is best to travel with as little cash as possible. Take a debit card or prepaid check card when you are going on vacation. The reason for this is because cash is not replaceable in the event that it is stolen. However, cards allow you to have any money that is stolen replaced without having too many problems. This makes taking a card to use much safer and easier.

Second, always book your hotel in advance. This will allow you to get a better rate on your room, and also make sure that you have a room reserved at the same time. This can be very important if you are planning to travel in the middle of tourist season or even while there are numerous fairs going on in the area. Booking in advance allows you to save the most money possible on your room and ensures you will not be driving around aimlessly in the middle of the night looking for a vacancy.

Third, look around on the travel sites for some suggestion on activities that sound interesting for your family. This will allow you to plan out your vacation in advance to ensure that you are in the right part of town when the activity is open, rather than arriving right after they close. This will help ensure that you spend the majority of your time doing activities that you enjoy rather than looking for something to do.

Fourth, plan your trip around a festival or a fair that you are interested in. This will allow you to take in the normal tourist attractions of the area and also spend some times at one of the great fairs. With so many different fairs to choose from, your biggest task will be deciding which fair you are most interested in. If you have huge problems picking which fair to choose, then plan to stay longer, or come back so you can participate in another fair later on.

As you can see, there are several things you can do to ensure you enjoy your Pittsburgh vacation to the maximum potential. From festivals and fairs to plenty of great tourist attractions, there is lots to do in Pittsburgh that will keep you thoroughly entertained.

About Author:
Precision Brush Painting is quality work at its finest! We serve the local Pittsburgh Pennsylvania area, from Squirrel Hill, Robinson Township, Mt. Lebanon, and Wexford.


Pittsburgh Painting Company
Pittsburgh Painters
Pittsburgh Deck Staining

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

A Guide To Skiing Holidays In Morzine

Morzine is located in the northern French alps, and right in the centre of the vast Portes du Soleil, which is the largest inter linked ski area in Europe. The area boasts 650 kms of pisted ski trails and a variety of skiing that will have you always finding new slopes even after a two week ski holiday!

The skiing is not only challenging, but is well suited to family skiers and beginners with inexpensive ski schools and excellent nursery slopes. The rugged profile of the northern alps makes for some interesting and scenic skiing, with a huge variety of terrain on offer.

But Morzine has gained dramatically in popularity for a number of other reasons, and first of which is its appealing situation. At just one hour from Geneva airport, Morzine caters admirably for the ever popular weekend ski breaks with the ultimate in convenience skiing.

Londoners can leave their office desk at 5.30 to get a 6pm train from London Bridge and an 8pm flight at Gatwick, which will have you in resort and at your ski chalet before 11 pm UK time.

Morzine also has a number of other appealing factors. It is incredibly pretty with a wooden ski chalet style to it's architecture - that gives a quaint and cosy atmosphere often lost in many of the higher, more purpose built modern day ski resorts. Morzine also benefits from a buzzing apres ski and a variety of boutique shopping that rivals many US resorts.

The resorts' family facilities are superb and the towns folk are not out to grab a quick buck from the passing tourist trade. Instead they greet you with a smile and charge very reasonable prices for an excellent service and exquisite Savoyard cuisine. They know that Morzine attracts more loyal skiers than any other resort in France, and that their hospitality will go a long way further.

However the major pulling factor with Morzine is in the resorts year round appeal. As quite a large mountain town, the population realised long ago that the winter skiing alone was not enough to sustain them.

Morzine has been built with just as much attention to the summer months as the winter. When most other ski resorts are winding down for a sleepy summer in May, Morzine is in tick over, awaiting a fresh surge of alpine enthusiasts that now flock to the resort looking for summer alpine and active chalet holidays in healthy surroundings.

Part of Morzine's attraction is its northern location which ensures good snow in the winter and luscious vegetation in the summer. When the snow goes, Morzine doesn't turn into a parched moonscape, simply lying in waiting for the winter snow to return. Instead the resort becomes resplendent in flora and fauna.

The restaurants re-open after a short inter season break and the chair lifts creak back into life again, ready to serve the hordes of mountain bikers and hill walkers that will arrive over the months of June, July and August.

As a year round alpine town Morzine attracts a huge resident population and a healthy smattering of British ex pats which has resulted in the now indigenous one-chalet-band holiday companies that serve the area.

The pleasant up shot of this is that the non transient population are some of the friendliest you will find in any ski resort, always keen to help and make the resort into a perfect family ski holiday destination or idyllic summer venue.

Even though Morzine sits at a moderate altitude, the expert skiers are not put off. One must remember that aside from it's excellent skiing, Morzine is the most Northerly located resort in the French alps and this lessens the need for altitude in order to get good snow.

The area's high precipitation record, often ensures better snow than the more southerly located super resorts such as Meribel, La Plagne and even Tignes and Val D'isere.

Morzine is also twinned with its high altitude sister-resort Avoriaz, which helps prolong the season and ensure good skiing is never more than a short Navette* ride away. The abundance of north facing slopes also ensure good snow bases form and help the snow last well into May!

In summer Morzine plays host to a number of festivals, such as the Tour De France, Mountain Bike World Championships, Mont Blanc Rally and a whole raft of local fairs that create a warm and welcoming family atmosphere with much to do for everyone.

So whether you want absolute ski convenience with the kudos of the largest ski area in Europe or a summer destination that is resplendent in beauty and a healthier option than any beach side resort, a chalet holiday in Morzine should have what you are looking for.

*Navette is a free shuttle bus that circuits a ski resort. Free on the standard liftpass that is!

About Author:
For up to date, bargain Ski Holidays Morzine visit Alpine Elements with Shaun Parker

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

North Carolina Real Estate Owners Have a Slice of Heaven

North Carolina is a state blessed with a lot of beauty. Brilliant beaches as well as picturesque mountain ranges, have given the state a lot of diversity making it a great tourist attraction. North Carolina is not only popular with tourists, but the beauty & pristine scenery of the mountain ranges make Western North Carolina real estate a worthwhile asset.

Before tourism got hold of The State of North Carolina, the major industry here was agriculture. NC is the 7th largest Apple Producing State in the country. Henderson County is its largest apple producing county. No wonder then that North Carolina has been hosting a festival in honor of the juicy apple produced in the state.

The quaint city of Hendersonville, the county seat with an atmosphere of an old country town, has been hosting The North Carolina State Apple Festival since the early 1990's. The festival, itself, will be enjoying its 61st successive year in 2007.

Hendersonville is no stranger to hosting festivals; barefooting, street dances, farm city day and Foothills Highland Games are a few other activities and festivals, which keep the community busy and the atmosphere lively & joyous, throughout the year.

The Apple Festival, held over the Labor Day weekend, is a four day event. Until around the 80's, it used to be a celebration spread over seven to ten days. Even though the stars of the show are indeed the apples, there are a host of other activities and events organized that keep adults, as well as children, busy & entertained.

The festival is held on the Historic Main Street and covers almost 9 blocks of the street and features about 150 participating vendors. The activities start at 10am & continue till 10pm , with daily breakfasts, live musical performances, activities for children, arts & craft fair, special exhibits, youth activities, sports tournaments, delectable food and the Grand King Apple Parade. The place is the place to be for the whole family, except for the furry members, as animals are not allowed in the event area.

If you look at the proposed events list, you will realize that there is a lot more than apples on show. The King Apple Parade is held on Labor Day and features youth groups, floats, bands, fire trucks etc. The festival has an estimated attendance of 60,000 visitors dining the four days, locals & tourists both. The Parade officially ends the Festival on the Main Street.

The Apple Festival offers a glimpse of the harmonious, beautiful & fun-filled life the locals enjoy. The residents of Hendersonville spend a life abundant in natural beauty with a pristine atmosphere of a small town. It is a life that offers all the facilities of modern life minus the constant rush & the hustle and bustle of a bigger metropolitan. These days, as more and more people are looking to step out of the grueling lifestyle of big cities & switch to a healthier life, real estate in Hendersonville NC springs out as the perfect opportunity to turn the dreams into reality. Breathe the clean air, buy a bike & hiking gear and put it to some good & pleasurable use, and to start living your dream.

About Author:
More people are stepping out of the busy city life. Real estate in Hendersonville NC springs out as the perfect opportunity to turn the dreams into reality. Call the experienced Hendersonville real estate agents at Preferred Real Estate Center, http://www.preferredrealestatecenter.com.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Luggage Size, Features, Extras And Accessories

If you are in the market for new luggage, other than choosing the luggage type you will have to consider the size, its features and any extras as well as accessories. You should find a travel bag or luggage that is large enough to accommodate all of your gear but small enough for you to carry comfortably the entire day. Now that is tough to find as many people have the tendency to fill whatever luggage they are taking along with them even if it is that big.

While you are worried about not leaving enough space for the souvenirs that you will be taking home with you, you always have the option of being able to mail your souvenirs home should the luggage you have brought not have ample space to accommodate them.

For a mere weekend trip, a travel backpack, a carry-on duffel or a small wheeled luggage will do. For a trip that can last anywhere from a week to two weeks, a carry-on bag will do if you can pack light. Go for a larger wheeled luggage or a larger travel backpack if you have a lot of gear to pack. Of course if the trip lasts for a month or longer, this would call for a big wheeled luggage, a rather large wheeled duffel bag or travel backpack.

When thinking about luggage size, remember that airlines allow a carry-on luggage of up to the following dimensions: height 9 inches, width 14 inches and length 22 inches. If you want, you can actually ship some of your gear ahead of time to your destination in order that you won't be carrying it the whole time. If you plan to do some shopping, you might as well bring only a few clothes and buy the rest at your vacation destination.

After having chosen the type and the size of luggage, the luggage's features will then depend on your personal preference and what features are important for you. Features that are worth considering are pockets, storage compartments, if it comes with a removable daypack or if it is expandable.

With careful consideration, choosing luggage appropriate for your travel needs won't be that difficult. Don't forget the extras and accessories that will afford easier packing and security for your belongings. Keep your toiletries in one place by placing them inside small kits or bags. Secure your belongings with a padlock or keylock.

About Author:
James Brown writes about BeltOutlet.Com bargains, Luggage Pros discount codes and Bagsbuy.com coupon code

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Tips for Traveling with Pets

Sometimes you really need a vacation. You have been working hard for months and you have had about all you can take of responsibility. But what about your pets? They are a responsibility you can't set aside.

The idea of sending your pets to kennels or catteries may distress you, especially when you consider how much they would enjoy sharing a vacation with you. Traveling with pets sounds difficult, but it is manageable, if you know what you're doing.

Most major airlines have written guidelines on transporting pets. Read these carefully and make sure you know what you are doing before any air journey begins. Smaller pets can often be taken on board the plane as hand luggage, though you will need to keep them inside crates.

Larger pets will need to travel in the baggage area. Because this area does not enjoy the same insulation as the cabin, you should travel in the middle of the day during the winter (or at night during the summer) to make sure they're as comfortable as possible. Don't give them food in case they get travel sick, but do give them blankets and toys to play with. Find a direct flight to your destination because you won't easily be able to change flights with your pets. And you will want to arrive early for your flight in case of complications.

Car travel with pets might seem simpler, but is prone to problems of its own. Travel sickness is common in cats and dogs. Ask your vet for advice on how to treat this. What a good vet will not do, however, is agree to sedate your pets during travel, as this can be harmful. This means that you'll have to find ways of keeping them calm so that they don't distract the driver. Make sure your pets are not in a position to physically interact with the driver; with particularly active pets, this may mean you need to seal off the rear of the car with mesh.

Show your pets lots of affection after each leg of the journey. If they become particularly stressed, pull over and give them the chance to move around a bit. Given this treatment, many pets learn to travel very well without causing difficulties.

Once you reach your destination, you'll need somewhere for your pets to stay. Don't just assume that this will be okay with your accommodation provider -- always check ahead of time. If you're having trouble finding an understanding hotel or guest house in the area you want to visit, check out the local self catering accommodation, as this is often pet-friendly.

Traveling with pets isn't easy, but with careful planning and preparation it's quite possible to do it successfully. When you are running along a beautiful beach at sunset with your pet by your side, you'll feel that it was well worth the effort.

About Author:
Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com , Susies-Coupons.comand Susies-Travel-Coupons.com where you'll find hand-selected online coupons, coupon codes and travel discounts.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Carson City on a Budget

For a lot of people, coming to Nevada for a night on the town will end up costing an arm and a leg. However, the locals get a chance to learn that this simply isn't always the case. This can certainly be said for the locals of the Nevada Capital, Carson City.

Carson City is a Historic city located about a twenty minute drive east of world famous Lake Tahoe. Being only a short drive from California gives Carson City easy access to California visitors looking to do something different for a day or two, or even a long weekend. After all, if you plan accordingly, a great night in Carson City, Nevada can be had for less than $60.00 a night, all inclusive.

That's right! If you know how to play the game right, you can have a full evening of live music, drinking, plenty of food, and a clean place to sleep for under $60.00 for the evening.

There are several decent sized casinos in Carson City and all of them are very competitive. In downtown Carson City you have the Nugget playing "King of the Hill", and further south there is Fandango Casino. When traveling to Carson City the south end is usually a better choice for visitors, because it's much cleaner and is a newer, more recently developed part of town.

Both of the main casinos in Carson City have live lounge entertainment on weekends, at which time guests can drink from a virtually bottomless pit of beer, wine and spirits. The good news is, the drinks can be had all night for about $20.00 if you're a patient person.

The key is to take $20.00 and find a slot machine with nickel keno. A multi card keno machine works fine because you do not have to play all cards. Playing at a nickel per card with the game speed set to slow will guarantee you several hours of free drinks. Remember, the casinos comp all drinks while gambling. Mind you, tipping is always nice so plan on spending a few extra dollars on tips.

But before you start drinking, sign up for a players club card. In a lot of cases, this will give you one free complimentary meal voucher either at sign up or after a few points are obtained (Fandango buys you dinner after the first 25 points, which is very easy to obtain).

So with tips, you've had live music, plenty of drinks, and a full dinner for around $25.00. Now it's time for a shower and some rest. The south end of Carson City has several decent hotels that will give you a clean and cozy room for about $30.00 to $40.00 a night. With taxes we can assume it will be $50.00 to be safe.

For two people, the entire night out will cost about $50.00 each. Add gas money and you're all set.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

About Author:
Peter Kenny has been working in the Orlando area travel industry for the past 10 years. Please visit Orlando Florida vacation homes

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Saving Money When You Are At Your Holiday Destination

When traveling independently you will almost always do better in terms of price and quality if you veer away from the traditional places to eat and shops that the guide books mention. Going off the beaten track can mean you pick up a real bargain.

Restaurants

Follow the locals; if you head for a tourist orientated restaurant or shop you will find that the prices are substantially higher and often the food is not of the same quality.

Another good tip is to visit the local market where the locals shop. Not only will you get fresh products at good prices but you will also enjoy the experience of mixing with the locals. Ask those around you where to go, after all, it is the locals that are best placed to tell you where to go for a good deal!

A good way of working out whether a restaurant is geared towards tourists or locals is to see when it is at its busiest. Tourists tend to eat a lot earlier than the locals in most foreign countries. Any restaurant that is empty until around 9pm and then fills up is probably frequented by locals.

Car Rental

When it comes to rental cars the costs can vary widely and it really pays to shop around. Sometimes you will be offered good deals as part of your hotel stay or airfare, consider these as combination deals will also be a lot cheaper than you could get on your own.

Booking car rental when you have reached your destination is normally cheaper than reserving in advance if you have not got a good combination deal.

Make sure that you have suitable insurance, as any accident could make a huge dent in your holiday budget! There are good ways to save money, but insurance is not an area that you should scrimp on.

Always select the smallest car that is suitable for your needs, this will be cheaper and will cost less in gas. There is also a reasonable chance that you will be upgraded for free. If you are feeling bold, it is worth asking at the counter if there is any chance of a free upgrade, you never know your luck!

If you are booking car hire from a distance, look at the costs of car hire from the airport as well as from the city that you are staying in. Car hire companies will pay more to have an airport franchise and you may find this reflected in the prices that you are quoted.

Always fill up the gas before you get back to the car rental office. Car rental companies will charge well over the odds for any extra gas that they need to replace on your behalf so take the time to tank up before you get back if you do not want a large bill at the end.

About Author:
Phil Howard is the owner of a Florida Holiday Villa located in the Heart of Orlando Florida within easy reach of all the major attractions, Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World. Situated in Oak point nr Kissimmee.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Cruise Vacations - All The Fun You Need, And More!

The feeling of escape from the rat race is never closer than when you are on a cruise. Out on the open sea, fresh air and tropical drinks, what could be better?

Cruise Destinations - The World Is Your Oyster

Deciding which cruises to take is the hardest decision to make. Hawaii, Bahamas, Caribbean or even Alaska. You can see Europe on a cruise or many other countries, where every few days there is a new destination to explore.

When you plan your cruises you will see all the different ports you can visit for the day and that can be a big deciding factor for some people.

Have you ever wanted to visit Hawaii? Of course you have, I mean who hasn't? A cruise to Hawaii give you the chance to visit all the islands, you don't pay for a hotel and it turns a normally expensive vacation into a vacation that can fit all budgets.

Crusie Activities - Much More To Do Than You Might Think

Some people say they are worried they would get bored on cruises. Well, have you seen the new cruise ships? There is something for everyone 24 hours a day. In fact, there is often more to do on a cruise ship than anywhere else you go in life. It is kind of like Vegas on a boat.

There are movie theaters, comedy clubs, casinos, night clubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, shopping centers and more food than you can probably imagine. There are cruises for seniors, students, honeymooners and families.

Cruises are for everyone. They offer organized activities that you can opt to sleep through or lay on the deck soaking up the sun. You are where the decisions get made!

Addicted To Cruises - Why Not!

Cruises offer many of the amenities of a resort hotel and they even have televisions in the rooms if you just want to relax in your room. You can make telephone calls, cruise the internet, just like on land. The question you are going to end up asking yourself is how many cruises can I take?

They become addictive to those who take them. You get all the benefits of a vacation with none of the work. You pay for your ticket, tip the appropriate people and relax.

Cruises are some of the most fun times you will have in your life and such memorable times with your spouse or family.

Some cruises are limited to seasons like Alaska. The beauty of the Alaskan cruises are the scenery. Maybe a tropical setting isn't your cup of tea but you still have many options.

How about touring Europe without all that time on an airplane - with no ground travel arrangements. You just walk off the boat, explore, get souvenirs, eat local food and then go back to your comfy stateroom!

There are so many cruises to consider and exploring all your options is the way to go. Get some brochures, find one that fits, get on that ship and leave your life behind for a while.

About Author:
(c) 2007 Hawaiian Cruises Online. Look no further - all the Hawaiian Cruising information you'll ever need, in the 50+ pages that are totally free. Destinations; cruise lines; 'what's on'; eating options and more, all at Martin Haworth's website, http://www.Hawaiian-Cruises-Online.com

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Online Hotel Bookings Nice And Easy

The birth of internet made the process of booking a room more easy for your business trip, vacation or weekend getaway. Online hotel bookings help you to plan your vacation or business trip easier and more affordable. In olden days it was very difficult to find and select a hotel far away from your home.

The development of technology and internet simplified the process and now-a-days it is very easy to book a room from you home computer. Online hotel booking help you to find a hotel with the facilities you wish to have. Some times you need a simple and affordable place to stay and some times you wish to stay in a luxurious room, it doesn't matter. You can select and book any type of room you like via internet.

The internet has developed a revolution in the field of hotel booking services. It is now very easy to find a hotel anywhere in the world within seconds. You can book your favourite room any time of the day from anywhere in the world.

The most important advantage of online hotel booking is convenience, you can book your room by simply sitting in home. Internet helps you to browse through the hotels around the world and compare the facilities and rates easily. When you choose your favourite hotel for your accommodation, simply you can complete your reservation when required. Some of the hotels also offer same day hotel booking online. It is very helpful for those who plan their weekend getaway in last minute.

Most of the hotels offers competitive pricing because it is very easy to compare the prices of one hotel to another. Some online booking service provider's websites even allow you to compare the prices of multiple hotel when selecting your online hotel bookings. By this way it is very easy to find well-equipped hotel rooms in cheap price. It is better to find a larger online hotel booking service provider, if you are looking for a cheap hotel room.

Some of the service providers won't allow you to choose your hotel, they only allow you to select location and quality of the hotel. Considerable discounts on hotels may be available in off-seasons. Some may give great discount in season also due to the competition in the field. You will get much greater discount, if you allow the online hotel booking service provider to select your hotel and flight.

You can save much by selecting the services of online hotel booking service providers. You can definitely save on airline flights, car services, and even entertainment. You will get considerable discounts if you allow them to select all services you need. It is sure that you can save a considerable amount and have extra funds to enjoy on your trip.

Utilize the serve of online hotel booking service providers when you are planning for a trip. The benefit is that you can find the best prices on hotels and save much. Online hotel booking services are ideal for both short and longer vacations.

There is no administrative cost for hotels to provide this service. The booking software can be connected regularly through aggregators. Most of the hotels offer online booking services to remain competitive in today's travel market.

Each and every customer looks to book their hotel rooms early and conveniently.Some of the hotels keep their own online booking software and some utilizes the services provided by some of the large online booking service providers. Whatever it is, it is sure that online booking service will benefit both small and large hotels.

Online hotel booking is the best ways to book rooms in your favourite hotels. It will be more convenient for both the customer and the hotel. It helps the customers to plan their vacation properly and will reduce the operating cost and employee time of the hotel. Customers can enjoy the easiness of online booking and can find the cheapest hotel rooms with excellent facilities.

Customers can compare the prices and facilities from one hotel to another by utilizing this facility. Planning a vacation has never been easier and more reasonable than now. Easiness, affordable pricing, and simple comparison shopping make online hotel bookings accepted to all.

About Author:
Chan Brothers Travel provides business travels, meetings, incentives, conventions and educational travel, also air tickets, cruises, accommodation, car rental, insurance travel gift vouchers and world-wide online hotel bookings for discount prices.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

A Travel Guide To Walt Disney World

Disney vacation is one of the most fun vacations to plan.Knowing what a Disney Vacation has to offer,will help you get in on some of the best packages available.You can have a travel agent do the bulk of it for you, or do it yourself.

I would like to give some tips to others on how to go about planning a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth. First, before deciding anything else, you must decide which date you would like to be at the Disneyland Resort.The date is important, depending on what you would like to do while there.

The busiest times at a Disney park are Spring Break, summer, and the week between Christmas and New Years. While busy time periods cause longer lines, they also have fewer attractions down for rehabilitation, and more parades and shows will be scheduled. For the less busy times of year, the queues will be shorter, but entertainment may just be held on weekends, and more attractions will be down for rehab in the slow season.

All of this must be taken into account when you decide on your travel dates. If you want to see all of the entertainment, and ride every ride, then summer, Spring Break, or Christmas week would probably be your better choice.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas the parks are less busy, but it is a great time to go because most entertainment and attractions will be up and running in preparation of the busiest week of the year. If your goal for a Disney Vacation is to simply be there, see and do as much as you possibly can in a short period of time, you may want to choose a less busy time of year.

Once again, a great time would be between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Disney is a totally different place in the Christmas Season, with all of the wonderful decorations. Spending a magical time like Christmas, at a magical place like Disneyland Resort is an incredible vacation.

By the first week of January the decorations come down, and the crowds stay light, but Haunted Mansion and It's A Small World are usually scheduled to be refurbished, to removed the holiday overlay. If rides and shows are not important to you, this is the perfect time to go on a Disney Vacation.The dream of a Disney Vacation is one which is in the minds of children and adults alike.

If you go without a plan, although you'll still have a relatively good time, you'll find that you spent much more time, effort, and money, than you would have if you had planned for that dreamed of Discount Disney Vacation. The plan doesn't have to be elaborate, but you should do your "homework" and "know before you go."

Walt Disney World, Orlando, caters for kids large and small, mom, dad and everyone else you can think of. Booking a vacation at a Disney resort is very definitely fun for all the family.And give you memories that will last a lifetime. Apart from the usual rides, shows and well-loved Disney characters, there are plenty of attractions designed to entertain adults. Disney is pretty good at arranging activities so that mom or dad - or both - can get time off to have a look around, so why not spend some time in the France pavilion. Disney's designers have lovingly recreated the streets of Paris for you to enjoy a real romantic break.

You can shop in chic boutiques, offering very nearly all the designer goods you would find on the Champs Elyses. And when you're exhausted after a busy morning hitting the cash registers, you can chill out at a variety of authentic Parisian cafes and restaurants. Those of an adventurous turn of mind could explore the possibilities for excitement presented by one of Disney's Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Disney's very own small-scale safari park is populated by genuine animals for the African savannas - take a guided drive to see the giraffes and hippos, and you'll be transported in an instant to the endless grasslands of the Masai Mara. Both these activities, of course, offer possibilities for the whole family.

If you're an independent and outdoors type, you might like to consider the Fort Wilderness campground.You can take your own tent or RV, or stay in one of the campground's self-catering cabins. The campground is a miniature vacation destination all to itself - there are activities for kids, trails to hike, and fun sing-along campfire evenings, for you to get to know your fellow campers.

If you want to stay in more solid accommodation the first level is one of Disney World's 'Value Resorts.' The All-Star Music Resort, for example, is a great hotel and entertainment center.Like all of Disney's resorts of all levels; it is themed - the theme in question being, of course, music.

The Disney Corporation takes its theming very seriously The All-Star Music Resort allows you to enjoy music of all styles from country to jazz, and even has a pool shaped like a grand piano Like all the Disney World resorts, Value Resorts are within easy striking distance of all the central Disney World attractions, and transport there and back is completely taken care of.

The next level up are the Disney Moderate Resorts.Rooms are a little more spacious than those at the Value Resorts, and the range of facilities on offer is a little wider. The Caribbean Beach Resort, to take an example, has some room service - there's none in Value Resorts - and a variety of other small perks and features not available to Value guests.

If you want to sample the very best Disney has to offer, you should book a place at a Disney World Deluxe Resort. Deluxe guests get the best rooms, world-class restaurants, concierge and bell service and access to spas, health clubs and even a business center and wi-fi internet access for those who just can't bear to be away from their desk.

About Author:
Get more information at http://www.acauzee.com Read more articles like this one at http://orlandohotels4less.com

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Discover The Magic In Disneys Magic Kingdom

It is important to make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get through everything that you want to do when you visit Disney's Magic Kingdom. Equipment Rental: Strollers, manual wheelchairs, and ECVs can be rented just inside the park.

The Extra Magic Hours program offers guests of the on-property hotel resorts to enter one of the parks an hour earlier than the posted opening time. The Extra Magic Hours program also offers guests of the on-property hotel resorts to spend an extra three hours at the park. Another unique element to Magic Kingdom is that most guests will need to take a monorail or ferry to get from their car to the park.

After purchasing Magic Kingdom Tickets you will find over 48 rides and attractions that will bring fantasy, youth, nostalgia, and most of all magic into play.

The park map lists forty-eight attractions in seven themed "lands. Disney's Magic Kingdom contains some real "don't miss" attractions, depending on what age bracket you fall in. Space Mountain, while dated, is still one of the best attractions at the Magic Kingdom.

The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future. Adventureland -- An exotic mix of jungles, wild animals, pirates and a Middle Eastern bazaar, Adventureland is home to several of the Magic Kingdom's best-known and best-loved attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.

Major attractions include Splash Mountain, a thrilling log ride; Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a roller coaster ride through an unstable mine; and the ever popular performing bears of Country Bear Jamboree. Major attractions also include Haunted Mansion, with frights from friendly haunts; and the Hall of Presidents, a moving Audio-Animatronics salute to the United States'presidents.

My favourite is Mickey's PhilharMagic, a 3-D of Disney music and characters; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, a gentle journey through the Hundred Acre Wood; and Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, a merry-go-round of mighty steeds.

One of the main things which you may be wondering about is where you should consider eating while you are visiting Disney's Magic Kingdom and one place that you may want to consider eating while you are at Magic Kingdom is Cinderella's Royal Table. Crystal Palace is another one of the Magic Kingdom restaurants which you may want to consider eating at.

The Liberty Tree Tavern is another one of the great restaurants that you will find in Disney's Magic Kingdom. Tony's Town Square Restaurant with Italian cuisine is upon you within moments of entering the park.

Before you leave be dazzled by the biggest, brightest fireworks extravaganza in Magic Kingdom history with the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular being one of the main attractions of Disney's Magic Kingdom. As you can see, there is much to do at the Disney World theme park, Magic Kingdom.

About Author:
Get more information at http://www.disney-direct.org Read more articles like this one at http://orlandohotels4less.com

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Detroit Becomes a Weekend Getaway

Motor City, or Motown is revving its engines again. Revitalized and reinvigorated after decades of neglect, Detroit has reclaimed its place as a cultural and tourist capital. Everything in this Midwest city seems new again. The Woodward Avenue theater district boasts renovated theaters and new shows. Downtown, the Detroit Tigers their new stadium, Comerica Park in 2000; the Lions now play in Ford Field right across the street. The downtown upswing has extended to Greektown, now the hot spot for food and nightlife.

New Detroit blends the soul and vision of its pioneers. The Motown Museum is a low-key tribute to the high-energy sound that defined a city and an era. Just outside Detroit, the Henry Ford Museum is a sprawling testament to the spirit of invention that built the city and is refueling it today. Most of Detroit's best and most notable attractions are just a limo or luxury sedan ride from any hotel in the city or around the suburbs.

Motown Historical Museum: This old Detroit home belies the greatness that was born here -- the Motown Sound. But one step inside Hitsville, USA, the original house where Berry Gordy lived and recorded the Motown hits, and you'll catch the beat and spirit of this booming music era. Photos, costumes, artwork, music and other memorabilia take you back to more musical times.

Detroit Institute of Arts: It's considered to house one of the best art collections in the United States. The Institute showcases everything from mummies to modern art and African masks to Monets in its outstanding collection of over 65,000 works. Don't miss the General Motors Center for African American Art, a part of the DIA that showcases 400 pieces, in various media, by African American artists.

Detroit Historical Museum: The Motor City Exhibition, where you can see how a Cadillac is assembled, is just one of the many interesting displays at this museum dedicated to telling the story of Detroit.

Detroit Zoological Park: You'll be able to see frolicking and splashing polar bears through a glass pane and experience life on the tundra at the Arctic Ring of Life, the world's largest Arctic exhibit. Other highlights of this interactive and educational zoo include a stroll through an indoor rainforest with free-roaming animals and a visit to one of the largest great ape exhibits in the world.

New Detroit Science Center: Science is made fun and exciting in this hands-on, interactive science center, which introduces science, engineering and technology in ways that children can understand. Complete with an IMAX Dome theater, the center underwent a huge expansion and renovation in 2001.

MGM Grand Detroit Casino: The former setting for the MGM Grand was a former IRS building, and was just temporary. Now a permanent casino is up and running, just opened with all the glitter and glamour of Las Vegas.

MotorCity Casino: A casino where you don't need to gamble? That's the idea at MotorCity, designed to satisfy gamblers and non-gamblers alike with its comprehensive gaming offerings and dining and entertainment delights. Its range of restaurants from fine dining to barbecue is all headed up by one of two certified master chefs in Michigan.

About Author:
Wherever you're going, Checker Sedan is a better way to get there. Our vehicles and drivers will spoil you with luxury. And our little extras make us the obvious choice for people who are going places.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

When You\'re a Tourist, Mind Your Manners

When preparing to go on vacation, remember to pack your manners. No matter where you end up travelling, the locals are going to base a lot on your behaviour, including how they perceive your culture in general, on how you behave.

It seems as though many who travel abroad forget to be polite to those that host them when they are away from home. Some suggest that behavior on vacation is directly related to whether or not you've visited before. The thinking is that, once you've had a taste of the culture, surely you'll be more sensitive the next time? Others argue that, regardless of how many times you've come around, tourists remain a painful necessity to any economy.

While it's not limited to one demographic or culture, there are some tourists that are notoriously worse than others. However, no matter where you're from, you're getting a bad rap for one thing or another. So, how does the bad behavior break down? We've got a quick overview of who's notorious for what when they're on vacation.

A recent survey has given Brits the top nod for bad behavior when they're travelling abroad. They've been labeled as noisy, rude, badly dressed and terrible tippers. In addition, recent research by the popular online travel agent Expedia shows that Britons are thought to be untidy. Maybe that is a direct result of their sometimes haphazard dress. While not as obvious as it used to be, for some reason, people are still able to tell a Brit from anyone else. Things are looking up though; seven years ago, a survey similar in nature labeled Brits the worst tourists overall, while they now place fifth.

Other badly behaving tourists include those that call Germany their native land. Considered the absolute worst tippers, one might think that they are stingy. If you consider the tipping system they are accustomed to, it may shed a new light on things. In Germany, wait staff do not work on a small hourly wage plus tip system, they work on an hourly wage, period. So, when you go out to dinner in Germany, you don't tip. Maybe their bad tipping behavior is not stinginess as much as it is a lack of knowledge.

Living in America and think you've packed a fashionable wardrobe? Think again. Americans are notoriously the worst dressed tourists around. Many also find the Americans to be lacking in manners and obnoxiously loud, albeit not as bad as the Brits, Russian and Danes. Those from the U.S. do score points though for at least attempting to learn and speak the native language of the countries they are going to visit.

Attempting to take the bull by the horns, the Chinese government has taken the liberty of posting the "do's" and "don'ts" of travel etiquette in train stations, bus stops and hotels across Beijing. Although many of the Chinese are angered by what they feel is degrading treatment by their own government, the government is not budging. They are trying to curb the Chinese bad behaviour before the Olympics next year. They've even gone so far as to issue pamphlets and make travel agencies and their tour guides responsible for correcting the tourists' behavior. Talk about uncomfortable.

So, who gets kudos for being the overall best behaved on their summer vacation? The Japanese. Considered both polite and tidy, they seem to ruffle no one's feathers. In Reuters's 2007 study, they scored a full 35% higher than the Americans who came in second.

Remember, when on vacation, do like the Romans do... or like the Japanese do. Be courteous and keep in mind that you are representing your entire nation when you are out and about. Figure out local customs and, if you're really brave, learn a little bit of the language before you go. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well your efforts are received.

About Author:
Tribune Properties produce a series of travel guides, including for the Spanish islands of Mallorca and Minorca

They also have details of villa holidays with Meon villas , airline information and flights

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Tips for Successful Student Travel

Many new trip sponsors take on the responsibility of planning a student excursion without the benefit of a "mentor" or any previous experience. Although the eventual travel experience can be highly successful there are many obstacles that could just as easily result in a negative experience. That doesn't have to be the case if you take into account the following tried and true guidelines.

During my years as a middle school trip sponsor we took an annual grade level trip to Washington, DC.Initially, I was hesitant to make the trip because Washington, DC can be a huge travel challenge. The capital area is a densely populated region with a heavy traffic volume. In addition, there is little or no parking near the popular museums, monuments and memorials. I learned, however, that with careful preplanning you can all but eliminate these issues and ensure that your group will have the experience of a lifetime.

One of the most critical, and frequently overlooked, aspects of trip planning is making sure a knowledgeable "destination specialist" accompanies the group. A destination specialist isn't just an expert on navigating about the area, but someone who can also assist a motorcoach driver and make recommendations to the trip sponsor to reduce the time between stops and create smooth transitions between venues. This same individual will call ahead to confirm reservations, work with the trip sponsor to adjust the itinerary during the trip, and facilitate the arrival and departure of the group from hotels, attractions and meals.

The best destination specialists are individuals employed by student tour providers. They are frequently referred to as tour directors or trip escorts and either reside in the destination or specialize in escorting trips to that region.

An equally important key to a successful trip is organization. A well structured travel experience begins with the realization that your group must have the best possible supervision AND the clearest expectations for the participants. I recommend that you extend your school code of conduct to cover the trip or adopt behavioral expectations for travel on a motor coach, touring and at the hotel. Students and parents must know the behavioral expectations and consequences prior to the trip departure date.

I also recommend that you select adult chaperons for the trip that are either staff members or parent volunteers with experience in working with the age group of the student travelers. These individuals will be supervising students while they are away from home and must be effective authority figures. Their ability to handle minor discipline problems, ensure that students are in the right place at the appointed time, and conduct nightly room checks will help assure that the trip is a success.

Once this group has been determined I suggest scheduling a "Chaperon Training Session". An excellent time to hold the meeting is a day or two prior to departure. Getting all of the adults together at the same time will allow you to review the rules for the students as well as those for the adults. Stress that the trip is an extension of the classroom and that each chaperon has the same responsibilities as a teacher. You should also stress being on time for activities, staying with their student group at all times, and being a good role model.

During this meeting it would be a good idea to review the final itinerary, emphasizing the learning experiences and providing tips for a memorable experience. While reviewing the schedule, review the chaperon responsibilities at key points such as check-in, on the motorcoach, in the hotel, and at meals and attractions.

Another important component of a safe travel experience is nighttime security. Following nightly curfew in the hotel, the trip sponsor and chaperons need to get a good nights rest and be refreshed for the next day of the trip. A reputable student tour provider like Travel Adventures will include a local nighttime security firm as part of your trip package. Trained guards will be stationed on each floor throughout the night to protect the students, keep them from becoming a distraction to other hotel guests, and to prevent them from leaving their room or visiting another room. This trip feature will increase the safety and security, while allowing the adults to get a good night's rest.

Providing a safe travel experience also means that you must plan for health care and the handling of medication. When parents allow their children to travel with the school, they assume that provisions are in place for an unforeseen illness or accident. Parents also want to be assured that an adult will be responsible for dispensing medications and daily prescriptions.

Most schools have clearly defined guidelines for the administration of medication and have adopted a uniform "Health Form" for use on field trips. These can easily be adapted to your trip. Generally speaking:

- Medication cannot be dispensed without written permission of parent/guardian.
- Parent/guardian or school personnel must administer all medication (Unless school policy allows for exceptions).
- Students may not carry prescription medications on their person (occasionally high school aged students are allowed to carry their own medications). Exceptions are usually made for Epi-pens, inhalers, and diabetic supplies.

It is also strongly recommended that parent/guardian sign a "Medical Release and Proxy Form" in the event of an emergency. This form should include space for the parent/guardian to provide up-to-date insurance information and emergency contact numbers.

Successful student travel is not simply selecting a travel date and destination, making reservations enrolling students, and collecting payments. It takes thorough planning, frequent and effective communication, and attention to details. The tips provided in this article are suggestions that are not only applicable to an excursion to Washington, DC, but to other destinations as well.

About Author:
traveladventures Travel Adventures is staffed by educators who understand the needs of teachers. Serving over one half million students since our inception, we provide hassle-free travel arrangements while empowering teachers to create change by expanding the classroom to the world. Our experienced team of travel professionals is dedicated to exceeding your student travel expectations.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

NYC\'s Empire State Building: A Must-See For Students

One of the tallest building in the world, New York City's Empire State Building remains among the most impressive structures on the planet and with more than 3 million visitors a year, one of New York's top tourist attractions.

Students and teachers alike will find the building, erected on the grounds of the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, a memorable part of their trip to the Big Apple. The project was a collaboration between four wealthy New York businessmen, including John Jakob Raskob, who had a significant role in the creation of General Motors. In fact, the building of the structure had another automotive connection in that Raskob was in competition with Walter Chrysler to create the world's tallest building.

Empire State, Inc. was formed in 1929 with that feat in mind and construction began on the new building on March 17, 1930 with the Empire State Building celebrating an official opening on May 1, 1931. It took just one year and 45 days to build the new skyscraper and the building's 102 floors made it the World's Tallest Building from that day until 1972.

From the time construction began in 1930, the building's steel frame rose at an average rate of four and a half floors per week. To speed construction, posts, beams, windows and window frames were made in factories and put together on the site. Some 60,000 tons of steel was brought in from steel mills in Pennsylvania, over 300 miles away, by train, barges and trucks.

William Lamb of Shreve, Lamb & Harmon was the architect for the Empire State Building, his design influenced by the perpendicular style of Eliel Saarinen. Most of his design was based on a simple pencil with its clean, soaring lines. Lamb decided that the columns of stone would be easier to put up if they were separated from the windows with metal strips. The fact that they covered the stone's edges meant the stone could be rough-cut at the quarry and then heaved into place without any final cutting or fitting, another time saver.

By October 3, 1930, a full 88 floors were completed, with only 14 top floors remaining. Those floors were a distinctive tower of glass, steel, and aluminum about 200 ft. high and topped with a dome.

On May 1st, 1931, President Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C. that officially opened the Empire State Building, turning on its lights.

The Empire State Building has been host to important dignitaries and political and entertainment figures and the observation deck has been the site for many movie scenes. Movie fans will remember that King Kong even toured the building--from the outside. Among the many films that featured the Empire State Building were Annie Hall, the French Connection, Guys and Dolls, Independence Day, Serpico, Superman II, Taxi Driver, and When Harry Met Sally.

Today, visitors to the Empire State Building are whisked by high speed elevator to the 86th floor open-air observatory, where they can enjoy a view of up to 80 miles, including many of the sites for which New York City has become famous.

In 1986, the Empire State Building was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. It is seen today as an "Ambassador to New York" to many of the world's renowned political and entertainment figures.

About Author:
Travel Adventures is staffed by educators who understand the needs of teachers. Serving over one half million students since our inception, we provide hassle-free travel arrangements while empowering teachers to create change by expanding the classroom to the world. Our experienced team of travel professionals is dedicated to exceeding your student travel expectations.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory

Monday, September 3, 2007

800 Number Directory Brings Travel Bargains

Travel has changed substantially over the last ten to fifteen years. Remember the days of flight travel when you were able to park, run through the security checkpoint quickly, and get to your gate twenty minutes before takeoff? Days of meals with plastic knives are gone. Now we have sandwiches and chips, available, but you get to purchase them in addition to your fare, which has also increased. Boarding cruises hasn't changed as dramatically, but the cost increase has affected who travels and how frequently.

Booking travel, though, has changed more than any other part of travel itself. Remember the days when airlines paid fees to travel agents to sell their tickets? When that went away, so did our friendly neighborhood travel agent. It was almost impossible for them to make a decent living. Then came the internet, which also changed how we saw travel reservations. Now one booked travel by going onto a website, first to get the airline's 800 number to call, and then to see a few scheduled fares, and now you can see quite a few, but you can never see the availability, or get a chance to take advantage of any hidden fare breaks.

There are sites now that claim to be able to book all travel together, flight, car rental, hotel, everything from soup to nuts, but if you've ever tried booking through them, you know first hand that it's better to book each one separately. I've even had the misfortune to have the flight booked fine, taken the car rental to the hotel, only to find that the hotel reservation had not been booked properly. So at that point, where are you to go in a town that is completely booked, and your reservation is not available? Where is your toll free number to call? Non existent. There is not only no one to call to be able to verify that you indeed did book the reservation, but all you have is a piece of paper telling them that you did book the reservation. Unfortunately for you, without someone to help you navigate through, you might as well fly home.

Booking travel is always the first challenge. Sometimes you don't even know which flight might take you to your destination. How many stop overs, which airport is better to fly out of, you know, who would know that, except someone who is in the industry. Ideally, you wouldn't want to incur the cost of calling several different providers, without the security of a toll free number, especially if you're bargain hunting. Remember, each airline or cruise line, or other travel provider has their own mark downs, some advertised and some not, so the best thing to do is to reach out and call them to find out how best to find those bargains.

One of the best solutions when traveling is to be able to reach out and call someone. Being able to run down a toll free directory to call not only your airline, car rental, and hotel or even a day tour reservation is the most secure way of booking your travel, not only because it saves you time when you book your travel, but also because you are able to then have someone to call if in fact you do find that there is a question about a reservation, location, or timing. No search engine or website is going to be able answer your phone call, tell you about fare restrictions, potential problems at a destination you're traveling to, or offer up a bargain.

About Author:
Published by the editorial staff of National Tollfree Directory. For more information about the 800 Directory, Toll Free Directory and 800 Numbers, visit The National Tollfree Directory: http://www.internettollfree.com. Please direct any feedback on this article to editorial@strbusinessmedia.com.

Source: Arkilite.com Travel Free Articles Directory