NEALTOWEY

Archive for February, 2011

With Valentines’ day just around the corner, many will be looking to shell out on special gifts and gestures for their partners.

Going on holiday over the Valentine’s Day period offers the chance to get away from the everyday with their loved one – be it a romantic weekend, or for those wishing to pay a little more, a holiday in an exotic location.

Whether you’re looking to get away on a long trip or short stays in luxurious hotels during a city break, there are plenty of destinations and packages available. From cottages in the countryside, short city breaks in Europe and the United States to exotic beach holidays in the Caribbean.

City breaks are popular packages for those wishing to get away for Valentine’s Day. Traditional favourites include Paris, Venice and Rome – offering a touch of European grandeur and romantic settings.

And with more cheap flights to European destinations from UK airports now on offer, these romantic locations are now within easy reach.

There are also plenty of hotels in Britain which offer special packages around the Valentine holiday, offering couples the opportunity to enjoy romantic short breaks in picturesque settings – with some hotels offering candlelit dinner and champagne.

Popular destinations around the UK include the Lake District and Scotland, where you can find a wide range of holiday cottages. These traditional dwellings offer couples the chance to escape everyday and spend some time together.

Hidden away within picturesque woodland and lakeside locations, allowing the opportunity for romantic walks (weather permitting of course) and with some offering spa facilities, couples can get away, relax and enjoy the romanticism that Valentines’ Day brings.

The main theme here is to be prepared, in general as well as for worst-case eventualities. We’d all agree with the fact that anytime things go as intended and without an incident, most individuals aren’t grateful enough for those precautions they took; it is upon the moment when they fall into a mess of any sort that they begin doing that. No one in the world is prepared for almost every eventuality, however you’d be happy to know that some fundamental things can get you prepared for quite a lot of things.

Let’s begin with the planning stage of the travel. Ensure that you put in the identical amount of astuteness that you would use for the business being done on the trip. A little bit more energy invested in obtaining the right seat and landing and also departure times can turn out to be vital for having a relaxing experience that corresponds with the needs you have exactly. It can be vital though to book early to receive all things as you want it before the others jump on board.

I would as well like to throw in some packing tips and advice at this point, because it’s very important as well. The primary principles to pursue here are to pack light-weight, just take the essentials and know what you packed. A good way to remove items that you would pack for just-in-case circumstances is to simply get this product at the destination in the event that need ever arises. A travel packing list is in many cases of great use, especially one that you adjust to the needs you have as time passes.

Corporate travel, or any travel for that matter, is not only for the flight going there and vice versa since an important part of time would also be expended at the destination. The key things to take care of are your hotel, traveling throughout the neighborhood and any kind of adjustments you will need to make to your outfitting / habits in order to meet the local demands from the destination. Some research just might help you pack the most suitable products for the climatic conditions and setting at the destination.

Having a receptive mind on business trips as well as working on your travel plans for the future making use of your current viewpoints is the most sensible thing to do for all the several trips you will have in the upcoming decades. This brief summary has helped me focus on the proper concerns for a business trip without passing up on important things. The final thing I would like to recommend you take alongside on all journeys is an unprejudiced mentality as being rigid or stressed out by matters not moving in line with your plan can simply make things worse.

Kochi Beach is located in Kerala, South India. This beach is popularly known as the Fort Kochi beach. It is the finest beach of Kerala. In South India, it is one of the most popularly visited beach tour destination. This is a peaceful beach holiday spot. This popular beach is located at a distance of 12 kms from the main city in Kerala.

For those tourists who are interested in a quiet and relaxing experience of the holiday, for those tourists this place is an ideal. This beach offers the tourist a calm and tranquil atmosphere. Initially Kochi was a simple fishing village, but after the establishment of the beach, it became a popular beach resort of Kerala, South India.

This Kochi Beach in Kerala, South India celebrates the grand Cochin beach festival which takes place annually during New Years Eve. This festival attracts tourists from all over India. This beach offers a disturbance free atmosphere to the tourists and a perfect sandy stretches for a long walk. There is a strong influence of the European on the culture and traditions of the local people and this is observed by the tourists automatically.

Kochi has a colorful and an eventful history. It was an outdated fishing village which became the first European township in India. Initially the town was shaped by the Portuguese, after than Dutch and later the British. We can see the result of these cultural interfaces in the remains of the Indo-European architecture.

Attractions in Fort Kochi Beach

Kochi Festival – During the annual Kochi Festival, tourists from all over India flock to the place to witness the popularity of the festival. One must grab the opportunity of enjoying the carnival at the New Years eve. It will be an amazing lifelong experience.

Activities to enjoy at Fort Kochi Beach – While walking on the beach of Kochi, you can see the fisherman busy in their daily activities with Chinese Fishing Nets. People also enjoy in building the sand castles and playing with sportive waves. This beach is the combination of culture and history. The people residing in the nearby area enjoy spending their weekends here.

The Ambience – Fort Kochi beach is a delightful destination for frolic. Here people enjoy the dotted coconut palm and thick bushes. The tranquil ambiance of the Fort Kochi beach escalates the people high. This is a charming picnic spot. It is a nice place for relaxation, resurrection, purgation of negativity, bestowing solitude.

Hemmed by azure water of Arabian sea and with a hill in the background, Anjuna Beach is a paradise for vacationing in India. Lies 8km west of Mapusa town and 18 km from Panaji, the capital of Goa, this beach chock-a-blocks with holidaymakers throughout the year, especially during the occasion of Christmas and New Year.

Blessed with an unusual arrangement of red laterite rocks, spread across the white sands, beach Anjuna in Goa attracts travellers from all walks of life. Foreign backpackers as well as Indian tourists from other parts of the country loves to keep Anjuna at the first slot of their Goa itinerary. All thanks to its numerous natural and artificial treasures which has great tourism value.

Tourist attractions:

Anjuna beach is bedecked with numerous tourist attractions which captivate the imagination of holidaymakers with the very first glimpse. Some such famous attractions of Anjuna are as follows:

Wednesday Flea Market: Anjuna Beach, famed as the ‘freak capital of world’ breaks into riot of colors on every Wednesday. Starts around every 11 a.m and lasts till the sunset, the flea market on Anjuna Beach is the paradise for hardcore shoppers and good bargainers. Anything and everything under the sky can be found here. Wonderful stuffs like Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati trinkets and handicrafts, European snacks, cassettes of Goan Trance music, artificial ornaments carvings, colorful T-shirts, used paperbacks are for sale in this market. To add up more to its glory, a ride on the bumpy back of elephant is also available in this bustling market.

Mascarenhas Mansion: The ancient Mascarenhas Mansion is another charm on Anjuna Beach. This monument has some of the classic balconies and the finest stained glass floral etchings. The porch of the edifice has a L-shaped seat, which is made up of expensive wood.

Chapora Fort: Situated at the vicinity of Anjuna Beach, Chapora Fort gives a picturesque view of the entire beach. Chapora Fort was built by Muslim rulers of Goa before it was invaded by Portugeese. This ancient fort is well preserved except for a few ruins.

Albuquerque Mansion: This colonial mansion which still displays the opulent lifestyle of its former owners was another tourist attraction at Anjuna. Built in the year 1920, Albuquerque Mansion is bedecked with octagonal tower and attractive Mangalore tile – roof.

The Acid House Party: Amongst all of its attractions, the thing which beckons and hook thousands of tourist to Anjuna Beach are the full moon trance parties. Also known as Acid House Parties, these parties are the best place for fun, frolic and merriment. Lasts till the wee hours of dawn under the moonlit sky, the Acid House parties on Anjuna is popular among both localites and foreign tourists. Beside the merriment of the party, you can also enjoy your drink sitting along the campfires which burns bright entire night.

Paradiso Club: Last but not the least, Paradiso club is another prime charm of Goa’s Anjuna beach. It is counted among of the famous discotheques of the state which woos both tourists and locals to dancing and drinking in its bars and dance floors.

So, immediately plan a trip to Goa and enjoy Anjuna’s various tourist attractions.

There is no country or region in the world that is immune to calamity and natural disaster, and if you look at the broad scope of history, practically every place has been dangerous at one time or another. Think of the U.S. Wild West or Europe during the early 1940s; both areas are perfectly safe now, but no one would have wanted to vacation there during the troubled times. Unfortunately, when a place goes through a rough time, it sometimes acquires a negative reputation that is difficult to get rid of. For travelers, this often means great deals plus the chance to see a travel destination when it is still on the rise. Here are a few such places that are perfect to visit right now.

1. New Orleans
For many non-New Orleanians, Hurricane Katrina is still the first thing that comes to mind when the city is mentioned. While New Orleans is still recovering-especially in the hardest hit districts-all the fun and lively attractions of the French Quarter and the Garden District are going strong, and these parts of the city have not lost their unique feeling and charm.

2. Rwanda
The 1994 Rwandan civil war and genocide shocked onlookers worldwide and shook this region of central Africa to its core. More than 15 years later, the dark memories live on, but the country has made a stunning reversal, and it’s now regarded as one of the safest, most peaceful, and most tourist-friendly countries in Africa. This is great news for travelers, who can now enjoy the country’s three glorious national parks.

3. Mexico
Sadly, Mexico is still going through rough times due to violent drug cartels. But while these events make justifiably huge headlines, it’s important to remember that Mexico is a large country, and that these dangerous activities are confined to a few small areas. The beaches, in particular, might as well be in a completely different country. Meanwhile, major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey have some troubled areas-as any big city does-but they also have large areas that are perfectly safe and full of attractions for visitors.

4. Vietnam
The Vietnam War is burned into the American consciousness as one of the most troubling episodes in our long history. Even after the war was over, Vietnam remained dangerous for many years, becoming embroiled in violent regional conflicts. But things began to turn around in the early 1990s, and the country is now perfectly safe and very tourist friendly. The beaches are beautiful, the wilderness is perfect for adventurers, and the people are friendly.

5. South America
Many North Americans have a skewed view of conditions in South America. This is partly due to some troubled decades in the late 20th century, and partly due to misinformation. The reality is that countries like Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile are safe places with much to offer travelers. Some South American countries still have issues with poverty and social inequality, but South American countries are far from alone in this respect.

People love to travel to places that have great natural beauty. If the spectacle of nature appeals a tourist, then Hawaii is the place to be. With break-taking sandy beaches and rocky shores, along with a rich cultural heritage of the indigenous population of the exotic locales, Hawaii is the ultimate dreamland for appreciators of exquisite natural grandeur. And to add to the charm of the place, Hawaii has a string of outstanding hotels and resorts that are strewn across the different islands like Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai and Lanai. All of these are extremely popular tourist spots and people from United States and Canada in particular flock to these locations round the year. With breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and outstanding features like lush green gardens and golf courses, tide swimming pools and aquatic creatures like turtles, these hotels have not left any stone unturned to give you the full satisfaction.

There are different kinds of hotels in Hawaii, in terms of prices charged, locations etc. There are 5 diamond hotels which are meant for the really rich ones. A good example of such a hotel would be Kahala Hotel & Resort in Oahu. This hotel is A++ rated and is undoubtedly one of the best places for luxurious accommodation in Hawaii. There are of course plenty of exciting things to do while staying in a hotel in Oahu, like biking, dining, fishing, golfing, Luaus, scuba diving, horseback riding, surfing etc. So if one wants an accommodation, with stunning looks, top-class room and catering service and great dinners, to retire to after a long and exciting day out in Oahu, then the Kahala Hotel & Resort is the ideal place to be. But as mentioned earlier, if you are low on money, then this hotel will obviously burn a hole in your pocket.

For comparatively economical lodging there are the hotels like Fairmont Kea Lani Maui in Maui. It is one of the finest hotels and is ideal for the stay of romantic couples. With exquisite swimming pools with bright lighting adding to the enigma and mystic charm of the place, this hotel also features special lounges like the Luana Lounge and golf courses. One can enjoy the marvelous morning sunrise while also enjoying the relaxation at Spa Kea Lani.

All the Hawaiian hotels are also extremely well furnished in terms of electronic gadgets like LCD television sets, refrigerators and microwave ovens.

Sneaky, misleading, downright dishonest. You’ll see these and other terms used when others describe their feelings about finding out they owed their las vegas hotel room an additional, nightly resort fee.

A resort fee is an extra charge that hotels add to a bill at check-in. The hotel chain’s reasoning and justification behind the extra charges? Added services. The majority of the time these ‘services’ include free local calls and a bottle of water in a hotel room, which to be honest, are services included in Red Roof Inns around America.

Resort fees are not payed at the time of booking. For example let’s say a room is booked on Expedia or Priceline. The resort fee is merely mentioned towards the end of the booking screen but is not added to the bill. If the hotel is $40 a night, then all the booking vacationer will pay at that time is $40 (plus taxes). When they show up to the hotel they will find another $7 added for each night of their stay. While this may seem insignificant at first glance, an added $7 a night fee over the course of a week can add up. These fees can also wreck havoc on budget travellers.

These extra hidden charges outrage most vacationers and rightfully so. The take home should be always know whether or not a hotel charges an additional fee and if so, to factor in the resort fee to the rooms overall cost when budgeting for a vacation.

If you are looking for exciting things to do and see when you travel to Melbourne, Australia, this article will guide you as to some of the best attractions to include into your itinerary.

· Great Barrier Reef: This is one of the natural wonders of the world, and spans over 2,400 kilometres. It is so large that it can be seen from outer space. Book a boat cruise or guided tour to see this amazing sight; if you are more adventurous, grab your scuba or snorkelling gear to get a close-up look at all the coral gardens and marine life.

· Carlton Gardens: This historic landmark has something for everyone; Melbourne Museum, Royal Exhibition, and IMAX Theatre and an award-winning children’s playground.

· Melbourne Zoo: Come and see your favourite animals up close and personal. You can even choose to adopt one for as little at $10.00 a month; this will ensure that your ‘pet’ will get the exact care they need, while supporting the zoo at the same time.

· Melbourne Museum: There are eight galleries contained here, including one just for kids. Come see a blue whale skeleton, a living rainforest, a Cultural Arts Centre and an IMAX theatre.

· Melbourne Aquarium: Hammerhead sharks, seahorses, octopi and stingrays are just a few of the marine life that make their home here; watch them in their natural habitat, and check out the cool sights and rides.

· Eureka Skydeck 88: View the city of Melbourne from the highest point in the southern hemisphere. Go at night for an even more amazing view.

· Hot Air Balloon Ride: A great way to see the sights is to go up in a hot air balloon. They are very safe and operated by professionals.

· Koala, Wombat and Wallabies Wildlife Journey: If you are adventurous and love the outdoors, book a guided tour through the wilderness of south-eastern Australia. You will travel by boat, vehicle and on foot in search of various wildlife while you take in the beauty of the luscious rainforests, secluded rivers and ocean beaches. Don’t forget your camera; you’ll want to take pictures of almost everything on your trek.

Ask your travel agent if you can build any of the above into part of your package. You can also look online for great deals and discounts. Just make sure you are buying from a reputable company and the tickets you purchase online are the real thing.

Goa tourism is synonymous with every kind of holidays; be it adventure or water sports, sightseeing, cultural aspects, historical aspects or even relaxation. Goa beaches, the centre of attraction in this small state prove to be the best in the world. Out of numerous Goa tourist places, Anjuna beach serves as the freak capital of Goa. Anjuna is just the right place for memorable holidays.

Vibrant Aspects

Anjuna beach came into limelight with its energetic and colourful Trance Parties. The credit for introducing these parties goes to the Hippies who wonderfully synthesized the spiritual traditions of the east with the art, ideas and the music of the west.

Attractions

The majestic Albuquerque Mansion is a major attraction at the Anjuna beach. The mansion was built in 1920 and it serves as a renowned landmark at the beach. Moreover, it is flanked by octagonal towers and an attractive Mangalore tile-roof. Apart from that, the monumental Mascarenhas Mansion is also a nice place to visit.

The entire Anjuna beach comes alive every Wednesday with the renowned flea market. Various shops are loaded with Tibetan, Kashmiri and Gujarati trinkets and handicrafts, European snacks, Goa Trance music cassettes & cds, artificial ornaments carvings and T-shirts etc. Tourists can also enjoy an elephant ride alongside the beach.

If you are a party animal and love to freak out during late hours at night, the beach offers full-moon (acid house) parties. These are specially meant for youngsters.

Lastly, the Chapora Fort is also located at a close proximity to the Anjuna beach and it also offers marvellous views of the Vagator beach. Despite of being an ancient fort, it still retains the age old glory of the Muslim, Portuguese and the Maratha rulers.

There are plenty of accommodation opportunities at the beach. You can book your comfortable stay at the cozy guest-houses around the village or at the star rated luxurious hotels.

Do I need a passport to go on a cruise vacation? It’s a big question for many cruise travelers and there’s been plenty of confusion regarding the U.S. State Department’s new guidelines. Here’s what you need to know when you cruise and how the new passport rules launching June 1, 2009 could affect you.

Documentation requirements

Currently, U.S. citizens need a passport for cruises that stop at ports in South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Antarctica. However, U.S. citizens cruising roundtrip from a U.S. port to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico do not need a passport under the U.S. State Department’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). These itineraries are called “closed loop” voyages. A “closed loop” voyage or itinerary occurs when a vessel departs from a U.S. port or place and returns to the same U.S. port upon completion of the voyage. Per the WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule, travelers on “closed loop” voyages are not subject to the same documentary requirements for entry to the United States as other travelers.

If your voyage falls under the “closed loop” rule you only need to carry a government-issued photo ID (such as a driver’s license) and a certified birth certificate (children traveling with an adult are also required to carry a birth certificate). A certified birth certificate has a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office, which must be within one year of your birth.

Keep in mind this rule is for U.S. citizens cruising from a U.S. port. If you are taking one-way itineraries you will have to have a passport. For example, if you start a cruise in Vancouver and end in Seward or Whittier, Alaska you must have a passport. The same is true for cruises starting in Los Angeles and ending in Acapulco, cruises starting in Miami and ending in Barbados, or cruises starting in Quebec and ending in New York City.

One very important item to understand regarding the WHTI rule is that U.S. citizens who travel by air to the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to catch their cruise ship must have a passport. Currently, those who drive across the Canadian border to a port will not need a passport since land-crossings are currently exempt. In that instance the aforementioned proof of citizenship is needed.

As always, passports are not required for U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from Hawaii or a U.S. territory, including Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Requirements on June 1, 2009:

On June 1, 2009 all arriving and returning U.S. citizens must have a passport or passport card to enter the U.S. by land from Canada and Mexico. One exception is U.S. and Canadian citizens under the age of 16 will be able to present a birth certificate instead of a passport for crossing land/sea borders between the U.S. and Canada. There also will be special provisions for children traveling in school, sports or other groups. So, if you drive to Canada to catch a cruise you?ll need a passport. Additionally, the new rule means that round trip Alaska cruises from Vancouver will require a passport.

Passport or Passport Card?

What’s the difference between a passport and a passport card? The card contains radio frequency identification on an RFID chip, designed to be read quickly by scanning equipment installed at U.S. points of entry. However, it is not acceptable for air travel.

There is some cost savings in having a passport card versus a passport, here’s what you need to know:
Standard, first-time passports now cost $100 and are valid 10 years. U.S. citizens age 15 and younger pay $85 for a passport valid for five years. The new land/sea passport card costs $45 for adults and would be valid 10 years. Citizens age 15 and younger pay $35 for a card valid for five years. Current passport holders can apply for the card as a renewal and pay $20. The card costs $10 for those younger than age 16 who already has a passport.

For travelers who don’t want to deal with passports or passport cards, there is the “trusted traveler” card issued by the federal government to prescreened travelers (But those won’t get you over an international border the way a passport will.) Also, a number of border states are working on enhanced drivers licenses containing the RFID chip and other security features that are acceptable for entry at land and sea points.

Traveling without a passport is risky

Traveling to foreign countries without a passport carries some risk. For example, if someone who sails out of Miami without a passport falls ill when the ship is at sea and needs to fly home from the Bahamas it will be a hassle to get home since air travel from foreign countries requires a passport.

Additionally, if you miss embarkation and have to fly to meet the ship at the next foreign port – you would need a passport. These situations are rare, of course, but it does happen from time to time.

Lastly, keep in mind that all cruise line passenger contracts state it is the passenger’s responsibility to have proper documentation when arriving for embarkation at the pier. If you don’t have proper documentation you won’t be allowed to board the ship for your cruise.