Sample a slice of Europe when you travel to Macau, China
June 9th, 2010
In case you have want to travel to Hong Kong and is clueless on the next place that you want to visit then why do not you head out to Macau, another city in China and is just a ferry ride away from the bustling city of Hong Kong? If you are worried about last minute vacations/deals/cruises/ to Macau – as this is just going to be a sort of side trip when you travel to Hong Kong, don’t, because with these two neighboring cities, you can always expect everything to be very organized worry-free for travelers – even first timers. If you want a simple and stress-free guide for your travel to Macau, China, read on for some very helpful tips.
Getting there – if you are coming from Hong Kong, your best bet in going to Macau is by taking the ferry. It is just a short 45 minute to an hour ride from Hong Kong harbor to Macau. Be mindful of your things if you are traveling with lots of baggage as you will be directly going to the Macau Immigration once you get off the ferry boat. And you can probably guess how the immigration lines look like even at Macau – long lines of tourists and locals all waiting to have their passports stamped first. After that, if you already have a hotel booked, then you can just ask for a special service to take you there or hire a taxi. Unlike in Hong Kong however, some taxi drivers in Macau may try to dupe you off your money through unfair meters so be careful of that.
Shopping – While there are no actual huge shopping malls in Macau unlike in Hong Kong or Bangkok, you can still get your shopping fix at Senado Square where there are loads of retail stores and restaurants for you to check out.
Architectural marvels – another great thing about Macau is that due to its Portuguese influence, there are a lot of European-inspired structures all over Macau that will surely take your breath away. Take for example the St. Paul ruins right after Senado Square, which is one of the most frequented places in all of Macau.
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How to get a last minute flights at cheaper rates
May 20th, 2010
Business meetings, vacation get-away, funeral and family emergencies are most of the time urgent occasions where one has to attend. However, since they are unexpected, a lot of problems come along the way especially when the places where they are held are too distant that a plane ride is needed. Admit it, last minute flights are difficult to arrange. However, there are sure ways to handle the hassles.
The common goal for one is to find last minute deals which offer cheap flights. When you still have time at home or at your office, you can visit different airfare websites over the net which allow bidding for your preferred flight. You may also consider searching on your particular choice of airport and check if there are still vacant seats waiting to be filled up. If so, print the details pertaining to the current rate. Usually, vacant seats for last minute flights are offered at cheaper costs. Afterwards, you are free to call the airline and bargain. Most of the time the negotiation runs smooth as the airlines would rather give the unreserved seat at lower rate rather than leaving it vacant and unpaid. It may also help if you travel during the midweek, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as cheapest fares are offered during these period. If everything else fails, you may opt to purchase a ticket from an airline consolidator as soon as you arrive at the airport. They sell tickets at a reduced price compared to normal air fares.
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South Africa: Bouncing Back From a Gloomy Past
May 18th, 2010
For almost half a century, South Africa was placed under apartheid, a means of segregation where the white where separated from the black. Even if more blacks inhabited the country, the whites were given more privileges. It was a serious form of discrimination that was criticized by many nations around the world.
Thankfully, in 1990, the segregation scheme came to an end. And an inspirational political figure rose to power—Nelson Mandela, the country’s first President elected by the majority, meaning by both black and white South African citizens. Ever since, South Africa has done ways to improve its image to the world and one of its ways was to boost its tourism.
Indeed, South Africa is a beautiful place. It has been blessed with some of the most breath-taking natural resources unrivaled by other countries. It also boasts of a wide array of animals in its safari. Get to see elephants, the largest land mammals, up close by visiting the Addo Elephant National Park in Port Elizabeth. There are around 450 elephants in this place. Aside from elephants, you will also be able to see the animals known to be the Big Seven of Africa—lions, buffalo, rhinoceros, leopards, southern right whales and great white sharks—in this national park. Aside from interacting with the elephants and other members of the Big Seven, you can also hike, watch birds, and fish in this wild life sanctuary. This is a good place to interact with and appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature.
Delta Airlines and South African Airways both offer direct cheap flights from New York to Johannesburg, South Africa. They are the only two airlines that have this provision.
There are a number of five star hotels in South Africa that are willing to accommodate you. There is the Hyatt Regency in Johannesburg. This hotel with more than 250 rooms and suites will really make you feel that you experience South Africa’s beauty as most of its rooms have that ethnic touch. Another five-star hotel in Johannesburg is the Emperor Hotel Caesars Gauteng, which boasts of nearly 200 rooms and a casino.
If you are planning to stay in Pretoria for your vacation in South Africa, you may check in the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel, which is a favorite of businessmen as it is located in one of the country’s biggest commercial hubs.
If you love sports, then 2010 is probably the best way to travel to South Africa. It will be hosting one of the biggest meets in the sporting world—the FIFA World Cup, where several countries from different regions will be competing for the chance to be considered as the best football (or soccer) country in the world. The tournament will be held in 10 major cities, including Pretoria and Johannesburg. The constructions of several stadiums in these cities are already almost done, and the people and the government of South Africa are already making sure that football fans or casual tourists will enjoy their stay in South Africa.
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Experience unique Asian hopistality when you travel to Bangkok, Thailand
May 15th, 2010
Bangkok is a very popular tourist destination and a trip to Asia certainly would not be complete without it so for your fill of Bangkok delights and to help fill you in on what you need to do when it comes to last minute vacations/deals/cruises/ to Bangkok, Thailand, here is a fun guide for you.
Cool mix of the old and the new: at the bustling city of Bangkok you will surely find lots of huge shopping centers mixed in with the fun bargain haunts but what is more interesting to note is that at Bangkok you will also find the Grand Palace, the Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn and several other sites that will remind you of Thailand’s rich culture and devotion to Buddhism. These are definitely must-sees when you travel to Bangkok.
Shopping, shopping, shopping: all the money changer counters littered all over the city should be enough of an indication that Bangkok is definitely a big tourist city and that shopping is one of the most popular activities. For great bargains and unique Thai goods like bags, slippers, tops, pants, and dresses, the Chatuchak Weekend Market is the place to go. This huge shopping area is literally filled with both vendors and shoppers every weekend, maps are available for free at BTS stations but it is always best to go here early to avoid the big crowds. For other bargain haunts don’t forget to check out the Pratunam market which is located right smack in the middle of the city, lots of cool and cheap clothes can be found here too. For the more upscale shops, Bangkok has never been short of the huge shopping malls like the Siam Paragon.
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How to find cheap flights and great travel deals!
May 13th, 2010
Financial crisis and on the verge of losing your job! You absolutely need a break that will not put a hole in your pocket though! There are many ways you can find cheap flights.
Book your travel online!
Traveling has never been so easy. Neither has booking your flights the way you want it. Last time, you have to go through travel agencies and wait till they are able to find a deal attractive enough for you to consider traveling. Also, when you book your flights through a travel agent, there is always an agent fee involved. Hence, take it upon yourself and start planning and finding your own travel deals!
Browse and compare
Travel deal sites are aplenty on the web and their popularity has paved the way for spammers to cash on this as well. There are scam sites out there who are just interested in getting your contact details for whatever purpose only they are aware of. Be sure, therefore, to browse around and choose sites that are already established. Best way to fond out is to join forums where you can post queries and get help from travelers who book online as well. You will be able to get the names of some trusted sites though referrals by this means.
Be flexible or book bundle packages
When you search for your flight deals, you will always be asked for your date schedule for travel as well as return. It is best to book a round trip or else you may end up paying more if the date of return falls during the peak period. You will need to specify your dates as well when you are planning your flight. Hence, it is best that you choose the flexible schedule to search as this will give you the maximum low price that is available.
If you are not able to keep a flexible schedule and need to travel last minute, it is best to book a bundle package. You will normally be able to book a bundle package consisting of car rental and hotel booking or even meal deals. This way, you will be saving more than you would spend if you just book your flight. This is so because, the airlines tend to jack up the price during crunch time so that you will not think twice about paying. That is the time they usually make money.
Check with airline directly
Once you have found a good deal via travel deal sites, you need to double check with the airlines as well. This is just to ensure that you are actually getting a good deal. Sometimes, the airline will be having offers or last minute deals if the flight is not occupied as per quota. This is your time to fly cheaply. Hence, do a double check with the concerned airline before paying the money.
Plan your trip early
This is possible if you keep an open mind on when you want to take a break. Sometimes, the deals can be quite good and if you book early, you will be spending a lot less than when the actual travel date nears.
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