Asia Travel
Have you ever been to
As the largest continent on earth,
Island Nations-
Mainland Asia- China: Too vast for words alone,
Monday, June 25, 2007
Travel Planning
Planning ahead when traveling can save you so much time. Simple things such as trying to find cheap plane tickets is obvious, but researching your selected place of travel is the most important thing you can do to ensure a fantastic holiday or business trip.
Making a list and checking it twice. Don not forget to review your list after
you have packed and check off the items you have packed
.
When it comes to packing, the papers are the first things that you will want to think of. You will want to have more than just your tickets, but you will need to have your driver's ID or just a plain identity. You will also want to have your passport in easy accessible.
Try a new way to pack. Sometimes you can fit more clothes in if you roll them up. Do not forget to fold your clothes in half first so that the creases will stay the same.
You also don't want to forget your money. When it comes to the money you don't want to carry too much cash, but you should only carry cash. If you do end up carrying your credit cards or even the debit cards, you will want to make sure that you have all your contact numbers so that you can cancel the cards as soon as you notice that they are stolen Traveller's checks is a way that you can pay easily because they are accepted anywhere. The only thing that you should keep in mind is the fact that you don't want to put all your money in all one place. You will want to split up the money so that you don't lose it all if you are robbed. There are a lot of thieves and pickpockets that will be around so you will want to take caution. You should have copies of everything important so that if anything is stolen you know what to do.
Research the country and the city you are going to.
Be aware of local laws and regulations. A great example of the importance of this is countries like
Travel books are a great resource of information. Books like the Lonely Traveler and others are available at your local library or bookstore. These can save you a lot of time and money especially when traveling to far away countries.
And don’t forget to purchase a travel insurance because we don’t know unexpected events that can happen on any trip which cannot be planned for.
Air Travel Tips
Air travel is expensive. There are many ways to save money on air travel – some of them will save you a little, some will save you a lot. Before you book your next trip, see if any of these money savings tips are options for you.
Consider flying out of another airport. Checking the rates at one or two of the next nearest airports may yield better airfare rates than the airport that is closest to you. It may be worth it to travel an extra hour to the airport to save hundreds of dollars.
The cheapest airfares sell out quickly. The closer to the flight you buy your tickets; the more expensive the tickets are likely to be.
If you are booking travel during the holidays, consider flying on the holiday itself. If you can fly on the day of the holiday, you can get some of the lowest airfares of the year. • If you are phoning the airline directly for your tickets, ask for the cheapest fare, not just the fare for coach. Fly on the off days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and sometimes Saturday are considered the off days (unless it’s around a holiday) If you can fly to and from your destination on those days, you are much more likely to get cheaper flights.
Check out the fares on red-eye flights. While you are doing your homework, don’t forget to check out the airline’s websites. Sometimes the airline’s websites have even better deals than the discount sites. You may be used to always flying the same big airline, but if you consider one of the newer smaller airlines, you may be surprised at the savings you can grab.
Make sure the full price of the tickets is including fees and taxes, if not you may not actually be booking the least expensive airfare. And check the maximum luggage weight of the airline, if your luggage is over the weight limit, the airline can charge you a fee for each bag that is over the limit.
If you are driving to the airport, plan to leave early enough so that you can park at one of the off site parking facilities that are close to the airport.
If your airline does serve food, they may charge for it, and chances are it won’t be very good. So take your own snacks.
Bring your own reading material like book that you already have of buying them from the airport stores. A flight is the perfect time to read that book you’ve been meaning to read.
Tips To Find Best Hotel
Check out these tips for finding the best hotel for you as the right hotel can make or break your stay.
Narrowing the choice. There are literally hundreds of thousands of hotels out there, all of them doing their best to attract you and your money, so how do you narrow the choice before making a final decision? You could start by sending a quick email to everyone you have stored in your address book and ask them if they can recommend a hotel in the area you want to visit. There is little doubt that first hand experience can tell you a lot about a hotel, the service, the facilities, the prices and even the staff, so a personal recommendation is a good place to begin.
• Check out what deals are available to you. Often your credit card company, your bank, student card, airline, car rental firm, any loyalty cards you have etc. will have special deals already negotiated with hotels that could give you a cheaper rate.
• If you have stayed in a particular hotel before and you liked it but is not in the area you want to visit, you could find out if they are part of a chain as they may have another hotel in the place you want to go. If you intend to indulge in a particular activity like golf or fishing, are there any packages available by the hotel?
The location of the hotel. Once you have located a few possibilities it is wise to find out where the hotels are located to make sure it is the right one for you. The right location can make a big difference.
Facilities, services and extras. Now that you have got your choices down to one or two hotels, find out what services the hotels have to offer, as this can vary considerably. • Check to see if a particular hotel charges extra for certain services or facilities and which hotels have these included as this could make a difference to the overall cost of your stay and opting for the cheapest hotel may not necessary mean you pay less in the long run. In other words, what extras does the hotel provide and which of these, if any, are included in the cost? For example, coffee and tea in the room, drinks cabinet, fridge, and safety deposit box.
• Do you want meals included? If so, what type of meals are they serving? Do you need children's portions or perhaps a vegetarian option? Basically, can they cater for your needs? • If it's important to you, does the hotel have a gym or a swimming pool and if so, is it heated?
• What times do you have to check in and check out for a particular hotel and are they flexible? There can be nothing worse than having to check out at
Getting the best rates. Consider if they have weekend rates or three nights for the price of two. Do children under a certain age go free? There can also be different rates available for the same hotel. It pays to shop around on the Internet to compare what rates are offered by what operator for exactly the same hotel and if you can call the hotel directly, you stand to get the price cheaper as they won't have to pay the extra cost to the operator.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
What Type of Travel Insurance Fits You Best?
Before leaving for a trip many individuals will take great care in planning all aspects of their vacation. They will often carefully research their travel options and choose everything to make sure it fits within a scheduled itinerary so that nothing is missed.
However, there are certain unexpected events that can happen on any trip which cannot be planned for. Unexpectedly your vacation may be ruined by severe illness, accidents, robbery, natural disaster or any other number of events. However, if you purchase travel insurance before leaving you will be able to deal with these situations without losing a lot of the money you invested in your trip. Consider the types of travel insurance available to you carefully so that you can get adequate coverage without having to pay for something you won't need.
Single Trip
This form of travel insurance is ideal for those who don't travel frequently since it provides coverage only for a specific trip. However, there are still many other policies available for those who don't fit into this category. If you don't need single trip coverage then your decision for travel insurance coverage can become a lot more difficult with the options you have to choose from.
Annual
The most convenient and cost effective option for those who take more than one trip each year is annual or multi-trip travel insurance. You should read the policy carefully when purchasing this type of travel insurance as some of these policies may have limitations on the trip length such as excluding trips over thirty days. There are some policies that may also exclude holiday travel. It is always important to read the fine print before purchasing any insurance policy.
Family
Family travel insurance is good for those who are traveling with kids or their parents. The benefits of this policy are that you don't have to buy separate travel insurance policies for each member of the family since everyone is covered as whole. There are different premiums depending on the family travel insurance policy you are choosing. Some companies vary premiums based on the number of children covered on the policy, while other charge flat rates.
Business Traveler
Another travel insurance policy that assumes you travel several times a year is business travel insurance policies. The typical business traveler should choose this policy option. One feature of this policy that isn't found in other insurance policies is the fact that should you have an emergency that prevents you from taking the trip; the company can replace you with another employee under the colleague replacement coverage.
By: SHALDON PARKER
How to Prevent Airport Crime when Traveling
When we think of airports, most of us don’t think of crime: an airline terminal is the last place a robber with panty hose pulled over his head would be found. We think of airports as one of the most crime-free areas around: just to get near a plane, everyone is screened by trained security. However, the truth is security is concerned with stopping catastrophic crime - a hijacked plane, for instance - and too busy to deal with the everyday activities of a petty thief.
The petty thief knows this, feeding on airport terminals, places where pandemonium keeps people from being overly vigilant with their belongings. The person distracted or disarrayed, worried about making a flight or finding their gate, can easily become the thief’s target. However, there are things you can do to assure you and your luggage or your purse don’t make an unwanted departure.
Don’t Set Your Luggage Down: This day and age, an abandoned Samsonite is not allowed: travelers are reminded to keep their baggage with them. While most travelers do this, it’s quite easy to set your luggage down just a few feet away. If you’re in a bathroom stall, you may find yourself setting your luggage down near the door, a place where a passerby could reach down and grab it before you’re even done flushing. If you’re making a call at a pay phone, your luggage may rest at your feet, somewhere it could easily be picked up. If you’re in an airport coffee shop, you may leave your luggage at your table while you go retrieve more cream and sugar. All of these instances may seem convenient, but they give thieves the prime opportunity to take the luggage and run. The way to prevent this is to simply keep your luggage in your arms or in your lap at all times: don’t set it down, not even for a second.
Be Wary of People asking for Help: Thieves often work in pairs: one person distracts you while the other steals your things. Sometimes the distraction happens when a person approaches you and asks for help. Perhaps they need directions to the restroom or perhaps they want to know where the airport bar is located. While you - the good Samaritan - direct them, their accomplice comes up from behind and takes anything you aren’t watching: your purse, your luggage, your lap top computer. The airport is so full of people who work there - people in uniforms - that there is really no reason anyone should ask you for help when they can more easily ask an airport employee. This doesn’t mean you should flat out refuse to help anyone who asks, but only help someone when you feel comfortable…and have a firm grasp on all of your belongings.
Be Smart with Luggage Tags: The luggage tag is a way for the rightful owner of a suitcase to prove it’s theirs. But, if you think about it, it serves an entirely different purpose for a thief: it’s a rolling advertisement that you are going out of town and that your house may possibly be unoccupied. For this reason, it’s wise not to put your home address on your luggage tag. Many people chose to put their office address instead: it’s better for a thief to steal your two ply computer paper than your two carrot diamond necklace. No matter what address you use, it’s also wise to put a luggage tag inside your suitcase - somewhere only you know where it is - as well as outside. The tags on the outside can easily be ripped off and replaced with tags bearing the name of someone else: proof of ownership inside the suitcase may be the only way to get your belongings back.
Crime in airports may not be as frequent as crime in say a dark and desolate alley, but it still occurs. From pickpockets to luggage takers, thieves have a keen sense of knowing who won’t notice their belongings missing until it’s too late. Being cautious - even overly cautious - may be all it takes to make sure you don’t become a victim: the price of airport sodas and bottled water is all the getting ripped off you need.
South East Asia Cultural Issues
Before you set out for that holiday or business trip to the South East Asian region, be aware that there are some cultural issues that may impact on your experience. None of these are frightening or off-putting in a big way, just good to know about and expect. Forewarned is forearmed as they say.
Probably the most discussed cultural issue in the bulk of South East Asian countries is the concept of face. Face, and not losing it, is an issue we do not place a great deal of importance on in the west, but be prepared for it in this part of the world.
So what does this saving face mean? It means that when people deal with each other there is a greatly heightened awareness and priority on avoiding a perception of embarrassment or humiliation. This applies to you and to the other parties involved. An example would be a conversation between a student and their teacher. The teacher explains a process, and the student does not understand. In the west this would not be a very big deal at all. The student would be happy to, (and in fact be expected to), alert the teacher that they did not understand, and ask for it to be explained in a different way.
In the South East Asian countries of say
So in these countries, the student may well hold their tongue and either ask a fellow student, or seek to speak to their teacher in private later.
Another issue on this region that visitors may come across is etiquette at religious places. The term for a temple in Buddhist countries such as
Securing Your Holiday Finances in South East Asia
Are you planning to make a country in
Even the more junior of the developing nations in the South East Asian region, such as
So what is a good plan to follow to make sure that on the one hand you have your money in easy reach, while not over exposing yourself to a robbery or fraud? My suggestion is that variety is the key here, you know the old eggs and baskets adage. When you leave for a South East Asian country, bring some cash with you in either the local currency or a major one like American dollars or Euros. How do you get local currency? Simple, either at the airport or in your town there will be a cash exchange like say Travelex where you can buy a large variety of currencies. Leave the bulk of the cash in your hotel safe, and only carry with you what you want to spend on that outing.
Also bring say two credit cards and keep them separate. Keep the primary one with you in your wallet of purse, and the other one in your hotels safety box. That way if you do lose one, the other will be available. Take a quick photocopy of your cards, back and front, and put the sheets in your suitcase. If you do need to report one as lost or stolen, you will have all the details easily at hand.
Travellers checks have perhaps had their day, but are still well worth considering for a portion of your spending money. For those unfamiliar with travellers checks, they come in one of the major currencies and in a variety of denominations. When you purchase them, you sign them once in front of the issuer. Then when you elect to cash one, you sign a second time in front of the merchant. Both signatures matching, along with your passport, will confirm your identity. The issuer will also give you a detailed receipt recording all the serial numbers. Put this in your suitcase with the photocopy, and not with your cheques. That way if you are unfortunate enough to have the checks snatched, you wont have lost the receipt as well.
One final tip is to find out the international numbers you would need to call to contact your credit card and travellers check suppliers. It is much easier to do this at home, rather than when you are overseas and away from familiar surroundings.
By: Nick Wood
Bali
The
When planning your next vacation consider the Sanur beach, situated in the southeastern side of
If you want to rent a Villa in Bali located on the opposite side of Sanur, the beaches of Legian and Kuta are situated in the southwest part of the island, offering surfing and other activities that watersports enthusiasts will enjoy. With many shops scattered all over the seashore, pubs and other facilities, Kuta has become the Indonesian tourist
Traveling to any of these destinations brings you not only to Bali Villas, but also to memorable experiences enjoying the local culture, public dance performers and the pleasant and varied environment surrounding each setting, ranging from natural wilderness to romantic gateways and spiritual landmarks.
Nusa Dua is the newest luxurious resort area on the island, where you are more likely to find the most sumptuous Villas in
People wanting to rent a Villa in
Last but not least on your list of Villas in
By: Natalie Aranda
Travel Tips To Bali
For those who plan to visit
To enter
. Money matters: The rupiah is the basic unit of money. Foreign currency, in bank notes and traveler’s checks is best exchanged at major banks or authorized money changers. Do change money at a reputable looking location, use your own (or the hotel’s calculator before changing), as the ones used by some places can be “a little inaccurate”. Traveler’s checks are accepted at all major hotels and large shops; some smaller shops will also accept them. Passport number is required.
There have been a few cases of handbags being snatched after one has cashed money at banks or money changers. Keep small change handy when riding in public transports or buying drinks at warung.
Make sure you either have personal insurance or travel insurance that will cover in any accidents. Cases of handbag snatching have been reported, so leave important documents in your hotel safe (carry photocopies). Cars may stops, motorbikes may not!
Going to
Do not swim outside designated swimming areas on the beach, current/undertows can be very strong. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
Health: International health certificates of vaccination against smallpox, cholera, and yellow fever are required only from travelers comprising from infected areas. Most people traveling through
How & Where To Select Your Preferred Bali Hotel!
Choosing
Bali Hotels by locations: Accommodations by the sea (has beach front), in town and hotels are situated in countryside. Or Bali Hotels by interest (boutique hotels, villas, small hotels in traditional Balinese style bungalow and big or leading Bali Hotels).
Every place has its own attractions and features:
Sanur: Famed for its white sandy beach, sun rise, sea activities, close to other places of interest. Is for gracious living, peaceful and quiet. More “international” but somehow far less cosmopolitan than frenetic Kuta. There are so many excellent hotels here that you can scarcely go wrong.
Kuta: Frenetic, sometime chaotic, noisy, lots of hype, but a great playground. Originally what drew visitors to Kuta was the wide beach and the surf. It still has best sea front on the island. Kuta also famed for its shopping, dine and night lives. Though there are now many first-class hotels and home stays, caters best to the economy traveler who likes to be in the thick of things.
Legian & Seminyak: Lie at the north end of
Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa: The area is rather isolated from the rest of
Jimbaran bay: Has nice and wide beach, good sunset (weather permitted), and close to Airport. There are two leading hotels, good villas and nice hotels in Balinese style bungalow.
Ubud & environs: The heart of arts and cultures of
The east: Offer more restful vacation.
Nusa Lembongan: Is a surfing, snorkeling and diving paradise. There are some excellent hotel resorts and some inexpensive hotels.
Balina Beach:
Candi Dasa: The beach (at low tide, at high tide there IS no beach) because it has been eroded by the waves, but Candi Dasa offer restful vacation. There are first-class, intermediate and inexpensive hotels. You will be treated here with the utmost of graceful service.
The North:
Lovina Beach: A northern beachfront alternative to Kuta and Sanur, this is a serene and infrequently visited vacation spot. Black sand beaches and quite waters nestles inside of extensive coral reefs distinguish this idyllic beach. Snorkeling is superb here and the reef is close enough that even children and beginner swimmers can feel comfortable here. There are first-class, intermediate and inexpensive hotels.
Western Beaches:
Up along this coast north of Kuta and Legian lies a stretch of black sand beach with a dangerous reef and heavy undertow, these beaches are not ideal for swimming and beginner surfers. At Canggu there are some luxury hotels. Yeh Gangga boast a small luxury resort Waka Gangga is facing the
Western Interior:
Bedugul: This mountain resort is famous for its air, restful and serene. There are a number of places to stay here, from luxury hotels to budget accommodations (losmen).
The quickest and easiest way to select your preferred Bali Hotels is to go online and visit hotel reservation website. Do a search for the city or place (
The wide choice can be confusing – especially for first-time visitors – and it’s sometimes difficult to select the right accommodation. So still go online and click travel. Choose your reputable travel agent (contact him by e-mail). Just let him know your personal needs and preferences that he can recommend those hotels he feel suit you best.
By: Made Dertha
Welcome to Malaysia
Endowed with a diversity of cultures,
Experience the country’s alluring wonder - colourful festivals, breathtaking skyscrapers charming heritage buildings, enchanting islands and beaches as well as a million-year-old rainforest with fascinating flora and fauna.
Here you will also meet the warm and friendly people and enjoy world-class facilities. Marvel at the bewildering range of shopping delights and tempt your palate with mouth-watering delicacies. Bursting with colour, pulsating with life,
o Experience
Visit
o Fascinating holiday destination
o Airports
The country’s main gateway is Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) near the capital. Other major international airports are Langkawi,
The states of
Malaysian Travel Tricks
Nothing ruins a good trip than by unwittingly offending your host or the customs of the country. Travel agencies attest to this, because these are most of the mistakes their clients make when in another country. Statistics show that the bulk of these mistakes happens when a tourist or visitor is on a country in a different continent. Perhaps this is because of the expansive difference between the cultures of the continents. Western culture is radically different from the cultures of the East, especially in terms of religion. Predominantly, Muslim regions are more stringent with their customs, and even visitors are not exempt. If you are thinking about traveling to a Muslim country like
Keep in mind that Malaysian population is an integration of social groups, diverse cultures, and traditions. Generally, the different racial groups form a society, but still keep individual lifestyles and traditions. Malays predominate the total population and are still governed by strong decorum and the authority of the elders. The other Asian members of the society originally came to
Bear this in mind and practice them on your
By : M. Peoples
Singapore
When many people in the western world hear of
Compared to other destinations in southeast Asia,
In addition to the modern skyline and the contrasting ethnic temples, there is still some wonderful colonial architecture including the famous Raffles Hotel where the Singapore Sling was originally invented.
Then tourists can easily take advantage of the very efficient bus and subway system known as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to go pretty well anywhere on the island for selected sights of interest.
When visiting
o Although handshakes are generally acceptable for both men and women, some Muslim ladies may acknowledge introductions to gentlemen by merely nodding and smiling. A handshake should only be initiated by ladies. The traditional greeting or salam resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The man offers both hands, lightly touches his friend’s outstretched hands, and then brings his hands to his chest to mean, 'I greet you from my heart'. The visitor should reciprocate the salam.
o It is polite to call before visiting a home.
o Shoes must always be removed when entering a Malaysian home.
o Drinks are generally offered to guests. It is polite to accept.
o The right hand is always used when eating with one's hand or giving and receiving objects.
o The right forefinger is not used to point at places, objects or persons. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.
o Shoes must be removed when entering places of worship such as mosques and temples. Some mosques provide robes and scarves for female visitors. Taking photographs at places of worship is usually permitted but always ask for permission beforehand.
o Toasting is not a common practice in
o Public behaviour is important in Malaysian culture. Most Malaysians refrain from displaying affection (i.e. embracing or kissing) in public. It would be appropriate for visitors to do the same.
