Cheap International Travel Secrets

What is the real secret to cheap international travel? It is the same as the secret to doing anything for less. Learn to be an opportunist. Opportunistic travelers get to travel more, see more and do more. Of course, you can ignore this advice if you have unlimited funds.

I went to Ecuador because it was cheap. Honestly, aren't there many interesting places in this world? Why not choose one you can travel to inexpensively? The other places will be there in the future, and you may have an opportunity to go to those places cheaply at some point.

Cheap Countries

Ecuador is my favorite international destination. You can still get a decent meal for two dollars. U.S. dollars, by the way, since that's conveniently the official currency of Ecuador now. From the beautiful snow-capped Andes mountains, to the Galapagos Islands, you'll never run out of places to explore in Ecuador. Travel there is safe and inexpensive.

South America in general is inexpensive, and the most affordable countries are, in my opinion, the most beautiful. These are the countries along the Andes mountains; Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Argentina, thanks to it's recent economic troubles, is once again a cheap place for travelers as well.

In Central America, it costs very little to travel and vacation in both Nicaragua and Guatemala. Nicaragua, in particular, has become more stable and safe for travelers in recent years. Costa Rica is a wonderful too, and though it is one of more expensive counties of Central America, that probably still leaves it cheaper than Europe.

In Asia, India is still low-cost, especially if you stay in the numerous hostels and boarding houses. Thailand and Indonesia are also very cheap. With all international destinations, the plane tickets will be your single biggest travel expense. This is especially true with the asian countries. Being there is cheap, but getting there may not be.

Cheap International Travel Tips

Wherever you go, there are things you can do to keep it cheap. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at the tourist restaurants. To keep it really cheap, eat fruit from street markets (wash it well) and packaged snacks from grocery stores.

Visit the free and cheap attractions first. It's possible you'll have so much fun that you'll never get around to doing the expensive things. A higher price means better quality with travel bags, but not with travel experiences.

Busses are cheaper than taxis in any country, but be careful of crowded city busses, where pickpockets hang out. Walking is even cheaper, and it's a great way to learn about a city. Just ask the locals where the dangerous parts are before you wander too far.

For cheap accommodations find out where local visitors from within the country stay. Negotiating room charges is common in some areas. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. Consider hostels, if you don't mind sharing a room. They're much more common overseas.

Cheap international travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. Use the techniques outlined on our site to save big on tickets, or search the fares to several interesting countries. If one is $500 less than the others, consider going there. $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.

About the Author

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

Tourism in Cuba: an unforgettable experience.

What can you expect when you travel to Cuba? Sun, white sand
beaches, salsa music all around? Well, yes, but fortunately,
there is much more than that. Cuba is a paradox of experiences,
where your senses collide with one another in an explosion of
significant magnitude. Here is a place where you can truly find
everything and anything, from the most demanding to the most
basic and raw. It is up to the individual to discover what he
seeks, but in the meantime, we can try to give you some insight
and maybe make your decision a little bit easier.

For the Canadian traveler, Cuba must seem like another planet
altogether. Things that you have taken for granted all your life
will be nowhere in sight, and situations that you cant even
imagine appear as if by magic. Whether you are a single traveler
or a family of 10, a young child or a elderly person, the
wonders of this country will seduce you and will make want to
come back again and again.

Here in Cuba, you will find all types of hotel accommodation,
from the most luxurious 5 star resorts to the basic yet adequate
\casa particular\, private houses whose owners pay monthly fees
to be able to rent rooms for tourists. These are better suited
for single travelers spending a longer time since it will be
much cheaper. On the other hand, for a nice family vacation, you
have all types of hotels and fancy resorts, from the most
luxurious city places to the very comfortable and
family-oriented all inclusive beach resorts. These cater to the
entire family, where children will be looked after and will be
absolutely safe, with activities ranging anywhere from all types
of water sports to dancing lessons. Here you find different
restaurants, from traditional Cuban fare to the most demanding
of international cuisine. Everyone will have something that they
enjoy, so there will be no need to worry about what to eat. Cuba
is a very senior friendly society, and this transcends into its
tourism industry. There will be activities for everyone in the
family, like walks along beautiful paths with breathtaking
views, leisurely strolls on the beach, in short, something for
everyone to do, even for the most elderly of visitors. Also
everything has been organized so that handicapped people can
enjoy their holiday to the most of their capabilities, and every
effort is being made to improve on this most important part of
our industry. Our country should be enjoyed equally by everyone,
no matter how young or old they are, or no matter the handicap.
We are truly doing our best in this respect.

Now lets talk a bit about city tourism. Havana is a bustling
city of around 2 million people, with blacks and whites and
every race in between. Whether is music you are looking for,
museums of every sorts, any other type of cultural manifestation
or just simply relax watching the sunset on the Malecon ( the
seaside avenue that goes from Old Havana to Miramar), here you
will find it. From Jazz music to live Salsa bands, from Ballet
performances to the most typical street conga, culture as a
whole will leap at you from every corner. If you are an antiques
enthusiast, you will fall in love with the fleet of old cars
that line Havana streets, some being used as regular taxi cabs,
a testament to Cuban ingenuity, because its truly a miracle to
keep these cars rolling after more than fifty years on the road.

If you like the beach, theres a beautiful white sand beach 30
minutes from downtown Havana, so you could actually have the
best of two worlds, sun and sand one day, museums and tobacco
factories the next. Havana is truly an amazing experience, and
you will need at least a week to appreciate all it has to offer,
and you will still be short on time.

But the best thing about Cuba is its people. Whether its the
staff that will look after you at the resorts, or the people you
will meet on the streets if you come to the city, the people is
Cubas greatest jewel. Fun loving, open hearted, they will make
you feel right at home, often inviting you into their own houses
for a traditional dish of rice, beans and pork, and of course,
the ever present Cuban rum. Experiences like these is what makes
a trip to Cuba unforgettable, a trip to be remembered for a long
time.

But Cuba its not only Havana and the beaches. There are several
in country places worth very much seeing. There is the beautiful
Viales Valley, a place with hills called \mogotes\ found
nowhere else in the world, with captivating caves and underwater
rivers which can be visited and enjoyed. There is also Trinidad,
a quaint little village preserved much as it was 300 years ago,
with its sugarcane mills and history all around it. Further east
you have Santiago de Cuba, cradle of the Cuban revolution, but
also filled with every conceivable luxury expected by a foreign
traveler.

If you decide to choose Cuba as the place you want to spend your
holiday in, you should take into account the time of the year
you want to travel. In the slow season, that is, from April to
November, its absolutely too hot, so unless you want to bake in
30 degree weather and 90 percent humidity, you should choose the
other season, that is, from November to March, when its still
warm enough without the smoldering heat and stifling humidity.
In this case, you have to book well in advance, because people
from all over the world choose Cuba as its winter paradise,
especially Canadians. Everything from all-inclusive to city
hotels, car rentals, anything that you want to have secured,
should be reserved weeks in advance. This will ensure a happy
and carefree holiday, without any problems related to shortages
of anything. Reservation is the name of the game when you travel
to Cuba, thus making it possible to enjoy your stay without any
worries.

If you are a person who likes to drive through the countryside,
there are several car rental agencies with many price ranges,
from the smallest compact car to the biggest Mercedes or Audi.
Roads are quite safe, something you will rapidly discover by the
amount of people hitchhiking at the side of the road. Thats
another of Cubas greatest assets, its safety. Like everywhere,
you have your petty thieves, pickpockets and what not, and even
these are rare. Serious crimes are almost unheard-of in the
island, which makes it a haven for people who like to mingle
with the locals. Of course, you have to be prudent, but as a
rule, you can drive or walk through any Havana street at anytime
of day or night and you will be absolutely safe.

In the Caribbean there might be more luxurious places To go, but
as far as friendliness and safety are concerned, none can
compare to Cuba, and all of this with rapidly increasing levels
of service all around. As of now, we have one of the major hotel
chains in the world with approximately 15 resorts in Cuba, with
plans to keep increasing its capacities in the future. This is
mostly due to the reasons stated before, which makes Cuba a
unique vacation destination, combining state of the art
facilities with down to earth homeliness and safety, and every
effort made to make this vacation the best time of your life,
without distinction of age or physical ability. If you give it a
chance, you will not be disappointed. This can truly be called
an earthly paradise, but not only because of the beauty of the
land, but also and probably more important, the beauty of its
people. We hope you come and share all of this with us. You will
not forget it.

A Great Place To Take Kids In Las Vegas

While I would never recommend taking children to Las Vegas,
there are plenty of places to take your children that will
entertain them while you are in Las Vegas. One of those places
is the AdventureDome at the Circus Circus Hotel on the north
part of the Strip in Las Vegas.

AdventureDome is a 5-acre indoor amusement park that is always
climate controlled to 72 degrees! Admission to the park is free.
If you want to ride one of the 23 attractions you will need to
purchase individual ride tickets which run as much as $6.00 per
ride or purchase all-day passes that start at $14.95 for juniors
(under 48\) and go to $22.95 for adults or those over 48\ tall).
Some rides are only available to those over 48\ tall so it your
child is slightly over the height requirement do not try to
cheat the system and end up cheating your child out of a fun
experience.

Rides include (with height requirements) Canyon Blaster
(Roller Coaster) 48\ minimum Rim Runner (Water Chute Ride) 48\
minimum Sling Shot (Tower Ride) 48\ minimum Chaos (Spinning
& Tilting Ride) 48\ minimum Inverter (360 Counter-Rotation
Ride) 48\ minimum SimEx Theater (Motion Ridefilm) 42\ minimum
Lazer Blast (Laser Tag Adventure) 42\ minimum Canyon Cars
(Bumper Cars) 54\ min. to drive / 42\ min. to ride Sand Pirate
(Swinging Ship) 42\ minimum /or 33\ min. to ride with a paying
adult Frog Hopper (Jr. Tower Ride) 36\ minimum, 58\ maximum
Miner Mike (Jr. Roller Coaster) 33\ minimum, 58\ maximum
Thunderbirds (Jr. Plane Ride) 36\ minimum, 58\ maximum B.C.
Bus (Bus Ride) Circus Carousel (Merry-Go-Round) Drifters
(Ferris Wheel) Road Runner (Mini Himalaya Ride)

Also, available are indoor rock climbing, miniature golf, IMAX
theatres, midway games, and an arcade. The main stage is home to
free clown shows daily at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM. and 4:00
PM and additional shows hourly from 6:00 PM-9:00 PM on Friday
and Saturday.

Built in 1993, AdventureDome has grown from a small 4 ride park
at Circus Circus into the all-day adventure it is today. Tickets
are bought only at Circus Circus. Discount Tickets are available
all over town (including the Circus Circus funbook available at
the Conceierge) Discounts for weekend attendance are also
available to Nevada residents.

The Ghan: A Great Australian Train Journey

The Ghan is a living legend in Australian history and offers the
ultimate journey through the heart of the Australian continent.
Named after Afghan cameleers who originally helped open up the
desert interior of Australia in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, the Ghan is at once a luxury railway train and a 3000
kilometre railway journey that meanders from the fertile
Adelaide countryside through the rusty red hues of Central
Australia to the tropical splendour of the Top End.

The railway line began its colourful life as the Northern
Railway in 1878, at the height of a national railway boom, in
the hope of developing the pastoral and mining potential of the
Australian interior. Soon becoming known affectionately as The
Ghan, by 1891 the line reached from Port Augusta to the outback
town of Oodnadatta in northern South Australia. Oodnadatta
remained the end of the line for the next forty years.

In 1895, in an effort to advance construction of the line, it
was stated that \the interior was not all desert, but had
extensive areas of good land fit for cultivation and a variety
of tropical products\. The line was finally extended to the
Central Australian town of Alice Springs in 1929, and remained
there until 2003 when a major project to extend the line through
to the Northern Territory capital, Darwin, was completed.

Until 1929, almost all goods to Alice Springs were transported
by camel trains driven by Afghan tribesmen adept at handling
these hardy \'ships of the desert\'. The camel trains would meet
the train at the railhead in Oodnadatta and carry goods ranging
from pianos, motors, and furniture to food supplies, mail,
newspapers and clothing on to Alice Springs. The arrival of the
camel trains was always a time of great excitement. The camels
remained a viable means of transport in Central Australia for so
long because the development of motor transport was hindered by
a lack of well formed roads and the reliable availability of
fuel supplies.

Part of the Ghan\'s legendary reputation derives from the many
mishaps which occurred during the early years of its operation.
The 1520 km journey from Adelaide to Alice Springs passed
through some of the driest and most difficult country on earth.
Normally dry rivers would frequently flood after a downpour and
run several kilometres wide, sweeping railway tracks, bridges
and other infrastructure away in their path. Sometimes the train
would not arrive for weeks or even months. At one point during
the 1970\'s the Ghan was not sighted in Alice Springs for 3
months and essential supplies had to be flown into the town
daily.

By 1980 the Ghan\'s route had been relocated a considerable
distance to the west, and the line upgraded from narrow gauge to
the wider Australian standard gauge. In the process, many new
bridges and earth works were completed, and the Ghan\'s
reputation for unreliability became history.

Today the modern Ghan is a world-class luxury railway and
renowned attraction for travellers wishing to experience the
real Australia in comfort. The 3000 km journey from Adelaide to
Darwin via Alice Springs takes two days, and passes through just
three other towns of any size, Port Augusta in South Australia
and Tennant Creek and Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Street Food in Thailand... A Smorgasbord For All The Senses

Like other Southeast Asian countries, food stalls are everywhere in the streets, markets and festivals of Thailand, providing an endless smorgasbord of aromas, color, sounds and flavors - food in Thailand is a feast for all of the senses.

Picture a barbecue hotdog stand outside a North American sports stadium. Now, instead of hotdogs and buns sizzling on a grill, the food cart is laden with fresh bananas, which are slathered in batter and deep-fried to golden in a giant wok, then scooped into a paper bag like a super-size order of extra thick homecut french fries. That was my first breakfast in Thailand while I watched hundreds of beautifully costumed elephants play soccer and tug-of-war in an annual Elephant Round-up in Surin, in the far northeast of the country!

The next \'hotdog stand\' does have a grill, placed over a large bin of charcoal, with flattened chicken quarters sizzling on sticks that you eat like a popsicle; next door to that is yet another steel cart heaped with fresh, ripe pineapple, mango and papaya, and sporting a huge mortar and pestle for transforming the greener papayas into a crunchy, sweet-sour-spicy salad with morsels of shrimp or squid, chiles, garlic and sugar.

What makes Thai food so delicious and distinctive among other Southeast Asian food is this unique blending of fresh herbs, spices and other ingredients that combine for a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salt and heat that leaves your mouth feeling clean and your tastebuds popping in the afterglow.

Fresh fruit, salads and even soups and noodles are ladled into plastic bags with a skewer, fork, spoon or straw for eating on the go or perched on a folding chair at a nearby metal card table in the market.

Thai buses and trains become moving picnic grounds, with everyone chatting, eating and sharing the fare hawked through the vehicles\' windows at roadside stops and terminals: Gai Yang, the flattened barbecue chicken on a stick, skewered meat and fish balls and sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves.

Carnivals and markets feature huge woks at knee-height, bubbling with deep-fried critters of all sorts, many unidentifiable. Are they grasshoppers? crickets? spiders? baby birds? small frogs? -- my mouth and eyes were constantly wide open in wonder and amazement!

I spent an inordinate amount of time in the fresh produce and night food markets -- exuberantly fascinated and often visibly discombobulated, to the great amusement of the vendors and shoppers.

After traveling every aisle of food carts and woks on my mission to find the freshest, most interesting and tasty-looking dishes, I was often met with earnestly shaking heads or \No, you don\'t want that - that\'s Thai food!\ by English speaking cooks or bystanders when I pointed and gestured and tried to ask for a meal I knew I truly wanted. On my first such adventure, I did not know that the custom was for the cook to show the ladle with the amount of the garlic and chili for you to indicate how much you wanted: thinking she was simply asking if I wanted those Thai ingredients, I nodded vigorously at the heaped display, and in it all went! Yes, it was Thai food, and I enjoyed every sizzling touch to my lips under the watchful, laughing eyes of the vendors and bystanders who had gathered.

I spent as much time learning about, admiring and experiencing the food as I did with major tourist attractions, often spending hours strolling through streets and markets taking in the sights and smells and sounds: quiet clucking rising up from a heap of vibrantly coloured roosters or chickens tied together at the feet - a Thai rooster\'s plumage is extraordinarily beautiful; plastic tubs and buckets just full enough of murky grey water to keep the fish, frogs or turtles alive until a sale was clinched; mounds and mounds of green and red, and purple and orange; the pleasant stench of durian and jackfruit - pleasant because I was just so thrilled and in awe of it all!

I tried deep-fried grasshoppers at a carnival in Kanchanaburi during a sound and light show of \The Bridge On The River Kwai\ that ended with a fabulous fireworks display recreating the Allied bombing campaign that destroyed the bridges of the Death Railway in 1945. I tried a few tiny roasted wood worms offered by a very thin host in a northern hill-tribe village near the Myanmar border, and feared that I was eating his family out of house and home. I discovered countless traditional dishes I had never tasted and savoured authentic versions of some I had had in Toronto\'s newly arrived Thai restaurants. As often as I could, I watched their creation so that I could try to replicate them when I got home and got a kitchen again.

Many people are alarmed at how daring I was with my stomach. During two years of round-the-world travel, including six months in Southeast Asia, I only had one tiny bout of queasiness over a couple of days on Sumatra in Indonesia. In fact, I had never eaten so well or felt so healthy in my life. I must have found the perfect balance of common sense and adventure, or, some might argue, I was just lucky.

I don\'t recommend trying everything, and I do recommend a few common sense tips for sampling the full range of the food on offer throughout your travels:

• at street and market stalls, do watch the cooking for awhile to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and the food is being cooked thoroughly; if you have any doubts, move on to the next vendor
• choose vendors that have a good steady flow of customers - not only is the food probably very good, but the turnover means fresher food
• ask your guesthouse host and any other residents you meet for their favourite places to eat, and for recommendations on dishes to order
• follow the other safe eating tips you find in travel guides, like recommendations about water, ice cubes, and peeling fruit and vegetables

Of course, you will find an endless selection of sit-down restaurants where you can savour some of the more familiar Thai dishes now found in restaurants around the world: green curry with chicken, red curry with beef, pad Thai and other noodle dishes, and wonderfully aromatic sweet basil dishes.

Whether you plan to sample the fabulous foods from the street vendors and markets or stick to what you know, learn a few tips on deciphering a menu or asking for a type of dish with a few Thai Food Terms.

Many supermarkets are now carrying a range of prepared sauces, curries and other Asian products, but if you enjoy adventure and creativity in your own kitchen, many Thai recipes are fairly easy to create once you\'ve mastered a few essentials. Gai Yang, after all, is really just barbequed chicken with a Thai twist! A good food reference guide or cookbook with a glossary of Asian ingredients will help you gain that perfect balance of sour, sweet, salt and heat that is unique to Thai cuisine.

2005 recipe-for-travel.com

Carolyn Nantais is a freelance writer, website copywriter, world traveler and culinary xenophile who indulges in temporary retirement from time to time to travel and eat around the world. Her new website, The Recipe for Travel, is a food companion for travel lovers and travel companion for food lovers, with stories, recipes and practical travel planning tips gathered through adventures in round-the-world travel and food.

Flying J Travel Centers and Truck Stops Best of Breed

If you are traveling by truck, motor home are car this summer anywhere in the United States then you might consider Flying J Travel Centers and Truck Stops. They are clearly a class act and they are the best of breed, as they are clean and have many services available.

If you own an RV then they have a separate set of pumps just for you with either diesel or gasoline. They also have propane fill ups and an RV dump to get rid or your waste and gray water. For trucks they have many pumps with often 8-10 bays so there is not usually a wait and that means you can stay on schedule and on time even with all the summer traffic and incessant lane closures on our highways due to construction.

For the weary four-wheeler or passenger cars and SUVs, well Flying J also makes a very nice stop for the trip with their huge Convenience Stores, Subway Sandwiches or Wendy’s Hamburger right inside. Some even have sit down restaurants too. Flying J Travel Centers and Truck Stops are indeed Best of Breed and it shows.

They have frequent fueler cards for RVs and Trucks, a lounge and even place to do your laundry and lots of parking too. So whether you are in an RV like me or drive a truck for a living, or are simply going to Grandmother’s house on your summer vacation, perhaps you will consider this in 2006. (I am not affiliated in any way with Flying J; just a loyal customer who thought you should know).

Lance Winslow

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=LanceWinslow

Sun Sea and Sand Jomtien Beach Thailand

For the ultimate beach vacation there is no better location than
that of Jomtien Beach in Thailand Which is just a two hours
ride in a taxi from Bangkok Airport. The Jomtien Beach is
located about two kilometers from its busy counterpart resort of
South Pattaya. Jomtien beach and the area
along its beach road have now become more and more popular for
swimming, water sports and activities because it has a long
straight coastline and they're being less boats anchored in its
waters. There are very many good quality hotels, bungalows and
guesthouses. A wide range of small and large condominiums is
also available for short or long term rental and many good
restaurants serving a wide variety of fresh seafood with a full
range of Thai cuisine and International dishes. Many tourists
come to this area to just enjoy the scenery and the beach.
Chairs are available to sit with a table to have food and drink
served directly to you as you soak up the sun or simply lay back
and listen to the waters lapping on the sand. Go swimming or
enjoy water sports such as wind surfing, ride a water scooter,
parasail or take a speed boat ride, even water skiing is
possible. The Jomtien Beach has good quality white sand and a
very long coastline to enjoy. The beach is much more peaceful
here than its counterpart of Pattaya further up the coast. The
beaches are always kept in a pristine condition by the many
vendors who are there to look after all your needs. Along the
early part of the straight beach road you will find many
souvenir shops, international restaurants, food stalls. But at
the far end of the beach road there are very good seafood
restaurants and it is where you can find yourself at times the
only person soaking up the sun. You can also swim late into the
night along a large part of the beach as the sands are floodlit
which makes for a very safe environment to swim after the sun
has gone down. May be you only want to simply find a quiet bar
for any drink of your choosing. Many are available and the
prices have to be seen to be believed. Jomtien beach simply has
it all without having to travel long distances. But if you fancy
a more adventurous evening and want to enjoy a full range of
nightlife activities Pattaya is just a few minutes down the
coast. Transportation around the Pattaya and Jomtien area is
simple. The open pick up cars (Baht buses as they are locally
called) are running all the time. Just hail one down and climb
aboard. Jomtien is one place in the world where a good quality
beach vacation is simplicity itself. How do I know these things
- I live there.

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same

10 Reasons to spend your vacation in an orlando villa

Finding Florida vacation rentals that will spaciously
accommodate groups and families is much easier than one might
expect. In a place like orlando, one will find a number of
options with regard to renting a villa or vacation home as
opposed to a hotel or motel room. Due to the fact that hotel
rooms can sometimes be a cramped setting, especially for
families traveling with children, Florida villas are a wonderful
alternative to a hotel stay. However, this is not the only
reason why vacationers choose to experience the magic of
Orlando, Florida, while staying in an Orlando vacation home. The
following list highlights the top 10 reasons why choosing an
Orlando villa over a hotel room might just be the best bet for
your vacation:

1.More Spacious - Hotel rooms usually only provide one or two
rooms in which to move about. Since Orlando vacations typically
last 5 or 6 days due to the enormous amount of activities that
are present within this entertaining city, the spacious rooms
within Orlando villas allow groups and families to relax in a
larger, more comfortable area. This will enable everyone to
enjoy their vacation just a little bit more.

2.Kitchen Amenities - When choosing a place to stay for a
week\'s vacation, individuals like to have various amenities
available to them, including a kitchen. Some people don\'t like
to have to eat out for every meal and by staying in an Orlando
rental home or villa; one has access to kitchen amenities in
which to cook some of the meals throughout the vacation and save
money.

3.Private Pools - Hotels usually provide a number of swimming
pools and Jacuzzis for the guests. However, most Florida villas
that are for rent in the Orlando area come with their own
private swimming pools and often Jacuzzis as well. Why cram into
a packed public swimming pool when swimming in a pool with only
friends and family members around can be a viable option.

4.Wireless Internet Connection with PC - Due to the large
quantity of internet users around today, having wireless
internet connection at one\'s fingertips is almost a necessity
these days. In many Orlando vacation homes there will be
wireless internet access and a computer in which to surf the
World Wide Web. Although a number of hotels currently offer this
type of internet connection as well, you will frequently find
that occasional fees and disconnections may occur. Since you are
staying in a Florida vacation rental home, it is almost like
being in your own home where internet connections are lost less
frequently. Also, it is very rare in which to find a hotel that
offers computers in which to access the web. Usually, you need
to bring your own laptop in order to take advantage of this
internet access.

5.More Economical - Because Orlando, Florida is a large tourist
attraction, hotels can be a bit on the pricey side if you are
looking for space and numerous amenities. When an individual
rents an Orlando villa, one can choose the size of vacation home
that is needed to accommodate the family. It is much less
expensive to rent a single home for one week as opposed to a
number of rooms for a certain amount per night.

6.More Peaceful - When staying in hotels, there is usually a
lot of outside noises that one has to contend with. Either
people stomping up above or noisy guests in the hallway. By
booking a Florida vacation rental in Orlando, there will only be
the noises of those that were brought along on the trip.

7.Additional Bathrooms - Waiting in line for the bathroom can
be a real drag. By renting a Florida villa, there will almost
always be more than one bathroom available to the renters. With
a hotel room, bathroom lines are almost inevitable, unless the
vacation is a vacation for one.

8.Washing Machines and Dryers - One of the more accommodating
aspects of renting an Orlando villa as opposed to staying at a
hotel is the availability of washers and dryers on the premises.
No need to search for a laundromat when washers and dryers are
included amenities.

9.Access to a Garage and a Close Parking Spot - Since hotel
parking is often set a good distance away from the hotel itself,
individuals staying at these types of resorts usually find
themselves having to hike back and forth from the room to the
car. When carrying luggage and other packages, this can
sometimes get tiresome. With an Orlando villa rental, the car
will be a few steps away from the front door thereby making any
lugging of items nonexistent.

10.Home Away from Home - With hotel accommodations, although
many hotels offer wonderful amenities, there is still no way to
make it seem less like a hotel and more like a home. When
renting a Florida villa in Orlando, the accommodations feel more
homey and relaxing than any hotel possibly could. When a family
can enjoy the entertainment and events in a place like Orlando,
Florida and come \home\ to relax afterwards, this is a great
thing.

There is nothing wrong with staying in a hotel from time to time
if you are stopping over in a city for one night or if there is
no Orlando vacation villa available. After all, where else will
you get to have your bed made and not have to do laundry every
day? However, there are times when a vacation is much more
relaxing and comfortable when it can be completed in a makeshift
home environment. For these reasons, Orlando villa rentals are
great options to consider when looking into a trip to Orlando,
Florida. So, get online and start looking for Orlando villa
rentals in order to find the one to make your vacation as
comfortable as possible.

Hello from Cuba (9) Havana Neighbourhoods

Hotel Havana Libre, Sunday, April 10, 2005, 12:30 pm

Yesterday morning I had arranged to meet one of the women from
the from the university, a very nice lady in her late 50s, who
agreed to show me around the Vedado area and take me through
some local markets.

Vedado is a beautiful residential neighbourhood with many
mansions and villas dating back maybe 80 to 100 years or so.
Before the revolution it was the neighbourhood where all the
doctors, lawyers and business people lived, most of whom
emigrated around the time of the Revolution. (Business people
and professionals were expropriated as part of the Communist
reorganization after the Revolution, as a result hundreds of
thousands emigrated to the US, where there are substantial
counter-revolutionary and Anti-Castro sentiments. The emigration
of thousands of professionals in the early 60s apparently caused
a real braindrain in the country).

We walked through the neighbourhood and visited local markets
where they sell fruits, vegetables and meat. We saw local
vegetables like yucca, malanga, boniato as well as fruits such
as frutabomba (papaya), pineapple, mamey, mangos and others.
Most of the meat that they sell in the markets is pork, and
there is no refrigeration at all in the markets, although the
meat is inspected by the government. It is forbidden to sell
beef because beef officially is only to be used for milk
production. Equally forbidden in local markets is seafood like
lobsters since it is destined for big hotels and exports only,
but we were approached by a couple of people who were selling
both lobster and beef \debajo de la mesa\ - under the table.
This is one of the things in Cuba, many things are forbidden,
but there is usually a way of working around it.

I was also taken to a special market hall where locals buy food
at certain allocated times on their ration card. Food is still
scarce in Cuba and every person receives a \libreta\which
allocates a certain quota of basic foods such as butter, eggs,
cooking oil, flower etc at very low prices. I was told that the
monthly ration is 8 eggs per person and that if you want an
extra carton of 30 eggs, they cost about $2 (CUC) (about
Can$2.50), which is equivalent to about 1/10 of a person\'s
monthly salary. No wonder everybody tries to set up a little
side business to obtain extra money, since survival in itself
takes a lot of energy.

We also saw a local neighbourhood repair place, where they
repair shoes with sowing machines that look like they are 100
years old. This is definitely a society where things are reused,
mended, fixed and recycled time and time again, and it\'s
actually very refreshing to see a different way of living that
contrasts so strongly with our modern way of living where we buy
stuff we don\'t need, just to throw it out later. Of course, the
recycling here is due to necessity, but it does feel like there
is a great appreciation for life here, not just consumer goods,
despite all the difficulties.

This 2-hour walk was a great way of getting to know a little bit
about the authentic Cuban lifestyle and some of the practical
ways that Cubans try to make do in their daily lives.

Online Travel Bargain

Are holiday bargains for true or have catches hidden?

REMEMBER YOUR LAST CONVERSATION WITH THAT family relative who couldn't talk enough of how much they saved on their last holiday package deal? Or that colleague bragging about his $59 round- trip flight to Las Vegas and his stay in a 5-star hotel at $89 a night? Have you found yourself staring wistfully (and suspiciously) at a $399 package deal for two for Hawaii?

Just because your email seems flooded at times with seemingly impossibly priced travel offers, and you find Internet search engines are flooded with 1000's of sites selling internet travel besides big hotel brands and branded distribution sites don't discount them all.

Who can you count on?
Just four or five years ago, when you looked for travel discounts you could choose between a travel agent, the airline offices and the hotels themselves, and maybe, if you were lucky, some travel guru down the street. Today, there's a massive range of things you can do online, and a lot of them can save significant amounts of money.

The reality is:

Nine out of 10 online travelers now have some history of shopping for travel online, and nearly 15% of all Americans purchased travel online last year - that's five times the penetration rate of 1998. (PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey) Nearly one-third of online travel buyers say the Internet was responsible for their travel purchases last year.

In 1998, six million consumers bought travel online in the U.S. Jump ahead to 2002 when 30 million Americans purchased travel online in the last year. Half of them only buy their travel online. (PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey)

Online travel bookings exceeded $23 billion in 2001, and are expected to reach $63 billion by 2005.

Internet bookings in the first three quarters of 2002 accounted for over 23% of rooms sold in New York, and over 15% in Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Anecdotally, for some properties, hotel managers are reporting Internet bookings ranging from 30% to 50% of all room nights in 2002. (Smith Travel Research and TravelClick)

What does this mean?

This means that online distribution channel is extremely successful in reaching buyers and buyers are finding it more confirmable to shop online. They are seeing a broader range of travel options and variety of products and packages. And its more likely that consumer wants to control that transaction through access to more competitive pricing. Pricing is becoming key factor to determine the sale.

Key factors: Why travelers prefer to book online

Competitive Price
Ability to compare product and Prices
Ability to plan last minute
Availability of Range of options

Online travel shoppers are not very loyal on where they shop65 percent of online travelers do not view themselves as brand-loyal. As much as they love to shop online and spend their time researching what suits their needs, they are not loyal to the companies from which they buy.

The above scenario indicated that the travel suppliers have no choice but to participate in this online distribution channel. The suppliers are realizing that the traditional channels like GDS (Global Distribution System)/travel agent and call center/reservation office is somewhat inefficient and expensive, especially when the economy is weak. Ignoring online distribution channel and concentrating only on traditional distribution channels will result in lower occupancy, and higher distribution and operational costs for travel suppliers. As online channels become more popular among suppliers their participation is increasing.

How Pricing and Distribution Become Key

9/11 caused a dramatic shift in how consumers booked their travel. The instability caused a large drop in demand for airlines, hotels and car rentals leading to ever-lower prices. This low demand factor forced travel suppliers to introduce unprecedented discounts. Travel suppliers struggled to sell seats, rooms, car rentals to a significantly shrunk leisure and business travel market. Every air seat, room and auto not booked cost their companies money. Better to sell dirt cheap than not to sell at all. But how to get the word out?

Smart, proactive suppliers adopted the Wal-Mart business modelsell low and distribute inexpensively and efficiently. But how?

The Internet allowed them to reach consumers, sell inventory outstrip their less progressive competition. Those suppliers who had no clear Internet strategy or understanding of how the Web and online distribution works suffered.

Discount hotel sites attract millions of buyers with their special rates leading to stratospheric sales through these channels. They thrive on hoteliers selling their distressed inventory at a fraction of their normal rates. Occupancy is the lowest its been in years, hoteliers continue to work with leading online retailers to move inventory at lower price.

The $6.3 billion in online hotel sales (2002) with are split roughly evenly between discount agency sites and hotel Web sites. PhoCusWright projects that around 75% of discount agency hotel site sales are via the merchant model, where the agency typically takes a 20-30% margin on the hotel net rate (instead of the usual 10% commission). This approach has helped profits at Expedia and Hotels.com, who have roughly 60% of online discount agency hotel sales. Travelocity and Orbitz are instituting the same successful approach. Other notable players thriving in this arena are Hotwire.com, http://www.hotels-and-discounts.com , Lodging.com and Travelweb.com.

What is the Future?
Online travel growth will continue to grow in 2003-2005, but it will slow down year by year compared to the record gains see so far. However millions of travelers haven't yet made their first purchase so the market is not near saturation. Technological improvements will soon make it possible to more easily dynamically package vacation deals including air, hotel and car leading to even lower prices but higher average sales. So growth is projected to come from customers buying more, higher-ticketed products online.

The growth of the online distribution channel will prove beneficial to the end user when the suppler finds it easier and more cost-effective to distribute their inventory there than over the traditional distribution channels. As technology becomes mature in the online distribution sector, it will become more effective and user friendly for the Buyers and thus will attract more Suppliers. Due to its low cost of distribution and emerging ability to package and cross sell inventory, prices will be attractive for years to come, until this channel eventually becomes a commodity.

By Yatin Patel
Published in http://www.siliconindia.com
July 2003

About the Author

None

Holidays and Lewis & Clark on Oregon's Coast

Sometimes, the best holiday celebrations aren\'t the most famous
or obvious ones.

This is especially true on Oregon\'s coast, where one big secret
is that this time of year doesn\'t just mean the area\'s
notoriously stormy and wild weather, but that it has many days
that are unusually dry and warm compared to the rest of the
state. But the most delightful secrets lie in the realm of
holiday celebrations, which make for some memorable discoveries
along this famously pristine stretch of shoreline.

On the northern Oregon coast, the holidays begin not with the
usual celebrations, but with a major wine event and loads of
signature Lewis & Clark commemorations.

On November 7, it will have been exactly two hundred years since
William Clark wrote \Ocian in view! O! the Joy!\ as he spotted
what he thought was the Pacific Ocean (it was actually a big bay
just before the ocean). For the next five months, staring in
1805, the Corps of Discovery spent their time in this part of
the Northwest. The Lewis & Clark Bicentennial marks this, and
things kick off at Fort Stevens (between Seaside and Astoria) on
November 11, with the \Opening Ceremony - Lewis & Clark
Veteran\'s Day Commemoration.\ Oregonian and former Miss America,
Katie Harmon (2002), will sing the national anthem, and the
event will feature banners from local tribes and other
remembrances of the Corps of Discovery.

November 14 brings the Dedication Of The Fort To Sea Trail at
Fort Ctatsop (near Fort Stevens), marking the trail from the
crew\'s winter quarters to their time on the beaches of Seaside.

Fort Clatsop - the replica of the Corps\' winter camp - will
feature various \Wintering Over Events\ between the Fort and
Cannon Beach. This replica tragically burned in early October,
but the visitor center there is still the center of many of the
winter events, including a living history program about their
Christmas at the camp on December 25. On January 7, the
celebration comes to Cannon Beach (some 25 miles south), marking
the day that Clark, Sacegawea and others traveled to the ocean
to see a beached whale.

The adorable resort town of Seaside - which boasts broad,
immaculate beaches, the \million dollar walk\ of Broadway Ave.,
and a cove famous for surfing - will be one of the few cities to
host a major traveling exhibit on Lewis & Clark. From November
19 to November 22, you\'ll find the \Corps of Discovery II, 200
yrs. To The Future,\ with a mobile 250-seat auditorium showing
multimedia programs on Lewis & Clark\'s troupe of travelers.
Free. 503-861-4403. www.destinationthepacific.com.

Also on November 19, Seaside will abound with the bounty of the
vineyard with the holiday-themed Seaside Downtown Wine Walk. The
now-annual event features hundreds of folks wandering throughout
the downtown area and taste-testing Northwest wines. $5 for the
wristband. 503-717-1914 or www.seasidedowntown.com.

By late November, Seaside really gets lit up with the \Yuletide
at Seaside,\ where the entire town is decked out in all sorts of
light configurations. Highlights include the Holiday Gift Fair
on November 25 - 27 at the Seaside Civic & Convention Center,
the famous Holiday Caroling & Lighted Float Parade on November
26, the Holiday Lights Tour aboard a bus on December 10 and 11,
and the Seaside Children\'s Christmas Party at the Seaside
Convention Center on December 11. Call 800-394-3303 for more
information on all these, or go to www.seasideor.com.

If you want to stay in a castle on Oregon\' coast and enjoy some
special holiday events, you need only look about 15 miles south
of Seaside to St. Bernard\'s Bed & Breakfast. This stunning
beauty is built to look somewhere between a medieval structure
and a Swiss ski lodge, filled with antique furniture and a spicy
sense of romance and adventure - in an exceptionally upscale
way.

Every morning means gourmet breakfasts made by the able hand of
owner Barbara Dau. Thanksgiving means Dau\'s talents will create
a special traditional dinner with her artistic flair. It\'s open
to in-house guests only, and cost is $65, including fine wines
as well. The highlight here, aside from the food and wondrous
surroundings, is the engaging, convivial atmosphere created by
gathering to dine with others you haven\'t met before. This, and
St. Bernard\'s special New Year\'s Eve traditions, are becoming an
increasingly popular addiction for Oregon and Washington
residents.

On New Year\'s Eve, Dau puts together a six-course gourmet bash,
which features dishes from around the world and matching wines
for each. It\'s a culinary and wine-tasting trip across the
globe. It all ends with champagne by a beach bonfire that is
breathtaking every year. www.st-bernards.com. 800-436-2848.

In Newport - the town with two lighthouses - the ancient
Bayfront gets gussied up in an incredible array of lights.
Nearby, the historic Nye Beach district (known as the \Honeymoon
Capitol of the World\ for various reasons) has an antique charm
that\'s somewhere between old Europe and turn-of-the-century
America with its tiny cobblestone streets.

For those who want to celebrate with more than a little finery,
the stunning bistro-style eatery Village Market & Deli goes into
overdrive with its legendary cuisine, offering special holiday
dishes to its partial ocean view, sometimes to the shimmering
sounds of guest musicians. This pleasure, and the owners\' sister
business, Blu Cork Wine Bar, are one of Newport\'s hush-hush
holiday knockouts. Blu Cork will feature a stunning sourdough
bread pudding and chocolate cake for the season that contains a
multitude of taste layers, as well as specialty holiday meats,
spreads, terrines, pates and champagne - all surrounded by its
famous wine-themed dcor and selection of memorable northwest
wines. (541-574-9393 for Village Market & Deli).

For more on the Oregon Coast, see
www.beachconnection.net

Guide to northwest travel

One of the most beautiful regions in North America is the Northwest. With breathtaking scenery and never ending coasts it has fast gained the reputation of being one of the best travel destinations in Americas. The mountain ranges are apt for the thriving wilderness and for the adventure lovers too. Mount Saint Helens with its historical past and Mt. Rainer with the natures bounty stand tall in the northwest as embodiments of the claim the place makes about its grandeur. The metropolitan scene of this side of America is abuzz with cities like Washington and Oregon making it the political corner of the country. The ocean too is gracious enough to offer all its beauty to the northwestern coast. The northern pacific flushes the coast and some of the most fantastic beaches are found on the coastal cities like Washington. The waters are also home to whales, which has made whale-watching a favorite activity in this part of North America.



The adventure seekers find it very intriguing and challenging to come and challenge their limits in the mountains of northwest America. The undulating topography on the mountainsides is apt for the mountain bikers. The mountaineering sport has also got a lot of stronghold in the region because of the challenging mountain ranges. The sports scene is fully supported by the mountainous landform. The local tourism too is fully supported by this fact and the tourist industry too is a flourishing one. The major adventure sports events are organized in this region and this has brought the northwest frontier of America on the global scene. So much on the adventure sports in the mountains of this part.



The vast expanse of the sea has also become a very popular playground for the adventure hungry. The surfers always prefer to ride the more challenging waves around. Water comes in abundance in this part of USA. The kayaking and rafting in the gushing waters of the Wenatchee river of the Washington region attracts many tourists fro m all over. It is considered one of the most challenging raft routes in America. The rafting scene in this region never dies off.



If there is one place where you can enjoy exquisite coffee sitting in the verandah of a rain drenched house, it has to be Seattle. The place is known equally for its coffee and rains. The city is world famous for being home to some of the greatest rock bands. The music never dies in Seattle. Shopping and looking around the town, the tourist opine, is one enjoyable way to pass a day while in Seattle. The pacific North West has other important cities such as Oregon famous for its beaches.



The northwest holiday is incomplete without a visit to the famous Islands of San Juan. The beauty of nature can be felt by strolling through the wilderness of the islands. There is a mystic aura about the island that attracts thousands of tourists from America and abroad. The 3-4 hour cruise on an ancient ship gives a nostalgic feeling of the days of past and the lives of the seafaring men.



Whale watching, mountain biking, cascading rafting the adventure never stops in this part of America. The place has so much to offer that you can't help but come. So come vacations pack your bags and head northwest because its here that the party begins.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mansi gupta writes about. northwest travel Learn more at www.northwesttravelspots.com

Memories Of Barcelona

It was just soddin\' typical I had the seat with the broken air blower. Beads of sweat ran down my face as the temperature approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The smell of body odour had got progressively worse from the moment we departed for the Catalonian capital of Barcelona.



To be honest, I was one of the main culprits; my shirt had stuck to my back and needed constant peeling to allow some air circulation around my body.



\We\'ll be stopping in about ten minutes at the Nou Camp. Please be back on the coach no later than 12 o\'clock,\ bellowed the driver\'s voice over the tannoy. All I could think of at this moment was getting off and finding a shady corner with a cool breeze.



As a football fan I found the Nou Camp fascinating. Home of Barcelona Football Club, it\'s a magnificent example of modern stadia, holding over 100,000 supporters when full. The size of the trophy room is testament to their successful history and standing in the European game.



Back on the coach, we headed through town and the myriad of streets lined with tall trees and even taller buildings. Every household name was present and trading with the locals and tourists drawn to this great city.



We were dropped off at the docks and as luck would have it a showboat was about to set sail offering tours of the harbour. I jumped aboard, intrigued to see Barcelona from the sea. I wanted to stand back and capture the city\'s character from afar.



Immediately after setting sail the fight for shaded seats began in earnest. The clever ones had got in early, sacrificing the great dockland views to secure their seats for the long haul. The rest of us had to decide between standing at the back and suffer the impending backache, or sit in the sun and toil under the intense rays.



The backache wasn\'t too bad in the end. The city looked great but some of the yachts looked even better. Back ashore I headed for Las Ramblas, a wonderful cocktail of street entertainers and market traders. Everything from children\'s shoes to chickens can be bought along the famous walkway.



However, the sheer volume of tourists acts as a magnet for pickpockets and scamsters. At night it can also turn into something of a red light area. But keep your wits about you and there\'s no reason why you can\'t have a great time about the Ramblas.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Steven Cronin owns the City Breaks website featuring city break special offers from luxury hotels to budget accommodations. For more information please visit www.sargas.co.uk

The Picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Northern Georgia

The Blue Ridge Mountain range, a.k.a. Blue Ridge Province stretches from northern Georgia up through North Carolina, Virginia and finally to a portion of Pennsylvania. This range is part of the Appalachian Mountains that forms a solid mountainous wall parallel to the eastern seashore of the United States.

The Blue Ridge Mountains along its western edge elongates into isolated groups of mountains with rich green valleys between. It is here in northern Georgia where the Blue Ridge Mountain range is at its widest60 to 70 miles in places. Elevation varies from 2000 to 4000 feet (600 to 1200 meters).

The climate is experienced as warm days and cool nights. Winter highs are up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and dipping to below freezing at night. Mountain snow is expected three or four times a year. In the summer, the temperature can be as high as 85 degrees during the day.

The Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia elicits quite a diverse environment. This is a place where the southern temperate climate meets the cooler north. A stunning array of flora and fauna are contrived. Two forests converge into the Chattahoochee - Oconee National Forest.

With all this as a backdrop, the climate and scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains provide many opportunities for sightseeing and recreation. Whether interested in hiking, water sports, nostalgic train travel, or local \Appalachia\ culture and more, visitors to the area are continually inspired to seek out new adventures.

The clear air of this mountainous region attracts hikers of all abilities onto rocky and meadow-linked trails. Horseback riding is also popular. Rental cabins in rustic locations are prevalent. Of special note, during the springtime, the rhododendron flowers bloom. At this time, the Blue Ridge Mountains come alive in bright pink and red. Moreover, the changing fall hues of the forest can be witnessed between September and November.

Water is always near. Lake Blue Ridge and the nearby Tocca River allow for boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking or just a simple swim. For the truly adventurous, whitewater rafting or tubing, where dazzling waterfalls can be accessed and admired.

Bordering pristine Lake Blue Ridge is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Originally, part of the Marietta and Northern Railroads dating back to 1886, a ride on the line permits a panoramic perspective of the lake and the surrounding terrain and woodlands.

The railway isn\'t the only mark of human hands upon the wilderness. \Appalachia\ culture dates back to the early 1800\'s when Scottish and Irish immigrants took advantage of the available land. Their European heritage mixed with their new-world surroundings and, in turn, brought about an explosive culture rich in music, art, and storytelling.

Bluegrass music with its homespun stringed instruments and repetitive tunes truly warms the heart and soul. Many folk dances were developed out of these lively tunes. Bluegrass music is said to have inspired the more introspective country music, which, in turn, as legend tells, gave way to rock and roll.

Folk arts and crafts are a reflection of the culture as well. Folk art galleries can be found in nearby mountain communities like the towns of Blue Ridge and Ellijay in Georgia. The local culture also resonates through storytelling in written poetic form or in oral presentation. Both art object and expression celebrate \Appalachia\ folklore.

The immensity of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia is apparent. The allurement borne out of the natural, couples with the fascinating impact civilizations, both past and present, have made.

Bill Younger writes for Coldwell Banker High Country Realty which has been serving the real estate needs of the Blue Ridge Mountains and North Georgia for over 26 years. For more information visit http://www.cbhighcountry.com

Airfare Consolidators: The Airfare Stock Market

Airfare Consolidators have been saving Travelers hundreds of dollars on airline tickets for years. The big question for most consumers is: \Where do you find these Consolidated Airfares?\

You guessed it, your Travel Agent. More and more travel agencies are developing a relationship with Consolidators. It is up to you to locate a trusting Agency that will purchase these tickets for you without adding a huge markup. These fares are called \unpublished airfares\ and not all travel agencies provide these types of tickets to their clients.

The Consolidated airfares change from minute to minute and are based upon demand. It\'s like an \Airfare Stock Market\

Very few companies take the time to up date the Consolidated Airfares online through out the day. It\'s just too time consuming. So when clients need a ticket, the Travel Agency calls the Consolidators, gets the rate directly from the wholesaler (in many cases they are the wholesaler) and relay the information to the Travel Agent. The Travel Agent then relays the information to the consumer. Any delay in the purchase results in a lost of the airfare at the quoted price. This process can take a half a day to complete. Most consumers want their Tickets NOW. When dealing with Consolidated Airfares, patients is a virtue.

Of course you want to locate a Travel Agent that you can trust. The credentials that you would look for when searching for a reputable Travel Agent are:

1) Does the Agent have an ARC Number? ARC stands for the Airlines Reporting Corporation - This is an airline-owned company offering travel products and services, ticket distribution and settlement through a variety of channels in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

2) Or, Is your Agent a member of THE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES TRAVEL AGENT NETWORK? IATAN\'s mission is to promote professionalism, administer meaningful and impartial business standards, and to provide cost-effective products, services and educational programs that benefit the travel industry

3) Or, does your Agent have a \TRUE\ Identification? TRUE (Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration) System\'s sole purpose is to help provide sellers of travel with the assignment of travel industry numeric codes that are recognized by the travel supplier community, including cruise lines, tour operators, hoteliers, and car rental companies.

4) As of the date of this article, if you live in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia or Washington, your Agent would need to be registered with the State\'s Attorney General\'s office as a Seller of Travel.

5) And/Or is a member of OSSN, (Outside Sales Support Network) The International Association for Independent contractors and Home Based Travel Agents

The highest standards in the Industry for consolidators are set by the United States Air Consolidators Association. (USACA) However, many of the Consolidators only sale to Certified Travel Agents with any of the qualifications listed above.

This article is written by Cassandra Ingraham, webmaster for travel360degrees.com \Travel is Education at Its Best\ A travel site with \choices\ for discount travelers. The site provides e-Travel Alerts, Airport Codes, and access to the \See What the Travel Agents See\ an e-Catalog of Vacations. No cost to you, so go to: http://www.travel360degrees.com and sign up today.

Where Should We Eat? A Review of Pigeon Forge Restaurants

The South is known nationwide for its hearty and delicious food.
No Southern tourist destination would be complete without some
world- class restaurants. There are several Pigeon Forge
restaurants that will have visitors asking for seconds.

The Alamo Steakhouse is popular with both locals and tourists.
It features aged black Angus steaks cooked to order over a wood
fire. The Alamo Steakhouse also serves chicken, seafood, and
other delicious items. This restaurant has won several local
awards, including best overall restaurant and best new
restaurant for 2002.

Huck Finn\'s Catfish is another Pigeon Forge restaurant worth
mentioning. It serves some of the best catfish, chicken and
steak in the city, and has all-you-can-eat portions available on
most sides and even with some dinners. Huck Finn\'s Catfish also
has an extensive kid\'s menu, making it a perfect destination for
the whole family.

The Old Mill Restaurant is located on what is called Old Mill
Square, which has not been changed since 1830. The square has
candy, grains, pottery, and other items created the same way as
they were back in the old days. The Old Mill Restaurant uses the
grains produced in the mill to cook some of the best, most
authentic food the region has to offer.

Duff\'s Smorgasbord is a buffet-style restaurant offering
something for everyone. All you can eat is the norm here, and
they serve excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Their
made to order omelets are considered by many to be the best in
the city.

There are unique Pigeon Forge restaurants. Besides the
restaurants local to the area, the same fast food is available
in Pigeon Forge that can be found anywhere in the country.

China Tour Packages

Most people who travel to China for pleasure go to a travel agency who offers packaged tours. When choosing a travel agency, it is wise to do some research to ensure that the agency you select has an excellent foreign travel reputation and offers first class package China tours. Check to see if they have an affiliation with China Professionals-Workers\' International Travel Service Head Office. CPITS is located in Beijing and runs a network of over (150 local and regional branch offices in major cities as well as the tourist regions in China.

Popular tours include the Yangtze River that is truly one of the world\'s most amazing natural wonders. The gorges of this famous river climb thousands of feet on both sides, and it is truly breathtaking to witness. While cruising along the river, you will look at life in places like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou and Chongqing. This tour offers shore excursions including ancient cliff coffins at Shennong Stream and exploring the historic temples of Shibaozhai. These quaint locations offer some of the best natural and historical sightseeing China has to offer. This is one of our most popular tours and no matter what agency you go with, departure dates fill up quickly every year. This tour makes it last stop in Beijing where you will see the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City of China.

Beijing is the last stop on your journey through China, where you explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall.

China Tours provides detailed information on China Bicycle Tours, China Great Wall Tours, China Guided Tours, China Tour Operators and more. China Tours is affiliated with China Travel Services.

Gender Equality In Business: We've Come a Long Way

The state of gender equality has vastly improved in the past few
decades. Career, education and business opportunities have
really opened up for women, and we are seeing successful females
in many different situations. But have we truly reached
equality? Even with all the improvements made, the answer is
still, unfortunately, o.

For every hard-working female executive, there is a working
mother who has been passed over for a promotion. For every
respected female professor, there is an educated woman somewhere
who's knowledge is not being taken seriously. The people who
discriminate against these women may not even be conscious of
the fact that they are doing it. Gender bias is deeply rooted in
our collective psyche, but that is no excuse. We must constantly
remind ourselves to be aware of how we are perceiving and
treating others.

Remember the recent furor over Jane Swift, the pregnant governor
of Massachusetts? Pages and pages of newsprint were devoted to
the debate on whether or not she could be an effective mother
and still run the state. This would never have happened to
a man, not even a single father.

It is amazing to me that, in this new millennium, such basic
gender stereotypes are being perpetuated. Are gender roles so
stamped into our brains that we can't conceive of the fact that a
woman can successfully raise a family while maintaining a high
profile career? Mrs. Swift is probably perfectly capable of
handling both jobs, or at least of delegating responsibility so
that everything is taken care of. Sure she'll be busy, but lots
of very busy men manage to make things work every day without
ever having their qualifications questioned.

As people working in small home-businesses, we can help to make
change in these areas. By stepping out of the brick and mortar
business world we have already effectively said no to corporate
politics. Already, far more women are having success with online
and home businesses than with regular corporations. Just look at
Meg Whitman of Ebay and Abbie Drew of DEMC. Although Meg came
into Ebay later in the game, she has made it the most successful
online retail auction business in the world. Abbie Drew started
from scratch, and now DEMC, the Internet's very first business
ezine, provides advertising and expert small business advice for
hundreds of thousands of people.

This is all great, but why not take it a step further? Take a
stand for gender rights and commit to treating men and women with
absolute equality in all your business dealings. When making a
decision to use someone's services or ask for someone's advice be
open minded. Remember, it's your colleague's track-record,
qualifications and personality that make them the great
businessperson they are, not their gender.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Alvin Apple helps everyday people start businesses they will
enjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all his
helpful strategies, including his latest article, How to Write
the Perfect Classified Ad at http://AlvinApple.com. Reach Alvin
at 801-328-9006 or alvin@drnunley.com.

What You Need To Know About Students Travel

When traveling across the globe can be edgy for the adults, what to say of the students! However traveling abroad for learning or picnic can be entertaining for students too.

The reason of your trip
The foremost task is to mull over the raison d'tre of your trip for this determines the destination, the monetary issues, accommodation etc. for your tour.

For Holidays With Pals
If the sole motive is enjoyment then your destination should gratify your desires. If cartoons and rides fascinate and beguile you, place like Disneyland is just what you want. If along with merriment you crave to enhance your learning and art and architecture absorb your attention, Germany, Barcelona and the like should be ascend your list.

Subsequent to deciding a perfect destination, collect information about the expenditure that is likely to befall your parents' pockets. Rummage around for some beneficial packages that can take you round the world in least overheads.
Try to go in groups for that might save good bucks. But individual traveling too can be economic if you know how to govern your outlay corresponding to what little you have.

The Age Factor
The age of the student makes lot of difference. If a student is quite young he should be associated with a chaperone. If a young student takes on the flight for the first time without parents, packing and reservations should be considered in detail and significance. All the medicines, warm clothes etc, should be vigilantly packed. It is always better and prudent to pin the I-Card of the student on his shirt. Along with the phone numbers of the hotel where the kids will take a breather, parents should have the complete itinerary.

Travel For Purpose
Most often students travel abroad to participate in some international competitions or to enhance their educational qualifications like going to States for a doctorate program. If studies have hogged your attention, search the university that can live up to your expectations. Surf the Internet; collect every small and big detail. Consult your teachers and other bigwigs in that area that which university will be an ideal one for you.

Once you through with it, look for the costs. The cost includes your lodging, the course fee, food and the means to commute. Hunt for scholarships. These can be your best pals in turning your dreams to reality. Scholarships are offered by the universities and also by different organizations working in this area. A case in point is the AIFS offers a horde of scholarships. Those who are traveling with AIFS are awarded with these scholarships. Online information about the domestic as well as international scholarships is available. For instance CIMO - Centre for International Mobility feeds you the style to fund your travel to Finland.

If your providence does not click to a scholarship, don't abandon the idea to touch the skies for there are other channels too. Like you can resort to fund raising which apparently might seem appalling and unusual but has tremendous benefits. Last but not the least, knock the door of student's loans. Loans are offered by government along with private companies and banks. All you have to do is to a little struggle, some running around but remember this sweat so dropped will make your fortune. Once you land up at your destination, you can even carry out a part time job to meet your day to day expenses and minimize the responsibility on your parents.

Lodging should also be deemed. If some of your friend or relative is already nestled in that place or even nearby, the idea to stay with them is not a bad one. Else try for hostels and rooms on rents. But make sure that some planning for this is done beforehand.

Finally, make sure that packing is accurate. Also initially new place, new people and their culture might perturb you but don't get distressed by these petty things. Keep in mind that if you are good to others, they too will be amicable. All that is required is some time to get accustomed to the place, people and their customs.

So, waiting for what go ahead and live your dreams!

About the Author: Mansi gupta writes senior students travel topics. Learn more at http://www.studenttravelsource.com .

Source: www.isnare.com

Rock with Amadeus in 2006

Rock with Amadeus in 2006

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - arguably the greatest music composer ever to walk this Earth - was born on January 27th 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. Next year (2006) is his 250th birthday and you're invited to Austria to celebrate the life and works of this musical genius in style!

The party begins in the cities and towns across the country in January. Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, is the focus for several events, including performances of all 22 of Mozart's operas. The official launch of 'Mozart-Year' takes place (fittingly) on January 27th with a two-day festival in the city - the theme The City is the Stage.

Here is a list of all Mozart events in Salzburg through 2006:

Jan 27-29, 2006 Mozart Year - Launch Festival: Theme The City is the Stage

Jan 20-Feb 5, 2006 Mozart Week: Twenty-five concert performances celebrating Mozart's work. Performers featured include some of the best-known conductors, soloists, singers, orchestras and ensembles in the world today

Jan 17, 2006 - Jan 7, 2007 Viva!Mozart Exhibition at the Salzburg Carolino Augusteum Museum

Weekends from Feb-Nov 2006 Best of Mozarts: 30 weekends of concert performances by the famous Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg and the Salzburg Chamber Soloistsas

May 2006 Stage performance of Mozart's life and works at the Marionetten Theatre

May 19-Sept 22, 2006 Lunchtime concerts featuring Mozart's work at 1.00pm every Friday in the Gothic Hall of St. Blasius Church

July 21-August 22, 2006 The Salzburg festival featuring Mozart's Operas. All 22 of Mozart's operas will be performed for the first time at a world-renowned festival

Oct 2, 2006 The Mozart Gala Banquet

Dec 3-5, 2006 Closing Festival in Salzburg

In Vienna, where Mozart spent 10 fruitful years of his composing life, a rich and varied program of events will also take place. Some of Vienna's highlights include many evening Mozart concerts at the Musikverein, performances of Mozart's greatest operas at the Vienna State Opera, and special performances of Mozart's three symphonies under the direction of Sir Simon Rattle at the Theater an der Wien in December.

Getting to Salzburg and Vienna

Both Salzburg and Vienna have international airports into which daily flights from major european and world cities arrive. Car hire can be booked in advance for pick up at either airport. Bookings can be made at http://www.your-carhire.com

About the Author

Seb Jay is a freelance writer specializing in the origination of web content for http://www.your-carhire.com

Canadian Museum of Rail Travel

Cranbrook, BC, is home to the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel and is the largest city and service center in the East Kootenay region. Many parts of the city date from 1898 and self-guided walking tours are available with maps obtainable from the Chamber of Commerce, or from the Museum.

The Canadian Pacific Railway played a major role in the development of Cranbrook. Much of the original railway infrastructure built in Cranbrook still survives, providing a good context for the development of the Railway Museum.

The renowned Canadian Museum of Rail Travel is one of the largest museums of its type in Canada, with a valuable national collection of luxurious trains from the golden age of railway travel. Open all year and located at 57 Van Horne Street South, which is Hwy 3/95 downtown. It is a must-see for any visitor to the region.

The museum contains vintage passenger train sets representing various eras from the 1880s to the 1930s. The cars are luxuriously appointed with exotic inlaid woods, brass fixtures, plush upholstery, wool carpets, period furniture, stained glass and other displays such as railway china and silverware.

The centerpiece of the train\'s displays is the only complete surviving 7-car set of the famous 1929 Trans-Canada Limited, a vintage deluxe hotel on wheels. The railway constructed 12 new complete train sets comprising \A\ class dining cars, \R\ series sleepers (8-sections, 2-compartments, 1-drawing room), combination baggage sleeping cars (for the dining car crews) and the unique \River\ class solarium-lounge cars that were at the end of the trains and especially popular. The train staff for the Limited was a little army; besides the driver-known in Canada as the \engineer\-and the fireman, the Limited had a conductor, trainman, sleeping-car conductor, one porter to each sleeping-car, a parlour-car attendant and the dining-car staff comprising of the chef, stewards and waiters. The Trans-Canada Limited, reserved for First Class passengers only, traveled from Montreal and Toronto to Vancouver, a distance of 2,886 miles. Other trains on display include the 1907 ultra-luxurious Soo-Spokane Train Deluxe. There are also cars in the museum that were used by various visiting royalty over the years and interpretive cars.

Another highlight of the building complex is the spectacular Royal Alexandra Hall, the restored 3,000 sq. ft. and three storey high \Grand Caf\ from the Canadian Pacific Railway\'s former Royal Alexandra Hotel in Winnipeg. Demolished in 1971, the complete caf was saved in hundreds of pieces and stored in a semi-trailer for 25 years before being purchased by the museum in 1999.

Besides the Railway Museum proper, there is included in the surrounding infrastructure a 10-stall Roundhouse with a 100-foot turntable from 1920 and still in use today, together with another 7 stalls from 1907 with the roof and walls removed. The Railway water tower that was built in 1946 and rebuilt in 1989 is still standing. There is also the original (from 1898) CPR Cranbrook station (although altered) and the 1901 station from Elko that was relocated to the yards in 1987. The railway Freight Shed built in 1898 forms an important part of the new museum complex of buildings, where it has two levels with a total of 10,000 sq. ft.

Just 16 kilometers to the east and north of Cranbrook, is Fort Steele Heritage Town, considered one of British Columbia\'s premier heritage sites. On a daily basis, Fort Steele brings to life the Victorian age in a Rockies\' boomtown. The Fort Steele Railway takes visitors on a scenic ride behind a real steam locomotive.

The origins of Fort Steele are traced back to the small settlement of Galbraith\'s Ferry, created during the Wild Horse Creek Gold Rush of 1864/65. Galbraith\'s Ferry was founded after Fisherville, the white man\'s town in southeastern BC. Located six kilometers up the Wild Horse River from Fort Steele, the Fisherville historic site, is well preserved by a local heritage society and offers a fascinating glimpse into how this region began.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Canada Vacation

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=MichaelRussell

A Semester Abroad

Are you lucky enough to be taking a semester abroad? Worried about what you\'ll need to bring along? Let\'s go through some easy packing tips and advice.



If you are bringing any electrical appliances such as a laptop, cell phone, hair dryer, electric razor, iron, bipod, digital camera, etc., you\'ll need to check if these are designed for dual voltage (110/220watt). If they are not, you\'ll need to purchase a converter/adapter set. Remember, that there are different versions of converters. Some are designed only for high voltage appliances, some for low voltage appliances, and some that take both. Check with your cell phone provider that your phone can be used in the country where you\'ll be staying. Also, remember to purchase a grounded adapter plug for your laptop.



Remember to bring credit cards in your own name. Also, make a duplicate copy of your passport and keep the copy in a separate safe place along with your credit numbers and phone numbers where you can call if there is any problem. Wearing a money belt is a very good idea. They are thin enough not to annoy the wearer, and they are the only item that works against pick- pockets. You can carry extra cash and your passport in the money belt, but keep a wallet for purchases you\'ll need to make immediately. There are many versions of money belts that can be worn around the waist, neck, shoulder, or leg. American passports are a desirable item, and you don\'t want to put yourself at risk.



The best way to pack is in rolling duffels that are collapsible. These come in many large sizes and are easier to manage than a large suitcase. Additionally, because the sides fold down it can slide under your bed or in a closet for storage. You\'ll need the wheels to make it manageable when it\'s filled. Also, many of them can hook up a second bag where you can pack your books, shoes, and other heavy items. You can also than have that bag available for the many sightseeing trips you\'ll likely be taking. Another good idea is a foldable tote that can be packed. That way you\'ll have a bag to bring back your many purchases.



If you do not speak the language of the country you will be at a disadvantage. You will need a book of phrases or one of those hand held electronic translators. You\'ll be able to pick up bits and pieces of the language, and the phrase book or translator will make your stay more enjoyable. It\'s extremely important to keep a journal. You\'ll be seeing so much and learning so much that writing everything down will make it easier to recall all of your wonderful memories.



.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Maxine Greco has worked in luggage and travel industry for over 35 years. She is now currently atVillage Luggage & Gifts

Cheap Family Vacation Packages Finding Good Ones Online

Finding cheap family vacation packages has never been easier with the information and speed of the internet. Family vacations can become expensive and even more so the larger the size of the family.



To search for cheap family vacation packages appropriate for you and your family, you can find results faster if you already know answers to questions like these:



1. What kind of trip do you want? Have you decided what city or destination you want? Will you travel to a single destination or will there be more than one city involved in your vacation? Do you wish to have a family theme park vacation or a specific activities-related vacation such as hiking, skiing or wind-surfing?



2. What type of cheap family vacation package do you want?



a. Flights, car and hotel

b. Flights and hotel only

c. Hotel and car only



3. Where will you be departing from and when will you leave?



4. How long will your vacation stay be?



5. How many adults, children and/or seniors will be traveling?



With answers to the above questions, you will be able to quickly begin serious online searching for the best cheap family vacation packages available.



Another type of the cheap family vacation packages becoming more and more popular are the \Road Trip\ family vacations. You enter your zip code and number of hours maximum you want to drive by car, then search for popular destinations within your specified number of driving hours and the vacation packages that are available.



From mountains and beaches to national and state parks, theme parks and destination cities - there are so many possibilities available with internet search capability. Years ago, it took a lot of effort and time to search and compare vacation packages. Not any more!



Don\'t let finding a great vacation package price be the problem that keeps you from having that deserved vacation with your family.



Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Search for road trip vacations, family packages and discount travel destinations at www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com/discount-travel-destinations.html - David Buster is webmaster for InfoSearch Publishing and www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website for vacation rentals, discount hotel rooms and more vacation fun.

Will You Be a Trusted Traveler?

Editor: The following article is offered for your free use
providing the Resource Box at the end is included.

WILL YOU BE A TRUSTED TRAVELER? By Laura Quarantiello Tiare
Publications 404 words

Security checkpoints have become a genuine pain for air
travelers. Where once you could breeze right through the x-ray
scanner and head for the boarding gate, now you must endure
careful checks of your carry-on luggage and perhaps even of your
person. It\'s the legacy of September 11th and a necessary step
toward keeping air travelers safe. But the delays are increasing
and passengers are grumbling. Frequent flyers,especially, are
complaining about the slowdown and the hassle caused by long
security lines.

Enter the Trusted Traveler program, the brainchild of an airline
industry committee working on ways to improve airport security.
With Trusted Traveler, anyone who wanted to forgo long airport
security lines would authorize the government to conduct a
background check and take their thumbprint or an iris scan of
their eyes. Once cleared, they would receive an identification
card encrypted with their \biometric ID.\ Airports would have
reserved checkpoints where passengers could present their card,
have their fingerprint or iris scan matched to the card\'s
information, and be passed through to the boarding area. This
type of prescreening would reduce lengthy lines and let frequent
travelers avoid much of the current airport hassle. \From my
perspective, it makes more sense to subject the people I know a
lot about to a lesser degree of security and the people I don\'t
know anything about to a greater degree of security. It just
makes a lot of sense to spend the finite amount of security
resources we have on the folks who are unknown,\ says Dirk C.
McMahon, Northwest Airlines Senior Vice President for Customer
Service.

Experts say that the Trusted Traveler program won\'t appeal to
everyone. Those who fly infrequently won\'t need to go through
the rigorous background checks necessary to be labeled a trusted
traveler, and those with something to hide or those with
concerns about privacy won\'t want the government checking their
bona fides. For frequent travelers, however, the program could
mean valuable minutes saved, hassles avoided, and a smoother
airport experience.

For now the program is just an idea; the Air Transport
Association is working on a proposal for the Transportation
Security Administration and the Homeland Security Department
that it hopes will put a 90-day pilot project at Northwest and
Midwest Express using already-screened airline personnel into
operation by the end of the year. If all goes according to plan,
the Trusted Traveler program could be in place at Northwest by
mid-2003.

(end)

Communication Goals for Tourism Audiences

This article describes three important types of audiences for tourism organizations, and sets forth recommended goals for communications with them. It is not meant to be exhaustive.
Individual tourists

The primary audience for most tourism organizations.

Capture their attention.

Establish trust and address comfort and security concerns.

Demonstrate the products and destinations in terms that resonate with and appeal to your target markets. Address the concerns of the various parties involved in purchase decision-making (within a family, for example).

Address specific activity interests directly.

Address the emotional aspects of travel. When appropriate, address tourists' desire for self-actualization through tourism experiences.

Provide targeted incentives or de-emphasize destinations, activities, and travel times based on your goals.

Establish realistic expectations about the tourism experiences on offer.

Lead the tourist toward contacting you (for destination marketing offices, direct also toward contact with local operators, attractions, and amenities, or outbound operators at the tourist's point of origin).

Collect information from potential customers at each point of contact. Use customer relation management software to track your communications with them. Maintain high ethical standards with respect to their personal information.

Provide resources for travel preparation.

Confirm, post-purchase, that the tourist has made a good decision and address common preparation concerns.

Realize that service and hospitality during the tourism experience is one of the most important types of communication with the tourist. The tourism experience should make the promotional communication ring true. Address this with training, where possible.

Stay in contact with past customers using opt-in, print or email newsletters. Provide value to give the customer a reason to request the newsletter and to read it.

Solicit referrals from satisfied customers.

Connect tourists with others who have shared a similar experience using stories, testimonials, discussion groups, post-tour photos/mementos, and group reunions, when appropriate.
Outbound operators/tourism resellers/packagers

Potentially a very important audience for many attraction or amenities operators, and smaller inbound operators, though direct Internet sales and promotion are reducing reliance on these distribution channels.

Capture the reseller's attention.

Demonstrate the products and destinations.

Show the products' appeal to the target/geographical markets of the reseller.

Demonstrate the relation of your products to the reseller's products or packages, as well as the transportation links or facilitating services involved.

Reassure the reseller of your professionalism and the capability of your staff. Support these claims with testimonials from satisfied tourists.

Present marketing tools, images, and information about your products which will help the reseller's to distribute your products.
Government and private funders

Usually a secondary audience for tourist organizations, but an important one; particularly for tourism development projects which are dependent upon financial support.

Capture the attention of the potential funder.

Demonstrate that the project meets the social, economic, development, and environmental goals of the funders and their constituency, or convince them of the importance of your goals.

Introduce the proposed or existing products.

Demonstrate any necessary input, participation, and approval from important constituencies within the tourism host communities; and from suppliers, service providers, and distributors.

Demonstrate competency.

Address the target markets of the tourism products and demonstrate projected economic viability based on their demand.

List concrete outputs that will be made possible by the funders' involvement.

(Seattle, USA; August 2004)

About the Author

Bryan Wilson is a travel marketing consultant and partner in Leave Home Productions
Leave Home Productions (http://www.leave-home.com) provides marketing services and tools to tourism-related businesses and organizations. Our clients benefit from strategies, tools, and creative concepts developed to clarify their needs, make use of their resources, and help them achieve their goals.

Is a Relaxing Vacation the Impossible Dream?

While traveling on the Metroliner from a wonderful and relaxing trip seeing friends in Washington, DC, I realized how difficult it is for some many business owners and executives to take a vacation. Is the thought of a relaxing vacation an impossible dream?

As a sole practioner, I have learned that if I do not stop and smell the roses, enjoy my family and have some fun, I will be sabotaging not only my career but also my life.

Vacations and days off are an important part of any career plan. They allow you to think a bit differently and find that balance you need. Colleagues and clients also perceive you as a person who not only recognizes a need for balance but also is not a control freak.

I believe it\'s really possible to leave the office both mentally and physically. It just takes a bit of planning and some very deep breathing.

Be Prepared

Look at your schedule for upcoming projects and deadlines. Try to take care of as much as you can before your trip and allow for emergencies when you get back. Schedule upcoming meetings and projects on your calendar early, so that you are not rushed when you return. I often create a To Do List and use different folders so that when I return from a trip, things are as organized as they can be. By being prepared, you will be able to put your project\'s aside and enjoy your trip.

Delegate

Determine well in advance who will be taking care of your responsibilities while you are away. Ensure he or she has the information needed to answer questions and that if decisions must be made, what the appropriate comfort level is. For me, I have an administrative office that handles any emergencies for me. It\'s a lifesaver. I know that my clients are speaking to real people who can help move the issue toward a successful resolution. If you don\'t have an administrative office, speak to a few call centers in your area. If nothing else, your clients will hear a real voice and know that the message will be taken.

Notify Your Clients

Tell your clients in advance that you will be traveling. If you normally respond to email and phone messages within an hour, your clients need to know that you will not be readily available. If they know when you will be back and who to contact, emergencies are not as drastic and they will be able to gauge the level of importance. Be sure to give the same information on vacation emails and voicemails (office and cell.)

Extra Protection

If you are able to schedule a quiet day in the office for yourself, before your official return, do so. By telling clients that you will be back on Tuesday, when you will really be in the office Monday, allows you to answer those emails and return some of your calls without the stress of being rushed.

Being Connected

If you must be connected and check in with your office, either by phone or email, I suggest taking care of things every few days and in the morning or very late afternoon. Remember, you are on vacation and balance is important.

Relax & Day Dream

Bring books and magazines that are not related to your business. Vacations allow us to think about things we never would have dream of. Last December, while on vacation sitting in the sun in Bonaire, I thought of a fabulous idea for my business. After a few short minutes of thought, I decided to give it a try. I credit the success of that idea and successes in my business to the fact I was on vacation.

I wish you all a wonderful and relaxing summer vacation!

Beth Silver has been providing marketing and business strategies (http://www.doubetllc.com/services) to entrepreneurs and small business owner for over 10 years. For more great tips and to sign up for Doubet\'s free monthly newsletter, The Target Advocate (http://www.doubetllc.com/newsroom), please visit http://www.doubetllc.com