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Archive for September, 2011

Every budding traveler has his or her own favorite romantic travel destinations.

However, some destinations seem to crop up in any romantic getaways list. Places like Venice and the French Riviera have been popular choices with couples for decades.

But perhaps this year, you’d like to go somewhere more low profile than your usual famous romantic vacation spots… Plus when all is said and done, the most important factor for a truly memorable romantic getaway is the company you’re with and not the destination.

Here are three romantic travel destinations that you might want to consider if you’re planning on taking your special one on a short romantic escapade.

Majorca – Balearic Islands, Spain
The magical island of Majorca is located off the south-east coast of Spain. This beautiful island is Read the rest of this entry »

Careers in hospitality and tourism include the desk clerk handing you a room key at a ritzy hotel or the executive chef planning a feast for your wedding anniversary cruise. Overall, there is a never-ending list of careers and jobs within this particular industry that touches upon part-time gigs to lucrative management positions. While the bulk of such jobs require minimal training and education, there is always a need for hotel staff, casino management, theme park attendants, and event planners. To get an idea of the possibilities, consider the following employment opportunities found throughout the United States and Canada.

Hotel Staff

Whether it is the front desk person assigning you a room at the Quality Inn & Suites or the part-time lifeguard watching over the kiddies in the swimming pool – there is an abundant amount of hotel staff positions to consider. There are also plenty of establishments that range in small bed and breakfasts to 5-star accommodations. Depending on a job title, employees are paid on an hourly basis or earn a yearly salary. For example, housekeeping usually earns hourly pay, which usually amounts to between $17,760 and $24,347 per year. A high school diploma or its equivalent is suggested for this job.

Meeting & Event Planner

The person in charge of the aspects regarding an important business meeting or wedding reception held at a hotel is called a meeting or event planner. This job title will take care of all the factors associated with organizing an event. The amenities and accommodations of a site or facility become their responsibility, which calls for knowledge in contract negotiations. A bachelor’s degree in a specific area, as well as two to four years of experience in the field (or related field) is necessary. The typical salary is found between $39,355 and $74,268.

Executive Chef

In charge of the direction and flow of a kitchen, the executive chef is responsible for arranging the menus that grace the tables on cruise ships, hotels, and other tourism hot spots. An executive chef is also responsible for inventory, keeping costs down, and purchasing necessary supplies and food items. Over time, they will establish and amend the menus in order to increase profits and lower the rate of monetary loss. Most executive chefs will test out new recipes and watch over the satisfaction of customers. A thorough understanding of federal, state, and local food sanitation rules and regulations are also a must. Executive chefs usually possess a bachelor’s degree in an area of specialty and at least seven years of experience in the field in order to earn between $45,562 and $101,865.

Travel Coordinator

When companies are in need of coordination in regards to their travel plans, it is a travel coordinator that takes control. A host of duties one in this field may encounter include scheduling hotel stays and flights, as well as guiding travelers in obtaining their passports, visas, or other travel requirements. A travel coordinator makes sure that companies stay within their budget. A high school diploma or its equivalent with zero to two years of experience in the field is required to obtain this job. The typical salary is seen between $29,879 and $53,482.

Best Places to Seek Employment

When it comes to locating the best places to work within the United States and Canada, there are a few companies that shine in a variety of areas. Out of the top 100 places to work in 2007, the Four Seasons Hotels has made the list. The most common salaried position within the company pays $47,256 with the job title of Assistant Food & Beverage Manager. The most common hourly job (AM Guest Room Attendant) pays $25,842. Within the United States, there are about 12,000 employees with the Four Seasons Hotels, while 17,000 employees outside of the U.S. serve the company.

With Marriott International, the available training and development programs are quite impressive, especially through what is called the “Hotelkeeper’s Living Our Core Values” initiative, which includes ESL classes. Within the company, there are more than 3,000 Marriott managers holding hourly positions. In the United States, there are 124,350 employees with the company, while international workers total 17,000. The most common salaried job with the company is Sales Manager at $54,274, where the most common hourly position is Housekeeper at $23,407.

As for the hospitality and tourism positions associated with common tourist sites, the Station Casinos in Las Vegas may have a base pay of $15,000 for their dealers, but supplementation is quite amazing, as an average of $40,000 in tips is added. Additional perks to working for this company is discounted child care and 100% health care coverage. The most common salaried job with the Station Casinos is Casino Floorperson at $43,427, while Table Games Dealer make a total of $55,688 with their hourly position.

PAKISTAN Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management offers training in 17 different fields including 12 in hotel management and 5 in tourism. Syllabus for these courses comprises one week to one year. Courses for hotel management are as follows:

Elementary Hotel Management:

This is a one year comprehensive diploma course in which every aspect of hotel management is taught and trained. Students are given opportunities to visit famous hotels to gain practical experience and exposure. Entry level for this course is intermediate or A-level.

House Keeping Supervisory Course:

This diploma course is of one year duration and the entry level is intermediate or A-level. Students are get familiarized with the basic principles and procedure of house-keeping in hotels, rest houses, hospitals and hostels. Practical training is provided in Read the rest of this entry »

What are the most important places in Sri Lanka to visit?

Sri Lanka is a great country to visit. When you look around travel world map it is near to southern India and Sri Lanka is surrounded by attractive Sri Lanka beach, which offers many cultural place and natural places. After 30 year internal war, now it is allow for Sri Lanka tourism. Kandy is a best starting point for a vacation. Kandy is a sacred Buddhist cultural center of Country. Kandy is home to the Temple of the Tooth, said to house a tooth of Buddha. Legend says that the tooth was smuggled into Kandy, the hair of a princess, after the tooth was taken from Buddha’s funeral pyre. The temple was built in the seventeenth and eighteenth century.

Bentota is a quiet beautiful Sri Lanka beach town, and a place to relax and spend your holiday. Several old churches are in the region. These beautiful churches stay there from the ninth century, and worth a visit. Another famous place is Sigiriya, tours leave frequently Sigiriya. It is a stone, but it is very different from any other rock that you saw. All the more impressive sights are made by air, and we show how amazing this place is really. So that some people want it to be among the wonders of the ancient world.

Sigiriya is going back to thousand years. There are boasts caves and gardens, which never ceases to amaze every visitor himself. This place has been established as a World Heritage Site. One of the major advantages of visiting to this country is the size of the island. Whether you want to spend a day at the Sri Lanka beach, such as Beruwala on the southern coast, or explore the many places in the commercial capital of Colombo and spend you evening in the Gallface beach, you can go wherever you want and nothing is too far right when you buy a travel break.

Ambalangoda also near to the beach and you can find lot of luxury Sri Lanka beach hotels. Ambalagoda act as as a center for the dance and the devil mask and puppet-making traditions. Devil’s dances are performed in a wide range of opportunities both to ward off evil spirits and ask the blessing of good humor. Ambalangoda is also near the hikkaduwa. The complex includes Sanctuary of coral, which is a paradise for divers and search for the abundance of reef fish and turtles.

Dambulla cave temples were used by local monks, a place for meditation, since the 1st century BC. Dambulla attraction is the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is considered the largest and best preserved temple of country holiday. The Golden Temple is a World Heritage site by UNESCO, and contains an impressive array of Hindu and Buddhist statues and paintings. Dambulla cave temples, which consists of four different caves, each with a wide range of Buddhist and Hindu art.

If you are planing to visit to the this country you no need to spend lot of money because all re cheaper than rich countries because this is still a developing country

So, you’ve narrowed your choices for a holiday destination down to a top ten – and maybe the Indian Ocean is now at the top of the “must do” list. With scenic wonders at every turn, as well as perfect weather and pristine white sand beaches, Seychelles is a sure winner for best of the tropical destinations. What’s more, there is a great choice of hotels in Seychelles – situated on a variety of picturesque islands that make up Seychelles – to suit all kinds of tastes and budgets.

Spoiled for Choice

Now comes the important bit – where to stay in this tropical idyll. There’s a wide spectrum of Seychelles hotels ranging from the ultimate luxury of private islands to quaint family-run seaside hotels and guest houses. Depending on your tastes and budget, any of the hotels in Seychelles mentioned below will qualify as the “best”. Are you seeking a sumptuous spa retreat or a therapeutic beach view – or both? Do you desire fine dining or a PADI dive centre and tennis courts? The following taster menu of hotels will give you a general idea of the kind of accommodation and amenities you can expect from Seychelles hotels.

Ultimate Luxury

Flights into Seychelles arrive at Victoria on the main island of Mahe. If this is your final destination, one of the finest Mahe island hotels is the Banyan Tree Seychelles. Its’ luxuriously appointed one and two bedroom villas are either close to the beach or perched on the hillside with incredible views. You’ll enjoy your own private swimming pool and sundeck, some with a private outdoor jet pool. With three restaurants, a spa, tennis, health club and gym, this is a destination unto itself.

Alternatively, seek out barefoot luxury on a privately owned coral island – Denis Island. Self contained within 375 acres surrounded by brilliant white sand, coconut palms and coral reefs, this exclusive retreat is just 30 minutes from Mahe by plane. Each of the 25 individual cottages is discreetly placed on the island, ensuring privacy and seclusion. The restaurant is renowned for its culinary delights, with a wide range of Read the rest of this entry »

Do you need a break from the cold? If you need to thaw out then consider taking a vacation to a warm weather destination. You will return tan, refreshed and ready to brave the rest of the winter. Here are some suggestions for taking a winter holiday.

First off, you need to decide how long you can get away and how much travel you want to do. Since most of the U.S. is cold in winter you’ll have to go south to find warm weather. If you only have a few days then it makes sense to keep your winter trip close to home since you don’t want to spend a large part of your holiday on a plane.

Consider visiting southern Florida which has loads of options and tropical weather throughout the winter. Miami is fantastic for visiting the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the nightlife of South Beach. If you want a slower pace and fewer crowds, consider the Florida Keys. Key West is a quaint city full of bed and breakfasts with plenty to do for the entire family including water sports and nightlife.

A bit farther (but not by much) is the Caribbean. You’ll need a passport and the flights are more expensive but it is well worth it. There are tons of tropical islands from which to choose and there are French, Dutch, British, Latin and other influences to give you some culture. The Dominican Republic is know for its inexpensive all inclusive resorts; included in the packages is accommodation, food, transfers and water sports.

If you have more time and money then consider taking a winter vacation in the Southern Hemisphere which is summer during the U.S.’ winter. Rio de Janeiro has the world famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana with Sugar Loaf as a rugged mountain backdrop. Since Rio is a large city, it boasts five star hotels, fine dining and many nightlife options. Another holiday destination south of the equator is Australia. The Gold Coast is full of sun and sand options and the cities of Sydney and Melbourne have a European feel. If you’re up for some adventure then visit the interior and explore the outback.

Southeast Asia is a popular destination due to its affordability and richness in culture. Singapore is not only full of sights, luxury hotels and culture but it is known for being a very clean country. Malaysia has many white sand beaches and islands with accommodations ranging from simple bungalows to lavish resorts. Thailand is another country brimming with ancient sights and gorgeous beaches and its people are known for their hospitality.

If you need to find some warm weather then there are many options for winter vacations. Take lots of pictures and don’t forget your sunscreen!

With Iguazu Falls being one of the most spectacular natural sites in the world, it is a likely destination on any Argentina and Brazil travel itinerary. The falls can be visited from both countries and it is recommended that you take two days just to see the falls in order to appreciate the unique perspectives offered from each side. Once you’ve seen the falls, you may want to consider seeing some other sites in the area before moving on to your next South America travel destination. There are many options of exciting things to do in the area, one of which is a visit to the San Ignacio Ruins and Wanda Mines.

The remains of a Jesuit Mission and San Ignacio Mini are located 140 miles from Iguazu Falls. The Wanda Stone Mine is on the way to the falls so Read the rest of this entry »

With millions of hotels around the world, the hotel industry is certainly very competitive. There are hotels charging thousands of pounds per person, per night – catering purely for the rich, famous and lavish. Yet on the complete opposite end dof the spectrum, there are 100% eco friendly hotels, built towering up in trees, relying on nature to provide everything needed. All sorts of hotels can be hugely successful in their own right, constantly booked up and praised by all.

However for every successful hotel, there are many more unsure, unsuccessful and failing hotels, struggling on day by day, praying for something to Read the rest of this entry »

To ensure that your business trip runs smoothly, you don’t want to have to worry about what you’ve left behind once you’ve reached your destination. Ideally, if you travel frequently, you will keep a stored list handy, full of all the common items you need for travel, so that you’re always prepared and never frazzled when the time comes to pack your bags. To get you started in the right direction, start with this list of essentials, and add your own to build a list you can count on for all your future business travel packing needs:

• Vital electronics and their accessories, such as cell phone, camera, laptop, PDA, iPod, their respective chargers, as well as an extra battery for your laptop, the car charger for your cell phone, and extra memory cards for your camera.

• Travel alarm, just in case your hotel does not provide an alarm clock. To save yourself that space in your luggage, however, you may call ahead to find out whether they perhaps offer wake-up calls by request.

• Flash drives containing any information you will need for Read the rest of this entry »

If you own your own business, then work-related travel can really add up if you’re not conscientious – and even if you work for a company that will reimburse the majority of your expenses, there are measures you’ll want to take to be mindful of your own finances in the interim and maximize your reimbursements down the line.

Always consider signing up for the frequent flyer programs associated with every airline you frequent since you never know with whom you’ll be booking your next trip. However, since some airlines are beginning to charge for cashing in frequent flyer miles that have been sitting around collecting dust for extended periods of time, be sure to make use of your accumulated miles the very next time you book a flight with a given airline to avoid such penalties, rather than waiting around for the equivalent of Read the rest of this entry »