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TRAVELLING ALONE IS FUN: WHAT TO DO IN BOGOTA?

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:33:08 +0000

Knowledge in any means is helpful to expand your horizons. Reading books on literature, science and technology etc is not the only way to learn something. Traveling is something which not only provides knowledge but also gifts us with a package of experience and adventure. While most of us love to travel with a herd of great pals, traveling alone can be a lot of fun too and can in fact turn into life’s biggest adventure. Time is like an alcoholic spirit which vanishes with the flick of an eye. Today’s fast life is like a punishment for the youth and is increasing the stress. Hibernation of self is very necessary to relieve ourselves from the hectic life. Traveling alone helps one to understand oneself and discover new thoughts. It gives a sense of responsibility, self-reliance and independence. One can also know their likes and dislikes and the way they react in a particular situation. Visiting an unfamiliar place on your own allows you to know yourself better. This is the perfect time to rekindle with the most loyal company you could ever have in your lifetime – your own self.

One of the best places to explore today is Bogota. Bogota is the capital of Colombia and is famous for its picturesque architecture and unique culture. It is the largest city in Colombia with an altitude of 2,640 meters making it the third-highest major city in the world. It is also said that Bogota is about 8,500 feet closer to the stars. It is most famous for its magnificent Andean views and wonderful spring-like weather. Traveling on your own to Bogota can open up an adventure that you could only imagine.

Hop on to your Bogota-bound plane and make sure you do all of these!

1. Explore the Sabana – Take out time to go far away from the regular city life. For people who love to take risk can go for an adventurous trip near Suesca. It is a paradise for rock climbers. You can experience rock climbing, river rafting and hiking with an additional package of beautiful views.

2. Get a plastic surgery – Travel alone and surprise your friends back home with a sexier and beautiful you. Medical tourism is one of Bogota’s biggest prides. In fact, Bogota is among the world’s top three leading countries offering world-class cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgery in Colombia will cost only around 25% of what the developed nations charge. There is no compromise on the quality of the treatment. The patients are provided high quality service with world-class medical facility. A $32,000 Brazilian butt augmentation in the United States can only cost you $5,000 in Bogota. This is due to the low cost of labor. The patients are treated by highly qualified professional doctors and therefore the risk factor attached to the low cost is also diminished. And when we are talking about the plastic surgery in Bogota, a medical tourism company that needs mention is Cosmetic Harmony. Cosmetic Harmony specializes in complete cosmetic surgery packages, including cosmetic procedures, travel, accommodations, transportation to medical appointments, a bilingual personal assistant and medications.Cosmetic Harmony uses only FDA-approved materials.

3.Swing your hips at Salseando – It is an excellent place to rock the night. It is a mix of hot rhythms and the local culture. Being alone gives you the freedom to meet new friends. Also get a taste at hot spots like Bodeguita del Centro or Son Salome.

4. Dance till death – Party at the Bogota’s favorite spot Andres Carne de Res. It is a 25 year old hot spot located 40 minutes away from Bogota. Apart from partying, this place also offers you a wide range of spectacular local knickknacks and art pieces.

5. Avoid the rush – Transmilenio is the first mass transit in the world to be considered a clean diesel system, as defined by the Kyoto Protocol. Taking this transport will save you from the traffic jams. It also gives you a great view of the Mueso del Oro and Parque Virrey.

6. Toma chocolate – Of course, a trip is incomplete without tasting the local delicacy. Bogota takes pride of its chocolate santafereno. It tastes best with pan de yuccas also known as yucca bread, cheese bread and tamales. The two best authentic places are La Florida and La Puerta Falsa.

7. Shopping freaks – Zona Rosa is the favorite hangout for expensive shopping. If you’re looking for some memorabilia to take back home this would be the best place to shop. You can also have excellent cuisines at any restaurant in the Zona T.

In Bogota, you’ll never run out of anything to do. So take the big risk and brace yourself for something what could possible be the biggest adventure of your lifetime. And if you are interested in Cosmetic Surgery from Cosmetic Harmony, you can get more details from Cosmetic Harmony’s website, http://www.affordableplasticcosmeticsurgeryincolombia.com/

Frat House or Dream House – Choosing the Right Cruise for you

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:33:05 +0000

Most people who book a cruise for the first time (92%) will make their selection based on when they can go and how long they can stay. The second most important factor will be how much it costs. Everything else is dependant on those two items. In 2006, there were 112 different cruise ships operating out of U.S ports transporting about 10 million passengers on some 4,500 cruises. 70% of those 10 million people went to destinations in the Caribbean, and four cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Celebrity- The Big Four) accounted for about 3/4 of passengers.

If you fall into that broad category, your choices will be fewer, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for something you don’t want. But simply asking “What’s the best ship (or cruise line)?” is kind of like asking “What’s the best beer?”, or “What’s the prettiest color?” The very things that one cruiser likes about a cruise are the things that other cruisers vigorously dislike. The good news is that whatever you do like, there is somebody out there doing a bang-up job providing it.

Generally speaking, the Big Four specialize in the “more-is-better” approach to cruising, while smaller cruise lines focus on more specific areas, such as 5-star quality, small intimate ships, enrichment, etc. Here are some factors you can consider when choosing your cruise.Size of the Ship.

Here some general observations one can make regarding the size of the ship. What the passengers are there for.

The bigger the ship, the greater the attention paid to make sure that the ship-board experience is as unforgettable as possible. This translates into activities, distractions and a festive, socially liberal, fun-and-games atmosphere. If that annoys you, these big ships may rub you the wrong way. How many people you’ll be traveling with.

The bigger the ship, the more people there will be on it (duh). Generally speaking, families, singles and singles traveling in groups will prefer the non-stop beat of the large ships. On the other hand, if you prefer quiet and don’t like the crush of crowds at poolside or in the dining room, you’ll have much better luck in the smaller ships, especially the ones that hold fewer than 1200 passengers. The types of ports you will visit.

Big ships go to big ports. Certain ports, such as Roatan, Honduras or Vera Cruz, Mexico, are only available to smaller ships. Sometimes those ports are the very thing that makes the cruise quite special. If the ports of call are at the top of your list of reasons to take a cruise, consider booking passage on smaller ships that have extended itineraries. Age of the Ship

“Old” is a relative term in the cruise industry, meaning ships that were launched around 1990 or before (15+ years a go). Many of these ships were state-of-the-art at the time and trumpeted the absolute best cruising had to offer. But in the last 15 years, cruise ships have gotten bigger and more extravagant in ways that were unimaginable two decades ago.

Older ships are not bad, just different. Many are less efficiently designed and have more traditional layouts. Some of the extras and amenities that are common on the newer ships, like internet in your cabin, themed alternative dining restaurants, wave pools and ice rinks don’t usually exist on the older ships. Cabins are smaller, critical traffic areas (such as elevator lobbies and disembarkation lines) are congested and shops can be pretty cramped. Some passengers (not all) notice stale odors or complain that the ventilation systems in the cabins are cranky.

On the flip side, many of the older ships have been up-fitted and remolded in the last few years, and so are fine cruising vessels. They are primarily used on the shorter cruises (3-5 days) and generally charge lower fares. Take into the account the value of the cruise experience. Maybe the older ships aren’t as fresh and perfect as the newer ones, but the value they offer – what you get for what you pay – can be outstanding. Design of the Ship

Whether it’s accomplished with an extreme makeover or during the building stage, cruise ships place a premium on the design. Some are designed for luxury, some for fun, some try to strike a middle ground. Ships are often given “star” ratings similar to those given to hotels. Some ships are 5-star, such as Holland America. Others are 4-star, such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Keep in mind, if you want 5-star, take a cruise on a 5-star ship. Don’t take a cruise on a 3- or 4-star ship and then be unhappy because it’s not top quality. A good source available on the internet, is the “Galaxsea.com” Cruise Ratings site (http://www.galaxsea.com/ratings.html).

I also highly recommended the various message boards that populate the internet. Such sites as Cruisecritic.com or Cruisemates.com are an excellent way to see what other people say about the ship and the itinerary you are considering. You can browse the hundreds of posts by people who have been there, and you can ask specific questions of people who take cruising very seriously. Type of Entertainment

Whether it’s the combo that plays at poolside, the bands that perform in the clubs or the glitzy production numbers that grace the theatres, cruise ships put a lot of thought and a ton of money into presenting entertainment. Pick the right entertainment environment and you’ll spend sun-drenched days in blissful happiness. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll feel like you’re surrounded by a bunch of people scratching their fingernails on a chalkboard.

Entertainment isn’t just about the lounge/club/party scene. It’s also about cooking classes, lectures, watching a movie, wine tasting, the casino, getting your golf swing computer analyzed, karaoke, bingo, “game-show” games or touring the galley. You can get a good feel for the type of entertainment and activities a ship offers by going online and checking out the ships on-board newsletter. It lists EVERYTHING happening on the ship. Each cruise line’s website will have a sample version of their newsletter. If your travel agent is any good at all, they will have copies from a variety of cruises they have taken. Dining

For many people, a cruise is all about the food. If you’re one of them, you’ll want to learn what your prospective ship has to offer.Main Dining (aka Formal Dining). All cruise ships have at least one Main Dining venue and many ships have more than one. The main dining room is the embodiment of luxury and service on your ship and they all work hard to offer classy selections. It’s an opportunity to try food and preparation styles that you would never experience otherwise. The main dining rooms will also open for breakfast and lunch. There is no assigned seating for these meals, but you still get great service and the menu selections are very good.

Many ships now offer alternative restaurants that require reservations and/or a surcharge in which you can choose from restaurants that specialize in French cuisine, seafood, or any number of other themes. There is a $5 – $15 surcharge for each person, but for people that like the choice, it’s well worth the money. This option usually isn’t available on ships built before 1990, because the idea wasn’t popular enough to include the extra space needed.Alternative Dining. In addition to the main dining room, all ships have a variety of interesting food options. Each has their own version of buffet lines that operate through-out the day, and naturally, some are better than others. New York style delis, pizza and sushi bars, and the always popular poolside grills are but a few of the ideas that are employed. Most ships now also provide coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream counters which usually cost extra. Room service is available 24-hours a day (no charge), with pastries and fruit in the mornings and sandwiches and pizza the rest of the day and night.Available ServicesChild Care and Youth Programs. Cruise lines understand that the people paying the tab need to have a good time if they are going to come back again. And the way that you make sure parents have a good time is to make sure the kids they are traveling with have a good time.

If you are planning a family cruise, you’ll want to travel on a ship that provides the best environment for the youngsters in your group. On the other hand, if you don’t want to have your space invaded by youngsters, you’ll want to stay away from cruise ships that make their youth programs a priority (such as Disney). Programs are set up to provide age appropriate activities and are usually free of charge. There will be an orientation about the youth programs on the first day of your cruise so you can get all the information you need, as well as meet the people who will be overseeing your kids.

Almost all ships provide in-cabin baby-sitting services for an extra fee. When provided, these services require you to pay cash directly to the sitter, rather than place the charge on your ship-board account. Educational/Enrichment Programs. Alongside the more traditional programs like yoga, nutrition counseling and towel folding, some ships now offer programs on gourmet cooking, wine tasting, art education, digital photography, computers, flower arranging, ceramics and much more. Most are offered at no extra charge. The availability of programs increases the longer the cruise. Shorter cruises usually only have a single day at sea, which is the most popular time to offer these classes. Some cruise lines place as high a premium on enrichment programs as other cruise lines place on partying and fun.Spa Facilities. Across the board, most ships consider a good spa and gym to be essential. Most cruise lines outsource their spa operation to Steiner Leisure Ltd. of London, England, who operate the spas on over one hundred cruise ships, including all of the spas on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney ships. In all probability, no matter which ship you select, you’ll have a quality menu of options and a good spa. Gymnasium/Fitness Center. While you can generally count on a consistent level of quality and service in the spas, unfortunately the same can’t always be said of the gyms. Some are absolutely spectacular. Others are little more than a closet with treadmills. The newer ships will have very nice gyms regardless of the cruise line. The older ships, i.e., those built before 1990, may or may not, depending on whether the ship has been recently refit. Exercise equipment usually includes treadmills, stationery bikes, weights and cardio machines and most come staffed with one or two Fitness Directors. Fitness centers usually include men’s and women’s locker rooms, whirlpools, saunas and steam baths. Internet. Most ships have some kind of internet access, but it is a relatively new technology as far as passenger services go. On the newer ships, there is access all over the ship, even in many cabins. But the older vessels have more limited access. “Internet Cafes” are as common as casinos. Cruise lines are working hard to implement ship-wide wireless internet access and they are definitely getting there. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to check your e-mail at poolside. In some cases, wireless access is limited to one or two locations. If you do bring your laptop, finding electrical outlets on the ship can be REALLY hard. Make sure your battery is charged. Laptops and wireless cards can be rented on board.Cabin Size and Options

There are basically four options for cabins; inside, ocean view, suite or balcony (some ships call it “verandah”). Inside: The least expensive cabin aboard. The size of cabins can vary greatly from one ship to another. RCCL Sovereign-class ships are ridiculously small (119 square feet), whereas a similarly priced cabin on Carnival is about 50% larger (187 square feet).Outside: Usually an identical layout to the inside cabins, but has a window or portal. The difference in price between a standard inside cabin and an ocean view cabin ranges from $10 – $40 per night (NOT per cruise) depending on the ship and the time of year. In almost all cases, outside cabins, whether or not they have balconies, are larger, sometimes by as much as 15%. If your outside cabin is on one of the decks that has an exterior deck, you won’t necessarily see much ocean and you’ll have to deal with people walking outside your window all day.Balcony. Before 1990, balconies were not considered important, and so most ships built during that time either didn’t have any at all or have only a few. For all of the newer ships, i.e. those built after 1995, balconies are plentiful. A balcony will add $20 – $30 per night to the cost of an outside cabin, which usually works out to about twice as much as the cost of an inside cabin. For a 3-day cruise, given the short amount of time you’ll spend in your cabin, a balcony may not be worth double the cost.Suite. Actually, “suite” is a pretty generous description, since what you’re actually getting is an extra large cabin (about twice the size of your standard cabin and 3 – 4 times the cost). There are some suites that provide separate sleeping quarters and private hot tubs on the balcony but these are very limited and very expensive (5 – 10 times as expensive as an inside cabin). Most suites are a larger, and usually better furnished, version of a standard cabin.

When considering cabin options, think about how many people will be sharing it and much time you’ll be using it. The longer the cruise, the more important size and balconies become. Location of the cabin also determines desirability (and cost). For example, lower cabins sometimes pick up engine noise or the sound of the anchor dropping, but they do tend to be more stable in rough seas. Cabins located close to the action near the middle of the ship are convenient, but may also be in high traffic areas which translates into noise in the halllway outside your cabin.Itinerary

Caribbean cruises are broken down into 3 broad regions – Western Caribbean (Cozumel or Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West, FL; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica; Belize; or Costa Rica), Eastern Caribbean (Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, or Turks & Caicos) and Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Martinique, Barbados or St. Thomas).

Western Caribbean cruises tend to include more sea days because the destinations are so far apart and the distance one must travel across the Gulf of Mexico is so long. If you take one of these, make sure you choose a ship you’re going to like because you’ll be spending a lot of time on it.

Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises usually include more ports of call (the islands are right next to each other) and therefore offer a wider variety of venues. That doesn’t mean you’ll have a wider variety of activities. The basic offerings from port to port will generally be the same type of activity, just different scenery.

Some things you’ll want to consider in addition to where you are going:How long will you be there? Ships that are in port for only part of a day only allow enough time for one shore excursion and may not leave time for shopping or bar hopping. Ships that stay in port overnight, or at least until midnight allow for more diversity of activities in port.When do you arrive/leave? This can matter, for example, if you want to do a sunset dinner cruise, but the ship pulls out sundown. Likewise, if you’ve booked a shore excursion on your own that requires a pick-up time at 9:30 am, but your ship doesn’t dock until noon, you’ll lose your money.How do you get ashore? Sometimes the cruise ships tie up at a pier and you just head down to the gangway and walk ashore. Other times the ship has to anchor away from the dock and deliver people ashore via tenders, which means there will be a bottle neck getting on and off the ship. This can be a major pain, especially if the ship is one of the super liners that has to disgorge 3,000+ passengers. Also, the roughness of the wind and water can hamper tender activities and can even cause the ship to decide to not stay in the port.In Summary

For many cruisers, you won’t really care about all of these factors. No problema. Just pay attention to the ones that are important to you. Whether you are booking through a travel agent or directly with the cruise line, ask about the issues that are important to you and make sure you check out the online reviews and message boards to get objective info.

HAPPY CRUISING!

Let’s Get All Information About Holiday Planning!

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:33:03 +0000

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Holidayplanningcenter.com gives you information about planning center for holidays such as – beach trips, city break, and cruise, visiting friends and relatives, important is that the destination and type of holiday you want. We help you by giving information about an accommodation all over the world. Accommodation range has made the most popular way for business and leisure travelers. If you donâ??t want to spend enough money than, we can help you by making cheap fares, cheap accommodations, cheap eating expenses, but the important aspects is enjoyment should be more. It said we pay less and get more.

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Holidayplanningcenter.com provides you information about event planning. People hire event planner because individual person will find it difficult to plan events. The event planner gives the expertise touch to the party. A condo has many facilities over a hotel, and can make the vacation better & more comfortable. Holidayplanningcenter.com gives you information about condos, away from home where you can spend time with family and friends relaxing and enjoying. December is a month of Multicultural Holiday Celebrations. If you are planning for a holiday in the month of December than, we provide you numerous ideas for making your holidays more memorable. Europe is one of most favorite and popular holiday destination. There are many beautiful locations to capture in memories like France, Italy, and Spain etc. You will all the informationâ??s at Holidayplanningcenter.com Holidays are important and fun days to celebrate and share with family and friends and to remember. Holiday party planning can be stressful so we have put together hundreds of ideas to make holiday party planning much simpler. Europe is one of most favorite and popular holiday destination. There are many beautiful locations to capture in memories, places like France, Italy, and Spain etc also get information about accommodation, condos, and resorts in Europe. So Stop dreaming and start planning a holiday trip to Europe. Cooking a meal for friends and family is always stressful, especially on the holidays. We must make pre-planning and a schedule the best way to handle cooking – any time. Holidayplanningcenter.com gives you valuable information about Holiday Meal Planning Tips that includes, Make Lists, Guest List, Cooking Plan and Welcome Guest Offers. Informationâ??s about new baby shower store for decorations, gifts and much more. Baby shower party arranged for expectant parents to receive gifts for their expected or born child. Open house is one of the most enjoyable holiday gatherings it’s when you want party an ideal for busy guests as well as party hosts. Set a date, set the mood and level of formality, create the menu and beware of your guests when you plan entertainment, set up a corner with toys and trains for young children to play with. And an open house holiday is ready. All these and many more informationâ??s regarding Holiday planning you can get only at our Holidayplanningcenter directory.Â

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â If you require any additional informationâ??s which is not mentioned above than please visit our holiday planning directory. So go and start planning for a best holiday with Holidayplanningcenter.com.

Hotels in Kerala – Satisfaction Guaranteed

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:33:02 +0000

The hotels in Kerala offer the best facilities to its visitors. The quality of services is so high that it is practically impossible to find any fault and they are so hospitable that the visitors keep coming back to these hotels time and again. Alleppey is a leading tourist destinations of Kerala. Some of the leading hotels in Alleppey are Tharavad Heritage Resort, Alleppey Backwater Resorts, Kayaloram Lake Resort, Alleppey Prince Hotel, Pathiramanal Lake Resort, Sealapshimmers Resort, The Green Palace Health Resort, Kondai Lip Backwater Resort, Hotel Ambassador and Pristine Island Resort.

Guruvavoor is an important tourist location in Kerala. Among its best hotels are Hotel Vanamalakusumam, Mayura Residency, Hotel Rv Tower, Anjaman Cottages, Krishna Inn Hotel, Aradhana Tourist Home, Hotel Fort Gate, Ayodhya Hotel, Rvees Hotel Regency and Govind Tourist Home. A lot of tourists go to Kannur each year. Some of the best hotels over there are Royal Omars, Hotel Highway Inn, Hotel Mascot, Hotel Omars Inn, Malabar Residency, Hotel Sapphire, Abhilash Tourist Home, Hotel Vichithra, Dwaraka Tourist House and Mascot Beach Resort.

There are lot of good hotels in Kasargod. They offer decent facilities at reasonable prices. Some of the leading hotels in Kasargod are Sunil Lodge, Hotel City Tower, Couvery Lodge, New Happy Hotel, Eeyam Hotel, Welwisher Hotel, Fort Land Hotel, Elite Tower Hotel, Hotel City Palace and Sa Adiya Lodge. Kochi is among the most important cities of Kerala and one of the most often visited cities of Kerala. Some of the best hotels in Kochi are Malabar House, Gokulam Park Inn, The Brunton Boatyard, Cherai Beach Resort, Bolghatty Palace Hotel, International Hotel, Casino Hotel, ATS Willington, Kamyakam Haven and Abad Atrium Hotel.

Kollam is one of the major backwater destinations of Kerala. Among the best hotels of Kerala are Aquaserene Hotel, Apichayans Cliff Resort, Ashtamudi Resorts, Hotel Aishwarya, Highland Hotel, Hotel Ambady, Hotel Sudarsan, Hotel Railview, Valiyavila Family Estate and Safire Tourist Home. The Kerala hotels spoil the visitors for choice. For more information on Kerala hotels one can visit keralatravelagent.com, where there is detailed description of some of the very best hotels of Kerala.

How to Create a Thorough Vacation Rental Agreement

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:33:00 +0000

It’s important to create a rental agreement for your vacation rental business so that you can get everything in writing from your guests. You should clearly outline the expectation for you and for your renters so there are no disputes down the road.

Below are 10 must-haves for your vacation rental contract:

1. Maximum Occupancy and Age Requirements. When going through the screening process for your vacation rental guests, you should be able to determine a rough estimate for their age and how many people will be staying in your vacation property. However, your vacation rental agreement should remind renters of your rules for required parental supervision of designated age groups, along with the maximum occupancy of your home in case they are considering bringing any extra guests.

2. Check-in and Checkout Dates & Times. To coordinate your cleaning and housekeeping duties, you’ll need to clearly communicate the check-in and checkout dates and times. In the event of early arrival, the house might not be clean and could result in complaints. If your guests stay too late, your housekeeper might not have time to sufficiently clean your vacation home before the next group arrives. Your renters should be made aware of these important times, and your vacation rental lease should state the penalties if these times are not observed.

3. Cancellation policy. Your vacation rental contract should spell out the penalties according to the time frame in the event that a renter needs to cancel his or her reservation. As the date of the reservation nears, it will be increasingly more difficult to fill those dates with other renters. Therefore, the penalties should be higher as the date approaches.

4. Total payment due. You can not rely on your renters to write down prices from your vacation rental listing or during a phone conversation. The total rental rate, including all fees and taxes, should be included in your vacation rental contract.

5. Payment schedule. Just because the renters know the cost of your property does not mean they know your deadlines. Your vacation rental contract should provide a timeline for payment due dates, including deposits.

6. Pet Policy & Smoking Policy. It is up to you to let renters know about restrictions regarding pets or smoking at your vacation property. Just because a renter says that he doesn’t plan to bring a pet, you should still spell out your rules in your vacation rental agreement in case he changes his mind. Also, it cannot be assumed that people will be simply know to not smoke in your home. Your vacation rental lease should define the penalties if it is determined that a renter has smoked inside your vacation rental.

7. Checkout Policy. As soon as your renters arrive at your vacation home you should tell them what is expected at the time of checkout. Let them know in your vacation rental contract whether they need to wash sheets, take out trash, etc., so there is no confusion on the day of checkout.

8. Weather policies. Vacation rental owners should use their vacation rental agreement as a form of protection in the event of inclement weather or Acts of God. Spell out your storm and hurricane policy up front to avoid disagreements about refunds later on.

9. Requirements for security deposit refund. When renters pay the security deposit for your vacation rental, they should be aware of what is covered and what is expected of them in order to receive a full refund. Your vacation rental agreement should also explain the penalties for violating these rules.

10. Your contact information. Although it seems obvious, your vacation rental contract should include all of your contact information and emergency contact information, including the address of the vacation rental home.

Your vacation rental agreement should be as specific as possible and include detailed information to protect yourself and your renters.

Business Travel Tips: Top 5 Business Traveler Nightmares – and How to Prevent Them

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:32:56 +0000

Business travel is on the rebound. As the economy continues to grow, companies are unleashing their employees to travel to seek opportunities and work with clients and customers all over the world. Increased numbers of business travelers bring problems as well. Travel delays and other obstacles simply increase with volume, and the more you travel, the more you suffer from them.

But preparation can at least equip every business traveler with the tools to master the business travel environment and reduce or eliminate the obstacles to a successful business trip.

Here Are My Top 5 Business Travel Nightmares — And How To Prevent Or Deal With Them:

1. Youâ??re in danger of missing your flight: youâ??re stuck in the security line because you didnâ??t know about some recent rule changes. Today, 3-1-1 is the mantra of the business traveler. If you want to carry on â?? remember containers of liquid holding no more than 3 ounces, all in 1 (and only 1) quart size zip lock bag. But these rules change all the time. Keep up to date on the government carry-on restrictions. It takes a few minutes at home on your computer before you head to the airport. The best resource to use is www.tsa.gov. Another alternative would be your airlineâ??s website â?? if you check in on-line, then itâ??s just an additional click of the mouse.

2. Your flightâ??s been cancelled, youâ??re in danger of missing that critical client meeting and youâ??re 30th in line at the customer service desk. As a standard practice, your travel agentâ??s, preferred airlineâ??s or websiteâ??s customer service number should be in your cell phone speed dial. At the first hint of a delay, contact one of them directly and ask for the flight status. They have access to information that you donâ??t and can start working on alternatives for you. If your flight is cancelled, there are only going to be so many seats available on alternative flights, and your objective is to get one of those coveted seats before anyone else does. One early phone call can get you there.

3. You are receiving the cold shoulder because you used the 6 words that every ticket or gate agent despises. â??Do you know who I amâ? are the six most lethal words any passenger can use. A gate or ticket agent, unlike your colleagues or your clients or customers, doesnâ??t care who or how important you are. Whatâ??s important to them is your name and flight information, which they have in front of them. So leave your â??statusâ? at home. Kindness, deference, respect and a little empathy go much farther as a business traveler than self-importance when dealing with airline personnel. They are the gatekeepers with a lot of discretion, and treating them properly can make them much more interested in helping you when one of the inevitable flight problems arises.

4. You just realized you canâ??t rent a car (or possibly even get home) because youâ??ve dropped your only form of identification in the airport thatâ??s 2000 miles away. Remember that you canâ??t rent a car without a driverâ??s license and canâ??t board a plane without your ID. Thus, you must keep your ticket and your ID in a secure place with easy access at all times on the road. Get something to put around your neck or, if thatâ??s not stylish enough, try a separate case, such as the A-Way Ticket Tote. A little expenditure for something that will keep your ID in the same place all the time will be a big help in preventing a disaster or at least keep you from worrying about it.

5. You and your colleagues have been discussing a confidential strategy the entire flight only to find that your competition has been listening from the row behind you. Business colleagues typically discuss their business when they travel together, and if they are going on a trip for a specific purpose, their discussion will probably center on that purpose. But on an airplane you have no idea who is listening nearby. Just be sure that you are guarded enough that you would not be embarrassed or your business harmed if your words were published in the newspaper. Be discrete; you really never do know who is listening to you.

Airline Travel Tips

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:32:53 +0000

Our number one airline travel tip is: Check in early!

Airlines require domestic travelers to check-in 1 hour prior to departure. International flights require a 2 hour check-in. If you do not arrive on time and if the flights are overbooked, the possibility exists that your seat will be given away. In addition, there will be a greater opportunity when you arrive early to have your name on the “top of the list” for an upgrade.

Be aware that some airlines have restricted carry on luggage policies. For example:Northwest – Maximum check-in is two and carryon luggage is limited to one piece plus a purse/briefcase/laptop computer for all flights. First class international is allowed two carry on items. American/TWA – Check one and carryon two or check two and carryon one. Delta – Check one and carry-on two or check two and carry-on one. Southwest – Check up to three and carryon two. United – One carryon in economy and two in business/first class. USAir – Carryon two Continental – Carryon two

Store your carryon luggage in the compartment across from you so you can keep an eye on it.

Be sure to carry photo identification.

Be aware of Safe Harbors emergency service telephone number (International / domestic) This will help you with questions concerning your ticket or itinerary changes. The number is printed on all itineraries. Calling the airline directly can cause confusion and be costly.

Never make enemies or be abrasive with airline ticket agents or gate agents. Regardless of the situation, most people are more than accommodating when approached with respect.Travel Reservations

Do not make a reservation with an airline directly. They will not have all of your company data accessible including your discounted rates, frequent flier numbers, travel preferences, travel policy information and payment procedures. They will only give you their information not competing information where the agency will.

When a travel reservation is made with Safe Harbors, your confirmation number for your flight, hotel room and car is your guarantee! If you arrive at any of these counters and they claim that you do not have a reservation, chance has it that they are trying to sell you a higher priced car, hotel room and airline reservation. This is a common practice for these vendors to recreate a reservation so that a commission will not have to be paid and that last minute availability is achieved, resulting in a higher fare/rate. If this should happen, be assertive and demand the guaranteed rate/fare is utilized on the confirmed itinerary from Safe Harbors.

Understand and Enjoy More in Foreign Countries With Tour Groups!

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:34:11 +0000

Vacation packages have become extremely popular for a number of varied reasons. While most people turn to vacation tour packages in order to minimize hassles and cost for their trip, many others go for group tours because you end up seeing and understanding more in foreign countries when you are with a group as compared to traveling alone.

Most vacation packages include all the basics—travel, accommodation, land transfers, food and sight seeing—everything that you would have to manage on your own is already arranged and booked. Since you do not have to bother with any arrangements or extra costs, you can relax on a guided tour and focus all your energies towards enjoying your holiday. It is because of these reasons that even hard core adventure travelers chose travel packages when they want a holiday where they can simply relax.

All reputed vacation tour operators provide a local guide who speaks your mother tongue. The guide will not only explain everything to you in your own native language, but can also act an interpreter for you in case you want to shop or interact with the locals. Interacting with local people is a definite add-on to your whole travel experience. Since these guides are well acquainted with local customs and traditions, you will get more of an insider’s view when you travel with a tour group.

Since travel package operators have years of experience working in foreign countries, these people often know the best sights that are not even mentioned in many guide books. Guide books often fail to include sights and places that are not easily accessible by public transport, since these are impossible to visit when you are traveling alone.

But your vacation tour operators often include these places along with popular tourist destinations in your itinerary. This is because they have the required infrastructure and resources to arrange private transport to far off islands or mountainous regions. Thus, when you travel with a tour operator, you get to see places that you would never be able to visit if you traveled alone.

Cruise From the UK – It’s not All Down South

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:34:06 +0000

Dover, Southampton and Harwich seem to be the most favoured UK departure ports for cruise lines. But what about you poor folks who donâ??t live anywhere near these ports? Having to fly, drive or take the coach or train to get there can easily add on an extra day to your holiday and not everyone has the time. To help you out, Iâ??ve trawled the internet to find alternative UK ports of departure for 2008. The majority are round trips, with the occasional disembarking at another UK port or flying back to the UK, all of which are noted. So take a look. You might be surprised at where you can go.Liverpool

You have quite a choice if you live near Liverpool thanks to Fred Olsen. You can get a Taste of Portugal or Iberia, have a Canary Christmas, discover the Secrets of Norway, spend Easter in the Med, try out Castanets & Calvados (Portugal, Spain and France) or have an Adriatic Adventure. All on a round trip from Liverpool. Other Fred Olsen cruises from the home of the Beatles are:

Black Prince, The Orinoco Delta (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, Canaries Interlude (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, Mini Cruise (Liverpool to Greenock)

Black Prince, A British Summer (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, Celtic Late Summer (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, Canaries Collection (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, Eastern Mediterranean Cruise (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, The Fortunate Islands (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Black Prince, Pre- Christmas Escapade (Liverpool to Liverpool)

Thomson also offers two round-trip cruises from Liverpool. You can either get a Taste of Ireland or explore Idyllic Iberia aboard Thomson Celebration.London

Okay, London might not be that far from Southampton or Dover but do you really want to be lugging your luggage across London on the tube, paying a fortune for a taxi to get you to a mainline station or getting stuck in traffic trying to get out of London? Fortunately Silversea offers five cruises departing from Tower Bridge, although with four of them you fly back to the UK. You can choose to cruise to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Lisbon or Montecarlo and fly back or go on a trip around the UK ending up back at Tower Bridge.

Yachts of Seabourn also offer a cruise starting from Tower Bridge that takes you to the Grand Harbours of Europe before you fly back from Copenhagen.

Alternatively, Transocean have several cruises departing from Tilbury aboard Marco Polo. Explore the majestic fjords in Norway, discover the British Isles, admire some Icelandic Wonders & Northern Isles or enjoy some sunshine in the West Indies. All beginning and ending in Tilbury. Other Transocean cruises from here are:

Marco Polo, Springtime Fjordland (x 4) (Tilbury to Tilbury)

Marco Polo, Whitsun Fjords (Tilbury to Tilbury)

Marco Polo, The North Cape Explorer (Tilbury to Tilbury)

Marco Polo, Baltic Cities & St Petersburg (Tilbury to Tilbury)

Marco Polo, Celtic Explorer (Tilbury to Tilbury)Edinburgh

Itâ??s quite a journey from Scotland to get to the more popular UK cruise ports, but fear not! Classic International Cruises and Fred Olsen both offer four cruises from Leith. Cruise to St Petersburg via the Baltic Cities on Classic International Cruisesâ?? ship Athena on a round trip from Leith. Alternatively, pretend youâ??re an arctic explorer as you head to the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen that lies within the Arctic Circle on Fred Olsenâ??s Boudicca, also a round trip from Leith. Polarstar Expeditions also offer a cruise to Spitsbergen from Leith, but you do fly back to the UK.

Other cruises from Leith are:

Classic International Cruises, Athena, Norwegian Fjords (Leith to Leith)

Classic International Cruises, Athena, Iceland and Northern Isles (Leith to Leith)

Classic International Cruises, Athena, North Cape and the Midnight Sun (Leith to Leith)

Fred Olsen, Boudicca, UK Mini Cruise (Leith to Newcastle)

Fred Olsen, Boudicca, Baltic Cruise (Leith to Leith)

Fred Olsen, Boudicca, Summertime in Norway (Leith to Leith)

Travelscope, on the other hand, offer a cruise to the North Cape and Land of the Midnight Sun aboard Van Gogh on a round trip from the port of Rosith.Falmouth

If you live right down in the south west of England, Falmouth is the place for you. Want to travel around the world, but like me youâ??re incapable of packing light? Well, Travelscope have a 93-day round the world cruise beginning and ending in Falmouth. Better be quick though, it departs 4 January 2008. If you donâ??t have the time to spare to go around the world, why not enjoy some summer sunshine around Spain and Gibraltar, also with Travelscope on a round trip from Falmouth. Other cruises offered by Travelscope from Falmouth next year are:

Van Gogh, Caribbean Sunshine (Falmouth to Falmouth)

Van Gogh, Iberian Costas, Corsica & the French Riviera (Falmouth to Falmouth)

Van Gogh, Christmas & New Year Sunshine (Falmouth to Falmouth)Greenock

Glaswegians and their neighbours can depart from Greenock on several Fred Olsen cruises. Catch yourself some sunshine before the nights draw in on the 13-night Mediterranean Canvas cruise beginning and ending in Greenock. Or why not discover the delights of Norway on Norwegian Explorer (Greenock to Greenock)? Other cruises from Greenock for 2008, all by Fred Olsen, are:

Black Prince, Canaries Panoramas (Greenock to Greenock)

Black Prince, Mediterranean Medley (Greenock to Greenock)

Black Prince, Museums & Bistros (Greenock to Greenock)

Black Prince, Norwegian Panoramas (Greenock to Greenock)

Black Prince, Tagines & Tapas (Greenock to Greenock)

Black Prince, Greenland Adventure (Greenock to Greenock)

Black Prince, Dublin Mini Cruise (Greenock to Greenock)Hull

Donâ??t fancy the long trek from Hull to the south coast? Travelscope offer two cruises that begin and end in Hull. You can either admire The Majestic Fjords of Norway or cruise east to St Petersburg visiting some of the Baltic Capitals along the way.Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Pray thereâ??s no fog on the Tyne as you board Fred Olsenâ??s Boudicca or Thomsonâ??s Celebration. With Fred Olsen you can cruise to France & Spain, explore the Baltic, spend some Summertime in Norway or discover the land of Volcanoes & Vikings.

Thomson offers cruises to Norwayâ??s fjords and northern cape, the lands of the Vikings and of fire and ice, and the treasures of the Baltic.

All the Fred Olsen and Thomson cruises from Newcastle are round trips.Oban

The Scottish isles are beautiful and what better way to explore them than on a cruise. It might be tempting to go abroad on holiday but thereâ??s often so much to discover in your own backyard. Hebridean Island Cruises offer a number of cruises around the Hebrides starting and ending in Oban. There are too many to list here but you can get A Taste of the Hebrides, go In Search of Bright Waters, discover Highland and Island Treasures or find the Secrets of the Western Isles to name but a few. The only cruise departing from Oban that doesnâ??t finish there is Summer in Orcadia, which ends in Scrabster.Portland

If you live near Portland, why not go on a cruise with a bit of a difference on the RMS St Helena operated by the St Helena Line. According to her owners, this ship is the only ocean-going vessel in the world that still carries the title of Royal Mail Ship. As well as carrying passengers she also supplies goods to the island of St Helena. If you fancy something a bit different there are two cruises that depart from Portland and finish in Cape Town, or you can do the trip vice versa.

Hebridean Island Cruises offers one cruise, Jewels of the English Heritage, which departs from Portland and travels along the south coast to Tilbury where you disembark. Scrabster

For those who live in the far north of Scotland, Hebridean Island Cruises offer three cruises departing from Scabster. If you want a round trip, you can explore the Northern Isles from Orkney to Shetland. Meanwhile, Home from the Far North takes you to Oban, where youâ??ll end the cruise, via Orkney. Song of Norway takes you (surprise, surprise) to Norway where youâ??ll visit some of the countryâ??s highlights before flying back from Bergen.

So you see, you donâ??t always have to travel miles before embarking on your cruise. And, with the majority of cruises above being round trips, you donâ??t have to worry about weight restrictions on your luggage. Just donâ??t forget to tip the poor soul who had to carry your kitchen sink!

How To Job Search During The Holidays

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:34:04 +0000

With the holidays now in full swing, there’s a tendency to want to relax and put your job search activities on the back burner. Many job seekers think that employers have stopped any hiring they might be considering and will ramp up in the New Year. If you buy into that, you’re missing 6-8 valuable weeks of search time. I recently helped a job seeker with interviewing preparation. She beat out 20 other applicants and got her permanent position right before Thanksgiving. She even got paid for the holiday time off even though she’d only been there for a week. The reality is employers seek candidates year round and even extend offers during this time. Karen Lewis, Careers in the Key of Life, agrees. She says, “don’t approach the job search with the attitude that it’s the holiday season and therefore, opportunities will be limited. Life, and work, goes on 365 days a year. Assume that people leave their jobs every day, openings are created everyday, so forge ahead. Planned Happenstance occurs sometimes when you least expect it!

In collaboration with some other job search professionals, I came up with a few tips for job seeking during the holidays. We all agreed that connecting with people is the most important thing you can do in the job search and especially during the holidays. Your job search activities should include those that connect you to hiring managers and those who can give you good leads. You also need to be prepared to make your pitch and present your qualifications should the opportunity arise. The tips below will help you in important ways as you continue or begin a job search during the holidays.

Holiday Job Search Tip #1: Connect With As Many People As PossibleThe holiday season is the perfect time to connect with people and make new contacts. Built into the holidays are numerous occasions for reaching out. You can send greeting cards and holiday updates, attend parties and events, and volunteer with churches or community organizations.

Sally Gelardin, job search expert, suggests sending out entertaining, not boring, holiday e-cards to all of your contacts. They’re conversation starters. People appreciate the diversion of well-written personable cards and are more likely to respond to an electronic card. To make a more memorable impression, Sally further suggests writing something humorous on the card such as, “I don’t usually have the time to send out personalized holiday cards, but since I am in the midst of a job hunt, I have the good fortune this year to have a bit more time on my hands….” or “Since I have time and like to keep up my skills, I’m volunteering with Santa this year, handing out free resume reviews…” You can fill in the blanks as appropriate.

It’s also important to attend as many parties and holiday events as possible. These are great opportunities to network and learn of new opportunities. To make the most of the networking opportunities, career coach, Linda Artel, suggests having your 30-second introduction ready and use it whenever it seems appropriate. She advises that you get names and cards when you can. If requested, send your resume before the holidays and follow up shortly after New Year’s. This is a great way to get into the hiring manager’s pipeline. Career Advisor, Megan Pittsley encourages job seekers attend Chambers of Commerce mixers, professional association meetings, alumni gatherings, and singles groups, to name a few. Those are great opportunities to network where people are out and about and make connections while others tend to take the holidays off!

Shahrzad Arasteh, Certified Professional Resume Writer, offers an additional perspective. She says, “Attend those holiday parties and gatherings! Engaging in meaningful social interactions is good for your physical and psychological health. Not only does attending holiday gatherings provide the opportunity for you to build and strengthen relationships and your network, but you might learn of potential job opportunities and receive advice/information that will be helpful to you in your job search. Allowing the conversation to flow naturally, you might casually and very briefly let others know what you are looking for, or what skills you wish to use in your next opportunity. Keep in mind that the gathering is a social one, not a business networking event, but do appropriately share a brief comment or two about your current career goals. You never know if one of your conversation partners will end up being the one to give you advice (or even a job offer) leading to your next success!”

Holiday Job Search Tip #2: Stick To Your Job Search PlanIf you’ve been in job search mode for a couple months, by now you might be feeling a little discouraged because you haven’t seen your desired result- a job. It’s at this time that you really want to power through and continue your job search. Since, many other job seekers will be taking a break during the holidays, you’ll stay ahead of the competition. It’s important to stick to your plan so you can keep your momentum. If you think your job search plan and approaches could use some help, go get that help. I work with job seekers all the time and after talking with them for a few minutes I can pinpoint right where they need to focus more attention. You can do that on your own, too. A book I recommend is Get Hired Now! It’s a quick read and will definitely get your job search on track. I also hosted a teleclass in November called, 3 Secrets to Creating Luck in Your Job Search in which I outline three important factors for success in your job search. If you’d like a copy of the recording, send me a request by email, and I will send you the download link.

Holiday Job Search Tip #3: Polish Your PresentationAs you continue your job search during the holidays, you’ll be meeting new people and adding them to your network. The people you’ve already met might also be taking the time to check into your qualifications. You need to make sure you’re presenting yourself well in all mediums. Update and polish your resume to make sure it accurately and effectively reflects your relevant qualifications and accomplishments. You’ve probably heard that hiring managers use online sources more and more to get an impression of candidates. If you have profiles on linkedin, facebook or any other social media tool, make sure your profile is updated and professional looking. If you’re not confident about your interviewing, practice and hone your presentation skills. Enlist the help of a friend or family member. The toughest interview I ever had was a mock interview my sister gave me years ago. Since then, I’ve gotten every job I’ve interviewed for. Be vigilant about making the most positive impression you can.

Holiday Job Search Tip #4: Volunteer And Help OthersThe holiday season is a time of year when many of us are asked to donate our time to help others. However, not only is volunteering good for society, according to job search expert, Judi Garcia, volunteering is a good way to increase your self-esteem and confidence while in the job search. She advises job seekers consider volunteering in their local communities because helping others is time well spent, while also networking with community and other professionals. Also, you never know when a job idea or opportunity can show up. Volunteering in the community can lead to a mentoring or leadership role as a board member, and looks good on a resume.