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Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

Many families are finding that money is tight at the moment and a lot are having to forego summer holidays, however if you have a little bit of spare cash and are looking for some cheap holiday ideas then we have a couple for you.

There are quite a lot of last minute holidays around at the moment and you may find prices could drop further as travel agents lower their prices to entice people if take up is poor for holidays abroad. If you don’t want to book through a travel agent, you can find good deals for hotels and flights separately on the internet for foreign holidays however you must be careful and make sure you book through a reputable company the is ABTA covered.

If flying isn’t your cup of tea then you should have a look at what cruise deals are available, just like other holidays, the cost of cruises will also drop if there is not much take up, plus many cruise lines offer great deals for families and have very cheap accommodation available, even on some of the bigger name ships. Like many foreign holidays if you keep your eye out you should be able to find some cheap cruises, especially online and remember you won’t have to worry about the expensive airport tax either.

Finally if you can’t stretch your budget for foreign holidays you should have a look at places right here in the UK, camping and self catering can be very cheap especially if there is a large number of you to share the costs. Plus if you choose somewhere that has a good selection of free places to visit then you can go away for even cheaper.

Going on holiday to Asia can be a very rewarding experience if you have never been to the region.  The numerous attractions, diverse cultures, and the white sand beaches are just a few elements that make this part of the world worthy of exploration.  At the very least, a holiday in Asia will reward your with memories that will last a lifetime.  Here are six reasons why you should consider going on holiday in Asia.

1) The currency exchange rate works in the tourists’ favour here, so you will have a little more flexibility with your budget.

2) The majority of the tours and travel packages are reasonably priced and will fit into most budgets, while the different holiday accommodation rentals are reasonably priced.

3) China and India provide the international traveller with a great scope of world history, while many of the landmarks are considered as being wonders of the world.

4) For the best beach holidays, Southeast Asia is your best option.  Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand are renowned for having the most pristine beaches in the world.

5) If you’re travelling with children, consider visiting Hong Kong, as they have just opened a Disneyland there.  You’ll also enjoy the Cantonese cuisine and the shopping venues.

6) Taiwan is another excellent choice for an Asian holiday destination.  The natural beauty of the surrounding areas results from the abundance of forests, mountains, and rivers that you will find no matter where you are exploring.

Nothing spells adventure, excitement, and mystery like an African safari holiday.  The thought of seeing untamed animals such as elephants, hippos, giraffes, lions, wildebeests, or zebras gathering at their favourite watering hole or roaming the vast plains, is sure to send chills up and down your spine.  Here are a few steps to take when planning your African holiday adventure:

Decide whether you are going to travel with just your spouse or with children – if children are going to be included, they should be at least six years old so they can enjoy the experience.

Consider your accommodation options – there are African safari packages available ranging from the all-inclusive to the very basic.  You have numerous options.  What would you prefer – a camping vacation or a luxury lodge on the Serengeti? The choice is up to you and your budget.

Decide when you are going on holiday as well as for how long – remember that most of Africa is situated to the south of the Equator, so the summers there can be very hot.  The warmest months are March through to August.  Conversely, the winters are exceptionally mild and pleasant.

Think about the purpose of your vacation – what is the focus of your holiday? Is it camping and hiking, a family holiday, a photographic adventure, or a romantic getaway?

Determine what your budget can handle – are you looking for luxury, cheap, or something in between? Search the internet initially to help you determine your destination and what you want to spend.  Just avoid getting with the 3.2 million possibilities for ‘African safari’ that result when you conduct that search on Google.

If you are looking for a holiday where you can visit numerous places of interest, experience different cultures and have your every need taken care of then you should look at taking a cruise holiday. You won’t have all the travel worries that come with making your own travel arrangements and you can get a great personal service, no matter what your needs.

There are really endless possibilities for your cruise holiday, so it can be quite hard to choose just one, let alone which cruise line to go for, so I would suggest doing plenty of research before you go. Online travel companies can offer plenty of information on cruise holidays, such as virginholidaycruises.co.uk who actually specialise in all types of cruise holidays, whether it’s just a cruise holiday, fly and cruise holiday or fly, cruise and stay holiday. Some cruise holidays aim to be more relaxing, so more time will be spent at sea but the cruise ships will have plenty on offer to help keep you relaxed during your trip. Others offer plenty of ports to dock in so you can visit as many places as you can and take in lots of new cultures.

There are cruise lines and holidays that have been specifically tailored for families with plenty of fun and entertainment available, as well as romantic holidays for couples which offer a personal service and also for single travellers which are made to feel part of a family and a larger travel group, so everyone is covered.

In order to extend their holidays and to experience more of the country they are visiting, more and more people are looking to work while they are abroad.

In Europe, working while on holiday is remarkably easy – thanks to EU labour laws, there are few legal roadblocks to working while on holiday.  Many Brits take advantage of these labour laws by working during the busy ‘summer season’ in tourist markets, and there are usually many jobs in Mediterranean locations.

Another popular overseas destination for a working holiday is Australia.  Thanks to Australia’s working visa, it is relatively easy to organise a working holiday in the country.  An Australia working visa allows for Brits to stay in the country for up to 12 months, wherein they can work with any single employer for up to six months and study for up to four months.  People who have successfully completed one stint in Australia on a working visa can then apply for a second stay in the country, this time for up to six months, working with a previous employer.  However, the major drawback of an Australian working visa is that applicants have to be aged between 18 and 30 at the time of their visa application.

One country where many people want to take working holidays is the United States; however, thanks to the country’s strict labour and immigration laws doing so can be problematic.  The criteria for working in the US is very, very strict and usually only allows highly skilled workers in.  One programme which does allow Brits to work in the US more easily, though, is Camp USA, which finds people jobs working in summer camps.

As air travel becomes cheaper and easier, more and more of the world is becoming accessible to tourists.  Countries and places which in times gone by were inaccessible to all but the most adventurous and well heeled travellers can now be reached relatively easily, and even remote corners of the globe can be visited by either land, sea or air.  This is a far cry from the days when foreign holidays almost always meant a beach break to the Mediterranean.

However, although the more remote parts of the world are now easier to get to, they are not necessarily as safe as established tourist locations.  Whether it is because of disease, a volatile political situation or crime, some countries are dangerous to travel to.  There are steps, though, that people can take to make sure that any risks are minimised when taking dream holidays to far flung lands.

The first port of call before planning a trip to an unfamiliar country should be the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.  Here, travellers will be able to find the latest information on the country which they are planning to visit.  Travel warnings are also published here, so should a country suddenly become unsafe for any reason, potential visitors can stay up to date.

Another consideration before travelling should be vaccinations.  Some nations require a certificate of vaccination against certain diseases before they allow visitors into their country, while for others it is simply highly recommended that tourists get vaccinated.  Local GPs and specialised travel clinics can usually provide advice on what vaccinations are needed, along with providing any medications.

If you’re looking for some winter sun then you should check out the last minute cruise deals for 2011, there are still some places available to take a cruise holiday in the Caribbean or North American East Coast for plenty of sun, Mediterranean or the Red Sea for somewhere warm for a short break. Because its last minute there are some great deals to be had, especially if your desperate to escape the miserable winter weather.

The Med or Red Sea is ideal if you need a break away, with cruises available from a few days to a couple of weeks, you could even book one for a last minute Valentines Break as a nice surprise for your loved one. Going further afield to the Caribbean or American does guarantee you hotter climes and plenty of sunshine to clear away any winter blues. These cruises are great if you want to get away from it all and relax in peace and tranquillity.

Alternatively if you like fun and excitement, don’t worry, you can still find it on a cruise holiday, not all of them are made for sedate lifestyles. In fact many of the newer cruise ships have a whole host of activities to keep you busy such as rock climbing, surfing, on the new Royal Caribbean ships and plenty of sports available on board others.

Looking for love?  Look no further than Venice, Italy.  From gondolas floating slowly down a canal at sunset to fine wine shared over a candlelit dinner, there is not a city on the planet that can compare to Venice.

Wander along Venice’s cobbled streets and marvel at the stunning, ancient architecture that surrounds you.  The Grand Canal is a must-see.  Hire a gondola for the ultimate tour, and float along beside Renaissance palaces that reflect in the water.  This is Venice’s main “highway”, and a taxi, or water bus, is called a “vaporetto”.  The Number 1 bus moves slowly along the length of the Grand Canal, making frequent stops, and will allow you to see a large area of Venice for a small price.

One location to stop at is the Clock Tower, or Torre dell’Orologio.  Erected in the 14th century, this beautiful clock displays the phases of the moon and movement of the sun, along with the time of day.  It is located in St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, which is in itself a fabulous destination.  Walk from the Basilica of San Marco south to the clock tower, then past the Libreria and the Procuratie Nuove.  To the west is the Corer Museum, and after visiting all of these destinations you will need to spend a few minutes at the Caffè Florian or Gran Caffè Quadri for rest and refreshment.

Finally, take a day to visit the Campanile di San Marco.  Originally a lighthouse, it is now a bell tower with an elevator that takes you to the top.  The best times to visit are early in the morning or late in the evening, as the midday crowds can make for quite a wait.  Also, when the bell rings at the top of the hour, be prepared.  In the small space at the top and so near the bell, it gets quite loud.  But you will never get a better view of the city than from at the top of the Campanile.

The Grand Canal

Picture courtesy of HarshLight

When deciding where to book your skiing holiday, do as much research as you can. The internet, library, and travel agents are a good place to start but the country’s embassy can also provide very useful information. After choosing the destination, pick the most appropriate resort for you and your family. It should be easy to find out which resorts have ski schools, nursery slopes or advanced slopes and whatever else you need.

Most importantly, check when the best time is to go skiing as some European destinations are suffering from less snow and shorter seasons. If you haven’t skied before, have a few lessons before you go, there are quite a few dry ski slopes around. Make sure you are fairly fit before you go, if you spend your days sitting at a desk, your muscles and joints need to get some exercise first or you are likely to at best be very stiff after your first day skiing or at worst injure yourself.

Unless you are going to spend the whole holiday on the piste, make sure you pack clothes for warmer days, evening and days when you aren’t skiing. You will need plenty of spending money as well as ski resorts tend to be expensive. You can save money by buying your season tickets and passes for the slopes before you go. Your tickets should include ski and boot hire. A family pass can save you even more money.

Choose your holiday insurance carefully. Make sure it covers you for skiing and that it covers transfer home should the worst happen.

Prague

City breaks to Prague set the mood with stunning architecture and impressive history, which has been recognised by UNESCO.  Sitting on the banks of the Vltava River, Prague’s many spires, palaces and cobblestone streets will transport you back in time and provide the perfect backdrop for romantic weekend breaks.

Venice

Easily the most romantic city on earth, Venice is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its canals, fine art, gorgeous architecture and rich history.  Short breaks to Venice offer a multitude of options for couples, from gondola rides along the canals, to fine dining at intimate eateries and relaxing in restful spas.

Paris

This is the obvious choice when we think of romantic city breaks.  The City of Lights is the romance capital of the world and though it can be expensive, couples hoping to celebrate a very special occasion, perhaps an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday, should never overlook it.

Rome

Another Italian treasure, Rome, is loaded with history dating back centuries, unique charm and plenty of style.  Romantic weekend breaks to Rome often include visits to museums, art galleries, historic landmarks and ancient ruins.  You can also enjoy world-class dining and shopping or simply wandering through the streets hand-in-hand.

Amsterdam

Known the world over as the place for serious partying and hedonism, many travellers are surprised to learn that short breaks to Amsterdam can actually be romantic.  There is the Van Gogh museum, the sexy red light district, lovely canals, quiet back streets, restaurants and cosy pubs where couples can spend quality time together.  City breaks to Amsterdam offer more than meets the eye.