วันอังคารที่ 30 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Popular Holiday Islands in Thailand

Thailand is one of the leading travel destinations in the world and is home to many beautiful tropical islands. Some of these isles you might have heard of and some you will most likely never have heard of. This Thailand related travel article will list and review some of the most beautiful holiday islands in Siam.

Phuket

Phuket is the most popular island and is along with Pattaya and Bangkok the most popular tourist destinations of the country. There are many beautiful beaches on this isle which include Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin and Nai Harn. If you enjoy the nightlife then perhaps either Phuket or Samui should be your choice for your next vacation.

Koh Samui

Samui is ranked among the top 5 vacation destinations in the country and has been known for a very long time as a backpacker heaven. Samui has however been under development a great deal during the last decade and visitors can now choose from a wide range of luxurious hotels and resorts. The beaches on this island rank among the finest of Thailand. Chaweng beach is the most popular beach resort area of Samui.

Koh Chang

Koh Chang is still relatively unknown to the general public however it is one of the fastest growing travel destinations of Siam. If you would like to visit Koh Chang then you should take the ferry boat from Rayong as there is no airport on this Thai isle

Koh Samet

Although Samet is not a very large island, it is one of the most romantic of all the Thai islands. Many travelers are like to visit Samet as it is located not too far from Pattaya. A lot of day trips are also organized to this wonderful isle.




James is a travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide and for information about Samui please visit his Samui Guide.

วันจันทร์ที่ 29 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Corbett Tour: A Perfect Way to Rejuvenate Your Mind and Body

Are you dreaming of something adventurous and exciting for your honeymoon? Then, book your honeymoon travel package which includes a trip to the Jim Corbett National Park! Many tourists or honeymooners get bored of the monotony of the beaches and hill station tour and desire to add thrill and challenge in their vacation. Here, Corbett Travel is the perfect idea! What can be more exciting and fun than spending your day and night amidst the wildlife and exotic flora and fauna? The pleasure and delight that you can add to your tour is unmatched. At the end of your Corbett Travel, you will feel blessed and filled with energy and vigor.

Corbett Park well connected with rails and roads

There are also no issues or tensions to be pondered about the modes of reaching the Corbett Park while booking the Corbett Travel packages. The Corbett Reservation is well connected by both rail and road and is just 280 kilometers from New Delhi. Also, you can easily reach the Corbett Park from other cities as well which includes Agra, Rishikesh, Lucknow, Chnadigarh and so on. In fact, if you are enjoying your honeymoon in any of these locations, then you can easily book a honeymoon travel package and reach Corbett. What can be more delightful than adding an element fun, adventure and excitement in your honeymoon? It will actually feel like an icing on the cake!

Book your Corbett Travel during weekend

Corbett Travel is also taken up by the people during the weekends which highly give them an opportunity to unwind from their hectic life and spend some peaceful and thrilling moments. For the Corbett travel, there is also no need for you to take up a full- fledged leave from your office which is greatly difficult to get these days. You can find numerous Corbett Travel packages which offer a 2 or 3 days fun filled tour of the Corbett Park.

An escape to the exotic landscape and unique wildlife will rejuvenate your mind and body. During your Corbett tour, you will simply forget your monotony of work or other tensions. The wonder of nature and a glimpse of the varied variety of living beings residing in our planet will just mesmerize you. When you talk about nature, forests, wildlife, birds and exotic plants are always mentioned. Corbett tour packages guarantees a view of all of them!




Author is an associate editor for Corbett Tour Packages. Get all possible information about Holiday Packages and Corbett Holiday Packages. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Flights Booking and Holiday Packages in India.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 25 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Getting to Know Phuket's Beaches

I spent a little more than a year living in Phuket and came to know the Phuket beaches well. Before I moved to Phuket I wasn't a big fan of beaches, but after seeing what the island had to offer, I eventually warmed to them.

For anyone visiting the island, the Phuket beaches are one of the primary draws. However, Phuket's most popular beaches are definitely the ones I would try and avoid. The beach that seems to attract more people every year no matter how much good advice is written about the place is Patong Beach.

It defies belief that people still flock to Patong Beach and continue to leave with the same complaints. The food is overpriced, there are too many people, the beach is dirty and so on. There's a reason why the people who live in Phuket only really venture to Patong Beach for the nightlife or else occasionally for shopping. It's a bit of a dive. There are much better Phuket beaches around the island.

My personal favorite Phuket beach will always be Mai Khao Beach. I first visited Mai Khao Beach about three years ago. It was the first time I had been in Phuket, but it didn't take long to decide which beaches to avoid.

Mai Khao Beach is an enormous stretch of untouched paradise. There are countless spots where there is nothing else except the sand, sea and you. If you want beautiful natural surroundings and the kind of beach you see in brochures, all you need to do is go to Mai Khao.

However, most tourists forsake Mai Khao, either because it's too far or too difficult to get to. Mai Khao Beach is located in the north of Phuket and can be reached a number of ways. The most obvious, if traveling from Phuket Town, is to take a songthaew as much of the way as possible and then hail motorcycle taxis. Otherwise you could rent your own motorbike for 200 baht or so and make the trip north.

The journey might take up to an hour from Phuket Town, but it's certainly worth the effort.

Another beach that receives little attention is Yanui Beach, a tiny little stretch of sand located just around the corner from Nai Harn Beach. As Phuket beaches go, Yanui is great during the high season when there are people keeping it clean. During low season it has a kind of romantic charm and is a great place to watch the sunset, but there's usually an accumulation of garbage along the beach.

There are heaps of other beaches dotted around the coast of Phuket. They all have something to offer. Patong Beach is definitely one to avoid, however.

After traveling to the majority of Thailand's beach destinations, I think that if you do Phuket right, you'll have a better time than at places such as Samui or Pha-ngan. Thailand has long been on the tourist trail and so no beach destination is perfect, but Phuket can get pretty close.




To find out more about Phuket visit Phuket Vogue.

วันจันทร์ที่ 22 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Pompeii Tour Guide Trap - Three Ways To Avoid The Traps

The Pompeii tour guide trap is easy to fall into since it even affects relatively respectable channels. Lets go through them one by one.

1. Booking Pompeii Tours Through Private Drivers and limousine car service companies.

This is perhaps the easiest way to when it comes to booking Pompeii tours. This happens when you arrive at Pompeii using a pre-booked private car. Private drivers are found generally through a car-service website or a network of agencies that feeds them with customers.

When you arrive, once the driver has gained your trust, you will then be suggested additional services to enhance your visit.

But here is the rub.

Quality private drivers doesn't necessarily mean quality private guide. This is a case of misplacing your trust. The drivers look to add to their income by offering extra services and add the services of a guide. They charge you the customer the full price, and then they look for the guide via cell phone. But the drivers rarely want to pay the guide their official fee.

Frequently, it's also happening at the last minute, so the quality of the guide you will get tends to be a lottery.

You should know that the better guides may work once for these private drivers once or twice with the private drivers they know already; but thereafter, they tend to avoid the experience because they don't get the right money they should be paid for their services. For example, I have worked with virtually all the drivers in the Bay of Naples for 20 years, and I have my own preferred pre-selected group of drivers. However, it is extremely rare these days that I accept work of this kind.

2. On the spot Guides:

These are local guides at the main entrance to the Pompeii archaeological site. Many of these "guides" began working in the tourist shops many years ago. They learned a few words of some foreign language, and from this let's say, they auto-qualified themselves as guides.

You know that just deciding one day that you are a local guide does not mean you have the qualities to communicate what a place really means to visitors.

This may do for certain places in the world, but for the complexity of Pompeii, it is not enough. Many of these self-declared guides are still there getting their clients at the entrance of the site half a century later. Today since the end of 2008, they have created a kind of formalized booking gazebo or tent outside of the main entrances of the site of Pompeii. Whatever the system, the risk that you run is the same....and this is to end up with a very poor level of guiding.

Generally it is common for the "on-the-spot" Pompeii Tour "guides" take you into the site, give you a quick tour around and then leave you to continue "to explore the site on your own".

Why do they do this? Why do they leave you in the middle of the site? Your are left by them in the middle of the site of Pompeii so that they can rush back to the gazebo to get their names on the list in time to do another tour with more poor clients. Who would have imagined!

The result is that you'll have to continue by yourself exploring rather than to be shown a more appropriate tour escorted from start to finish for a couple of hours.

I am not saying that every single guide outside the site that is of a poor quality. There are good quality guides there too. But the risk for your the client, of finding a guide outside Pompeii in this way is that you end up with a poor quality guide, because you do not have the opportunity to choose your guide due to the waiting list system. Even if you meet a guide outside that you do like, the waiting list system means you get allocated whoever is next on the list. It is all a question of luck of the draw.

You may ask yourself, how could all this happen in such a world famous and important site? And you are quite right to ask. It is through mismanagement and corruption in the industry, but that is a whole different article. Lets look at a final group that you could also run into - the Pompeii site Guards.

3. Pompeii Site Guards

The Site Guards are responsible for controlling the site and keeping visitors safe. But the most frequent complaints I hear are about the things that are in their control:-

People complain about

* The stray dogs
* The dirtiness of the site of Pompeii
* Lots of houses inside the site are closed.
* There is no one to ask information or direction.

Why all this is happening?

Because the guards sometimes offer their services to visitors who are inside a site and need information rather than doing their own job of controlling the site and ensuring people are safe. They began doing this in a similar way to the self-declared guides decades ago, and they are still there.

If you get hurt, rather than being there giving assistance, some site guards are working illegally as guides.

In my opinion, each person is their own profession. Leave the guards to guard the site. If you want a guide, book a decent guide before arriving.




And now I would like to invite you to claim you FREE Instant Access to FREE planning guide to visiting Pompeii and other places in the Bay of Naples when you visit http://BarbaraGuide.com/tours/pompeii-tours/ (<--click this link)

From Barbara Giambattista - Expert Local Guide and Event Planner for the Bay of Naples Italy, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri.

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 21 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Tourism and Honeymoon in Kerala

A charming state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India, Kerala is a prominent destination for tourism and holiday India. It is one of the most charming and captivating states of India. Its capital city is Trivandrum. Also known as God's Own Country, Kerala is noted for its lush greenery, scenic landscapes and truly amiable ambiance for peaceful vacations. The state has great tourism opportunity with beautiful beaches, breathtaking backwaters, luxuriant jade hill stations, fragrant tea & spice plantations, exotic wildlife, rich flora & fauna, historical places & monuments, religious places & shrines, etc. Excellent accommodation facilities at different beach resorts and hotels are available according to your needs and budgets. Tree houses are houseboats are unique forms of excellent and unique accommodation in Kerala, God's Own Country.

With great tourism opportunity, excellent accommodation facilities and peaceful ambiance, Kerala is also popular among honeymooners or newly wed couples. It presents truly amiable and romantic ambiance for honeymooners coming from different parts of the world. Beaches and backwaters; hill stations and mountains; lakes and rivers; forts and monuments; historical places and religious places - Kerala has all to make it popular destination for honeymoon vacations in India. Water spots, river cruises and lots of beach activities give honeymooners a mind-boggling charm of Kerala tourism. Kovalam is an internationally famous beach town in the state. It is very famous among other kinds of vacationers along with honeymooners. Varkala, Fort Kochi, Beypore, etc are some other popular beach destinations in the state.

Backwater cruises on enchanting Kerala backwaters are perhaps the most entertaining activities in this charming state. Backwater cruise can surely enhance the charm of your Kerala honeymoon tour. Alleppey, Kuttanad, Kollam, Fort Kochi, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, etc are prominent backwater destinations in the state where honeymooners can enjoy cruises over the breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil backwaters. One of the main tourist attractions, the backwater cruises in Kerala are dream experiences on houseboats or kettuvalloms that are especially designed with open lounge, one or two bedrooms with attached bathrooms and a kitchenette. Houseboat stay is a truly romantic experience for honeymooners or romantic couples.

Hill stations of Kerala are equally famous among honeymooners and newly wed couples. There are some beautiful hill stations in the state which attract couples for exciting and romantic honeymoon tour in India. Munnar, Wayanad, Ponmudi, Peermede, etc are popular hill stations the state where you can seek delight for your honeymoon vacations in Kerala, God's Own Country. Well, if you too are looking for a right destination for honeymoon, Kerala can perfectly cater your needs for dream honeymoon destination in India.




This article is written by Terence Lewis an eminent writer of travel and tourism related topics. Know more about honeymoon tour Kerala and beautiful Kerala tourism destinations.

วันศุกร์ที่ 19 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

What You Need to Know About Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of the biggest islands in Thailand, located in the Amdaman Sea off the southern coast of the country. The island is rugged with a mountain range present in the west of the island. The mountains in Phuket Thailand grace the southern end of the island, stretching about 440km from Kra Isthmus. Mai Thao Sip Song, which stands at 529m, the highest point in Phuket.

Phuket has a total area of about 570 square kilometres and the main island is about 50km in length and 20km wide. About 60% of the land is covered in forest, rubber and oil plantations.

There are several beaches along both the coasts of the island. The western coast is covered by sandy beaches, whereas the beaches in the eastern coast are muddy. In the southernmost part of Phuket is Laem Promthep, which is a spectacular sunset viewpoint.

The northern part holds the Khao Phra Thaeo nature preserve, where more than 20 square kilometers of rain forest are protected. Khao Prathiu (384m), Khao Bang Pae (388m) and Khao Phara (422m) are the three highest points in this rainforest. On the northwestern coast is the Sirinat National Park, which protects both forest and marine life. Nai Yang Beach is near here where sea turtles come for nesting.

Patong beach is one of the most popular tourist areas. It is on the western coast of Phuket Thailand. The nightlife over here is very vibrant and shopping here is cheap and cheerful.

Adjacent to Patong, there are plenty of other beautiful beaches. Some of the best beaches are Karon Beach, Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach. At the southern tip of Phuket Thailand you will find Nai Harn Beach and Rawai Beach. Towards the north of Patong are the beaches of Kamala, Surin and Bang Tao. Although much less developed than Patong, these beaches are some of the very best in the world. These places provide isolation for those who seek it.

There are also many smaller islands dotted around the coast of Phuket. Bon Island is one of the better ones and is a few kilometers away by boat. Coral Island is also very nice and this is where the marine life is particularly diverse. The Similan Islands to the northwest and the Phi Phi Island to southeast handle lots of activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling.




Care to find out more about Phuket Thailand? Get all the latest info from Phuket Thailand at these links.

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 14 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Phuket Villa Rentals - Simple Tips To Enjoy A Phuket Getaway More

The province of Phuket in Thailand has truly been one of the most visited and frequented tourist destinations in Asia. That is why the sector for tourist inns and properties has really enjoyed a rise. These days, there is a good and significant market for Phuket villa rentals. And as a vacationer, you would generate more savings if you would rent a place to stay in as you enjoy your Phuket getaway.

As a regular traveler, you surely have been well acquainted and familiarized with the services of hotels. You should be noticing that hotel accommodations all over the world are getting similar to each other that you could hardly distinguish the difference between staying in a US hotel and in an Asian hotel. In that way, Phuket villa rentals are more advisable if you want to know more about the culture of the area in your vacation.

Practical tips

It is important to note that there are simple and practical guidelines that would surely help you make villa rental in Phuket more noteworthy and advantageous. In the planning process, you should first weigh the pros and cons of taking Phuket villa rentals especially in consideration with your budget and other factors.

Take note that on the first glimpse, villa rentals are generally looking more costly than hotel accommodations. But what is good about Phuket villa rentals is that you would be able to generate greater savings especially if you re going in a group and if you intend to stay for a few weeks or even months.

Why villa rentals?

As mentioned, villa rentals in Phuket would help you get to know more and experience the culture not just of the province but also of the whole of Thailand. That is because villas are taking the traditional and genuine Thai home designs. Such structures and homes are also made of the usual and some native Thai home materials.

Villa rentals in Phuket are designed to cater more to vacationers who are in groups or who are intending to stay longer than usual. While hotels could be practical for staying in a just a few days, maybe a day or two, villas are more practical to lease if you are staying for weeks or months. It is just like renting a town home in the area.

When to go

You have the privilege to schedule your vacation as you please. If you are planning to go on a splendid getaway and you want to go to Phuket, you should plan to go there any month except for November to April. That is because in such months, there are practically more tourists going to the area as everyone seems to be going there on the Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays.

Phuket villa rentals would be costlier on such months. That is because as the demand rises up, surely, prices go along. And besides, it would be harder to book villa and even hotel accommodations. All other months are definitely good times to go and take a much needed break in Phuket's beaches.




Get more out of your Tuscan vacation by staying in a Tuscany villa rental by visiting http://www.vacationhomerentalsguide.com, a popular vacation rental website that specializes in finding inexpensive Orlando, Florida condo rentals so you can enjoy your trip to Disney world.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 11 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Bali High

I am writing this memoir from the perspective of a tourist from the Philippines. Before coming to Bali, I thought that Bali was another beach destination, like Boracay or Phuket. No, it seems that I was mistaken. Bali is much more than a beach. Let me show you.

Light enhances art, one cannot isolate a structure from its natural environment.

I remembered this paraphrase from a movie the minute we arrived in our hotel, Royal Bali Beach Club in Jimbaran. As we sat down drinking our welcome drinks, my eyes were drawn up to the thatched roof made of alang-alang (cogon). Three levels up from the ground floor lobby, the bamboo poles and burnished wood frames formed a geometric design that glowed in the warm lights. Hindu stone carvings, intricate wood carvings on the walls, frangipani flowers in vases, Balinese masks, gargoyles & water lilies all combined with the thatched alang-alang roof to create a tropical, Balinese ambiance. Despite my fatigue, I felt stimulated by so much artistic expression.

On our way to St. Francis Xavier church in Kuta the next day, I finally saw Bali in the daytime. I found it strange that nearly all the structures (except those with thatched roofing) had the same tiled roofing in terracotta color. I can almost believe the Balinese deliberately created a themed, unified look like what the Parisians or the Israelites in Jerusalem did. I think this gives the city its unique character. Did you know that Bali has the longest art street in the world?

On our way up to Ubud which is considered the cultural and artistic center of Bali, the "art street" passed through several towns that specialized in different arts: Tohpati (batik), Batubulan (stone carving), Mas (wood carving), Celuk (silver & gold), Ubud (paintings and galleries, art market), Sukawati (art market). It's an artist's haven! Three days were not enough for us but we were happy with our souvenirs, especially in Windu Sari (Batubulan), Body and Soul and Just Jeans factory outlets in (Seminyak), and in Sukawati market, all with discounts. Always bargain in Bali, as much as 70% if you can otherwise walk away and see if they will give in.

Did I mention that ricefields and rice terraces surrounded these art towns? The Balinese originally built their rice paddies to surround their water temple, and thanks to the subak irrigation system inherited from the Hindus, rice is planted all year round. We couldn't forget those ducks quacking in the rice paddies though. Why, they were the same ducks that were deep-fried in Indonesian spices and landed on our lunch plates! Yummy. Interestingly, the Indonesian bebek (duck) tasted different from its Peking duck cousin. If you do come to Bali, a visit to Bebik Bengil in Ubud for lunch or dinner is worth it. The Balinese gardens, rice fields, traditional Balinese bamboo music are as exquisite as the duck special and fried ice cream for desert, at reasonable prices.

At first, we were not so crazy to rush to the beaches as we were familiar with fine sand or coral beaches in the Philippines. However, on our third night, we headed to Jimbaran beach for a seafood dinner and got hooked ever since. Who could resist eating grilled seafood outdoors at night with the crashing waves nearby, sand under our feet, candlelights, twinkling lights in the far distance and stars shining in the sky? On our last night at Fortuin restaurant, there was a Balinese wedding reception next door. We witnessed a traditional Balinese dance, a modern belly dance, a fire dance, and heard some Balinese songs and English songs like Autumn leaves. There were Hindu-Balinese decorations among the tables and chairs and, according to the waiter, the wedding happened the day before but the celebration will be for several days. A foreigner and a Balinese were getting married so perhaps they had two different kinds of celebration?

Speaking of beaches, there is one beach that is not found in any Bali map. It's called Dreamland and owned by Tommy Suharto, the ex-president's son. As the name suggests, Tommy got the best beach in this massive real estate project called Dreamland. Situated between Jimbaran and Uluwatu, Dreamland beach is more picturesque, its sands finer than the ones in nearby Jimbaran, Kuta or even Nusa Dua (this last one came from Ngurah our driver.) It was in Dreamland that I saw surfers up-close. It was fascinating to watch them glide in and out of the waves because they made it seem so easy. Did they experience an athlete's "high" surging over those waves? Maybe. In my experience as a runner, it was always exhilarating to run at top speed with the wind blowing all over my body.

Soon, it was sunset. Watching the sunset in Kuta or Dreamland beach was a special event for our family since we live in the city which is far from any beach. We were glad that the beaches in Bali were free and not crowded with people. I can't explain why but it felt like food for our soul to catch a sunset by the beach.

For me, Uluwatu in southwestern Bali had the most dramatic cliff views over the Indian ocean. The 70 metre cliff scene was a little like the Twelve Apostles in Melbourne, Australia which faced the Southern Ocean. After half an hour of walking by the trail we were rewarded with spectacular views! There were many monkeys around, but don't be fooled or frightened that the monkeys will steal your stuff. That's what the locals will tell you but I refused to leave my sunglasses behind as my eyes were sensitive to the sun. Well, they were cheap sunglasses anyway but hey, at least I didn't frown in our photo shoots and nothing happened to us.

Let's see: beaches (for surfing, water sports, or swimming), mountains, lakes, national parks, rice terraces & fields, longest art street, Hindu-Polynesian architecture, Hindu temples, Buddhist pagodas, Balinese dance and theater, Balinese gardens, Indonesian spices, designer boutiques, beachfront hotels & restaurants, and an international airport found in ONE island? Incredibly yes. Nowadays, when I'm in the mood to remember Bali, all I have to do is pluck a frangipani flower from our garden, put it behind an ear, play a traditional Balinese bamboo music in my CD player, read a book about Bali or try a recipe from a Balinese cookbook and voila, it's Bali again. I think I got the Bali High fever.




http://friendelaine.blogspot.com

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 4 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2553

Top Resorts in Phuket - Keeping the Family Together

The island of Phuket in Thailand is formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang. It is the largest island on the west coast of the Andaman Sea. The 570 square meter area of Phuket provides spectacular scenery and soft white palm beaches. More tourists come to see the warm hospitality and great accommodations of fun-filled family resorts in Phuket. Here are the top family resorts you may want to visit.

JW Marriott Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa is an award-winning resort in a vast tropical landscape paradise. It lies on Mai Khao, the longest beach in Phuket. The 11 hectare resort offers tropical gardens, lily ponds and the preserved coastal wetlands. It is close to Phuket airport and a few minutes away from Blue Canyon Country Club.

This five star resort has 265 guestrooms, 10 meeting rooms with 10 restaurants and bars. There are three swimming pools that include the main, the shallow bubble pool and the waterslide. You can also workout at the gym and relax at their magnificent spas. The kids can enjoy playing at the area called kids club wherein they can play computers, doll houses and wooden toys.

The resort was ranked 8th among the top 25 Spa Hotels and Resort in the region by Smart Travel Asia.

Laguna Beach Resort
Laguna Beach Resort lies between a tropical lagoon and the Andaman Sea. This low rise resort is located at the land of Bang Tao Bay. It is just 20 minutes drive from Phuket International Airport. The 20 acres of land embraces a Thai architecture of local landscape and architecture.

The resort features a number of sports and leisure facilities. This includes three swimming pools and a waterpark. Families can enjoy playing tennis in one of the three outdoor courts and one indoor court for kids. A class of batik is also offered with a visit of the resort's two baby elephants. However, sailing on the beach and playing computer games will add fun to your stay.

Holiday Inn Phuket Resort
Holiday Inn Resort is at the heart of Patong Beach that offers white sandy beaches, tropical scenery, excellent food and a lively nightly. The resort provides a 265 themed room for the entire family. This includes a kidsuite, a pirate theme children's room, a standard room and a family suite. Rooms can accommodate two adults with 2 children less than 12 years old. Room's amenities offer electronic games, toy box, TV and video and a play station for kids.

The resort also offers premier resort facilities such as large swimming pools, Jacuzzis at the Busakorn Wing and a freeform pool at the Main Wing. Hence, a world class spa and a fitness center is an ideal place to relax and be healthy. Food lovers can enjoy a choice of Thai, Italian and international cuisines at the resorts restaurants and steakhouse.

Movenpick Resort & Spa
Moevenpick is surrounded by Karon Beach that showcases 140 elegant villas. This includes Garden Villas with outdoor showers with private pools and a Penthouse Pool. There are 194 Garden View and Deluxe Ocean Rooms set in an international standard of accommodation.

Resort facilities include a fitness center, four swimming pools, pool tables, tennis courts and gaming rooms. The Spa at Movenpick offers Eastern and Western treatments and exotic ambiance. Guests with children can play at the Play Zone. It is the largest club for children that provides indoor and outdoor entertainment such as a play station, internet access, a reading room, DVD lounges, sport utilities and craft activities.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa has something to enjoy for every family who visited the place. The fine golden sands and clear waters have made the place a dream destination for a family vacation.

Ramada Beach Resort
Ramada Resort in Karon Beach is a newly opened resort that features a unique Mexican Hacienda theme. It has 121 rooms and suites with warm lightings and comfortable design. This includes a standard room, deluxe room, duplex adventure suite, junior suite, two-bedroom adventure and a two bedroom family suite. There are also magical theme rooms like the Outer Space, Underwater and Castle rooms. Other rooms offer spectacular views of the sea.

The resort offers leisure facilities like the Kidzclub, Siam Adventure Club, Main and Dino Pool and a Tour Desk. Other services include audio and visual equipment, baggage handling, babysitting, dry cleaning, handicap facilities, a limousine, smoke detector and a switchboard.

Phuket's family resorts offers excellent services like any other top resorts in the world. This fun island presents a smile-filled holiday with its secluded and luxurious resorts to keep the family together.




For more information on Family Resorts and Family Resorts Hotels please visit our website.

วันศุกร์ที่ 29 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

New York's Novels

New York is a city that has been written about like no other. On a tour walking the USA's city of New York, you can often find inspiration in many of the stories unfolding around you - and that's precisely what inspired several novelists to set their stories in 'The Big Apple'. Many American novels, from hardboiled crime to postmodern meta-fiction, have either prominently featured, or been set in, the city of New York. Here are a few of our favourite books featuring the city.

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D Salinger's classic novel, The Catcher in the Rye, captured a vision of New York like no other. Told through the eyes of Holden Caulfield, the novel was originally published in 1953 and has stood the test of time as an examination of disaffected youth, being included in Time magazine's 2005 list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923. It was named by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best English-Language novels of the 20th century. Following Holden as he journeys through New York on a quest of self-discovery, and featuring a gripping stream-of-consciousness narration, a tour walking USA's most vibrant city, New York, will allow you to appreciate the personal journey as much as Salinger did.

The Devil Wears Prada

Adapted into a hit movie in 2006, Lauren Weisburger's successful novel presented the glamorous side of New York City, following central character Andrea Sachs, a graduate hired as a personal assistant to a powerful fashion magazine editor in New York, the ironically-named Miranda Priestly. Her job becomes more and more trying as her editor grows more and more demanding. While a walking USA tour of New York won't bring you to the editorial suites of the city's glossy magazines, the boutique shopping can provide the 'Andrea Sachs' experience.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Another novel adapted into a famous film, Breakfast at Tiffany's was written by Truman Capote in 1958, and tells the story of a year's friendship between Holly Golightly and the unnamed narrator of the novel. In 1961, the novel was adapted into a film starring Audrey Hepburn, and the role of Holly Golightly was considered the actresses most unique and identifiable role. The novel's language, however, had to be toned down for the screenplay! If you're walking the USA's more glamorous side to New York, you will spot some of the film and novel's iconic locations in Manhattan, such as the 'Brownstone' apartments that Holly resided in.

The New York Trilogy

Paul Auster's famous meta-fictional detective stories, 'City of Glass', 'Ghosts', and 'The Locked Room', form his New York Trilogy - an intricate mixture of detective stories and a postmodernist deconstruction of identity, in which the author appears in his own book (or does he?). Be glad that a tour walking this USA author's version of New York won't take you to the depths of madness plumbed by character Peter Stillman, who memorably plans his walks around a New York park so that his route spells out 'The Tower of Babel', one letter at a time every day. It's chilling material - New York has never been so mysterious.




Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. Join our walking USA tours with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, and you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

วันเสาร์ที่ 23 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Golden Triangle Tour With Car Rental - Travel Comfortably

Golden triangle comprises three popular cities of North India - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. These cities hold most of the attractions of North India and are located at run of 6-7 hours from each other. These cities are the hub of tourist attraction in North India. Many tourists love to explore the showcases of golden triangle. To travel in these cities they prefer rental car. Rental car let the tourists explore the popular sites of North India comfortably. Golden triangle is one of the most preferred and sellable tour packages in India.

Delhi is the historical city of India. It has witnessed many empires. It has seen glory of victory times and again and many times fall to ashes. It is now the political capital of India and also acclaimed as cultural capital of India as easily get a rental car at genuine rental price to explore Delhi and its attractions. People from all parts of the country gather in Delhi to make it cultural mix. There are many tourist attractions in India. Most of the popular attractions of India are historical in nature. These attractions are Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lotus Tomb, etc. Akshardham Temple, the newly built architectural sacred building is also a popular tourist attraction in Delhi. Tourists can explore all these attractions comfortably with Delhi car rental. There are many car rental companies in Delhi. One can

Agra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Taj Mahal is the major attraction of the city. People frequently visit Agra to see the architectural wonder of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of Modern World. It is most beautiful monument of India. It attracts millions of tourists in India. It is global tourist site in India. It is the icon of Indian tourism industry. Apart from Taj Mahal, the popular attractions of Agra include Akbar's Tomb, Itmad -ud -Daulah Tomb, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, etc. Hire a car rental Agra and explore all these tourist sites. One can easily find many car rental agents near Agra Railway Station.

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is also a popular tourist city in North India. It holds many tourist sites. Some of the major forts and palaces are also concentrated in Jaipur. Some of the popular tourist sites in Jaipur are Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, etc. Amber Fort is situated at the outskirt of Jaipur car rental can be best option to reach Amber Fort and explore other attractions of the city. Jaipur is also called as Shoppers' Paradise. Tourist can enjoy window shopping in Jaipur.




This article is written by Aisha Arora professional content writer and has been writing articles for long time. She writes about Delhi car rental and car rental Agra

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 14 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

MTV Spring Break Parties in Acapulco Mexico in 2010

With past locations being Panama City Beach in Florida and Cancun, Mexico, MTV Spring Break is always at the hottest spot for fun. Every year they bring their camera crews to an exotic location during Spring Break and film on location. This year, in 2010 they will be filming in Acapulco, Mexico. This is a fun time, even if you are just watching for the couch in your living room.

Thousands of teens are recorded dancing to top bands and singers that come down for concerts. It is an event that is looked forward to every year. MTV Spring Break is a much anticipated event that happens every year for college students that are looking to have a great time.

MTV pulls out all of the stops each year. They offer fun parties, concerts, dancing, contests and more. College students from all over the world come to MTV's Spring Break each year and have a great time. If you are thinking about attending in 2010 then you need to make your arrangements now. It get filled up quickly.

Since the beach front that they will be filming at is stretched with many hotels, there will be plenty of rooms for college students to stay. MTV will be staying in the Playa Suites hotel on the north side of the beach.

Those that are planning on attending can join one of the many scheduled concerts at the may hotels in the area. The major hotels will be having concerts and dancing of their own. With such great weather during this time of year, it will be a great time to party. The temperature is usually between seventy and eighty five degrees.

If you plan on being one of the thousands of college students attending this year's MTV Spring Break then you will need to be sure that you are careful about the local water. It is advised to drink from bottled water. This is the best way to avoid issues. Stomach problems seem to be an issue otherwise which will make the entire vacation miserable. It is also advised to be careful where you eat food. When your body is not used to the water and food in Acapulco, your stomach can bear the brunt of it. It is not always pretty.

When you go, be sure to attend the many nightclubs in the area. There are some great clubs that are planning on having some great concerts and dancing. Most do not have a closing time so you can party 24 hours if you wish. One of the most fun is the Palladium. It contains a one hundred sixty foot long wall of glass overlooking the entire beach and bay area. It is a wonderful way to see the area.

The entire week is sure to be a blast if you make sure that you plan ahead of time. Be sure to call ahead to reserve a room so that you do not miss out. Rooms book quite quickly. It is sure to be the greatest week of the year so be sure not to miss it. 2010 promises to be a great year for MTV. Be sure to check it out in person or online.




ParadiseParties.com offers Spring Break vacation and party packages for college and high school students and is a great resource for All Inclusive Spring Break Packages and MTV Spring Break

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 10 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Top 10 Best Places and Interesting Destinations in Thailand For Vacationing Family With Children

Thailand is the best place to spend family vacations. The country has plenty of beautiful and attractive places which parents and their children will definitely love. There are top ten best places in Thailand where most families from around the world love to visit. Here is the list of the ten most recommended vacation destinations in Thailand:

1.    Pattaya, Thailand - located along the Thailand Gulf. It is the most popular ocean site resort in the Southeast Asia. Pattaya has 300 affordable hotels to choose from, which are perfect for vacationing families of any size. There are also a number of markets and shopping malls. Lots of affordable restaurants are also found in Pattaya serving the delicious Thai delicacies.

2.    Phuket - the most popular tourist destination in the country with its beautiful white sand beach coasts. Phuket is also known as the "pearl of the South". Here, one can find the best variety of restaurants offering the best of Thai cuisines.

3.    Koh Samui - perfect to spend family summer vacations. Koh Samui has a large number of beach hotels where one can enjoy the amazing beauty of the white sand beaches along the coastlines. Resorts offer good budget accommodations which will surely please families.

4.    Chiand Mai popular tourist destination mostly because of the best shopping experience it offers. Here, one can buy a lot with just a dollar. Tourists often swarm the market of Chiang Mai that opens from 5pm and opens until midnight daily. The night marketplace has many products that will surely suit and satisfy everyone. Goods such as clothes, baggage, souvenir items, shoes and a lot more can be found here. There are also clubs in several places which offers very affordable prices. This is definitely a place for any family vacation.

5.    Koh Chang Thailand - is a marine national park which attracted thousands of visitors worldwide. The island has a nick name of "the last untouched paradise in the Southeast Asia", because much of its place are not yet been discovered by modern explorations and haven't been built in with establishments and infrastructures. Here, one can fully appreciate the pure gifts of nature. Koh Chang has everything nature has to offer. Perfect getaway place for families who wants to have a quiet and peaceful vacation. Families can rent natively designed bungalows where they can feel at ease and comfortable all throughout their stay.

6.    Krabi, Thailand - an island territory of Thailand that has fine-looking coastline and offshore islands. This location was used in the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo di Caprio. These beaches are truly pictures perfect panoramas, together with the coconut palm trees and the blue waters of the ocean. Krabi has been a favorite place for vacationers coming from different countries.

7.    Hua Hin - a place which combines pleasure and beach holidays and also a place for several sports. Golf has been the most famous sport here wherein visitors can play under the shade of the coconut trees.

8.    Chiang Rai - a located in the mountainous regions of Thailand, which are said to have retained much Thailand's culture. Popular attractions here include the White Temple, which is the only handcrafted temple in Thailand with striking botanical gardens. Visitors love to visit here and take a look at the Buddha statues built in Buddhist temples which truly spectacular.

9.    Cha-am Thailand - located 160 kilometers south of Bangkok, about two hours drive via car.  Cha-am beach resort is known as the longest white sand beach in Thailand. It is also a place for golfing which many of vacationers enjoy to play. Perfect for vacationing families.

10.    Bangkok - the main attractions in Bangkok are the magnificent temples and shrines along the city. These religious buildings were made with artistic architecture design which are truly captivating to the eyes.




Ms. Pinky is a mom of 3 school children. She is a Systems Engineer, a Technology Researcher and an Independent Medical Billing and Coding Consultant. She and her family is well-traveled all over the world!

Her blogs and websites focuses on stay-at-home moms, dads and students who wants to work at home, build homebased business http://www.mommyisworkingathome.com.

Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia's Culture and Great Food at: http://www.goingplacesinasia.com.

วันเสาร์ที่ 9 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Choosing The Best Locations in Phuket

Phuket, the island destination in Thailand drawing the most tourists, offer a plethora of beaches, coves and bays. Deciding where on the island to book your hotel accommodation is an important step to a memorable holiday. Some like it secluded, peaceful and tranquil, some like the buzz of a busy holiday atmosphere and some like it somewhere in-between.

In this article we will give an abbreviated overview of the best and most popular Phuket beach destinations, what you can expect from the location and point you in the direction of some great hotels in each area.

Patong is without a doubt the centre of all activity in Phuket. It is alive with people, a congregation of restaurants, bars, pubs, shopping opportunity, water sports abound and even a large shopping mall, making it popular with those who likes an electric holiday atmosphere. A vibrant nightlife with an assortment of clubs and discotheques sees that the nocturnally inclined also have a blast of a time.

Patong is home to a large selection of hotels and sees some fine luxury accommodation options to more budget savvy and everything in-between.

If you would like to be close to all the action but not directly in it and out of earshot of any noise, try the 4 star Amari Coral Beach Resort, located in the southern most corner of Patong on its own private beach. La Flora Resort is another 5 star resident of Patong right in the centre of the beach. This stylish establishment offer accommodation for anything from single travelers to two bedroom villas for family vacationers. The brand new very hip and funky 4 star B-Lay Tong resort also needs to be mentioned. This Phuket resort is located to the upmarket northern end of Patong.

Pure white sand that glitters, Karon is the 2nd biggest of the primary Phuket tourist beaches. It is located just south, a 5 minute tuk tuk ride, from the glittering lights of Patong. Long and wide, it is debatable if Karon is not maybe the most sought after of all Phuket beaches. Many hotels line the road that runs parallel to the beach, but very little if any development has taken place on the beach. To the northern end of this beach several restaurants, bars and other commercial activity is centered. Probably the most upscale Phuket beach area, Karon is home to highly recommended hotel names the 5 star Movenpick Resort & Spa, Centara Karon Resort, Centara Villas Phuket and the Hilton Phuket Arcadia. Just recently the brand new 5 star Centara Grand Beach Resort opened its doors to the northern end of Karon. This Phuket hotel is in fact located directly on the beach and every room offers sea views.

Kata Beach is the smallest of the primary tourist beaches. White sands, crystal clear waters and Phuket hotels and resorts right on the beach. If you do not wish to have a road between your hotel and the beach, Kata is probably where you will find your choice of Phuket accommodation. All structures bordering Kata is low rise so views are unobstructed and set to stay this. A beautiful beach and area in general, Kata is a great choice, perfect for swimming and plays hosts to names like the luxury Mom Tri's Boathouse boutique hotel, Centara Kata Resort and the popular 4 star Andaman Cannacia Resort & Spa. All of which is recommended places of stay.

Surin Beach is home to several high-end 5 star hotels & resorts and is aptly referred to as millionaire's row. The beach is beautiful and the sand a fine white powder. These luxury establishments have also given rise to some top notch restaurants and wine bars. Suggest for discerning travelers, Surin will be a good choice. Names like The Surin Hotel (Formerly The Chedi Phuket Hotel) and Manathai Resort has made Surin their home.

Kamala Beach is located just north of lively Patong with its glittering lights and feverish nightlife. Kamala calls to those who like it quieter while still within easy reach of Patong. The southern end of the beach gets busier during high and peak season. Here, a range of restaurants and bars can also be found. However, simply head for the northern end all year round to find peace and quiet. Kamala is of course also home to one of the biggest Phuket attractions, The Phuket FantaSea. Kamala is home to, amongst others, the luxury Cape Sienna Hotel & Villas.

Bang Tao is an enormous 8 kilometer stretch of beach. The southern end of this beach offers a range of some nice mid range hotels while the north is occupied by the ultr luxury Laguna hotel complex. Just a little inland is a small market and the village of Cherng Talay. The predominantly Muslim community makes a living from fishing as they have been for generations. In Bang Tao you will spend most of your time on the beach, utilizing resorts facilities and activities or rent a jeep to check out neighbouring beaches. Not busy, not quiet and very little if any night life.

Mai Khao Beach is at almost 10 kilometers, the longest beach in Phuket. Situated at the northern tip of Phuket, this area has seen limited development and construction. If you don't like to share a beach with too many other tourists, Mai Khao is your place. This is an area to get away from it all and spend your time in quiet and tranquil seclusion, though the nearby location of the airport does bring some air traffic noise every now and then. Sala Phuket Resort and Spa and Anantara Phuket Resort and Spa are two quality resorts in Mai Khao that deserves a closer look. Be careful when swimming here May to October with strong under currents and a steep slope into the ocean making things hazardous.

Just south of Mai Khao is Nai Yang beach, home to the fabulous Indigo Pearl Resort. Once again, commercial development is limited. The setting is lovely and tranquil and like Mai Khao, it is removed from any major activity and Patong is an approximate 45 minute drive away. A good choice to spend a few days in blissful seclusion, recuperate and then head for a more active environment.

Well then, this should help you make a more informed decision before booking Phuket hotels. Alternatively, should you need more information or suggestions for the best hotels and accommodation options for your unique requirements, contact our friendly and helpful team. We will be happy to assist.




The Best Hotels in Thailand.com is an online Thailand hotel and travel guide offering secure online Thailand hotel and resort accommodation bookings. To get all the Thailand travel information you need, the best rates and special hotel accommodation offers, visit us now at http://www.thebesthotelsinthailand.com

วันศุกร์ที่ 1 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Deira - The Other Half of Dubai

Deira
The two main areas of Dubai are Deira and Bur Dubai. The Deira part of Dubai offers guests a selection of exceptional attractions such as the Dhow Wharfage

Deira Side of Dubai
Deira is situated on the other side of the Dubai creek which separates it from Bur Dubai.

You can get across the Dubai creek at 3 different points. People can also make use of the Dubai creek water taxis which transport people from the Bur Dubai side to the Deira side of Dubai.

Deira is said to be to some extent less urbanized and commercialized then Bur Dubai across the creek.

Many tourists might take for this idea for granted as being the full truth. Granted many commercial and financial activities are found in the region including the Dubai World Trade Centre however Deira has a lot to offer as well to Dubai visitors.

Dubai Souk
Traders and businesses can be found all over Deira. The difference with Bur Dubai is the type of businesses that can be spotted along the roads of Deira. The legendary souks of Dubai are found in Deira. This includes the world famous gold souk as well as the famed spice souk of Dubai.

Bur Dubai
Visiting Deira and visiting Bur Dubai are two different types of experience. The premier motive for people to believe that Bur Dubai is much wealthier then neighboring Deira is due to the fact that Bur Dubai is more modern with many big and brand new structures and large malls.

Deira however offers visitors twisty and thin streets which are filled countless minute shops, Arabic restaurants and the whole atmosphere seems hectic and unorganized.

Deira Great for Shopping
If you love doing shopping at huge US style malls should be happy to know that these are also available in this area of Dubai. You can go shopping at US style malls in both Bur Dubai as well as Dubai.

A large number of shops and other businesses have over the last few years relocated from Bur Dubai to Deira as the rents are so much lower in the Deira side of Dubai.

Dubai at Night.
The evenings in Deira are much more alive with the streets filling up with many people. Local residents love having dinner at one of the many restaurants or to simply drink a coffee at one of the open air coffee. People watching seems to be the favorite activity for many people in Dubai.

The great atmosphere in this part of Dubai is surely a reason for many people to come and stay at a hotel in Deira rather than in one of the hotels in Bur Dubai.

Dhow Wharfage
Dhow Wharfage is an excellent attraction in Deira to go to. The Dhow Wharfage is one of the most visited attractions in Dubai by tourists.

Have a nice walk at the Dhow Wharfage and see how the local traders do business. These traders in this part can be compared to the old fashioned market sales guys in Europe.

Dubai traders located at the Dhow Wharfage offer clients all types of goods. These goods include fresh fruit and meat, mobile phones and sometimes even cars and boats.




James is currently living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for a great Phuket hotel then do consider staying at Club Bamboo Resort. Read more about Samui in his Samui Guide

วันพุธที่ 29 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

The Limestone Mountain Range of Indochina

Have you ever seen Goldfinger, the classic 007 thriller that, after one of the biggest car and boat chases in Hollywood history, ends up among the mysterious and beautiful islands of the Andaman Sea, where Dr. No has his evil headquarters?

Limestone is known for forming curious and beautiful formations around the world: usually caves, but occasionally cliffs and mountains as well. One of the properties of limestone is that (geologically speaking anyway) it erodes quickly in water. While water erosion may take tens of thousands or even millions of years to produce some other rock formations such as the Grand Canyon, limestone formations will change even within hundreds of years, depending on their size.

The largest swath of limestone mountains and cliffs extends from Southeast China (you can see them in prints and brush paintings as nearly vertical hills), and runs through Vietnam, Laos, Central Thailand, Southern Thailand, and finally through the Andaman Sea down into Sumatra.

Though all of these formations are impressive, it is the island formations that are the oddest: not only are their bases eroding in the sea, giving some an inverted island effect, they are also being bombarded by wet sea breezes and storms. Some of the islands, like Chicken Island for example, are very odd indeed, while other formations such as cliff caves that are part of bigger islands will contain secret lagoons and other such exotic features.

Islands in the Andaman sea, and all limestone mountains in fact, are doomed to one day crash back down to land. In the sea, the process is quicker and many cliff faces on the islands oddly lean toward the sea. Some of these have large faces painted on them, watching over the safety of the fishermen.




This article was written by Dinah Jackson who is a nutritionist in Japan. To find the rarest Japanese Pokemon cards, check out the store that has every kind of Japanese Pokemon cards that you can imagine. Also an incredible selection of Japanese Pokemon plush toys, figures, binders, deck boxes, sleeves, and just about anything you can imagine. Delivered right to your front door from Japan.

วันเสาร์ที่ 25 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Budget Travel Resorts

Many families are in a tight financial situation these days. You probably know how costly a vacation can become, but you should not let your budget control your life too much. There are perfectly fine choices for travel resorts, even if you are on a budget.

The key to traveling on a budget is information. By comparing different travel resorts and destinations you are able to pick those that have the best quality for your budget. Without being knowledgeable of your options, you can easily find yourself paying double or triple what you should be.

One source to gain that information from are travel agencies. However, as their income is generally based on how much you pay, they might not give you all the information you need. You need to find more reliable and more thorough sources. Thankfully, the information era is here and you can tap to millions of pages worth information with just a few clicks.

The world wide web is your friend. There are countless pages offering objective reviews of different travel resorts. By looking through the reviews of those resorts that are within your price range, you can quickly weed out those that are of poor quality.

There are also web sites that offer discounts for certain vacation packages. They are often more competitively priced than those offered by offline travel agencies, as online companies can cut costs where traditional ones cannot. This edge directly cuts the costs of your vacation.

Perhaps the most important information you can get from this kind of web sites is the information of what you need to have with you. Some travel resorts, for example those in the Pacific or Indian areas, are not equipped with everything you might be used to. Especially so, if you need to pick a budget resort.

Unless you have all the required items with you, you may need to buy something you have no need for afterward. This adds to the cost of the vacation and is an unnecessary burden to your travel budget. By thinking ahead and making sure you take with you everything you may need, you can avoid costs and use the money for what it should be: entertainment and leisure.

The best way to travel on budget is definitely to look for information on travel resorts online. By comparing different options you will find the one that best suits your budget and your wants. That will result in a much more enjoyable and interesting vacation than one sold by travel agencies.




The Maldives is a popular travel resort in the Indian Ocean. Maldives Resort Review reviews popular Maldives resorts and lets you find the one best suited for your budget and interests.

วันศุกร์ที่ 24 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Christmas Events For Kids in Dublin

Christmas at Imaginosity

Imaginosity is Dublin's children's museum and it's located in Sandyford. This interactive museum is all about learning while having fun. The museum has a action packed calendar of events for the month of December. There will be workshops where kids can learn to make Christmas decorations, special Christmas storytimes, Christmas discos, and Christmas drama workshops. Imaginosity welcomes under 10's and their family.

Christmas at the Ark

The Ark is a cultural centre for children located in Temple Bar in Dublin. The custom built cultural centre for children works with both international and Irish artists to develop programmes and workshops that will introduce and develop kids cultural and artistic abilities while at the same time having fun. From Novermber 21st - December 20th the centre will have a range of Christmas music and visual arts workshops.

Christmas Time at Farmleigh

Farmleigh House was once home to the famous Guinness brewing family. It is located in Phoenix Park - the largest city park in Europe, which is located about 3km west of O'Connell Street. Farmleigh provides a wonderful festive experience for all the family. It is beautifully decorated with Edwardian style decorations, there's a children's Christmas room, a 'live' crib and a Christmas food market. Farmleigh has organised lots of Christmas events taking place on the weekends in the run up to Christmas.

Ice skating

Ice skating is a always a fun day out at Christmas. There are lots of ice skating rinks in Dublin this year. 7up Christmas on Ice returns to its main venue the RDS from 13th November - 17th January and offers 3 fully covered ice rinks - a main rink, a beginners's rink and a kiddies sleigh run. 7up Christmas on Ice will also have a rink at Liffey Valley from 20th November - 10th January. Dublin On Ice will be at Smithfield from 20th November - 10th January and at the Plaza in Sandyford from 13th November - 10th January.

Pantomimes

There's plenty of pantomimes for you and your family to choose from in Dublin this Christmas. The Civic Theatre in Tallaght presents Little Red Riding Hood from 14th-19th December while the Snow Queen runs from the 27th-8th January. Robin Hood runs at the Olympia Theatre from the 18th December - 15th January while Jack and the Beanstalk can be seen at the Gaiety Theatre from 29th November-31st January. And if that's not enough to choose from, Cinderella performs at The Helix from the 2nd December to the 17th January.

Funderland

For the ultimate thrill rides and rollercoaster, head for Funderland - it's the largest travelling fun fair in Europe and it comes to Dublin from the 26th December to 10th January. It will be located at the RDS and will be open from 12 noon to 10pm daily.




Mairead writes for GoIreland.com - Ireland's leading travel and accommodation website.

Check out GoIreland.com for everything you need to know before you visit Ireland. GoIreland.com has low prices for quality approved hotel, B&B, guesthouse and self catering accommodation all over the country.

View GoIreland.com's Dublin hotels page now to find the perfect accommodation for your stay.

วันพุธที่ 22 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Your Flight to China - Are You Dreading It?

I've gone to China twice. So, four times I have been in a jet for 14+ hours at a time. I thought it would be a nightmare, but it really wasn't too bad.

If you've never traveled on an international flight, you might be surprised to discover how comfortable the seating is. On international flights, there's more leg room, and every inch is appreciated. Also, the seats leaned back further than on regular flights.

One way to get comfortable on any flight is to buy one of those little pillows for your neck. I used one that you blow up because it was so easy to carry in my carry-on bag, folding up to the size of a little tissue pack. It was very comfortable and easy to manage.

I also always ask for a blanket and pillow (or two) from the steward or stewardess for extra padding and shifting and otherwise setting up my little "seat-bed".

As you know, international flights feature movies and television shows. I was able to see a couple of Korean programs, Chinese kung fu movies, as well as American films. Occasionally, the screens would offer exercises to remind us to stretch our legs and shoulders and arms. That felt good. People frequently got up and moved around to stretch and talk, too. I enjoyed the casual, friendly atmosphere of the flights to and from China.

I found the meals to be delicious. We were offered a few different choices, some traditional Chinese or Korean fare, as well as American food.

One of our stewards was very fun and entertaining. On these international flights, alcoholic drinks were complimentary, and he would walk down the aisles, calling, "Free booze! Free booze!"

He spoke fluent English and Chinese, and he liked to have passengers practice their Chinese on him. If they were way off the mark, he would laugh and say, "You'd better practice some more!" But if you did pretty well, he would say, "Ah, good! You've been working on it!"

The international flights are fun, too, because you can meet the most interesting people and have a chance to actually learn about them. I had some wonderful seat-mates.

One fellow who sat next to me was an author and psychologist. He was an expert in human potential and was traveling to China to help train the men who would be operating the great Three Gorges Dam, the largest dam in the world, which stretches more than a mile across the Yangtze River. If they were to make even one mistake in operating it, millions could drown, he said.

A high school girl I sat next to on another flight was coming back from spending a semester in China after staying with a Chinese family. She had some wonderful stories to tell about the school she attended and the family she stayed with.

Of course, with any flight, the noise will get to you after awhile. The constant noise of the engines wears on you, so having noise-cancelling headphones is a great help.

All in all, I enjoyed the international flights. The service was excellent, the food was good, the seating more comfortable than usual, the seatmates were friendly, and the anticipation of arriving in China was exciting!




Roshana Ariel is a longtime writer and editor. She enjoys writing about her traveling adventures at http://www.adventuresinchinatravel.com/china_air_travel.html, and her dogs at http://www.love-those-doggies.com She also has a site devoted to another passion: brainwave technology and brain science at http://www.brainwavejourneys.com

วันเสาร์ที่ 18 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Accra Ghana - A Popular Tourist Spot

Accra is one of the contemporary and wealthiest cities on the continent of Africa. This populated city is the capital of Ghana and it is the home to Kotoka International Airport. Throughout the year this airport remains busy as plenty of aircrafts take off and land at this airport.

Though people from all across the world come to visit this place, Accra is mainly connected with North America and Europe. So, most of the time, the majestic beaches of this alluring tourist destination are seen to be crowded with Europeans and Americans.

If you can plan properly, you can surely expect to have an amazing Accra city tour. After reaching this place, you can hire a car that will surely make your transportation smooth and comfortable. Usually Accra Ghana hotels offer these rent-a-car services. So, you do not have to find any difficulty to avail such services. However, before hiring a car, make sure the driver of your car is a good guide. Otherwise, you may miss out to see some of the most wonderful tourist spots and thus your Ghana tours may remain incomplete.

Taxis are another mode of transportation in Accra Ghana. Some of these taxis are not metered. In that case you have to negotiate the rate with the driver before starting your journey, but most of the time it becomes a bit expensive. Another means of transportation is shared taxi. These taxis follow a fixed route and a fixed rate. Apart from all these, the third option is tro tro. These are basically vans, which serve as the public transit system of the city.

Some of the main spots, that really worth appreciation are as follows:

- The Makola Market

It is a shopping district, where one can find everything from clothes to shoes, from electronic parts to luxury items. The most interesting thing about this market is that here most of the traders are women.

- The National Museum

Its collections include a wide variety of textiles, pottery and fine art. Here the visitors will also come across a number of Zulu wooden statues, carvings from the Congo and the bronze heads from Nigeria.

- The Beaches

There are plenty of spectacular beaches in Ghana. To enter some of these beaches, tourists have to pay entrance charges.

- Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum

It is a memorial park, which is dedicated to the first president of Ghana.

If you are interested to see all such alluring spots, you need to select an accommodation options, from a wide range of Accra Ghana hotels. Some of the hotels, which offer superb boarding and lodging facilities, are as follows:

- La Badi Beach Hotel
- Golden Tulip Hotel
- La Palm Hotel
- Highgate Hotel
- African Regent Hotel

For getting more information on these hotels, you can contact the travel agencies, which are providing Ghana tourism services for quite a long time. Apart from hotels, there are also a number of restaurants in Accra. Among them Haveli serves Indian delicacies, whereas, Maquis Tante Marie serves African cuisine and Frankie serves Western food.




This article is written by Pieter Ghana for Ghana Welcome Tours. The Ghana travel tour operator offers Ghana tourism services and arranges West Africa tours.

วันพุธที่ 15 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Flights - Staying Dry In Thailand

For a taste of Asian culture, many western tourists and backpackers choose to visit Thailand during their trips, in order to enjoy the Buddhist temples, spicy foodstuffs and crystal clear coastal waters.

With a range of beautiful reefs and picturesque islands, wildlife holidays through dense jungles and national parks and health spas that offer the chance of some much needed relaxation, there's something for everyone.

Cheap flights to Bangkok are usually the best option for those looking to visit the country. However it is best to shop around for flights, as there are also options to travel to different parts of the country by air.

The coastal town of Phuket is served by an airport, and remains one of the most popular destinations for western tourists.

However it is always best to plan ahead for visits by doing a bit of research, particularly into the unpredictable weather system around the continent of Asia, particularly when it comes to the rainy season - when the country is prone to the annual monsoon.

However there are some parts of the country which are less affected by the weather than others. If you're visiting a coastal resort such as Phuket during the monsoon season it's best to stay safe and not embark on boat tours and snorkelling tours during bad weather periods.

It is advised to try and plan your Thai holiday around the rainy season. And whilst flights may prove a little more expensive, you can lessen your chances of running into difficulties during the rainy season - when rainfall can be pretty fierce and frequent.




Thinking of going to Thailand and on the lookout for flights? Compare cheap flights to Bangkok and a wide variety of other cheap flights to help plan your perfect trip.

วันอังคารที่ 14 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Top 10 Places to Visit in Asia

Asia is the biggest continent in the entire earth. There are several countries in Asia, which are famous for something or the other. Most of the Asian countries are famous for their rich cultural heritage and also some of the world's most famous recreational spots. Each Asian country is unique in its own way. The tradition that extends far and wide Asia is definitely not the same. This is one good reason why Asia remains an enigma to most of us till today. This is probably why people from all over the world find so much pleasure in touring this continent exclusively.



  1. Taj Mahal, Agra: This is definitely a place that everyone knows about. In fact, it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This is a monument that is known to depict love and there is a lot more to love. The beauty of this monument lies in the way that it is constructed. It feels as if this monument indicates the fact that love is very pure. It is definitely a must-watch place.


  2. Gunung Mulu National Pake, Sarawak: The park is famous for its caves and the expeditions that have been mounted to explore them and their surrounding rainforest. These caves are an eye-opener. You can see the amazing caves that open their way out to a whole new world that consists of several species living in them.


  3. Bali: Bali is an amazing place when you are considering a spiritual tour. It is a very beautiful place and Batubulan is one village that is famous for the carvings that are made of fine stone. Bali is also very famous for its rich ineffable culture. Bali is famous for its mystical temples, colourful festivals, unique arts and crafts. It is voted as the world's favourite island destination by influential travel magazines.


  4. Lombok: This is an island that is right beside Bali. It is definitely the best place for a vacation and also for wind surfing. If you are considering a stay cool vacation, then this is the best choice. Lombok is less crowded than Bali making it popular with tourist and honeymooners who want uncrowded atmosphere, with many "hidden beaches".


  5. Phuket: This is an island that is very popular for the islands and beaches. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why Thailand is preferable for enjoying nature and the most beautiful places of nature. Phuket was voted one of the World's Top 5 retirement destinations by the acclaimed Fortune Magazine. The most favourite spot for Phuket is the Phuket Beach.


  6. Ha Long Bay: This bay is situated in the Hanoi and has about a whopping 3000 islands that seem to have risen of the Gulf Tonkin. This is a nature's treat and you will love the beauty that is defined in these islands naturally. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its outstanding aesthetic value and geological and geomorphological value.


  7. Angkor Wat: This is the biggest temple that is ever constructed in this entire world. The architecture of this temple building is a sight to see. This is definitely a recreational spot. This is a Hindu temple constructed by King Suryavarman II during the 12th century. It is a great historical place and carries some historical significance and also relates to the Hindu Mythology.


  8. The Great Wall of China: As we all know, this is also one among the Seven Wonders of the World. This masterpiece was constructed over 2000 years ago. This is supposed to be the sole building project that is so large and has been completed successfully. The wall stretches for 8,851.8 km. If you visit China, this is a must place to visit.


  9. he Forbidden City: This was one of China's imperial Kingdoms. This kingdom was fully functional from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. Now it is transformed into a Palace Museum. You can look out for some beautiful art work of this monument and it definitely has that aura that the kingdoms were bound to have. It is the perfect historical place to visit.


  10. Tokyo DisneyLand: This is one of the best recreational spots and also makes your journey worthwhile since the entertainment you get here is immeasurable. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of US. You must visit Cinderella Castle if you go to Disneyland as it is the icon of Tokyo Disneyland.




Get free ebook about traveling on a budget at http://etravelogy.com/opt-in.php

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 9 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Islands of Thailand

If Kashmir is popular as the 'Paradise on Earth', the islands of Thailand, particularly in the southern end, are not lagging far behind - they are famous as the "Island Paradise". This is not for nothing. All this is attributed to the charming seaside and temperate humid atmosphere as well as distinctive and exceptionally comforting existence of the islands of Thailand drawing tourists from across the globe. These isles offer the vacationers an ideal change from their mundane, but hectic routine urbane lifestyles to a world of peace and tranquility.

At an initial glance all islands of Thailand may appear to be the same to the vacationers seeking freedom from their habitual city life. They appear to be the same - enjoyable humid tropical isles. But, when one descends on any of these 'Paradise Islands', they gradually, but without doubt realize the difference. As one gets familiar with the isles and the surroundings, they appreciate that each of these islands are as different and unique as the individual tourists. A visit to these 'Paradise Islands' is indeed a revelation - both inwards and outwards.

Significantly, while the expenses of vacationing in several of these 'Paradise Islands' is very high, while others are not. In most of these isles you can negotiate the cost of your stay. Each of these islands is different - some are tranquil, while others offer stimulating and exhilarating nightlife events. On the other hand, a few of these isles are ideal destinations for divers, while others offer innumerable opportunities to trekkers. Like all individualistic tourists to this nation, Thailand's islands too are different in character and spirit. Believe it or not, islands in Thailand have it all - from the absolute filthy seaside to the ridiculously gorgeous beaches. They also offer an assortment of lodging facilities - from huts offering nothing more than a blanket to elite and lavish resorts suiting everyone's taste and budget.

If one moves further south, he will come across the Koh Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan islands that are not only sizable, vivacious, and also attractive. Of the two, Koh Samui is a business center with its impressive malls and the hotels there are dearer too. Pha-Ngan, on the other hand, is famous as a party island and a place to sight the full moons, half moons and black moons. The Phuket that has been hit adversely by the tsunami too is nearby.

All said and done, the best thing about the islands in Thailand is that here you can visit all the beaches; enjoy the parties and nightlife without a hole in your pocket. The best way to enjoy a vacation in the Thailand islands is to select a small isle, away from the more commercialized ones, and enjoy the scenery and serenity without the modern day technologies.




Author is an SEO copywriter.

URL: http://www.toporganicseo.com/

วันอังคารที่ 7 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Some Thai Food Has Six Legs

Many people enjoy Thai food worldwide: spicy soups and salads, flavorful rice dishes are abundant. But in Thailand, fried or roasted insects and scorpions are also popular, readily available, and inexpensive.

Insects have traditionally been a rich source of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals in the Northern Thailand diet. They are also prized as delicacies. In fact, it is unusual to find an insect which is not eaten in one form or another by local people. Among the most popular are:

o cicadas, locusts, mantises, crickets, and grasshoppers which are all deep fried and are rather crunchy;

o bamboo worms, which are also deep fried;

o giant water bugs, which are steamed; they are also ground into a paste with chili and eaten with sticky rice;

o weaver ants (red ants with a painful bite) and their eggs; sticky rice is dipped into a mixture of ants, eggs, and chili;

o dung beetles; which add a wholesome flavor to curries; however, many people will not eat them because they live in and on excrement.

In addition, Thai people will eat

o the pupae of silk moths and other moths and butterflies; you must first remove the pupae from their cocoons, then boil them until soft with a pinch of salt, finally sautée them lightly;

o the larvae of wasps and bees; these are deep-fried;

and arachnids:

o poisonous scorpions, which are grilled;

o giant tarantulas, which are also grilled.

I have not seen other spiders eaten, but I suspect if it moves, it is considered food somewhere.

Also, termites (large white ants) are grilled and their eggs are a delicacy used to make a flavorful soup.

Where I lived in Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 4, every night starting around 5:00 PM, there was a street vendor with half a dozen kinds of fried and grilled insects and scorpions; her customers were mainly the bar girls in the area. Every night she was quite busy as the girls consider these insects a tasty snack, and munch on them as frequently as Western people munch on potato chips.

The lady vendor does not speak any English, but will pose with her wares for a photograph if you give her a 20 baht (about 60 cents) tip. And if you're brave, you could always buy a bag of deep fried bamboo worms.




About the Author:
Doug Anderson is a retired Canadian programmer. He first visited Thailand in 1988 and has been back many times since.
More information about Thailand at Thai Culture Publishing
Also see Photography Help! for tips and techniques to help you learn digital photography.

วันอาทิตย์ที่ 5 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Defy Gravity at the Magnetic Hill

Would you ever imagine the movement of your vehicle up a steep mountain, with its ignition off, at a speed of 20 km per hour? Visit the snow desert of Ladakh to believe it. Located in the outskirts of the 'Little Tibet', the miraculous Magnetic Hill defies all the laws of gravity. The magnetic hill is situated at an elevation of around 14,000 feet above sea level, about 25 km from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil-Batalik national highway and is bordered by the Indus river. The hill is so full of magnetized iron that it has the power to pull any vehicle in its vicinity towards itself. You can see the vehicles not only moving without the engine being turned on, but also defying gravity by climbing uphill.

If this is not enough, the hill has the capability to give a jerk to even helicopters and aircrafts . According to the local people and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnels, the helicopters and aircrafts have to fly at a faster speed while crossing the region to avoid the magnetic impact of the hill. If any aircraft comes within the radius of Magnetic Hill at a slower speed, it starts to jerk.

Apart from this key attraction, the region is visited for colourful hills and mountains. These snow laded hills of the Himalayan region bear different colours (like white, gray, green, red or orange) in different seasons. A few kilometers down the road is Gurdwara Pather Sahib, a Sikh holy shrine, which is maintained by the Indian Army.

Some call the powers of the magnetic hill merely an optical illusion, which has nothing to do with magnetic fields, electricity or unknown forces. They believe that the layout of the surrounding land produces an optical illusion of making a slight downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope. Whatever it is, the legendary powers of the Magnetic Hill draw countless people to the wonderland of Ladakh.




Go through the Ladakh travel Guide and plan a wonderful holiday with your desired adventure travel company in India. The magnetic hill, set amidst the snow desert in Ladakh, offers you the best of attraction of your Ladakh tourism.

วันเสาร์ที่ 4 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2553

Facts and Beautiful Places to Visit in Lucknow

history of Lucknow, tourist spots, Asafi Imambara, St. Joseph's Cathedral in Lucknow, Parks in Lucknow, Kukrail Reserve Forest, natural attractions

Body: Lucknow is a city in India. It is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh and the most populated state in the country. This city has an estimated 2.5 million inhabitants as of the 2006 census report. The city of Lucknow is also the administrative headquarters of both the Lucknow division and the Lucknow district. This city is also among the "Minority Concentrated District in India" according to the Indian government due to the 2001 census report on socio-economic factors, basic amenities, and population.

The City of Lucknow is located in the historical region of Awadh. It has always been one of the few multi-cultural cities in India. The people in India have courtly manners, poetry, music, fine cuisine and beautiful gardens supported by the Persian loving people of Shia Nawabs in Nagpur. These attributes earned them respect throughout the South Asian History and Culture as well as with students and Indians.

This city is also known as The City of the Nawabs. Aside from this, it is also often regarded as The Golden City of the East. Some other names of the city include The Constantinople of India and The Shiraz-I-Hind.

Present day Lucknow showcases a vibrant city that witnessed its own economic boom. It is now one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the country. Furthermore, it is in the heart of the Urdu and the Hindi literature. It is even the 2nd biggest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh state.

Places to see in Lucknow

First, there is the famous Asafi Imambara This place is more known as the Bara Imambara. This site along with two others, Shah Najaf and Chota Imambara, are deemed as different monuments of architectural importance to the city. The Asafi Imambara complex caters to the widely-known Bhul Bhulaiyan or the Labyrinth. Other interesting places are the Chattar Manzil, Lucknow Zoo, Picture Gallery and State Museum along with the Dilkusha, Planetarium, Shaheed Smarak, Ram Krishna Math and Baradari.

The architectural infrastructure in Lucknow built by the British during their colonization includes the Clock Tower, Vidhan Sabha or the Legislative Assembly State and the Railway Station of Charbagh. They are also the ones responsible for distinctive pillars, arches and domes in the region.

St. Josephs Cathedral - This church is living proof that the city became the home of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Lucknow.

Old schools such as the La Martiniere Lucknow, Colvin Taluqdars College and Loreto Convent Lucknow are all scattered throughout the city. The Amiruddaula Islamia Inter-College is about 100 years old. It is still existent and perhaps it is the oldest school in Lucknow at this time.

Lucknow has many beautiful parks. It attracts a large number of people, especially during the holidays, evenings and weekends. Bigger parks include the Swarn Javanti Park, Indiranagas Aurobindo Park and the Gomti Nagars Ambedkar Lohia and Memorial Park. Other parks near the city include the Dilkusha Park, Globe Park and the Haathi Park along with the Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, Mukherjee Phuhaas, Neebu Park and Buddha Park. The National Botanical Garden in Sikandarbagh along the Gomti Riverbanks is also a must-see destination for all tourists and vacationers.

The Kukrail Reserve Forest is visited mostly by nature and adventure lovers. This is the location of the citys very special forest that houses great picnic sites. It can also be used as the Center of Gharial rehabilitation. Other picnic spots in Lucknow include Utretia and Moosa Bagh.

Other natural attractions are in easy range from the city, like the Dudwa National Park, Samaspur Bird Sanctuary and the Nawabganji Bird Sanctuary.




For more information on Lucknow and Lucknow Online Hotels, please visit our website.

วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 26 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2553

Understanding Travel Insurance For Sports and Hazardous Activities

Would your travel insurance policy cover you if you fell off an elephant while on holiday in Phuket? Well, maybe - but there could be a reduction in the available benefits. However, if you were on a holiday which included trekking by camel or elephant you would not be covered because the activity would be classified as 'non-incidental.' Confused yet? The subject of travel insurance for 'hazardous activities' can be very complicated!

Many travel insurance policies automatically cover for 'incidental' activities. The term 'incidental basis' means that your participation in an activity is on a casual, fortuitous, occasional, or minor basis. In contrast, sports tours or activity holidays; for example, a week's white water rafting on the Colorado River is considered non-incidental.

The term 'hazardous activity' for insurance purposes generally means any activity where it is recognized that there is an increased risk of injury or it can be reasonably expected to exacerbate an existing medical condition.

You should be covered to participate in an activity such as canoeing, hot air ballooning, camel riding, jet skiing, deep sea fishing, horse riding or snorkeling on a limited basis but not in excess, i.e. a planned adventure holiday where you would be participating in the activity on a daily basis.

For incidental activities which are considered more dangerous, such as abseiling or playing amateur rugby, claims resulting from these activities could mean a reduction in the amount of personal accident benefit and an increase in the 'excess' for medical expenses.

Another group might include activities considered dangerous which you would participate in on a regular basis, i.e. 'non-incidental.' Claims relating to these activities are also likely to be subject to a reduction in the amount of personal accident cover and an increase in the excess for medical expenses. These activities might include cycling (touring), pony trekking, safaris, and sailing holidays.

Sports, which include racing of any type (except on foot), would usually have to be approved in advance. The same would apply to activities such as: mountaineering (while using ropes), potholing, hang-gliding, caving, micro-lighting, motor racing, and parachuting (other than a solo or tandem jump) in excess of one jump and bungee jumping (in excess of one jump). Motorcycling may be covered provided an additional premium is paid, but is often subject to restrictions such as riding your own motorcycle up to a certain engine size, and not including any type of racing. Your travel insurance policy will not cover for professional sporting activities and you cannot work (paid or unpaid) as a guide or instructor to others.

Most travel insurance policies will contain a clause in their General Exclusions section regarding 'willful exposure to danger or peril' (unless in an attempt to save human life). The onus is on you to exercise reasonable care to prevent illness, injury, or loss or damage to your property. In other words - you should always act as if you are not insured and not tempt fate!

When it comes to winter sports, you do not normally have automatic coverage with your travel insurance policy and will need to pay an additional premium. Most winter sports policies do not cover for anything other than normal skiing and boarding activities. Dangerous activities such as ski jumping, heli-skiing, ski acrobatics, freestyle skiing, ski racing or training, ice hockey, and bobsledding would be excluded unless pre-approved. Exclusions would also apply to offpiste skiing in areas designated as unsafe by the resort management.

Travel insurance policies can vary a lot so if you should be offered free insurance or ludicrously cheap insurance it would be wise to check and see what it actually covers! You may find, for instance, that there will be no liability cover under certain circumstances or for certain activities. You may be covered for some potentially hazardous activities - but only if you remain within certain limited guidelines for that activity.

It is up to the underwriter whether they decide to provide cover for any unusual type of risk. You would need to contact the travel insurance company in advance to discuss any potentially hazardous activities. In some cases, you may be able to obtain cover, but only after payment of an additional premium or an amendment to the policy. If in doubt - always ask first. It will be difficult, it not impossible, to find a company which will add cover for a hazardous activity to your policy once you are on holiday. If you should find yourself in this position, it would be wise to avoid the activity - or attempt to purchase insurance where you are.

Are you less confused now? Imagine you are on holiday in Egypt. You decide to go on a camel ride. You fall off and break your leg. Would your travel insurance cover you? Depending on your particular policy, the insurance should cover you - because your participation in the activity was on an incidental basis!




Jean Andrews is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for TIA Ltd who offer travel insurance at great prices online.