NEALTOWEY

Archive for January, 2012

Just as the businesses from the Gulf Coast States were seeing progress in their recovery from Hurricane Katrina, another disaster has pushed them backwards. The BP oil spill that began on April 20 has continued to leak over 4 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Besides the physical damage being done to the ecosystem, the region’s economy is expecting a major hit to their commerce.

The damage caused by the spill is proving to have a ripple affect across the entire region. Businesses are concerned that potential visitors are apprehensive about the risk of their vacations being affected by the oil spill. The Gulf Coast’s economy heavily relies on a $20 billion tourism industry that directs lots of business to hotels, restaurants and casinos.

Owners and workers are worried that the news coverage will deter visitors from their hotels, restaurants and casinos so they are fighting back. Tourism officials are working hard to challenge the possible ramifications on the economy. An advertising campaign is already in place to assure potential visitors that the oil slick is not going to play any factor during their stay in Gulf destinations.

Casinos in Mississippi are considered to be one of the biggest tourist draws in the region. There are 13 casinos operating in the state and they are located close enough to the coast to be threatened from the impact of the oil spill. Some tourism officials fear that the flow of gamblers who usually enjoy playing at Mississippi casinos will choose to stay at home and play at online casinos. Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, Richard Forester is remaining positive saying, “there won’t be any oil in the casinos or on the golf courses.” Only time will tell how hard the Gulf Coast States are affected this summer. The entire tourism industry is hoping for the best.

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Look at Tokyo today and you will see what the Tokyo- jin (meaning Tokyo people in japanese) have that we don’t have in our cities- bustling streets with thousands of people waiting to cross the roads, giantic television screens on the sides of buildings, high school students roaming the streets of shibuya after school and fashion statements made everywhere you go! It never cease to amaze travellers in Tokyo at the amount of things all happening all the same time, and most are often left dazzled by everything they see.

So, what can you do in Tokyo when you are there? (provided you are not “paralysed”, dazed and standing in the middle of the street).

What can you do there: Many things..

But before you have fun getting lost in a foreign land without no knowledge, how about learning how the train works for a start? That’s a good start, if you are intending to use public transport, and you can probably pick up the rest from there.

Some quick points..

1) Trains are called JR (Japan Rail) and there are many trains stations all over japan. The whole system of train routes and stops is a massive spider web and it takes some understanding of the sytem to get from point A to point B in Tokyo.

2) To get to most tourist spots in Tokyo, you only need to know about Yamanote train travel. Learn to get on to Yamanote train travel from your local train station and the rest is easy.

3) If you are going to travel intensively by train, it’s advisable to get a unlimited JR train ticket from major state train stations like Tokyo and Osaka train stations- costs savings overall.

Things to do:

Using JR trains, you can just about get to anywhere you want in Japan. There’s also a shinkansen (bullet-train) to get from state to state but it’s rather expensive for a ride. Places like Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Ginza and Harajyuku are places you should look out for as they are the main tourists spots with heaps of Japanese culture and attractions.

Ueno (pronounced as “ooo-a-no”) – famous park and zoo

Shibuya- hotspot for young people, high school kids and accessories

Shinjuku- business center but lots of shopping and interesting things about

Akihabara- computer, electronics and gadgets town

Ikebukuro- accessories, trendy clothes and more shopping

Harajuku- fashion, large variety of shops and roppon-ni (bars)

Ginza- trendy and expensive shopping area

There are so many things and places that you see in Tokyo; entertainment, traditional, cultural, food, shopping and tourist spots, and I will only spoil the fun of adventure to tell you about everything in Japan or Tokyo like guide books do.
You easily find help and tourist information along your way, if you get lost in the bubbly Tokyo. Now that you know how to get around Tokyo using trains, why not take up the challenge and explore Tokyo on your own?

With a country as large as the United States, many that live there have not seen much of their own country. So, how do they or people from other countries decide where to visit? If a list of the top travel destinations in the U.S. will help you decide, then look no further. The top 10 travel destinations in the U.S. according to Forbes magazine are listed below. These were calculated based on number of people visiting.

1. New York City. The largest city in the United States is, no surprise here, the most visited. Times Square in the heart of the city is busy at nearly all times and offers everything from huge advertisements to Broadway shows. There is a reason they call New York, “the city that never sleeps.”

2. Las Vegas, Nevada. The Las Vegas Strip offers gambling, amazing shows, fine dining and all kinds of shopping. It is no wonder that this city in the desert is so very popular.

3. Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital offers visitors an opportunity to visit the Washington and Lincoln Memorials as well as the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial.

4. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, Massachusetts. This huge outdoor market has more than 100 stores and restaurants. Its historic cobblestone walkway and outdoor entertainment are big hits with visitors.

5. The Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida. This attraction has been a family favorite since it was first opened in 1971. For children and adults, this is really a place were dreams come true.

6. Disneyland in California. Again, Walt Disney knew how to attract a tourist. This original park is visited by millions each year and offers a great time to any age group.

7. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, California. This area that includes the Golden Gate Bridge and areas around the San Francisco Bay draws multitudes of visitors loving architecture, artistic culture, and fishing.

8. Niagara Falls, New York. This wonder of nature is visited by people from all over the world who wish to stand in awe of such a large expanse of moving water. The lights on the water at night are stunning.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina. The gorgeous leaves changing in the fall bring in a large amount of travelers to this area. Hiking, cabins, and small town charm abound in this area of the southeastern U.S.

10. Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois. This pier on Lake Michigan offers amusement rides, shopping and restaurants. Its history as a military training site makes it even more interesting.

Millions of travelers each year in the U.S. can’t be wrong. Go ahead and add these locations to your list and plan your next vacation to visit at least one of the top ten travel destinations in the U.S.

Do you give tips when you travel? Do you tip generously, or are you as stingy as a scrooge when it comes to passing a few bucks to other hands for service rendered?

While tipping is not really necessary or required, it has become a general practice when traveling, and does put a little grease to help you get the service you need faster than usual. It is also a way of showing that you appreciate the service rendered to you. Because tipping is just that: a way of saying “Thank you” to the valet who parked your car, to the guy who drove you from the airport to the hotel, to the bellhop who carried your bags for you to your room, to the maid who puts your room to order everyday, to the people who make your stay more pleasant. It does not add much to their salary, or pay their mortgage or health care, but it does give a lift one way or another.

But there is a limit to everything, and tipping is just one of the things that have it. You can give tips at your own discretion, but too much can either be seen as bribery or an insult. So, how would you know if you are doing it right? It depends on what you know of the etiquette on tipping. Here are some tips on tipping that would go a long way for you:

Timing. As said above, timing can be seen as a “thank you” or as a bribe. If you have asked a particular person to do something for you repeatedly during the course of the day, it is definitely a “thank you.” If you want to be treated something special during your stay, it is all right to give a larger amount to the particular person upfront.
Handy bundles. It does not look pretty digging for bills in your wallet when you have luggage to deal with. Also, it is a waste of time. So have your bills in small denominations bundled neatly and separately so you can easily pull them out for tipping.
Change. Do not ask for change. If you do not have small bills ready, then skip it and give it the next time you have it. You will only end up embarrassing yourself.
Policies. Is there a no-tipping policy in the hotel you are staying in? Do ask when you book your reservation. Also, for smaller bed-and-breakfast joints, the rule of thumb is that if the housekeeping staff is not part of the family, then it is okay to give them tips.
Not an obligation. As mentioned above, tipping is not a requirement. You do not have to feel obligated about tipping.
Custom varies. The custom for tipping varies from country to country. Some of these tips might work in a specific place, while some may not. It is best that you do your homework first before you leave.

SOURCE:
Author’s blog: http://biz-trips.info/

You can save a lot of money staying at Marriott with a Bonus Bucks Coupon, Discount Gift Cards, and bonus points. Marriott gives their customers bonus bucks and bonus points as a reward for their stay and an incentive for you to come back.

For a list of hotel locations offering bonus rewards for your stay you can go to their official website.

Just by registering you will earn 10,000 bonus rewards points after 3 paid nights. You only need 7,500 points for a free nights stay. They are also offering 25,000 bonus points just by referring 5 people to their rewards program. You’ll earn 1,000 Marriott Rewards bonus points for each stay your referrals make, beginning with their first paid stay, up to 5 stays per referral.

There are also other companies selling Marriott bonus bucks. These coupons give you $100.00 off of Read the rest of this entry »

Travel agency is a big help to an individual for planning out the vacation. The best travel companies can offer a complete and broader range of services. But, the travel agency can be best only if the companies has a good support and communication skills. A best travel companies has the capability for explaining a variety of choices in detail and if needed it can help the customer, as well through a problem. Before selecting the travel agency, which is best for you, hence an individual should look for its registration and also check whether it is recognized by the government or not.

Before selecting the travel companies, an individual should also look for agents, who works for the agency and to do the job they should have the valid and proper license. But, this does not guarantee for Read the rest of this entry »

In the modern times, the way people spend their vacations has undergone a great change. People like to spend good times with family and friend while at the same time exploring various tourist places across the globe. As a result the tourism industry across the globe has seen an unprecedented growth which in turn has also resulted in tremendous growth in the hotel and accommodation facilities.

Comfortable hotels and accommodation facilities play a very important role in popularizing any tourist destination. If a person, who is quite far away from home, gets to enjoy the same facilities and comforts as he enjoys at his home, then he is bound to become attached to the place. On the other hand if the tourist ends up at a place where the hotels and accommodation facilities are not satisfactory, it is quite likely that he might never return to that place.

Perhaps that is why, hotels and accommodation facilities being made available at different tourists spots, have shifted focus on providing maximum comfort to tourists at reasonable rates. Read the rest of this entry »

A great place for a tourist to stay in the whole of Australia is that of Airlie Beach. Its a small town that is situated close to the great barrier reef in the region of Whitsunday, thus making it ideal for the tourist to spend some time and take in the views and experience the joys.

The name of Whitsunday Islands actually came from the famous Captain James Cook, the explorer, back in 1770. He was travelling the area apparently on the day of Read the rest of this entry »

Before Mexico’s Riviera Mayan became famous as a region, Cancun already was attracting legions of American travelers looking for a beach vacation. Cancun still has the most breathtakingly-beautiful beach, and more of just about everything than anywhere else in the country.

Cancun has the finest accommodations in Mexico. The Zona Hotelera, where the best hotels stand, is a 14-mile strip of sandy-white beach lined with luxurious places to stay. Boulevard Kukulcan, the main thoroughfare, is itself tastefully landscaped and decorated with palm trees, bushes and waterfalls. The hotels in this area are fabulous but also very expensive. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 hastened renovations and new development, as extravagance became the norm.

The Ritz-Carlton Cancun is one hotel that gets rave reviews. Its architecture pays homage to Mexico’s Spanish heritage, but its centerpiece is its powdery white-sand beach. The hotel’s primary restaurant, The Club Grill, is highly acclaimed and has earned the prestigious five-diamond award.

Le Blanc Spa Resort is an all-inclusive property on the Zona Hotelera that is one of Cancun’s finest. Its spa and fitness center are extraordinary, as is Le Blanc’s service. Another top hotel choice is the JW Marriott, with its marble lobby and luxurious guest rooms. The JW Marriott’s Gustino restaurant serves the finest Italian cuisine in Cancun.

Cancun is also an epicurean’s paradise. Fabulous restaurants abound, especially on Boulevard Kukulcan, where the major hotels are located. Casa Rolandi, a Swiss/Italian restaurant, is the cream of the crop. The fresh Caribbean fish, veal and other meat dishes are outstanding, as are the desserts. Casa Rolandi also features an extensive wine list.

Lorenzillo’s is a premier choice for seafood and is best known for lobster. Harry’s Prime Steakhouse has a far-reaching reputation as the go-to place for superb steaks, but the fish is excellent also.

Nightlife is a big part of the Cancun scene. Several clubs are located in major hotels, and standalone mega-clubs include The City, CoCo Bongo and Bling. The Bar Hopper Tour takes the party crowd to Congo Bar, Senor Frog’s and CoCo Bongo in one evening.

The adjacent Caribbean Sea adds tremendous value for fans of boating and water sports. Perhaps the most popular boat trip is a ride to nearby Isla Mujeres, home to a laid-back former fishing village with shops and restaurants. Isla Mujeres, which also has hotels and an excellent beach, is a vacation destination in its own right. Other boat outings include an evening party aboard the Caribbean Carnaval as well as a night of games and a pirate show on the Captain Hook.

Several vendors offer a Jungle Cruise, where two people drive their own speed boat across the lagoon and through a large coral reef. Other Cancun adventures include night fishing and snorkeling.

Looking for a travel camera? One that does not require a sidecar to carry all the extra gear needed to get the picture you want? The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX40 deserves a hard look.

Panasonic seems to be able to produce excellent compact cameras. They do pretty well in the DSLR market, too, but their forte is compacts.

The engineers at Panasonic have been working hard on improving the technology needed to pair zoom with excellent image quality. It’s not easy to get both.

So when you see the user ratings for the newest “travel camera”, you kind of do a double-take. The camera only came out in July, so the technology is the newest possible, but so far there is not one negative rating. Usually there will be one or two who either had a faulty camera or just had a bad day when they first tested it, but in this case… nada… nothing negative.

So what makes this camera a travel camera?

Basically, what you want in a camera on vacation is the ability to take almost any type of photo. From family portraits to street scenes, to nature shots where a super zoom is necessary. You name it, and you want to be able to take it.

With a wide angle equivalent of 25mm and a telephoto equivalent of 600mm (if you do the math, that is 24X), the Lumix FZ40 qualifies on all counts.

Then you add in the new technology that is being called “intelligent resolution technology” for sharp images, and you have a winner in the travel camera category.

Another plus is the lens which is manufactured by Leica, a trusted name in camera and lens quality.

Having used DSLR cameras for quite some time, the benefits I like best are the choice between viewing your image in a view finder or on the live view LCD panel. Plus the option to use the jpeg creative settings for image output or capturing in RAW for a higher resolution picture that can be edited later on your computer.

The high quality LCD screen is excellent for use with the HD video feature. And, speaking of video, the 24X zoom means getting close up video of distant places and activities.