Archive for » January, 2010 «

27 Jan 2010

Car Lease Hire – Economical For Business

Buying cars or vehicles every time when you travel in a different locality or even for business purposes will work out very expensive for you. So, the best way to make better profit is to go for car lease hire. Car lease hire is the most cost effective manner.

Say for example of you is planning to use the car for about 3 years. To buy the cars for 3 years, you may have to invest lot of capital over the cars. This will work out very expensive and definitely people do not have the time and patience to do that. There is lot of formalities that gets involved in this. The ideal suggestion here is to go for car hire. By going for car lease hire, you save a lot of money and it works out to be very economical and cheap instead of going for own vehicles especially in the corporate world.

The cost of the car hire is basically determined on the number of miles that the car would travel. This is the scene on daily basis. However, if you go for car hire, some one can drop you instead of you driving i9t for yourself. If you are going for car hire for business purposes, then it would work out much cheaper for you. Every car company charges you VAT. If you are using car lease hire for business purposes, you can get a waiver based on the number of kilometers that you actually use the car lease hire.

When you go for car hire, you need not even try and think about the tax payment. The owner of the car leases hire or eve the user maintains it. So, you can easily go for car lease hire. However, I strongly suggest that you go for the contract only after reading and understanding the car leases

hire details. As the contract is for a longer period, it is always better to read, understand about the rules and regulations plus other house details.

Even the vehicle tax will be paid by the company. Based on the kinds of deal that you get into, car protection and servicing may be too included, and replacement cover in case of breakdown is also included. Some of the deals may also permit you to change or alter the annual mileage within the contract. Check if your business is registered for VAT. If Yes, there are other benefits too which can be listed out regarding car hire. You can claim back half of the VAT charged on the monthly leasing costs. Other tax benefits include up to 100 per cent relief if the car is used solely for business purposes.
Thus, there are lots of car hire. You must check the web site for more details and select the right one for yourself or even your company. This is definitely profitable and economical too though you would have had a good time by hiring.

Category: car travel  Leave a Comment
21 Jan 2010

Cardiff Travel Guide And Transport Information

Cardiff is the capital of Wales located in the south of England. There are plenty of places to explore in Cardiff. Within Cardiff, you will find unique attraction, quality shopping, top class entertainment all within walking distance. With world-class attractions that draw people from all over the UK and abroad you’ll be spoilt for choice in Cardiff.

Cardiff has world-class stadiums for rugby, football, cricket and athletics. Cardiff is a sports fan dream come true. Cardiff is the centre of excellent shopping. You will find combination of designer brands, high street names as well as more individual and independent shops. With charming Edwardian and Victorian arcades and ultra-modern shopping centres, Cardiff has the whole spectrum of shopping. Nightlife of Cardiff is lively and vibrant.

There are plenty of different areas to choose from. You can Hangout waterside in Cardiff Bay or sip a cocktail on Mill Lane and people-watch.

Cardiff central railway station is the major railway station on the south Wales main line in Cardiff.

Cardiff to Paris/Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar train is the most convenient and stress free modes of transport in Europe. You can travel easily from Cardiff central to Paris with Eurostar with one price as Eurostar teamed up with several train operating companies in UK. You don’t need to book separate tickets from Cardiff central to London St Pancras International station.

Category: City-Guides-and-Information  Leave a Comment
17 Jan 2010

Travel Agents – Are You Being Ripped Off?

Right up there with real estate agents and used car sales people, travel agents are subject to much suspicion when it comes to sales tactics and prices. But are you really being sized up and ripped off every time you walk into an agency or book a holiday?

The answer is yes, you will be sized up and yes, given half the chance many agents will overcharge, some by as much as they can get away with.

With the great resources available on the net most travellers will not walk into an agency until they feel they have a good handle on their destination and current prices. Yet no matter how savvy you are it’s still worth knowing how agents work before you decide to use one.

There are two aspects to the way agents work in Australia that affect the service you are given. The first is the way agents are paid. Second is the pushing of particular agency ‘preferred’ products like tours (with high commission levels) onto the customer without disclosing this conflict of interest.

No real newsflash here: agents are paid on commission. But people might not realise that base pay rates are so low, agents need every dollar they can squeeze out of you. The pay structure generally works like this:

* The agent is paid a base amount, which is a paltry sum at best. The base amount is fairly consistent amongst the major agencies, and will go up slightly the longer the agent stays in the job.

* Extra income is based on commission paid against the revenue agents bring in. Different levels of revenue are made from every product they sell, from very little (say a hotel transfer) to up to 50% revenue for travel insurance. ‘Preferred products’ such as tours or flights will have higher levels of revenue.

* Of this total revenue, agents are paid a monthly percentage, usually on a sliding scale (the more the agents bring in the higher the percentage they get). This pay scale will depend on the agency and some are more generous than others. Without this commission the base amount is barely enough to live on (we are talking burger flipping rates).

* There is massive pressure on agents to hit monthly revenue targets (aside from actually making a living), and thus the job has a very high turnover rate (1-2 years is a fair stint as a travel agent or even store manager).

* But what about the perks? Agents fly all the time right? In short there is no particular savings on flights at present. Some agencies are better than others but the perks of the job are almost non-existent compared to how it used to be. Agents are not always travelling and when they do it’s not as cheap as people think. For that you need a job, or your dad or mum needs a job, with Qantas.

* Some companies overseas pay differently so the focus is on customer service rather than sales. We are not so lucky.

The fact that the job is commission based seems to be missed by many customers who think agents are free to give advice all day as that’s what they get paid for. The reality is that they make very little unless they actually sell you something; it’s a sales job pure and simple.

This pressure on agents can lead to some very dubious practice.

So what could be loosely defined as a situation where somebody is being ripped off? There’s a big difference between paying extra for the agents time and them overcharging you by hundreds, or even thousands, on your holiday.

Standard booking fees at most agencies are $50.00 – $100.00, depending on the product being sold (less for domestic travel). These fees can be waived at some agencies rather than losing a sale if you are price matching or bargaining hard with the agent.

These fees are not a huge price to pay for what might be hours of the agents time (and remember the agent only gets a small percentage of that fee – most goes to the agency), but if you are paying any more than the standard fees, you are paying too much.

The most likely chance you have of being ripped off is if you have failed to shop around, and get caught up in the agent’s enthusiastic sales tactics (always beware the most upbeat and enthusiastic agent).

Agents will size up how much you know about your destination, the current price of flights and accommodation before quoting you a price. If you tell the agent “it’s my first time away” your chances of paying way too much increase dramatically.

Travelling to an out of the way destination might fall into this category as well, or when navigating the maze of round the world tickets. While it’s easy enough to book RTW trips on the net many people still stick with an agent, and leave themselves vulnerable to overcharging in the process.

Also, and unfortunately so, times of grief or any urgent need to get yourself on a flight are also seen by many agents as a time to cash in on vulnerable customers.

In terms of flights, agents will usually have minimum or net rates that they are free to add whatever extra they can get away with. This is where you can be overcharged if you haven’t shopped around. There is only a minimum, not a standard or maximum price for flights.

Consider as well that some agents are better than others at finding cheap flights. A high quote might just be a lack of knowledge of the destination/airlines. Many agents will have spent less than a year in the job and it can take time to learn how to get the better deals for customers, especially on out of the way routes. Another reason to check online first.

Yet another area in which to be careful is with refunds. It is not uncommon for some angents to overcharge you to cancel flights or tours. This can be done simply by the agent changing the terms of the agreement between you and the agency when you first pay a deposit or in full (as you have no direct contact with the airline). So what might have been a $350.00 cancellation fee on flights can be easily be turned into a non refundable ticket without the knowledge of the airline or tour company. Importantly this is not a standard practice (some agancies have measures in place to stop this) but it does happen. Be really careful and check elsewhere before you commit to a non refundable airfare!

The second and perhaps most dodgy aspect of travel agency practice is the pushing of preferred products onto customers.

This is not technically a rip off, but if you’re after unbiased product advice steer clear of most travel agents.
The major agencies will have certain tour companies and even airlines from which they will get higher commissions (which can be double that of other tour companies they might sell).

So you’re booking a tour in South America and want some advice on a tour company? Chances are you will be pushed into using the agencies preferred supplier as they make more money out of you that way. As yet there is no legal requirement for agencies to declare this conflict of interest. Just look around the shelves of the major agencies and it will be clear from the uniform brochures who their preferred suppliers are.

This is not to say these companies are not a decent choice, just be aware any advice is not without considerable bias. You need to make sure the tour company suits your needs and don’t rely solely on an agent’s advice on this (contact the company direct if you have any queries).

This conflict of interest can be applied to many products they sell. The major agencies will have preferred hotels and car hire companies. For almost every product travel agent dirty tricks, travel agent rip offs, travel advice, travel tips there will be a preference they give you that makes them more money. Agents will themselves often have little goals in mind when selling you a holiday.

There are always incentives from different travel companies for agents to sell their product. The incentive might be ’sell five tours get one free’ or something similar. This is another reason agents can give you highly biased advice.

Smaller more independent agencies are more likely to give you unbiased advice as they may not have the same deals with tour operators as the major players.

If you are unsure about the charges attached to any products, simply ask what exactly you are being charged for as agents should disclose any booking fees involved (sometimes these fees can be hidden). If you are suspicious don’t fall for any pressure tactics, just walk away and check another agency or online before you book (there’s always another agency close enough).

So the bottom line really is just to make yourself as aware as possible of current pricing before you see an agent. You can still get great deals through a good agent (booking online is not always cheaper) and there is no need to be ripped off if you are savvy about your planning. Advice from a good agent on your destination can be invaluable, just take product advice with a grain of salt.

I left the job in part due to the pressure to overcharge and BS on which company customers should travel with. Most people get into the job because they love to travel, but may end up finding, like I did, that the job is not worth the stress.

Category: travel agents  Leave a Comment
15 Jan 2010

Travel to Ontario Deals That Are Good For the Body and the Soul

Let’s face it, if you could find a travel deal, wouldn’t you take it? I know I would. Travel is something we all love to do but probably one of the first things we cut when times are tough. It doesn’t have to be that way. For the last few years, I have been travelling all around North America and it has not cost me much at all. As a matter of fact, I have been able to combine my love of travel with a way to get (and stay) in shape and even do my part to make a positive change in this world.

Let’s say for example, that you have a desire to travel to Ontario. Deals are few and far between and you are scouring those discount sites for something reasonable. It can be a frustrating and time-consuming endeavour and you probably wish you could be doing something else with your time. I don’t worry about that. For example, instead of searching for Toronto hotel deals in front of my computer, I am out for a run! Yup, I am getting exercise! You see, I have found a charitable organization that is supported at an event in Toronto, like the Scotiabank marathon and I signed up to fundraise for them. In exchange, my race entry, hotel, and perhaps even my transportation to Toronto are paid for!

There are many charitable organizations that are doing this as it is becoming a popular way for them to raise the much needed funds for their cause. In addition, there is an ever growing number of participants in these athletic events. People are becoming more and more health conscious and are signing up to participate in events like marathons, half-marathons, and 10km runs. These events are open to the public and people of all abilities are participating. Everyone has their reasons, but at the end of the day, what counts is that they are out there doing some good for themselves, and very often, for a charity of their choosing. Some examples of charitable organizations that have an event -related fundraising program include Team in Training, Team Diabetes, and Miracle Marathon. Obviously they are not limited to travel in Ontario, either. You can find events all over the world like the Great Wall of China, Alaska, Hawaii, Dublin, Kilimanjaro, just to name a few.

So the next time you are thinking about a vacation and find yourself looking for hotel deals, or thinking it might be too expensive to travel, why not consider an option that is a better deal than any you’ll ever find and at the same time, your body and your soul will thank-you for it.

Patch is a Boston marathon finisher and veteran running philanthropist. He has been actively running and supporting charities for the last 4 years and has completed 10 marathons during that time.

Category: budget travel  Leave a Comment
15 Jan 2010

How to Pack For an Around-The-World Trip

A 7000-cubic-inch suitcase stuffed, fully loaded, with over sixty pounds of supplies; tent, sleeping bag, stove, frying pan, eight changes of clothes, coffee pot, and God only knows what else. That was how I took my first solo trip abroad. By the time my trip was over six weeks later I had sold, lost, thrown away or cursed carrying three quarters of the stuff I’d packed. So please, learn from my mistake. IF YOU DON’T NEED IT, LEAVE IT. That’s the only rule for packing for a trip abroad, which believe it or not can be the most important part of the trip.

If you don’t need it, leave it. I can’t say it enough.

You can almost always tell the seasoned traveler from the new kid on the block simply by the size of their pack. The pack I use now is a small, 2100-cubic-inch backpack. It works perfect as a carry on everywhere I go. Sometimes, it is a real treat to see the professional traveler, someone who has been on the trail for years. These travelers usually have a bag smaller then a lot of purses, with some extra underwear, a toothbrush and a good book. When you think about it, what more do you really need?

My basic philosophy about what to bring on an around-the-world trip stems for the type of trip I like to take, with a comfort level allowing me to buy almost anything I need on the road. When I’m on the road the last thing I want to do is worry about my stuff. I have been on countless buses where bags are coming off at an interim stop and have watched as travelers dutifully study each bag that comes off to make sure it isn’t theirs. I’ve also been walking with people who won’t walk down a very interesting but darkened road because they’re carrying an $800.00 camera. I’ve watched this type of person as they are approached by local towts. They inevitably grab their camera tight, or unconsciously check their money belt.

I make sure I don’t have any stuff on me that’s worth worrying too much about, and walk with the philosophy that if someone robs me, I simply say OK, here you go, and hand it over. People are people all over the world. A thug in the Third World can read body language just as well, if not better, than a thug in the U.S. I have never been robbed while traveling and I’m truly convinced it’s because of my diligence, but even more so due to my maintaining an attitude that if necessary I really don’t care if my stuff disappears.

If you can adopt this approach you will walk differently. Your body language will say, “Hey, I’m not worth the hassle, try someone else.” Since adopting this approach I find I have a greater opportunity to enjoy the local flavor and spend more time observing and participating and less time worrying about my stuff.

I have often though back to that first trip and wondered what I was thinking. So much gear and so many clothes! I can only guess that I must have been nervous about what lay outside the country, thinking, “They might not have what I NEED.” In hindsight I feel pretty silly for thinking that way. Food, clothing and shelter are all you really need. It isn’t difficult to understand that these are the same things all people need. You don’t need to bring the super economy-size toothpaste. People all over the world brush their teeth. There are also people all over the world who rent places to stay. If it a hot camping spot, you will be able to rent all the gear you need.

People all over the world also eat. These people shop in markets, buy bottled water and dine in restaurants. Most places in the world, people take photos and e-mail friends. There are very few places remaining in the world where people still run around naked. Everywhere else in the world people wear clothes, so you will easily be able to buy a new shirt, or pants, socks or underwear. In addition, people all over the world who wear clothes have facilities, services or soap to clean their clothes.

Finally, (this is best part), with very few exceptions the stuff you may need-clothes, food, supplies and services-are readily available and generally much cheaper than in the U.S.

If I have been obnoxious in the section above it was only to prove a point. There is an extremely good chance you could start an around-the-world journey with nothing more than a credit card and passport and have a ball. People all around the world have the same basic needs as you. Here is a list of things I took on my around-the-world adventure. What others choose is up to them. But I really stress; less really amounts to better traveling.

1. The best shoes money can buy-Don’t cheat yourself when it comes to footwear. I made this mistake and hobbled around South America for two months. Make sure to wear your new shoes a lot before your trip. Walk on hard surfaces, to get an idea how your boots will feel after a long hike on concrete. On the road I average 5-15 miles a day, wandering and touring around. A pair of quality sandals also makes a great second pair of shoes. I only bring these two pair.

2. Clothes-When it comes to clothing, durable and comfortable are the two high points. Most travelers aren’t too concerned with fashion, and if the occasion comes up that they need to dress for some sort of occasion they figure out a way to make due. A fine example is when I had to buy a tie in Buenos Aries to attend the opera. Start your packing of clothes considering the way you dress from the inside out. Undergarments, let’s face it, are small so take up little room, although they are also your first line of cleanliness. My first trip I packed five pair of underwear and ended up taking three from then on. Three pair of socks are sufficient. Make sure they are socks that keep moisture away from you skin.

Micro fleece tights and a thermal top, these work great for layering, pajamas, or as an extra top and pants. I pack two pair of pants. I prefer the zip-off style because they also work as shorts or as a bathing suit. Two button-up shirts, long or short-sleeve, whatever is appropriate for where you are starting out. Either way, they will get worn out soon and you will need to buy new ones. A fleece jacket works great for sleeping in if it is chilly as well as doubling as a standard jacket. A good waterproof jacket can be worth its weight in gold if you hit the rainy season in some foreign land.

You’ll want two hats-one winter hat that you can roll down and cover your eyes with when you want to sleep and another for sun or rain. Finally a light pair of gloves. I like the ones you can but in the Peruvian markets. I always pack two bandannas. They work great to keep your neck out of the sun and as wash cloths. That’s it for clothes. I was able to travel for nine months across all seven continents with just this packing list. Remember you will be wearing close to half of it at any given time. If you pack right, the reaming stuff will take up very little room.

A small side note on packing clothes…(Folding your clothes and then rolling them up like a tortilla will take up less room and actually wrinkle less. I like to put items in disposable bags for clean or dirty clothes. By rolling up your fleece items and stuffing them in a sack, they stay smaller and more manageable. All these clothes combined should take up less than half your pack when pack well.)

3. A high quality, panel-loading backpack-In my experience, whatever size pack you get you will always rationalize filling it, so keep it small. If you go to a quality outdoor retailer they should be able set you up with a great carry-on size bag, (don’t let them upsale you into something bigger.) Just make sure the construction is good, taped inner seams and heavy duty zipper, and that the shoulder harness is relatively comfortable. I like panel loading packs because they can be locked, simply meaning the pack closes by a heavy zipper and that the two zipper ends can be locked together. It isn’t Fort Knox, but it will help honest people stay honest, particularly in shared hostel rooms.

Another aspect of the pack that I personally like are pack straps that somehow disappear into some type of compartment. A reasonable hip belt to distribute the load is a must if you plan on doing any trecking. I also like to add a couple of clips to the outside of my pack. It really works well if you are trying to dry off your clothes or boots while you are on the move. If you choose a bigger pack or one that has straps hanging all over, remember to get a light weight stuff sack, like the ones used for sleeping bag storage. This stuff sack works great to put your pack in. Again, it will help honest people stay honest as well as prevent your bag from getting chewed up by some automated baggage system, or being ruined if it sits on top of a dusty, then rainy, then dusty, bus trip. If it has been protected you really won’t mind having to wear it when you have that 2 mile walk from the bus station to the pension.

You may want a small day pack. This really comes down to personal preference. Some larger travel packs do come with zip-off day packs but I have seen many of these break or become impossible to put back on due to an overly stuffed main pack. The important thing is to find something comfortable, durable and easily packable. I like to carry a large bum bag. (The word ‘fanny’ is an extremely vulgar word everywhere but in the U.S. In other countries it is used in a derogatory way when referring to a woman’s vagina.)

I usually wear my “bum” bag in the front rather than in the back for easy access and in avoidance of pickpockets. However, please note, I have a shoulder strap that is always on as well. Bum bags really are not very safe. All it takes is one kid to get your attention, one kid to open the buckle and a third kid to catch you bag and run. Then it is a game of keep away and you are screwed. If you can get away without one that is probably your best bet.

4. First-aid kit-Any good travel Doc should be able to set you up with a list of what you need. Prescription drugs are your best staring point and then get whatever else you need from the pharmacy. It is always a lot cheaper to put together your first-aid kit yourself, but good kits already containing what you need are available for sale.

5. A good guide book-You want a guide book of the area you are starting in. I personally like the Lonely Planet series. However, the most recently updated book is probably best. Don’t worry about getting a book for the other places you are going. After you start there will always be new or used books available for sale for your next destination.

6. Cameras-In the modern age of digital cameras, this may be the best way to go. However, I choose to go with two small, instamatic, point-and-shoot cameras, one with a zoom lens and the other with a simple fixed focus. I take two so that I can always have one loaded with black and white film. After my trip I was more happy with the black and white photos than I was with the color. The cameras I took were nice but not extremely expensive, so when I forgot one in a rick-shaw in India I really didn’t worry about it.

7. Security stuff-There is a ton of stuff on the market to hide your money and lock your stuff up. Most of it is pretty good but I think a lot is made for selling. A few rules to remember are these: If a thief wants your stuff bad enough he or she will get it. However, most thieves are like vultures and will go for the prey that will take the least amount of work so make it a pain in the ass for somebody to rip you off. Spread everything out in different places, meaning don’t keep all your valuables in one place, spread them around in several different hiding places. I personally keep stuff hidden in up to six different places. And finally the most important thing to remember is the closer you keep it to your skin the safer it usually is. Cameras dangeling around your neck, backpacks slung over one shoulder, bum bags and watches are all easy targets for some kid to just run by and see who is stronger. With the added aspect of surprise the kid is almost always stronger.

I usually carry three wallets when I am out and about. A security wallet with money, photocopies, credit cards and passport all tucked into my pants. A money belt-one that actually looks like a belt-for money and passport photocopy. Finally a small money purse in my front pocket that has a twenty-inch string attached to my belt. This small purse is my everyday wallet. I keep one credit card, I.D. and just enough money for the day. The reasons for this are simple, I don’t want to tempt anyone by reaching into my main stash and letting them see more money then they may make in year. Also, if I were ever to be robbed I would just hand over that small purse. The thief looks inside and see money, I.D. and credit card, he smiles, says “thank you, welcome to my country” and leaves. You will then say “thank God I read this book!” and get the hell out of there.

I make several photocopies of all my credit cards (front and back), plane tickets and passport. I then spread out the copies to my pack, travel wallet and leave one at home with someone reliable who is only a phone call or e-mail away. It just makes it easier if something did happen to have all the numbers at hand. I have heard that having a copy of passport makes getting a replacement much easier.

Chicken wire or some kind of knife proof mesh can actually save a lot of aggravation. Simply line the inside of your day bag with this mesh. That way, if someone does slice your bag, all your stuff doesn’t come spilling out. Bag slicing is a favorite of thieves. A common technique used by thieves is for a woman to come up to you asking for money. She will be carrying a baby and have a couple of kids with her. She will stare you down, asking for help while trying to put the baby in your arms. Meanwhile, the two other kids, (actually adult midgets disguised as children)-just kidding!-use a razor blade to slice your bag and take all your valuables. You finally push away from the lady and baby, but by now it is too late, they already have what they wanted. You won’t even realize it until you go to pull something out of your bag.

Another scheme is for a group of people to suddenly surround you in a public place. It could be on a street, in a train station or maybe on a bus. Everybody seems to get shoved around and before you know it, you’re standing there in just your underwear. O.K. maybe it’s not that extreme, but there are many people in the world who make their living just by ripping off tourists. Please note that none of this actually happened to me. A couple of times people tried, but these stories are more traveler lore than anything.

A pack that has zippers which come together and can be locked can be of some comfort. I also cary a small Bike cabel lock. I use it both on the move and in hostels. In the hostels it works great. It allows me to run the cable through the area where the two zippers meet, then through the bed frame, or radiator, or something else in the room that is stable. On buses or trains it really gives me peace of mind to lock the pack up somewhere where I can see it and know that it will be difficult for someone to walk off with it while I am sleeping.

Anyway you use it, a cable lock at least creates one more obstacle for a would-be thief. Also carry a medium-sized padlock. Many hostels have lockers of some sort, but usually they don’t supply a lock. The lockers are great and really easy to use if you have your own lock.

8. Toiletries-This is a very individual area. I think it is important to start simple and buy as you need. A short list of what to pack: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, razor, small towel, deodorant, and any other basic personal needs. I keep these in a plastic bag. Changes in altitude and pressure seem to always put bottled soap all over the place.

9. Extras-You might want to carry some photos from home, a hiking staff, a micro-recorder, journal, extra eyeglasses, garbage bags, playing cards, maybe even a harmonica. A small stuff sack filled with the little extras works great. I carried extra eyeglasses in case I broke mine, garbage bags to throw the pack in if I was on a small boat, safety pins for all things, sewing kit, harmonica, (traded for a necklace from a Massi Warrior around the Campfire in Kenya), playing cards, corkscrew and cheese knife.

This is strictly an area of personal preference. I believe in minimalism, but if there is something special think about it and if it you want to bring it, great. On my trips I have chosen to bring along a few extras and was always happy that I did. On a long trip anyone is bound to get a bit homesick or feel the need to connect with someone and want to talk about their life at home. I brought along about twenty photos of family, friends and my dog. I was amazed that where ever I went, the young ladies of the world were always most interested in my sister’s wedding photo.

I have had my knee rebuilt three times, and for this reason I would always carry a support bandage and collapsible hiking staff. This really helped save my knee and reduced my vitamin and Ibuprofen intake. I also wrapped about three feet of duct tape on one section of my hiking staff, just to have it in case I needed it. It ended up being very useful when I used the duct tape to repair an embarrassing tear in my pants.

For me, memories are sparked in many different ways, through sight, sound and smell. I brought a small micro-cassette recorder that has created some cherished memories, from elephants trumpeting in Africa to little girls singing in Bolivia. It amazes me just how much of hams kids can be all over the world.

As you can see I enjoy writing, and a journal was a great way to do it. Paper or electronic, whatever works for you is best. However, I did find that sending mass-mailing e-mail stories to friends and family at home was well received and is also a great way to get someone at home to print off a journal as you go.

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14 Jan 2010

Hotels Near Motherwell and Tourist Information Visitor Guide

Motherwell is a town located in Scotland’s central industrial belt in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Its neighbouring towns are Wishaw, Bellshill and Hamilton. It is very accessible town,within 40 minutes drive of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick airports.There are also good railway and bus links from Glasgow. 2 motorways,the Glasgow to Edinburgh M8 and Glasgow to Carlisle M74 are close by too.

Motherwell was formerly, the “steel making capital” of Scotland where British Steel’s iron works and strip mills were located at the vast “Ravenscraig” site.

With British Steel’s privatisation “The Craig” as it was nicknamed, was deemed no longer viable and in 1993 the plant was closed with resulting 1000s of redundancies, and the area plunged into recession, with high unemployment, and many other independent businesses closing as a result.

However,the local Scottish Premier Division football team “Motherwell FC” are in fact still nicknamed “The Steel Men”

17 years on, there is a slow but surely revival.The former Ravenscraig site is now being redeveloped. Motherwell college being one of its first occupiers. New IT, distribution and many new service industry and leisure jobs are being created, with soon to follow housing and retail developments too.

Strathclyde Country Park is a huge public park on the edge of Motherwell. As well as open spaces, picnic areas, nature walks and a massive boating lake, Strathclyde Country Park is home to Scotlands largest and most popular themed amusement park – M+Ds. With several eating + drinking establishments, crazy golf, go karting as well as roller coasters and other fun fair rides, M+D’s is very popular with all ages throughout the summer months.

Accommodation in and around Motherwell range from 4 star “Brand” hotels such as Holiday Inn and Hilton to cozy family owned and run Bed and Breakfast establishments.

Which ever type you choose, prices can vary widly between different suppliers, so it is advisable to use a hotel comparison site such as RoomRateCompare.com. This ingenious, simple to use website quickly searches up to 32 different suppliers for Hotels near Motherwell at once, to guarantee you the lowest prices for your stay.

Category: City-Guides-and-Information  Leave a Comment
14 Jan 2010

Affordable Plane Ticket – How to Find Real Cheap Airline Tickets

Flying can get expensive so you need to find plane tickets cheap. The best way to start is to book early. When you plan your next trip early you will be able to find a low published fare. When the flight is only a few days away most of the seats may be filled and they do not need to reduce the price any further.

First you want to search at least 30 days prior to when you want to fly. Planing ahead and booking early can save you money on your next plane ticket.

Next you want to find a discount ticket site to compare prices. There are websites that will let you search multiple sites to see the lowest fare available. Saving money is not hard if you take advantage of the tools that are available to you.

Check on tickets prices late at night and early in the morning. These are times when ticket purchases are low and you can really find some great low cost fares.

Sign up for low fare alerts so that you get an email or text message when a fare becomes available that is in your price range. Many sites now offer this and it can save you money the next time you are buying a ticket.

Check with the airlines themselves by calling or visiting there website. You may be surprised to find that they offer great deals and you can save money buying direct.

Remember that saving money on your next flight is easy to do when you plan ahead. Try searching at different times of the day as well because you can find really low fares during these slow times.

Category: Airline Tickets  Leave a Comment
14 Jan 2010

Caravan Holidays Are a Good Budget Option

When we think about the costs that are associated with holidays, we can see that there are a number of factors that will have an influence. In particular, we tend to spend a lot of money on flights, car hire and accommodation.

This helps to explain why many of us look to make savings in these particular areas. It’s because we know that doing so will ensure that we can get a cheaper holiday. But are cheaper holidays really representative of value for money?

It’s important that you choose a holiday that will be relaxing and can be enjoyed by the whole family. There’s very little point in choosing a cheap holiday if you simply will not enjoy it. In such circumstances, you will really find that you are making a false economy.

So what options are open to you? Some people like to opt for a camping trip, knowing that this can often save them a lot of money in many areas. Camping holidays, however, will not be ideal for everyone. Some people prefer the thought of sleeping in accommodation that’s a little more solid.

This helps to explain the great popularity of caravan holidays. With a caravan, you can hit the road and enjoy the flexibility of knowing that you have good quality accommodation with you at all times. You’ll find that you worry a lot less about the facilities provided at sites.

Unlike with a camping trip, you won’t have to rely upon the campsite toilets and bathroom facilities. That’s because your caravan is likely to be far better equipped than most tents!

As a result, a caravan offers the opportunity for you to have a great holiday, no matter what budget you have available to you. You’ll be saving money on accommodation, flights and car hire. That’s why caravan holidays have become increasingly popular in recent years.

You’ll find that you can buy many caravan accessories online at discount prices. This means that you can say even more money when compared to alternative holidays.

Category: holidays  Leave a Comment
13 Jan 2010

5 Ways to Get Cheap Airline Tickets

Are you trying to plan a trip but want to know how you can get the cheapest airline tickets before you tell your boss which days you will be taking off for vacation? Some people make the mistake of putting down certain days that they will be taking their vacation time without first checking to see when the best deals are available for airfare. You do not want to make this mistake. Instead find out how and when you will be able to get the best deals and then tell your boss when you will be taking off.

One way that you will be able to get the best deal on plane tickets is to be a smart shopper. Do not make your purchase for airline tickets at one of the big name companies just because they tell you it is a great deal. To them it might be a great deal but there is always a better deal available if you are willing to find it. You may find a smaller website more helpful in booking your flight since they do not have a huge overhead to pay like the big companies do.

Being flexible when taking your vacation time is another way that you will be able to find airline tickets for a great deal. If you are in a hurry to put down the days that you are going to be requesting off for vacation then you will be stuck with paying the prices that you find for the week or few days that you are going on vacation. By waiting until you find the best deal on airfare you will be able to get a great deal and still take the days off that you want.

Do not get too caught up in thinking that you know when the best deals will be available. It is true that most of the time the airlines put tickets on sale starting Monday night and ending on Thursday, but there may be a sale happening on the flight that you want to take happening on another day. The only way to know is to check. Airlines are always changing the prices of tickets throughout the day depending on several different things so you may be able to find the deal you are looking for by checking.

In order to find the best deals you will not want to sit by your computer all day waiting for them to pop up. Airfare prices are constantly changing on each website that you visit and you will not be able to keep up with all of the changes that are being made. Choose one site that you know and trust to purchase your airline tickets from and wait for the best deal to be posted.

Finally, if you are going to get the best deal on the airline tickets that you need to take your trip you will want to be fast in locking in your deal. As mentioned previously, airlines are always updating their prices throughout the day depending on different variables. You do not want to make the mistake of letting a good deal pass you by because you think there is going to be another one coming along. Once you see the deal that you are looking for on your plane tickets book your flight.

These 5 tips will help you to be able to get cheap airline tickets so that you will have more money to spend on the place that you are going to. If you are a smart shopper, are flexible with your vacation time, think smart, check flight prices regularly, and book your deal as soon as you see it you will be able to save a lot of money on the flight that you want to take.

Category: Airline travel  Leave a Comment
12 Jan 2010

Travel Agents – Why You Should Use Them

Every year millions of people book travel one way or another some book their trips online with one of the popular travel websites and some people still use a travel agent. Travel is a trillion dollar industry and there are so many options for the consumer these days. Not so long ago when you wanted to take a trip to see your family or go on a vacation you would call a travel agency. Today you can book your trip on sites like HotWire, Priceline, Expdeia, Travelocity and more these sites offer great discounts for people who want to book online. Most of the travel agents today have started to take advantage of the power of the internet they have their own personal websites when you can get information and then call them to ask you questions or get quote over the phone.

Just like everything else in the world the younger generation and the older generation differ in their opinion on which way is the the best way to book travel the older people would rather get the personal touch by dealing with a local travel agent. The your generation likes to have thing fast and with no personal touch they like that fact that they can go to the internet and surf many different sites and book a trip when they find what they are looking for. People travel for many different reasons some travel because they have to take care of business and some travel just for fun.

No matter what the reason is for your trip you will need to book it one way or another either online or with a professional travel agent. The main thing you must consider is which booking method would be less stressful to you and which method would offer you the most detailed information. If you have friends or family who travel a lot you should ask them how they booked their trips and what was the best booking method for them. People who travel everyday like to get the best deal on every single trip and they can be a good source for getting the best information on which way to book a trip.

Traveling should be fun and you not spend more money than you have to so always take your time when planning your trip. Be careful not to jump on the first deal that is presented to you when you take your time you will always find a better deal. Booking travel is not very hard at all you just need to know what you are looking for and what you are willing to spend and choose the best booking method that will make you happy.

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