Tips for First Time Cruisers

Travel Tips
Going on a cruise is a very different experience to any other holiday that you are likely to take. It takes care of your accommodation, food and travel criteria while taking you to various destinations. If you are thinking of taking a cruise and it is your first time, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind. The best time to book a cruise is in the early stages or the very last minute. This strategy will give you the best possible price as there are many deals floating around at these stages. Small cabins obviously go for low prices and they get even lower if you do a last minute booking. Find a reputable travel agent and utilize their services. The agents have inside knowledge on the best…
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Penny Pinching in Hong Kong

Travel Tips
Hong Kong is a great place to visit whether on business or pleasure. If you are a budget conscious traveler, there are a few things you can do to save money. First time visitors (and even some experienced travelers) make the mistake of using the Airport Express to get into the city. While it is quite fast and convenient, it is not necessarily the cheapest way to go to the city from the airport. Airport Express will cost you between $60 and $100, whereas the Airbus service will be between $30 and $45. The taxi service is not recommended as it will cost you almost $300 (prices are quoted in USD). Once you are in the city, get yourself an Octopus Card. This is a prepaid card which can be…
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Budget Family Vacations

Travel Tips
Family vacations are great, but they can also be quite expensive. There is no option of putting off a family vacation, as children just cannot wait for vacation time. These are also some of the times that you have such fond memories of and pictures and home videos. However, when planning out a family vacation, you must be conscious of how much it will set you back, and you must check if you can really afford it. If you can manage a great deal on a family vacation, then all is well and good, otherwise, here are a few great ideas for a family trip on a budget. Keeping it affordable Not every single family vacation must be to an exotic destination that costs you huge bucks. If you have…
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Planning a Holiday to Vietnam

Travel Tips
Located in South East Asia, Vietnam is becoming a fairly popular destination for holidaying. Plagued by its association with war and poverty, Vietnam is still not a top choice amongst most people for a holiday destination. However, over the years, Vietnam has slowly risen to its feet, and the economy has just started to take off. Blessed with beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains and wonderful cities, Vietnam is a picturesque country. When to go to Vietnam There is no 'time' to go to Vietnam. Given the fact that it is a tropical country, the climate really means the equivalent of a humid and very hot summer. The weather however is quite different from the North to the South of the country. In Northern Vietnam, between the months of November and April…
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Paradise Found – Maldives

Travel Tips
The Maldives is a collection of islets located on top of 26 atolls. The country is fully geared towards tourism and therefore, many of the 1,200 islets have idyllic resorts that welcome you into 'paradise'. If you travel to one of the resorts or private islands you will realize the pleasure of isolation. Unlike other destinations the fact that these are islands means that you won't be bothered by beggars, touts and other incessant worriers of tourists. Instead, you can lounge about the beaches with parasols over you and sip away at a never ending supply of cocktails. If you feel the Sun is a tad too hot, you can always slip into the warm sea and explore the sea life underwater. Whether you are a scuba diver or a…
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The Animal Kingdom

Travel Tips
The opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998 was the culmination of an eight year long process that began with a simple idea. The idea was to create a traditional theme park (much like an Epcot style pavilion) and marry it to a non-traditional zoo. This was the idea proposed by Joe Rohde (Imagineering Concept Designer) to Michael Eisner (then CEO of the Walt Disney Company). The park is, as Disney trumpets, a very different experience in interacting with animals. Every location in the park has been designed beautifully, with meticulous attention paid to making the animals feel comfortable in their environment. Because of this, you will almost never feel as if you are separated from the animals as the barriers in between look very natural or altogether invisible. The…
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Top Five Paradises

Travel Tips
Vacation time is around the corner and you probably need to find a great place to go to. Here are the top five most exotic places to go to in the world: 1. Barbados - Located in the Caribbean, Barbados is the island to visit. The fauna and flora is amazing and the white, sandy beaches are absolutely heavenly. Barbados is a popular vacation spot for top celebrities, politicians and even businessmen. The most luxurious hotel on the island is Sandy Lane which is complete with a state-of-the-art spa, with all treatments based on Far East and Caribbean traditions. 2. Lombok - An island in Indonesia, Lombok is ideal if you are looking for a nice, peaceful and quiet vacation. Choose the Oberoi Lombok Hotel, which is situated on the…
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Six Tips For Avoiding Hidden Hotel Fees

Travel Tips
The revenue hotels earn from telephone calls, internet fees, fitness centers, the business center and other charges have tripled over the years. Recently an investigation conducted regarding four Wyndham establishments by Florida's attorney general led to a settlement of $2.3 million and a new requirement that all hotel fees be disclosed straight up. Wyndham has agreed to now make this part of their system across the country. The rest of the hotels however, could be slow on the uptake, so here are a few tips to avoid hidden fees at hotels: Avoid top business hotels. These hotels cater exclusively to business travelers and are quite intent on helping them on spending their per diem. Choose hotels that are against hidden fees. Take for example Omni and Kimpton who now have…
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Selecting a Virtual Travel Specialist

Travel Tips
Travel specialists are usually sought when you are planning a trip. Nowadays, they are just a thing of the past. Instead, your travel specialist is now the World Wide Web. Here are a few tips on how you can select the best options: Websites - When looking at websites online, take a look at how the website is designed and its content. A travel website should include all the necessary information which is current and covers everything you need. The website should include the basic contact details of the travel specialist, and it should not be hard to find. Other details that should be included on the website are maps, cost of the trip and directions. Visible track record - Perhaps you have already found a great website, but you…
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Tips for Vacationing on a Budget

Travel Tips
Traveling is a great way to see the world, but with the rising cost of living, traveling on a budget now seems to be a prerequisite. If you are on a low cost trip, the first thing you should do is to establish a budget for yourself. Once you have established an amount, then it is easier for you to decide how much you can afford to spend on other factors such as hotel, traveling and food etc. Once you have decided how much you are spending on each of these things, then you need to look around for the best deals in town. When putting together a budget, first decide what is most important for you on the trip. In this manner, prioritize each item on your list. This…
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