TravelPort

Safety Checklist for Todays Traveller

2010-04-03T21:43:00.002+05:30

Traveling to unfamiliar destinations can bring to you the sort of troubles you do not want to experience while on the road namely: robbery, rape, or murder. Tourists often fall prey to perpetrators because they do not prepare properly before embarking on a trip. Let's examine some things you should do to prevent your travels from becoming a tragedy:

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel

Top 5 Adventure Travel Destinations 2010

2010-03-01T22:51:00.004+05:30

1. New Zealand

Also one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand is an adventure lover’s dream. Despite its small size, it has mountains, volcanoes, rivers and coastlines that could only be described as magical. Most known for its majestic mountains, trekking, climbing, white water rafting, and in their summer, skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing, snowmobiling and ice climbing are all popular. Spelunking and blackwater rafting gives you the opportunity to see the glowworm-lit caverns and explore the underground rivers of the Waitomo Caves. The New Zealand coast is a great place to partake in surfing, water skiing, sea kayaking and sailing. Considered one of the best diving destinations in the world, some of the must-dive spots are The Poor Knights, Bay of Islands, Fiordland and Stewart Island.

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2. Australia

Australia’s varied terrain makes it an adventurer’s paradise. Water sports are king in Australia, with everything from surfing, kayaking, windsurfing and white water rafting to jet skiing, speed boating and sailing. Of course no trip is complete without scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef. If you choose to venture away from the stunning beaches there are many inland things to do, such as overlanding the Outback, biking, hiking, spelunking and climbing at Ayers Rock and the Blue Mountain. You can even find adventures in the city in Australia, like climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. To experience aboriginal culture, be sure to take in Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Australia also boasts a rich natural diversity and they like to show it off at the Australian Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Cairns Wildlife Dome and Cairns Night Zoo. There are also whale-watching tours between July and October.

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3.Switzerland

Best known as a snow sports haven, Switzerland has enough to keep visitors enthralled all year around. Besides skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice climbing, air boarding, hiking, dog sledding and ice diving are great ways to take in this winter wonderland. Summer travelers to Switzerland can enjoy hiking, Nordic walking, rafting, climbing, fishing, canoeing, spelunking, biking, hang gliding, mountaineering, cliff diving, gold panning and going through rope suspension courses. Dotted with medieval castles, Switzerland’s rich alpine culture comes to life with an awe-inspiring beauty that will make you never want to leave.

4. South Africa

With spectacular coastlines and majestic mountains, South Africa attracts adventure travelers from across the globe. They boast both the highest abseil (112 meters high on Table Mountain) and the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (an exhilarating 216 meter drop off of Bloukrans Bridge). Other alpine excursions include rock climbing, sand boarding, hang gliding, mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking. If you prefer spending your time in the water, try white water rafting, scuba diving, shark diving, snorkeling, fishing, water skiing, surfing and sailing. Besides South Africa’s national parks, private reserves offer excellent opportunities to view elephants, lions, zebras, African penguins, rhinos, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and cheetahs, as well as boat tours to see right whales and great white sharks.

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5. Brazil

Known for its jungles, beaches and the Amazon River, Brazil is the perfect place to lose yourself in the beauty of the rainforest. A jungle tour is a must, whether you hire a guide and trek in on foot or take a boat or canoe to the “wedding of the waters,” where the Rio Negro runs into the Amazon. Besides the Amazon, the Pantanal Matogrossense National Park is one of the best places for wildlife watching, and you just might catch a glimpse of jaguars, capybaras, caimans, iguanas and more than 1000 different types of birds. In the southern mountains, repelling, rafting, hiking, climbing, horseback riding, hang gliding and mountain biking to God’s Finger, Bell’s Rock or to Iguassu Falls are great ways to take in Brazil. As for water sports, surfing and diving are the most popular but you can also find kayaking, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, kite surfing and jet skiing.

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Lubuan - The Dream Isle

2010-03-01T22:21:00.001+05:30

"The slickness of the small city (that’s what I’d like to call it) forced me to take a step back and reassess my initial perception..." - see the full travel article from Girish Khare here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/travelport/lubuan-the-dream-isle/333598169932

Treehouse Hideaway - In the heart of Bandhavgargh

2010-02-02T10:59:00.006+05:30

An elephant ride into the deciduous forests of Bandhavgargh, on a cold winter morning, can be the most exhilarating experience of one’s lifetime. It was for me. But unlike Africa where spotting animals, means simply driving out on to the Serengeti; India guards her secrets jealously and only those most determined, discerning and in a sense fortunate, get a glimpse of her magnificent wildlife. That morning the forests unveiled her soul for me, like a maiden in the mist. The sounds of the mahout’s grunts and the rustling bamboo leaves was interrupted by a low threatening growl that seemed to come from the very bowels of the earth. The elephant stopped. There barely 15 feet away in a clearing on the ravine floor lay a magnificent specimen of a tiger, the current dominant male.

If you have followed the Discovery Channel’s series on the most famous pair of tigers in the world, Sita and her mate Charger, you’ll be happy to know that the great saga continues to play out deep in the jungles of Bandhavgargh. Only this time it features the new generation of Chakradhara, Bhitri, Banvai, Bachi, and twenty two other stripped felines, of all ages

That night as the sparks from the night fire danced beneath a moonless sky, tiger stories unfolded. Once during the monsoon rains as Abhyuday Singh walked along a path on his property, suddenly from the left a large full grown tigress broke cover. It was a long tense minute before she turned and walked away. Had he run or showed signs of fear she would have taken him down in a few bounds. Apparently this happened less than 50 feet from where we sat gazing into the fire.

At the centre of the Treehouse Hideaway property is a giant Mahua tree with the dining hall built around it. The five others tree, Banyan, Peepal, Mahua, Tendu and Palash, each have a large very spacious and luxury tree house built more than 15 feet high up among their branches. Though the houses are kept cool and breezy throughout the day because of the leafy branches all around, the rooms are fit with all weather comforts of air conditioners and heaters. The Mahua tree has been given pride of place because a lot of life, traditionally, in this region revolves around the Mahua, especially its intoxicating flower. The large balcony of each of these five exclusive homes in the sky overlooks the lodge’s twenty two acres of wild forest, which is located literally at the edge of the Tiger Reserve. The tree houses are far apart and do not infringe on each other’s space, leaving one with a sense of freedom rare for any city animal.

About three hundred yards from the dining area is the lodge’s other special site, the Machaan which has been built over a jungle water hole. I spent a whole evening gazing at the wildlife come and go and took a few hundred photographs. I can think of nothing more exciting than sitting up in a machaan, alone, watching life pass you by.

Abhyuday is a natural born wildlife genius who has learnt to treat the jungle as his living room. To help his guests take the experience to another level he has provided each room with a Complete Indian Birds, hardback edition.

For me once is certainly not enough, I am sure return again and again.No Complaints.

Well equipped

Bandhavgargh has a large pool of very experienced naturalists this ensures that every guest is afforded a fantastic wildlife experience. Most naturalists are equipped with a powerful set of Binoculars and a professional camera.

Where is Bandhavgargh?

In the heart of India. 2 Hours Drive from Katne, in MP. Katne is connected by Rail to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and most other Indian Metros. One can fly to Bhopal and drive the 5 to 6 hour drive to the National Park.

Sanctuaries and National Parks in MP

Panna National Park

Kanha National Park

Pench National Park

Madhav National Park

Sanjay National Park

Fossil National Park

Satpuda National Park

Van Vihar National Park

Mahua

The Mahua tree is a large more than 100 foot tree that bares flowers which Tribal and rural folk (of MP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, and even some parts of UP and Bengal) make a wonderful and strong alcohol.

High on an Elephant.

2009-12-30T18:03:00.007+05:30

The elephant cow chosen as my ride had the most calm and docile temperament, perfect for a novice like me. The thick rope tied around her neck was loose enough for me to get a firm grip and each of my feet fit snugly in the hollow behind her huge ears. These are much the same as the small hollows behind our own ears where one can insert a fingertip. It’s so important to get the sitting posture right because when the animal ascends or descends a river bank, the gradient can be as much as forty degrees. Believe me if you don’t know how to sit you can easily fall off and hurt yourself badly and even be trampled by the beast.

I was attempting to learn not master, how to ride an elephant in a single day, just so that I could do a jungle safari bare-back for a couple of hours. So for me to get used to the undulating lumber the mahout led the elephant, with me in the seat, around the river area where there was both tall grass and the river embankment. She was a truly gentle creature whose thick coarse strands of hair seemed to pop out of her head. I felt an immediate affection for her and absolutely no fear. Occasionally her trunk would fumble around to check where my feet were, then she’d let out an almost inaudible low rumble, it was a very comforting sound that resonated through my body. Elephants are known to communicate long distances in this manner, and use the soles of their feet as listening receptacles. At close proximity elephants love physical contact and can display a high degree of affection and concern for one another, even for the dead!

My next lesson taught me how to steer left, right, straight ahead or stop. I learnt some very simple commands; depending on which foot prodded her behind the ear and she’d move in the opposite direction i.e. a left foot meant right turn and opposite for the right foot. To get her moving ahead I would simply prod her behind the ears with both feet and call out ‘ugath’. To stop I dug my heels into her shoulders and call out ‘arr’. By the way I had to sit between her shoulders and head, the reason I mention this is because there is very little neck on an elephant and it seems you are almost sitting on her head. At the end of the day one must remember that elephants in Nepal only understand Nepali and the constant ‘conversation’ between a mahout and his elephant creates a very personal bond that cannot be achieved by some day scholar. Pachyderms on the Indian subcontinent and in Indo-China region are far more docile and can be trained very well. However the African Elephant which is much larger has been an extremely difficult animal to train. As a result there are very few safaris in Africa that offer elephant rides.

My feet tingled with excitement when the next morning the three elephants lumbered into the jungles of Chitwan. I was in the middle, a wise place to be! and as an additional precaution the regular mahout sat on her back a little further back actually.

The one thing all my years visiting jungles has taught me – you can never be certain about what one will see. So I have learnt to thoroughly enjoy the very habitat and treat every bird or animal I actually see as bonus, this way I’m never disappointed. As we silently plunged into the tall grass that covered vast areas of the river bank, the feet of this heavy beast carved a path among the pale green blades. Despite the size we made no sound as we progressed to water’s edge. I could see the lead Mahout point to the opposite bank and there in the wet mud basked a crocodile. But it had seen us and in a few seconds disappeared, head first, into the brown rushing waters. We lumbered on into the waters; I must admit this was the only part that I was worried about. We tread straight across the waters and up the far bank; I was slowly getting the hand of bending against the angle to compensate the shifting point of gravity. It was much like sitting on a horse bucking in slow motion. We kept a steady pace behind the lead animal as long as we were in the grasslands. But now I could see the tree line approaching.

Once inside the forest my elephant required a lot more manoeuvring and I had to concentrate far more on my riding. This meant that I kept getting smacked in the face with thin branches and leaves and even getting my face full of spider webs and insects. One time it seemed I lost sight of the elephant in front until we nearly bumped into its rear. I almost came alongside the other beast when the mahout motioned with his head at the rhino standing straight ahead in the path. Neither animal wanted to give way and for a few unnerving moments there was a tense standoff, until the Rhino angrily stormed off into the brush.

There is ‘almost’ no danger when you are on top of an elephant not even from tigers; however the only trouble comes from large elephant bulls. I was told of rare instances when a mahout meets a tusker, his elephant is charged and chased out of the jungle. Though it is not often that they venture to the fringes of the forest, however in Chitwan wild tuskers are known to raid the pens when the females are in oestrus apparently that’s how my elephant became pregnant! Mostly elephant cows are used to ferry people and tourists in the area.

It was a great morning out in the jungle; we had seen Cheetal, Sambhar, peacock by the dozen and a number of other birds and animals but above all that I was most happy with the fact that I rode into the jungle on an elephant and didn’t need the mahout to come to my rescue at any time during that entire trip.

That night slept came easily and certainly not because of the large glass of Raxshy, the local liquor, which I happily sipped through the evening. Only the loud but distant roar of a tiger sometime in the early parts of pre dawn opened my eyes, albeit for a few seconds. In the jungle I am so consumed with happenings around me that nothing else can occupy even the fringes of my imagination. It is in this state I know I will encounter that one moment, that something I’ll see or experience which will remain a special spark for the rest of my life. My moment came early the next morning. As I stepped out of the wooden cottage, there partly hidden by the bushes near the river a large antlered Sambhar grazed, its coat was dappled in the soft sunshine of morning. At the sound of the door opening it razed its head, looked at me and slowly waded across the river and into the grasslands on the opposite bank. I sat there for a long, long while staring aimlessly after it, the morning was cold and mist inches high above the undergrowth. To the left came the hysterical call of a lapwing screaming ‘did-you-do-it?!’ while grey wagtails dipped their tails to the sun as they hopped across the narrow strip of grass a few yards away from where I sat on the steps of the cottage.

Surely this was paradise anew.

Jewel of the Desert

2009-12-10T09:29:00.004+05:30

Excerpts from "My timeless travels" by travel & food writer Girish Khare

Timeless crags seem carelessly strewn across an arid landscape. I’m worried about the heat and dust of Sinai, mind you its mid summer, so I can’t be laughed at for being so hassled. Whizzing past our vehicle are a host of top-of-the-line resorts; Hilton, Mobem Peck, Savoy, Hyatt, Marriot, etc some of them with as many as 2000 plus rooms, cottages and villas! They, however, hide one part of the engaging extremities of Sharm El Sheikh, the turquoise sea. The lack of green cover sharpens the suns rays to knife edge effectiveness, singeing my skin. But will you believe me if I said it was not hot?

The level of satisfaction a holiday provides is in direct relation to the state of one’s mind and equally the measure or absence of expectation. Perhaps that’s why I enjoyed the Sharm El Sheikh experience. The resort we stayed at wasn’t ‘spectacular’, but that’s precisely what made the difference … the ambience, not just the topless European beauties (!) at the pool and beach; the whole atmosphere was charged, gigantic speakers by the pool belted out great music, artisans, masseuse and the smiling staff all set the pace for a delightful stay. It was a kind of mini global community, Swiss, Poles, English, Russians, Italians, Malays, Japanese, Australian, us Indians, and a very stingy sprinkle of Americans. It was a kind of Mediterranean with a blend of Arabian fun. I always find it strange that resorts near the sea have a swimming pool, but here the invigorating thump of the double bass created the rhythm for life.

On the Red Sea at the tip of the sparse Sinai Peninsula - the Gulf of Aqaba and Saudi Arabia off to one side, the Gulf of Suez and Egypt's Eastern Desert off to the other - Sharm el-Sheikh has an imposing location. This resort town has become known throughout the world as the site for delicate and high level Middle East peace conferences. When it is not playing host to the leaders of pivotal global nations, it is welcoming a constant influx of professional and recreational divers who come for premier and pristine rock, sand, wreck and reef diving experiences. The adventure element is inescapable - camel riding, desert safaris, water sports and even an underwater shark observatory. But, contrasting the stark terrain, creature comforts and amenities also abound - casinos, discos, nightclubs with live entertainment, an amusement park, shopping precincts, bazaars, golf courses, tennis courts, health clubs and even a Hard Rock Cafe.

Sharm is a pure fun destination, unlikely as that may sound. Even the Desert services up the most spectacular sights and sounds. One night we drove out into the darkness of the desert, it was moonless and only the headlights of our Toyota sliced the night like giant flashbulbs. We couldn’t see the road that made the driver turn left and right, so purposefully at invisible intersections. Finally in a pitch black night the soft glow of flickering light was visible behind what appeared to be a high sand dune. But as we turned the corner, we encountered the wild beats of the desert drums and the frenzied dancing of young Egyptian girls and boys in the raised circular platform in the centre of a fairly large gathering. Couples reclined on divan’s and bolsters drawing on scented sheesha smoke while admiring the shapely young women enjoying themselves.

Everything about Egyptians has a sensual approach; they like to believe it’s romantic. For instance I was constantly approached to enquire how many camels I wanted for the hand of one of the two young women traveling with us. I am not sure whether that was a way to break the ice or compliment the girls or if they really meant it. But asked they did…And no the young women were not related to me but may grey beard somehow advertising the misleading notion that I was the father (!) The math was right, but hullo that’s pretty presumptuous! This happened to us EVERYWHERE in Egypt, without exception. The Italian men may have serious competition now.

For you guys out there, the Egyptian women’s skin is smooth as ornamental alabaster and a large percentage good looking. Though they also have a flirtatious angle to their communication, that’s just a style don’t get carried away! Out there in the middle of the desert, we saw this group of young women with their guys, pulling on sheesha’s and shanking a leg like the best anywhere in the world. By the way they are shapely as well; all of them were in shorts and T shirts! Brother, if it wasn’t so cool at night, it would certainly have been hot under the collar. I must add that with all this gyrating and amorous behaviour no one, neither girl nor guy stepped out of line… no cat calls, no hitch ups (as most men might expect) it was good clean fun.

Then there was the Belly dancer and the Dervish swirl – god it makes you dizzy. And a great grill of meats served up with some ‘hot-strange’ brew to wash it down. I’d say don’t miss a night in the desert, whatever else you do at a sea side resort on the Red sea.

Another treat, frankly surprise, awaited us the very next evening. We visited the fashionable area of Naama bay. Naama bay is more like a kilometer long open air mall, lined by fabulous eating places on either side. The atmosphere is reminiscent of Cannes by the sea (devoid of automobiles), with togged up gentry enjoying a tipple and watching the world go by. You find every nationality under the sun staring right back at you as you stroll down the breeze swept paved walkway in the cool of the evening. All sorts of wonderful stuff are sold in the smartly dressed shops and showrooms along the way. And you may encounter a someone else’s hand in your pocket helping you spend your money… so beware of politely phrased questions that go like this…‘Sir/madam do tell me how I can spend your money for you?’ or better still beware of ‘Amitabh Bashaan? Please come to my shop and write something in my guest book in Indian’ fall for that and you’ll be suckered into spending some money… mostly on stuff you don’t want. And before you suddenly begin to develop an air cushion under the feet (for being called AB), they refer to all Indian’s as Amitabh Bashaan… and if you don’t smile back and quickly walk away, you might end up having to listen to a bad rendition of Mehbooba! With apologies to Ra, the big B has certainly replaced the sun god in that part of the world.

For me, one of the most memorable parts of the trip was the underwater life on the coral reefs that hug the coastal shelf along the relatively small bays around Sharm. You can watch dolphins and even swim with them. You can dive and snorkel and enjoy the mildly warm, sapphire blue, crystal clear water. Even in the submerged sailing glass house we witnessed an array of wildlife including jelly fish, blue flying fish, parrot fish, packs of marauding mullet, the incorrigible sergeant major, the fashionable butterfly fish, puffer, trigger, fan coral, the deadly fire coral, oh I could go on and on. Two hours drive from Sharm is the ancient monastery of St Catherine and the brilliantly natural carved salt sculptures in the middle of nowhere. As a matter of fact Sharm el Sheikh is a surprise package; it’s a uniquely different perspective of life. It’s fun in the sun like you’ve never known all your life.

6 ways to put together a successful Incentive Travel Program

2008-10-05T10:00:00.007+05:30

If you really want to motivate people, send them packing.

Everyone loves to travel - especially when the travel is free. And that's what gives incentive travel programs such powerful motivational resonance. Whether it's simple or elaborate, a well-developed program can work to your company's advantage in ways nothing else can. Below, we offer you a simple six-step process to help you put together the most effective incentive travel program you possibly can.

1. Identify your goals

The first step is to determine what you expect to accomplish. Is it your desire to motivate your employees, reward your current customers, attract new ones or increase sales of a particular product or service? It's important to be clear and specific about the desired outcome since it will ultimately help you track the success of your program.

2. Create a plan

Whom are you trying to reach with your program? How long will it run? How will you communicate its value internally and externally? Addressing questions like these at the start of the program is critical to its success.

3. Develop a budget

An incentive travel program doesn't have to cost a lot to generate big results. In fact, many companies simply reallocate inefficient portions of their marketing budgets to fund their programs.

How much are you prepared to spend to accomplish your goals? Clearly, the answer is a major determining factor for the types of travel rewards to which you can commit. TravelPort offers everything from airline tickets and hotel accommodations to our luxurious Pamperings travel packages. Of course, there are other expenses you should factor into your budget beyond the rewards themselves. The following is a recommended allocation of dollars for an effective travel rewards program:

Rewards - 80%
Promotion and communications - 10%
Administration - 5%
Training and research - 5%

4. Select the perfect rewards

TravelPort provides travel rewards of all kinds. Sometimes, offering round-trip air travel may be enough to help you reach your goals. In those instances when you want to make a really dramatic statement, offering something like a lavish Hawaiian or European vacation with Pamperings ™ packages or a trip to the Singapore F1 or IPL or may be just the ticket. With close to 5 years and 300 client in the incentive travel business, we at TravelPort can help you determine what travel rewards would be most appropriate given your goals and budget.

5. Promote the program

If you want to maximize the results of an incentive travel program, it is imperative that you continuously and systematically stay in touch with your target audience. Use all the tools available to you to spread the word, including direct mail, HTML e-mails, in-house newsletters, outbound telemarketing and more. And don't just pull out all the stops at the launch of the program. Make sure you communicate the results on a regular basis. That's what's going to keep everyone to whom the program is targeted reaching for the stars.

6. Measure the results

Because you established your objectives up-front, it should be relatively easy for you to gauge the effectiveness of your program. Was the target audience motivated by your efforts? Did you see a measurable increase in employee satisfaction? In customer loyalty? In new business? Perhaps most important, by measuring the results of your program you can determine what to do in the future to make it even more effective.

Just remember: effective travel incentive travel programs are TravelPort specialty. Why not let us help you create one of your own!

For More Info download FREE Travel Incentive Guide

Incentive Guide

Travel Business Oppurtunity

2008-07-22T23:00:00.002+05:30

Become a World Class Travel Entreprenuer

view presentation (tags: travel buisness glabl india)

Check out this presentation for the best travel buisness oppurtunity .Best of online and offline products

Wander India - Go places differently

2008-07-20T20:30:00.005+05:30

See it with TravelPort and explore the lesser visited spots .

China With TravelPort

2008-07-19T13:10:00.004+05:30

TravelPort China - Click here for package details

Incredible India

2008-07-19T12:15:00.001+05:30

India- Incredible and Great

From: travelport, 3 months ago

India- Incredible and Great

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India - facts every indian must know and be proud about it .

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Auli - Our very own Switzerland By Ankush /PushPraj

2008-03-19T11:50:00.004+05:30

As a Uttaranchal Expert at TravelPort this huge responsibility of escorting the Rotary Club group to Auli, which was very important to my organization. It was a adventure trip for some of the elite people of Mumbai .

I’m really thankful to TravelPort and its management for giving me this great opportunity& believed in me in completing the given task. Auli which is known as Switzerland of India is famous for its skiing & trekking activities.

After receiving the group from Delhi airport we all proceeded to the railway station for our journey to Haridwar. It was 4:00 am in the morning when we reached Haridwar, which was half the distance covered then. After having some early morning refreshments, especially “Cutting Chai”, we started our second league of our journey to Joshimath, which was around 270 kms ( 9-10hrs ). We passed through some beautiful landscapes at Rishikesh ( famous for its White Water Rafting also one of the holiest river in India the Ganges ), Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag and a number of small villages where life is in a different pace all together. Finally we reached Joshimath, which is one of the stop over in the Chardham Yatra.
Ropeway or Cable Car is the only mode of commuting to Auli.

It is Asia’s 2nd largest ropeway & takes around 25 mins ( one way ) to cover the distance of 4 kms & takes you from an height of 1990 mts to 3100 mts , while you are mesmerized by the picturesque mountains covered with snow. Mom Nature was so happy with us that we were greeted with a snowfall as soon as we landed the place. It was freezing cold, wherein the day temperature was around 7 degrees & in the nights it used to be sub-zero. The one day trek which was the part of the tour was a great experience too, the difficulty level of the trek being moderate to hard, where some sections were as steep as 50 Degrees and it looked as if a thick white wall of ice is staring right back at you. Cutting through the snow made our walking difficult due to the overnight snowfall. The very sight of the mighty Nanda Devi peak in the distance was an jaw-dropping experience. It stood tall & was unperturbed from the rest of its counterparts. The 5 days which we spent in the heart of the Garwhal mountains were full of beauty & bliss at the same time wondering that a place like this would exist in India. When the time came to bid-adue to this wonderful place we thought wish we stay back for much more time ---it was a aura of Auli getting into us in such a short span - A tribute to this amazing destination .

Highlights :
1.If visiting Auli spend one day trekking rather than coolong your heels at the hotel .
2.Best Time to visit : DEC to March to attempt skiing
3.Treacherous but scenic drive all the way .
4.The best place to stay : CliffTop club ,Auli
5. Not to be missed : Joshimath to clifftop auli by cable car

Ankush Guptay adn Pushparaj ,Uttarnchal and Himacahal experts @ TravelPort

North East - Hidden treasure of India - Malaika /Sandy

2008-03-12T22:20:00.010+05:30

Pick of lots ,thats how it got decided that we (Malaika and Sandy ) were travelling to North east of India .TravelPort ,our company was sending us as part of a team to explore this new exotic destination .Over excitement followed by after thoughts made us wonder what it would be like to go to a underdeveloped ,in- news- for- wrong- reason- place ,that too ,two city lasses like us .
God ! How wrong we were for we discovered a new heaven on earth (cliched but that is yet the best way to describe our new discovery )
We were lucky to be exploring this hidden - unspoilt - virgin -gem of a destination ,fit for a evolved traveller .(well atleast till we start filling up the place with tourists ).We thought of writing this journal to share our journey highlights .

North East of India is the land of Blue Mountains, Green Valley, Red River, wild life, and colourful people, a blend of all these makes it the most beautiful Eco-Tourism destination in south Asia

Click here For Slide Show - North east

The train journey upto siliguri was a typical indian one - best not described - cos we chose the wrong class to travel in .It was a releif to get to siliguri from where we proceeded to Pelling ,our first stopover .

Pelling: 24/02/08----26/02/08
Pelling is a beautiful hill-station, nestled between the snow-covered peaks of Sikkim. Located at a distance of 10kms from Geyzing, Pelling is renowned for being the nearest site to Mt. Kanchenjunga. The scenic beauty of Pelling cannot be circumscribed in words and really requires a proximate look to feel the quietude. Elevated to the height of 6,800 ft, Pelling is the best place to get a close view of the entire mountain range
Places to visit :Darap Valley, Rimbi waterfalls, the holy Khecheopalri Lake and Pemayangtse Monestry.
The Good: Accommodation/ Sight seeing/ pleasant Climate
The Bad: No Restaurants around so person is compelled to eat his meals at the hotel he is put up in.
The ugly :None at all
Gangtok: 26/02/08-----28-02-08
Gangtok is nestled in lush greenery at 5800 ft, it is a blend of Traditional and modern culture where you will find youngsters in trendy dresses while elderly matrons clad in bakus.
On the way to Gangtok we proceeded to Rinchinpong, it is a picturesque village with Panoramic view of Kan-chen-dzonga range, the next day we visited Tsomgo lake which is 38km from Gangtok and is at 12500 ft, this lake is frozen throughout the year and comes alive during May to August where beautiful flowers blooms on its bank and on the adjoining Hill slopes, from Gangtok
The Good: Accomodation/ Good place to shop
Bad: Sometimes you dont feel welcomed.
Ugly: Not Applicable

Lachung: 28/02/08----29-02-08
Lachung is a divine abode sited in the northern district of Sikkim. Perched at an elevation of 8,800 ft, Lachung is an ideal place to spent beautiful moments in solitude. The way to Lachung passes through quaint villages, scenic spots, and waterfalls. In recent times, Lachung has been made available to the tourists in an organized manner. It would not be embroidered to say that Lachung is actually a Shangri-La on the earth.
We went to Lachung on the way to Lachung we visited Singhik view point, Seven sisters waterfall & most beautiful Bhima waterfall. Lanchung is a diven adode, sited in the Northern District of Sikkim at 8800ft; we felt it is the most ideal place to spend beautiful moments in solitude. Lanchung means “Small Mountains”. In Lachung we saw Monastry, Handicraft center; we had a Bonfire at Lanchung. Next day we proceeded to Yumthang Valley which is also known as Valley of Flowers, Yumthang Valley is a grazing pasture for Yaks and yetis. During the summer the area blooms with the most beautiful flowers, from Yumthang Valley
Good: beautiful Senic Place.
Bad: No basic infrastructure facility available/ Food.
Ugly: Not Applicable.
We proceeded to NJP to take train back to mumbai. After living in a place like mumbai where one leads a very busy life. We think our visit to Sikkim has brought us so close to Mother Nature. It is indeed the most beautiful place on Earth.

Thank You TravelPort ! Thank You Neptune travel ! .....Thank god for this wonderful place

Famous Travel Quotes

2008-02-28T23:03:00.005+05:30

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.St. Augustine

...travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.Miriam Beard

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight seeing".Daniel J. Boorstin
There is no happiness for the person who does not travel. For Indra is the friend of the traveler, therefore wander!Brähmann
I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost eveything.Bill Bryson
One of the gladdest moments of human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the leaden weight of routine, the cloak of many cares and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy.Sir Richard Burton
Embrace the detours.Kevin Charbonneau
The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land.Gilbert K. Chesterton
The earth belongs to anyone who stops for a moment, gazes and goes on his way.Colette
Travellers never think that they are the foreigners.Mason Cooley
The journey not the arrival matters.T. S. Eliot

Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken.Frank Herbert

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.Aldous Huxley

The wise man travels to discover himself.James Russell Lowell
The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore ... unlike the mediocre, intrepid spirits seek victory over those things that seem impossible ... it is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors ... to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.Ferdinand Magellan
Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey!Fitzhugh Mllan
Don't tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled.Prophet Mohammed
Take only memories, leave only footprints.Chief Seattle
I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.George Bernard Shaw
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. the great affair is to move.Robert Louis Stevenson
He who would travel happily must travel light.Antoine de St. Exupery

I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.Explore. Dream. Discover.Mark Twain
A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.Lao Tzu
Paradise is where I am.Voltaire
A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going to, and a perfect traveler does not know where he came from.No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.Lin Yutang

Kailash Yatra

2008-02-22T15:58:00.005+05:30

Mount Kailash is one of the world’s most sacred spots. To experience its spiritual energy you must go there but with the right intention in mind. This is a pilgrimage and the intent should be to visit it for peace, both within each person and then the world. Tibetans leave an article of clothing or a drop of blood, hair or a stone to symbolize leaving their prejudices behind them. One should leave their ego, anxiety and meanness here.

Before setting of for this journey ,check out some of the unbiased travellers reviews of how to go on this ultimate pilgrimage which promises to be a adventure too .

1.Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar YatraTrip Advice & Travelogue by Unnimaya

2.My experience--Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra By Meghna Bhagat

3.Journey To the Himalayas

TravelPort has been organising the Kailash yatra for last 8 years and has served more than 1000 yatris .We have a track record of minimal complaints on such a tough journey .

Temple stays for Indian travelers in Korea

2007-07-26T12:09:00.000+05:30

South Korean tourism is actively promoting the concept of Temple Stays to outbound Indian travellers. A temple stay is designed as a cultural experience programme to help people understand Korean Buddhism better. From meditation to prostration, chanting and unbelievably early morning wake-up calls, if you have always harboured the desire for a sneak peek into the life of a monk, here’s your chance. Carnivores, however, are advised to stay away, as meals consist of rice and vegetables.

The Temple Stay programme was initially conjured up for foreigners visiting Korea during the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Korea and Japan. The programme was so successful that over 35 temples still offer it. As a word of caution, don’t expect two nights in a temple to be life-transforming. Keep in mind that most programmes are specially designed for tourists, so instead of discreetly fitting into the existing system, most temples will create an environment specially for you, complete with English translators. In return, you leave a “donation”.

Some temple stays in Thailand are a little more austere, and therefore not suitable if you’re going to be bashful about doing the alms rounds in the local village. In some temples you’re “treated” to a single meal a day, often consisting of whatever’s been donated. Temple stays can range from an over-nighter to a few months.

Around the world in 80 vineyards

2007-07-25T16:50:00.000+05:30

Six months after setting out on a tour of some of the world's greatest vineyards, Frenchman Nicolas Beausset has collected 500 bottles of top quality wine and is still thirsty for more.

Beausset and his colleague Geraldine Reinhold Von Essen are attempting to travel "around the world in 80 vineyards".

They are asking wine producers from Chianti to California to give them their best wine for free. When they get back to Spain, where they are based, they will auction it for charity.

So far, their journey has taken them to South Africa, Thailand, China, Australia, New Zealand and Chile.

They will visit Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru and the United States before returning to Europe to tour the vineyards of Portugal, Spain, Italy and France.

As they travel, they are sending their liquid booty back to Spain where it will be stored in a cellar until the auction in Barcelona in early 2008.

"We're interested in quality rather than quantity," Beausset told Reuters by telephone from a vineyard in southern Chile.

"The vineyards are free to give us whatever they want, but we always try to ask for bottles that are a little different, or of high quality."

Their journey has yielded some fine donations, including a magnum of Pinot Noir from New Zealand's Staete Landt vineyard, one of only 30 such bottles in the world.

But perhaps the most fascinating leg of their journey took them to the vineyards of Thailand and China, countries little known in the West for their wines.

"In China, viniculture is growing quickly ... some of the vineyards are very good," said Beausset, 32, who runs a wine import-export business in Barcelona.

"Most of the wine is red because the color red is a symbol of prosperity in China, so it's very good if you can offer someone a red wine."

The Ugly American

2007-07-24T17:46:00.000+05:30

Every American knows what traveling to foreign countries is all about: booze, babes, and spring break. Right?

Tanzania travel tips

2007-07-23T18:15:00.000+05:30

Currency and Money Matters

The Tanzanian unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling (TSh). Bills range from 1 shilling to 10,000 shillings. The exchange rates fluctuate, the latest rates can be found here.

Exchanging Money

The easiest foreign currency to exchange in Tanzania is the US dollar, in either cash or traveler cheque form. While you get better rates at banks and foreign exchange bureaus for the larger bills, keeping a stack of small bills is handy for tips. Most of the high-end hotels and wildlife parks accept US dollars but it can sometimes be a bit cheaper if you pay fees and accommodation in Tanzanian shillings.

ATM's can be found in all the major cities, but my Lonely Planet Guide warns that some machines enjoy eating cards, so use at your own risk. Major credit cards are only accepted at the more expensive restaurants and hotels.

Getting To and From Tanzania

By Air

If you're planning to visit Northern Tanzania, the best airport to arrive at is Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA). KLM has daily flights from Amsterdam. Ethiopian and Kenya Airways also fly into KIA.

If you're planning to visit Zanzibar, southern and western Tanzania, you'll want to fly to the capital Dar es Salaam. European carriers that fly into Dar es Salaam include British Airways, KLM and Swissair (which codeshares with Delta).

Regional flights to Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and parts of northern Tanzania regularly fly from Nairobi (Kenya Airways, Air Kenya) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Air Tanzania has several flights per week from Dar es Salaam to Entebbe (Uganda), the Comoros Islands and Johannesburg.

By Land

To and From Kenya: There are several bus services available between Tanzania and Kenya. Buses regularly go from Mombasa to Dar es Salaam (12 hours), Nairobi to Dar es Salaam (about 13 hours), Nairobi to Arusha (5 hours), and Voi to Moshi. Some bus companies originating in Arusha will drop you off at your hotel in Nairobi and also offer pick-ups at Nairobi's international airport.

To and From Malawi: The border crossing between Tanzania and Malawi is at the Songwe River Bridge. Direct buses between Dar es Salaam and Lilongwe depart several times a week and take around 27 hours. Your other alternative is to get to the border crossing and take minibuses in either direction to the closest towns -- Karonga in Malawi and Mbeya in Tanzania. Spend the night and then continue on the next day. Both towns have regular long-distance bus services.

To and From Mozambique: The main border post is at Kilambo (Tanzania) which you can get to via minibus from Mtwara. To cross the border requires a trip across the Ruvuma River and depending on the tides and the season, this could be a simple quick canoe trip or an hour long ferry ride. The border post in Mozambique is at Namiranga.

To and From Uganda: Daily buses travel from Kampala to Dar es Salaam (via Nairobi -- so make sure you get a visa for Kenya to transit). The bus trip takes at least 25 hours. A more manageable crossing is from Kampala to Bukoba (on the shores of Lake Victoria) which gets you to Tanzania in about 7 hours. You can also take a short 3 hour trip by bus from Bukoba (Tanzania) to the Ugandan border town of Masaka. Scandinavian also runs buses from Moshi to Kampala (via nairobi).

To and From Rwanda: Regional coach services travels from Kigali to Dar es Salaam at least once a week, the trip takes about 36 hours and crosses into Uganda first. Shorter trips between the Tanzania/Rwanda border at Rusumo Falls are possible but the security situation fluctuates so inquire locally in Benako (Rwanda) or Mwanza (Tanzania). Buses also run at least once a day from Mwanza (it will take all day) to the border of Rwanda, and from there you can catch a minibus to Kigali. Catching the bus from Mwanza means a ferry trip to start with so the schedule is fairly fixed.

To and From Zambia: Buses run a couple times a week between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka (about 30 hours) and between Mbeya and Lusaka (about 16 hours). The border that is used most often is at Tunduma and you can get minibuses from Mbeya to Tunduma and then cross into Zambia and take public transport from there.

By Train

To and From Zambia: A train runs from Kapiri Mposhi (Zambia) to Dar es Salaam and takes two nights.

By Boat

There are currently no official passenger-ferry services on Lake Victoria to connect Tanzania with Uganda and Kenya.

To and From Malawi: The only route across the lake from Tanzania is on the Songea ferry from Mbamba Bay (Tanzania) to Nkhata Bay (Malawi) near Mzuzu. The ferry is meant to run twice a month. The Ilala sometimes travels from Lake Malawi to Tanzania but schedules vary.

To and from Burundi: A weekly ferry runs between Kigoma and Bujumbura and takes about 14 hours.

To and From Mozambique: You can try and hire a Dhow to get to Mozambique from Tanzania and vice versa. Find out information locally in Tanzania's dhow ports of Mikindani, Mtwara and Msimbati. In Mozambique check the ports at Mocimboa da Praia and Palma.

To and from Kenya (Mombasa): A ferry runs about once a week from Mombasa, Kenya and Tanga, Tanzania to Unguja and Pemba. Fares are around $40.

To and From Zambia: A regular ferry connects Kigoma (Tanzania) with Mpulungu (Zambia) along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The ferry was the inspiration for the classic movie, African Queen. You can get off at smaller stops along the way inlcuding Lagosa, to get to Mahale Mountains National Park to enjoy the chimpanzees.

Towns hope to keep Harry Potter magic going

2007-07-21T12:16:00.000+05:30

Towns around the country that celebrate the release of each Harry Potter book aren't ready to give up their wizarding wonderlands of Knockturn Alleys and Forbidden Forests even though the final book is about to debut.

About 40 miles north of Cincinnati, Ohio, organizers plan to keep Quidditch tournaments, magic shows and strolls down Diagon Alley continuing in some form in Wilmington, a city of about 12,000.

"This is our largest downtown event currently, and it brings a lot of people and money into downtown," said Steve Brown, executive director of Main Street Wilmington. "We thought the 2005 event would draw quite a few people, but we never expected the 4,000 or more that showed up."

Enthusiasts in small towns such as Poulsbo, Washington, and larger communities such as Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Illinois -- where 10,000 people turned out in 2003 -- are looking to the wildly popular Harry Potter movies, a theme park to open in Orlando, Florida, in 2009 and increasing fan conventions and conferences to keep the Potter energy flowing.

Baraboo, Wisconsin, got a head start, holding its first community Potter celebration July 7 in anticipation of the movie and book releases. Organizer Cindy Doescher says enthusiasm has already been so great that she expects a Potter party annually.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" -- the seventh and final book in the J.K. Rowling series -- will be released at midnight July 21, accompanied by bookstore parties, community festivals and other Harry hoopla concocted for fervent fans around the world. The books have sold more than 325 million copies worldwide with translations into at least 64 languages, and sparked the movie series.

he latest movie, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," opened in U.S. theaters July 11, leaving two books not yet on the screen.

Communities have reaped economic and other benefits from downtown extravaganzas. Hotels are filled with tourists. Residents turn out in large numbers -- often costumed -- to dine at a Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or warily creep through a haunting Knockturn Alley amid skeletons and smoking potions. More people means more customers for local businesses.

Princeton, Illinois, a town of about 7,500 residents, drew 5,000 fans in 2005 and expects more than 7,500 this year. Sponsors say the celebrations also have deepened cooperation among businesses, civic groups and volunteers.

The Spa Code of Conduct

2007-07-20T18:28:00.000+05:30

When you walk through the doors of your favorite spa, sit down in the massaging pedicure chair and stick your feet into the water that isn't quite the right temperature, do you say anything to your therapist?

What about if you walk into a treatment room for your hot stone massage and the music is too loud? If the stones are too hot, do you just lie on the table and grin and bear it?

You should speak up and communicate your preferences in all these situations, according to A Spa "Code of Conduct" developed by The International SPA Association and Resort Hotel Association.

The Spa Code of Conduct spells our you rights and responsibilities as a spa guest so you have a more satisfying spa experience.

Here is the Spa Code of Conduct:

As a Spa Guest, it is your responsibility to:

Communicate your preferences, expectations and concerns
Communicate complete and accurate health information and reasons for your visit
Treat staff and other guests with courtesy and respect
Use products, equipment and therapies as directed
Engage in efforts to preserve the environment
Adhere to the spa's published policies and procedures

Bollywood or bust

2007-07-19T19:11:00.000+05:30

My sister and I arrived in Mumbai on Boxing Day, stepping out from a 45-hour train ride during which we'd experienced a dismal and depressing Christmas Day sipping on over-stewed chai tea and trying to remember childhood Christmas carols. We were travel weary and dreaming of big city comforts.

We had just spent six months traversing tourist-laden Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, roaming across southwest China, hitchhiking across Tibet and, finally, had slung smaller packs on our backs for three weeks trekking around the Annapurna mountain range in Nepal. Mumbai is a seductress. She is a city of dreams, despair, drama and dazzle; heartbreaking poverty amongst staggering grandness. Our first sight of Mumbai came when we stepped out of the illustrious and overcrowded Victoria Terminus. The city sparkled with promise. The sun shone down on queues of 50s-style black and yellow taxis. The dizzying array of shops, advertising, cinemas and streets in all directions reminded me of the treats ahead – haircuts, pedicures, western food and wine, shopping, cleanliness, English everywhere... From our first meeting I knew Mumbai and me would get on pretty well. And of course, I couldn't forget the idea of Bollywood glamour and the stories I'd heard about the clamour for foreigners to work in the industry. I had no time restraints on my stay there, but did have some pressing money worries, so Bollywood stardom sounded just right for me.

Our first call up to stardom occurred when I met Nasir ordering kebabs outside our guesthouse. He was a 'foreigners coordinator', keenly looking for tourists to work for him. The job: A Coca-Cola advert (or Pepsi? I was never quite sure and I never saw the boxes of free soft drink I was expecting). We were to be part of a foreign paparazzi crowd pretending to take photos of the stunning and ever-so-Bollywood-glam, former Ms. World, Aishwarya Rai.

Mumbai is the city of dreams, and it is also the city of big talkers, false promises, and people that want to pay foreigners to do strange things. It's all the rage to have a foreigner at your event – promoting products, dancing, waitressing, bartending, greeting guests and generally adding an 'international feel'. On New Years Eve we got many of the dancing-type offers, all of which we politely turned down. Then at 7pm, whilst sitting in our hotel room sipping on chardonnay on which the days budget had been blown, Ahmjad came knocking on our door with an offer too good to refuse: waitressing for three hours at the swanky, star-studded Taj Mahal Hotel's New Years Eve private party, with free drinks for us from 1:30am. Of course, all is never as it seems. After two hours with our jandal-trained feet crammed into high heels, and the sight of gorgeous celebrities in bejeweled saris changing from stunning to standard practice, things weren't all that great. But by 5am when the shoes were off, many free drinks consumed and the dance floor ours, we felt ready to call the night a success.

Mumbai street food

2007-07-18T18:17:00.000+05:30

Mumbaikers love street food. See what all the fuss is about.

Ranikhet is never out of season

2007-07-17T19:55:00.000+05:30

The tag-line of Uttarakhand Tourism claimed that it is "Never Out of Season". And we couldn't agree with it more! In spite of many people warning us that December may not be the best time (read "tourist season") to visit Kumaon due to the cold weather, we had the trip of a lifetime!

After spending a couple of days in Delhi, we took the overnight Ranikhet Express to Kathgodam, which is the gateway to the hill stations in Kumaon. The chill in the air at Kathgodam Station was a sign of things to come! But things soon started heating up as a swarm of taxi drivers rushed towards us shouting the names of all possible destinations the region had on offer. Finally, getting a taxi to the charming military town of Ranikhet at half the rate (as compared to the tourist season) was a pleasent surprise.

It's a lovely drive of about three hours on winding but comfortable roads. We got a glimpse of the snow-capped range just before we entered the town, before the clouds took over... We stayed at the Chevron Rosemount, which a lovely heritage property... In spite of the cold weather, the staff was ever-smiling and efficient. In fact we spent a lot of time in the hotel lawn from where Trishul and Nandadevi peaks could be seen. Having hot tea with chirping birds in the background and a view to die for was sheer luxury for us city dwellers.

Read more.

The fashion of Milan

2007-07-16T20:58:00.000+05:30

Take a tour of Milan's fashion district. Which is pretty much the whole city.

New luxury travel hot spots

2007-07-14T09:58:00.000+05:30

Beautiful and unspoiled locales aren't just for backpackers anymore.

Sharon and Michael Young, founders and partners at the investment firm Quadrant Capital Partners, in Dallas, are adventurous travelers who favor unusual destinations. But even they weren’t entirely prepared for how challenging their 2005 visit to Bhutan would be.

“We’d be driving, and the road would just end,” Sharon says. “The laborers were building the next part.”

The Youngs learned of Bhutan while sailing on a friend’s yacht. “One of his other guests was the ambassador from Australia to Bhutan,” Sharon recalls. “She started telling us about this country that modernization had not touched. It was very appealing—to go see what sounded like an unspoiled, deeply traditional country.”

For a growing number of high-end travelers, destination fatigue—been there, done that, paid a big bill—is starting to set in. When your past vacations are identical to the ones portrayed in the pages of every high-end travel brochure (the Youngs count Patagonia, the British Virgin Islands, and the Greek islands among their previous family trips), experiencing the euphoria that comes with discovering a new destination becomes harder.

“People are looking for new places,” says Pallavi Shah, founder of Our Personal Guest, a Manhattan-based luxury travel agency that has coordinated trips for C.E.O.’s of investment banks and for Thomas Freston when he was head of Viacom. “A lot of people have been traveling for many years and are therefore running out of places. By their 50s and 60s, they’ve done Europe, been to Africa and gone on safari, done the Middle East, cruised the Nile and the Yangtze rivers, been around China. Now where to go?”

The answer is places like Bhutan, central India, remote northwest China, and the eastern coast of Vietnam, all of which are coming into favor among Shah’s well-heeled clients. But a thirst for adventure doesn’t mean that C.E.O.’s want to rough it on vacation. To the contrary, they are increasingly attracted to areas that have received little international tourism—places that their parents never heard of, much less fantasized about visiting—but are nonetheless luxurious, complete with secluded swimming pools and high-thread-count sheets.

Take Bhutan. Since 2005, the superluxury Amanresorts chain has opened a series of four elegant lodges in the tiny Himalayan kingdom, and Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces, the Indian luxury hotel chain (read “The Hotel Collector”), is opening a Bhutan resort at the end of the summer. The country has succeeded in marketing itself as an exclusive destination for highly selective travelers. And Sharon Young, who ended her Bhutan trip with a “heavenly” stay at the only Amanresort then operating there, says she is more likely to go back now that Amanresorts has expanded in the country.

Obviously, it takes more than the opening of a new resort, even one with rooms lavish enough and a reputation sterling enough to attract wealthy travelers, to turn an obscure village into the luxury travel destination du jour. But, it turns out, not that much more.

“A local culture that is welcoming” is one of the most important factors in sustaining the success of a new travel destination, says Bjorn Hanson, lodging specialist at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Manhattan. An unusual or exotic natural setting also helps a luxury travel spot get off the ground, he says. And access is important too. Shah says the scarcity of flights to and from Bhutan is one of the main impediments preventing her clients from planning trips there. Poor transportation also hampers Central India, which has become another burgeoning high-end travel region thanks to the African-style game lodges that have been planned as a joint venture between Taj and the luxury safari operator CC Africa. “My clients are too damn lazy to sit for eight hours on a back road,” says Shah.

Read more.

Packing for an overseas trip

2007-07-13T17:49:00.000+05:30

There are those who pack light for a business trip and arrive with the wrong shoes. Others pack heavy and wind up feeling yoked to their bags. Then there's Nancy Novogrod, one of the world's very well-wheeled travelers.

As editor in chief of Travel + Leisure magazine, Ms. Novogrod spends roughly a quarter of the year traveling for her job, often to far-flung places like Egypt and China where she needs to convey the aplomb of a smart executive.

If you think you've got it tough with that four-day conference in Frankfurt, imagine packing for a three-week tour of Asia -- like the one Ms. Novogrod is taking this fall -- that includes daily meetings, speeches, and formal dinners that require a change of shoes, dress and handbag. I've seen her in action on more than one occasion and I'm here to say that she doesn't wrinkle, not as far as I can tell. To attain that level of perfection, she packs a bag full of tricks.

Suiting up for business travel can be tricky for any of us who want to make the right impression. But women, who have more stylistic latitude than men in the U.S., face a bigger risk of being off point.

Overseas travel is particularly complex if it involves a vastly different culture. Another veteran traveler, hotel-industry attorney K.C. McDaniel, on any day may be testifying at a trial in London or negotiating on behalf of clients in Dubai. In the Middle East, she is sometimes the only woman in the room -- and one of the first women her clients' adversaries have been confronted with on a professional basis. "If you walk through the door and your outfit says secretary or file clerk, you have an uphill job to do," she notes.

Ms. Novogrod and Ms. McDaniel say their packing process starts with buying the right clothes -- looking for comfort, fabrics that can travel with minimal care and styles that will bridge cultures. Both women do serious research on the local mode of dress before they begin packing. For a speech in Cairo in April, Ms. Novogrod called the event planner to ask what people would be wearing.

"I buy a lot at Prada because they use a lot of synthetics," says Ms. Novogrod, thinking of wrinkles. "I love cotton shirts, but I rarely wear them on airplanes. ... I rarely travel with jeans because I need to look put-together." Another trick she employs: a closet full of close-fitting cashmere cardigans that add warmth and a put-together edge.

Ms. Novogrod says she takes care to choose clothes that work, rather than those that make a statement. "It's possible with fashion to become so concerned with the surface that you're not approachable," she notes. "I'm conscious of looking appropriate -- to my age, to my profession."

But she is careful not to play it too safe, because there are situations where a distinctive, colorful piece can work. Ms. Novogrod has been very happy with a recent purchase of a cotton Pucci tunic. It has turned out both to be packable and to look great from stages or a dais.

The actual packing process for Ms. Novogrod can take place over several days. She makes notes in advance. When she settles down to pack, with her schedule in hand, she lays out outfits complete with shoes and handbags to be sure she has the right thing for each event -- and not a single extra item. "Otherwise, you end up taking way too much," she says. "What gets me most is coming back with clothing that I've never worn. I hate that."

Ms. Novogrod checks one roll-on suitcase for a shorter trip, say up to a week. For longer trips, like the three weeks in Asia, she takes two roll-ons -- one for clothes and another for shoes and bags.

Portugal's hidden dream places

2007-07-12T14:42:00.000+05:30

We were driving south on Route 101 — a two-lane highway that slices diagonally through Portugal — in search of a tiny town called Mesão Frio and the Pousada Solar da Rede, an 18th-century manor house set above the Douro River. I had two maps spread out beside me, and a Spain-Portugal Michelin atlas open to the northern half of Portugal. How hard could it be to find the Douro? And where were we exactly? Lost somewhere, apparently in a nature preserve.

“Don't take the high-speed road,” a confident receptionist at the Pousada de Amares, where we'd stayed the night before, had assured us. “Route 101 is faster.” But one map showed Mesão Frio to the east, and the other to the west. “Just pick a direction!” urged my exasperated traveling companion as we hit what seemed to be our 40th unlabeled roundabout.

And then, suddenly, the pousada appeared — a mansion, Baroque and huge — after switchbacks and turns, looming high above the green Douro (finally!) about two hours upriver from Porto. It was an impressive sight: winged granite dragons guarding the path to the front door and a terraced, formal labyrinthine garden jutting out over a vineyard; bushes carved in circles and squares, flowers blooming everywhere; and the lovely Douro meandering like a Hudson River School painting, hazy in the near distance.

Akin to the state-owned Spanish paradores, the 65-year-old network of Portuguese pousadas (once entirely state-run, but now managed by the Pestana hotel group) range from 18th-century manor houses, like the one we'd been looking for, to former convents, monasteries, castles and palaces, as well as more modern buildings tucked into nature preserves and mountain ranges. They are almost all a challenge to get to — during our four-day trip in May, everyone my partner, Ian, and I spoke to had gotten lost at least once on the narrow roads that wrap around lush mountainsides where auto-routes inexplicably change names.

But any irritation over maps that don't coincide and towns that don't exist melts upon arrival. These buildings are magnificent: the ones we visited were as, if not more, beautifully turned out, we thought, than their Spanish counterparts.

Later that night, comfortably fed and checked in, we were finally able to laugh about our “one-hour” trip to Mesão Frio, which took nearly triple the time promised by Google Maps. We even recounted the story to our new friends and fellow guests, Claudia Dannhorn and Bruno Brawand, as we sat on embroidered damask chairs beneath a big crystal chandelier. Claudia sprinted back to her room and came back with a portable Global Positioning System. “You have to have one,” she said. “In Portugal there are no signs anywhere.” She pulled her legs underneath her, struggling to get comfortable — a real feat on chairs designed for ballerina-straight 18th-century postures.

This had been the formal family sitting room for a noble wine-estate family; their bewigged images adorn the traditional blue-tiled walls of the dining room. As with other manor houses in this region, these wealthy estate owners were producers of Douro wines — whites, reds and Ports — with 62 acres of family vineyards, along with orange and lemon trees.

The next morning we saw the grape vines and the fruit trees clinging to the sheer mountainside, spilling down to the meandering Douro itself. But that night it was stormy and dark, and the room was bright. Casual it is not. The chairs and love seats are the kind only Marie Antoinette might have found comfy: intricately carved, carefully embroidered. Just sitting in such a room — with its original 18th-century tiles on the walls and gilt French mirrors, straight-backed chairs and period silks everywhere — we felt as though we'd stepped over the red-velvet rope and were chilling out at Versailles. On a stand, a crumbling text in Portuguese provided the history of this family estate turned pousada.

In a gorgeously photographed coffee table book on the pousadas called “Moradas de Sonho” (which was translated as “Dream Places”), the pousadas are explained as the “preservation of [Portugal's] architectural and natural heritage, living architecture and the riches of Portuguese cooking.”

Solar da Rede's dining room — where local specialties like cabbage soup and roasted duck with a caramelized cherry reduction are served alongside such recent innovations as vegetarian crepes — was impressive, with Portuguese tiles and period chandeliers. In an environment of relaxed luxury, pousadas provide a glimpse of Portuguese history and landscapes, well off the traditional traveler's path.

Claudia and Bruno are just the type of visitor that Portugal hopes to entice as guests. The couple (she's German, he's Swiss) own and run the Hotel Berghaus Bort in the Swiss Alps town of Grindelwald, and they work without a day's rest, they told us, from November until May. Then, instead of sleeping, they travel for three weeks. One year it was Thailand. This year they were hopping from one pousada to the next, in large part because so many of their employees are Portuguese, and they wanted to get a taste of the country. Claudia and Bruno's journey began at the 12th-century Castelo de Óbidos, the first pousada converted from a historic building. They'd slept in the tower. And then they'd moved on to the medieval city of Guimarães, the entire downtown of which is a Unesco World Heritage site.

IF you drive in any direction from Guimarães — to the northern and eastern borders with Spain, or out to the Atlantic coast — the countryside is rich in pousadas: mostly convents and monasteries, each reflecting the austerity and isolation of this region in the Middle Ages. Many had fallen into terrible disrepair before adoption and rehabilitation by the pousada system. But the state of ruin, rather than complicating the restorations, allowed architects license for artistry, turning these buildings into places of the imagination as much as history.

Perhaps the best example of this is Santa Maria do Bouro, a monastery turned pousada just outside Amares, about 22 miles north of Guimarães. There I ran into J. Kasmin, a London-based retired art dealer, at the Pousada de Amares. Mr. Kasmin and his friend Peter Brock walked to the pousada, literally, at the end of a walking tour with On Foot Holidays— seven days of hiking in the Portuguese countryside. For the two, the effect of seeing the pousada through the mist was similar to that of the pilgrims who visited this monastery in the 14th century — that is, until the latter-day pilgrims stepped inside and found ancient walls transformed by modern art and design.

In the late 1980s Santa Maria do Bouro, a half-destroyed 12th-century monastery, was handed over to the Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura. He spent eight years on the restoration; the pousada was inaugurated in 1997.

The architect noted as he worked, “I am not restoring a monastery; I am building a pousada from the stones of a monastery.” The internal courtyard was left nearly a ruin, with trees growing from the rock and arches leading nowhere, visible through giant nonreflective glass windows along every corridor. Yet the rooms, once monks' cells, are modern and sleek, with all-white marble bathrooms. In the hallways, an oxidized iron ceiling hides air-conditioning and modern plumbing. Big windows have a view of a chapel attached to the monastery, seamlessly blending the old and new.

Queensland top island holiday destination

2007-07-11T17:47:00.000+05:30

Queensland has surged to the top of the ladder for the world's most popular island holiday destinations.

The Great Barrier Reef Islands were named in the top ten islands worldwide and number one in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region. The awards came from Travel+Leisure magazine, as the result of its World's Best reader survey.

Fraser Island scored the number two regional island gong. The results were released in the US on Tuesday.

Ranked number 10 in the world, the Great Barrier Islands reclaimed their high standing after slipping out of the top ten in 2006 following their number five rating in 2005.

Queensland beat Tasmania, which slid from last year's number one ranking in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific region to number five this year, and also dropped out of the top ten in World's Best Island category after being placed sixth in 2006.

Brisbane did not get a mention in the World's Best City category, however Sydney retained its high standing, claiming fifth place after dropping from fourth last year.

Sydney was also crowned Best City in the region, for the eighth time in the survey's 12 year history.

Melbourne was second with New Zealand's Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington claiming the other top five places.

Make the most of faulty fares

2007-07-10T11:20:00.000+05:30

It happens all the time: An airline or cruise line posts a fare that is clearly in error and consumers seize the opportunity.

Many times, the company honors the faulty fare. Why? Not necessarily because of the written law, but rather the unwritten public relations rule that bad publicity is more expensive than the losses.

But not every situation ends the same way.

USA Today reports Holland America Lines refused to honor a 2006 fare that consumers booked at $849 USD rather than the correct price of $1399. People who had paid and received confirmations were notified that they must pay the difference or be denied boarding.

USA Today also reports the cruise line offered a $100 USD shipboard credit or the opportunity to cancel the reservations without penalty.

Is that adequate? It's likely most budget travelers would say the offer falls short.

As for the cruise line, it faces losses of varying degrees for each decision the consumers make.

n short, no one is happy.

No one can expect to hand out free airfares and survive for very long.

That's why the folks at United Airlines were pretty upset a few years ago when they discovered 143 tickets had sold at fares so low, they were virtually "free".

There was a 55-minute span one day when it paid to be on United's site, surfing for fares.

Among the offerings: San Francisco to Paris round-trip for $24.98 USD!

There were other fares at that same price involving round-trip travel to Hong Kong, too.

United's initial response to all of this angered those lucky buyers. The airline stated the obvious when it claimed the fares were due to "technical errors." It also said the prices would not be honored, and that the buyers should have known the prices were listed in error.

The predictable outrage that followed prompted United to honor the faulty fares for the sake of customer relations. The Associated Press and CNN quoted spokesman Chris Brathwaite: "We've chosen not to make this issue a point of dissatisfaction with our customers." If someone offered you a $24.98 round-trip to Hong Kong, could your schedule be cleared to take advantage of it?.

Spokesman Brathwaite also admonished the lucky buyers to "enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

He's stating the obvious again, but consider that United has been in this position a number of times.

Read more

Jubilation as Taj Mahal is among new 7 wonders

2007-07-09T11:16:00.000+05:30

As soon as Bollywood star Bipasha Basu exclaimed "Oh my god, it's the Taj Mahal!" in Lisbon, millions of eager Indians who had been glued to their TV sets in the early hours on Sunday watching the function jumped in joy as the 17th century monument of love was selected among a list of new Seven Wonders of the World.

There was much hugging and "congratulations", bursting of firecrackers and distribution of sweets after the Taj was named at a star-studded function in Benfica Stadium, Lisbon, Portugal. It was attended by several celebrities including actors Ben Kingsley and Hilary Swank.

The seven wonders list was compiled through a global poll participated in by at least 100 million votes casted through Internet, telephone and SMS campaign.

Apart from the Taj Mahal, the others are, the Great Wall of China, Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Peru's Machu Picchu Inca trail, Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid, Jordan's Petra archaeological site and the Colosseum in Rome were declared as winners.

How to gain frequent flyer miles

2007-07-07T11:12:00.000+05:30

Traveler Buzz takes a look at how you can utilize and gain those frequent flyer miles.

New 7 wonder deadline looms

2007-07-06T18:22:00.000+05:30

The Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome and Peru's Machu Picchu are leading contenders to be among the new seven wonders of the world, as a massive poll draws to a close with votes already cast by more than 90 million people, organizers say.

As the 8 p.m. EDT Friday voting deadline approaches, the rankings can still change. Also in the top 10 are the Acropolis in Greece, Chichen Itza pyramid in Mexico, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Easter Island, Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Taj Mahal in India and Jordan's ancient city of Petra.

The winners will be announced on Saturday in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only surviving structures from the traditional list of seven wonders of the ancient world. That list was derived from lists of marvels compiled by ancient Greek observers, the best known being Antipater of Sidon, a writer in the 2nd century B.C.

The pyramids have been assured of keeping their status in addition to the new seven wonders after indignant Egyptian officials said it was a disgrace they had to compete for a spot.

The final round of the competition narrowed the field to 20 candidates, and people from every country in the world voted by Internet or phone, said the group organizing the ballot.

"It's so exciting," said Tia B. Viering, spokeswoman for the "New 7 Wonders of the World" campaign. "There are not many things that could bring the world together like global culture ... this is really something that every single person in the world can be interested in."

"This is all about bringing people together, to appreciate each other ... to celebrate diversity," Viering said.

http://www.votefortaj.com

Top 10 budget travel myths

2007-07-06T11:17:00.000+05:30

Have you ever heard an "urban myth?" Many of these sensationalized stories started at some point and place with a kernel of truth and became completely distorted over time. The same can be true of many "rules" budget travelers use. Those listed below might have had some validity in the past, but are now misleading. Some have always been wrong. Consider busting these budget travel myths to find real savings on your next excursion.

1. It's always best to spend frequent flier miles before spending real money.

If we operate on the assumption that every frequent flier mile is worth at least one U.S. cent, the 25,000 miles required by many airlines for a roundtrip domestic flight would be worth at least $250 USD. There are many roundtrip tickets priced below this figure. Because frequent flier miles can be difficult to accumulate, you should always be certain to use them to your fullest advantage. Above all, use them! The worst thing you can do is let them expire.

More: It's always best to spend frequent flier miles before spending real money.

2. If I stay in a hostel, I'll always have to share a room with strangers.

Some places with the word "hostel" in their names also offer private rooms at prices well below what is available at a conventional hotel. Other people shy away from the "H-word" because they think they'll find dirt, drugs or debauchery. You can avoid the few hostels that fall into these categories with a little research. That homework will also tell you if there is an age restriction at your proposed location.

More: If I stay in a hostel, I'll always have to share a room with strangers.

3. Bidding on a room saves money but makes you a second-class citizen at the hotel.

I have used Priceline dozens of times and only once was I treated poorly. That stop was so bad that I later received a full refund. Far more typical was this experience: After saving maybe $150 by staying off-site from a meeting I attended, I asked the front desk at my "Priceline" hotel to call a cab for me. Instead, an employee drove me (at no charge) to the meeting. If you use an online auction, be sure to note that purchases are almost always non-refundable. Also be sure not to overbid.

More: Bidding on a room saves money but makes you a second-class citizen at the hotel.

4. Rail tickets are always cheaper than renting a car in Europe.

This is one of those rules that could be true without the word "always." But many travelers refuse to think beyond rail tickets in Europe. While it's true that many cities are set up to cater to train travelers (central stations, many connections), on short trips with larger parties you might find renting a car less expensive. For example: With a family of four, I saved about $100 on a one-day journey between Berlin and Amsterdam. I also got to experience driving on the autobahn.

More: Rail tickets are always cheaper than renting a car in Europe.

5. "Off season" trips save money but leave travelers disappointed.

Don't expect Bermuda to be balmy in December. Don't be surprised by cold winds blowing off the canals of Venice in February. You might also find businesses in those places closed for the season, and even a few attractions shut down for remodeling. The key, once again, is research. Find out if the things you want to see and do are available in the off season. If so, trade-offs like shorter lines and lower prices might more than compensate for less-than-perfect weather.

More: "Off season" trips save money but leave travelers disappointed.

Faeroe Islands

2007-07-05T11:16:00.000+05:30

It's just after 9 p.m. when the magic begins.

The late-setting sun breaks through purple rain clouds to drape the rugged island of Eysturoy in a golden shimmer. A perfect rainbow arches over the Slaettaratindur mountain. Offshore, a wild ocean launches ferocious swells against the Giant and the Witch, two spectacular rock pillars that protrude from the surf like craggy teeth.

All that's missing from the storybook setting is a band of orchs or goblins crawling out from behind a rock, or a pipe-smoking hobbit emerging from one of the turf-roofed houses.

The Lord of the Rings analogy is never far away in the Faeroe Islands, a barren and wind-swept archipelago whose volcanic peaks shoot out of the Atlantic Ocean halfway between Iceland and Norway. Local legend even claims the ring of power is hidden here.

"The one who holds it gets lots of powers but the one who holds it will also die because of it," says Hans Jakub Mikkelsen, a hobby historian, recounting an ancient Faeroese saga.

Although easily accessible by plane from Britain or Scandinavia, the Faeroe Islands are remote enough to be spared mass tourism for now. You run into more sheep than people once you venture outside the sedate capital, Torshavn.

That's a good thing. Anonymity has helped this semiautonomous Danish territory remain one of those rare places where you don't have to worry about traffic, pollution or crime. Doors are left unlocked and only seven of the roughly 48,000 residents are in jail.

Shy but hospitable, the islanders trace their heritage to a less friendly bunch -- the Vikings, who started settling here in the 8th century. Ancient traditions live on, like the medieval chain dance, the reciting of ballads and a controversial slaughter of pilot whales.

The bloody spectacle occurs about six times a year when a school of pilot whales comes close enough to be driven onshore. Knife-wielding men butcher the whales to the silent approval of scores of curious onlookers and the horror of animal rights activists.

The brutal tradition seems hard to reconcile with the gentle character of the Faeroese, but then again, this is a land of stark contrasts.

Nature has carved a dramatic landscape from the basalt rock spewed out by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Every winding turn of the well-kept roads offer majestic views over deep-green pastures, shimmering fjords or steep cliffs towering over the Atlantic swell.

But walk up to the edge, and the brute force of nature stares you right in the eye.

Take Slave's Edge on the island of Vagar. Here, a high-lying lake spills over a rock wall and releases its excess water into the ocean in a 30-meter waterfall.

Track flight prices with Yapta

2007-07-04T14:09:00.000+05:30

Yapta is an easy-to-install software that helps business travelers track flight prices. Airlines will typically drop their prices, but only for a short time. Yapta lets the customer know when the prices drop so that he or she can book their flight or request a refund. It is a great tool that helps business travelers cut costs on their trips. It is very easy to use.

Ranthambore Wildlife Park

2007-07-03T14:24:00.000+05:30

Landscape

With the Banas river running along its Northern border and the Chambal river making up the Southern perimeter, the 392 square km park is filled with lakes, forests, and rocky hills fit for its wild inhabitants. Monsoons limit the park’s open season to October through June. As you ride the safari, you feel the bumps on the dirt and deciduous paths carved by years of thrill seeking vehicles.

Activities

The best times to see the tigers and other India wildlife are the early morning or evening. There are 4 main paths that crisscross across the park and a half day excursion will almost ensure you will spot a tiger. The open-air jeeps are considered safe and your driver acts as your guide and guardian. The animals seem used to human presence and go about their activities in their elegant natural way.

Other India wildlife residents that are thrilling to witness are the marsh crocodile, forest leopard, and the rich diversity of bird life teeming in the trees. Also nearby are the ancient ruins of Ranthambore Fort, a historic lakeside dwelling whose stone archways and deep chambers revive Rajasthan’s rich military past in a setting with breathtaking views and great photo opportunities.

Dining

The top restaurants are located in the multiple tourist lodges and resorts (accommodations ranging from $5 to $500 per night) surrounding the park in the town of Sawai Madhopur featuring continental, Indian, and Chinese cuisine. If you venture into Sawai Madhopor town, check out the hot food kiosks in the Bajariya market.

Is travel an aphrodisiac?

2007-06-30T12:46:00.000+05:30

36 hours in Florence

2007-06-29T12:45:00.000+05:30

When Roman soldiers founded Florence around 60 B.C., its original name was Florentia, meaning “may she flourish.” It may have taken some 1,500 years, but flourish she did — becoming home and inspiration to Dante, Michelangelo and a lot of other really, really talented people. That's a source of pride for a city that clings to its history. Wander around, and you get the sense that Florentines never got the memo that Italy's capital moved south 140 years ago. That may explain its enduring appeal to legions of tourists and art-history majors. But the city's reputation as a tourist trap in Renaissance clothing may be undeserved. Florence still has the ability to surprise, with modern art, specialty shops and trendy bars. And with a half-dozen breathtaking gardens overlooking it all, not only is the city flourishing, it's in full bloom.

Friday

3 p.m.
1) EAT YOUR DESSERT

Start on the right note. Head to Badiani (Viale dei Mille, 20r; 39-055-578-682), the best gelateria in a town full of gelaterias. What makes Badiani so popular is its Buontalenti — named for the Medici Renaissance architect Bernardo Buontalenti. According to local lore, the original recipe for Buontalenti gelato was mysteriously found among some old manuscripts by the owner of Badiani and has never been successfully copied. If the weather is nice, order a “piccolo” cup (you won't have room for more) for 2 euros (about $2.75 at $1.37 to the euro) and eat it outside with Florentines who have come to start the weekend early.

4 p.m.
2) NO TIME LIKE THE RECENT PAST

There are a gazillion museums in Florence, but only a handful postdate the Renaissance. Start your circuit with the modern sculptures at Museo Marino Marini (Piazza San Pancrazio; 39-055-219-432; www.museomarinomarini.it), a spacious and airy museum that features the work of only one Italian artist, known for his stylized equestrian statues. The museum is a Florentine anomaly: not only is the art from the 20th century, but there's also a good chance you'll have the whole place to yourself. Take full advantage. Open stairways, balconies and landings let you examine Marini's work from every angle.

6 p.m.
3) THE OTHER PIETÀ

No one packs a house like Michelangelo. To see the artist's Pietà in Rome, you could wrestle the crowd and try to glimpse the top of Mary's head. Or you could visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Piazza del Duomo, 9; 39-055-230-2885; www.operaduomo.firenze.it; 6 euros) and walk right up to the Pietà that Michelangelo carved just before his death. He never finished it (the woman on the left was completed by another artist). The museum, oddly empty and under the shadow of the duomo, also houses Donatello's masterpiece, Mary Magdalene, and the original baptistry door panels by Ghiberti.

9 p.m.
4) VERY HAPPY HOUR

Florentine wine bars know how to lure customers: free food. And we're not talking beer nuts. The aperitivi, as the bar food is known, may include cheese ravioli, seafood risotto, crisp artichoke salad, grilled vegetables and tomato bruschetta. For the price of a glass of vino rosso (about 5 to 8 euros), you can eat like a duke at the cavelike cantina of Fuori Porta (Via del Monte alle Croci, 10r; 39-055-234-2483; www.fuoriporta.it) or under the stars on the roof of Rifrullo (Via San Niccolò, 55r; 39-055-234-2621). For more action, you might head to La Dolce Vita (Piazza del Carmine; 39-055-284-595; www.dolcevitaflorence.com) and order a spritz (Aperol and prosecco) or a negroni (Campari, vermouth and gin). It's the favorite spot of locals who are serious about their eating, drinking and merrymaking.

Saturday

9 a.m.
5) THE SWEET SPOT

A short walk outside the center, just past the reach of the tourist swarms, is the city's best pasticceria, Dolci & Dolcezze (Piazza Cesare Beccaria, 8r; 39-055-234-5458). This tiny bakery has cases full of preciously wrapped chocolates, sweet berry tarts and everything in between. Order a frothy cappuccino and a freshly baked cornetto (croissant) at the bar while Florentine women scurry through, picking up torta di cioccolato for the evening. If you want eggs for breakfast, try London.

10 a.m.
6) FINDING RELIGION

The Museo de San Marco (Piazza San Marco, 1; 39-055-238-8608; 4 euros) makes a compelling case for living as a monk. It's a former Dominican convent from the 15th century and, today, the stone hallways are as quiet as, well, a monastery. Inside, you can see the frescoes of ”The Last Judgment” and “The Annunciation” by Fra Angelico, but the highlights are the rooms — each with a small window and a fresco painting by him from the 1400s. The frescoes depict biblical scenes meant to encourage religious contemplation by the monk who lived in the cell.

How to travel without destroying the planet

2007-06-28T11:54:00.000+05:30

Travelers hold a unique perspective on the global environment. They go to great lengths—literally—to climb to the snows of Kilimanjaro, snorkel around the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef , cruise to Antarctica , walk among giant redwoods or lounge on the exotic beaches of Southeast Asia .

So they are among the first to notice when things go awry. Not just awry in the sense of a thunderstorm that ruins a day’s excursion, but in the sense of a lengthening and strengthening hurricane season that threatens to destroy entire cities like New Orleans . Awry in the sense of a yearlong drought that increases the risk of wildfires, limiting chances to hike through large swaths of the western U.S. Awry in the sense of glaciers that are slowly melting away.

Whether you want to call it global warming, climate chaos or a trough between ice ages, there’s no longer any disagreement that something is out of whack. A February 2007 report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned: “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level.”

If you believe the great majority of the world’s scientists (including the more than 1,200 contributors to that U.N. report), human activity is almost assuredly playing a critical role. Specifically: Our use of fossil fuels to heat and cool our homes, propel our vehicles and power our appliances is releasing too much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat near the Earth’s surface. The result is a slight but nonetheless noticeable increase in temperatures across the planet, which causes all kinds of havoc on land and water.

Climatologists have been ringing alarm bells about global warming for more than two decades. Finally, we may have come to a point when ordinary people stop talking about the weather and start doing something about it. An Inconvenient Truth , the Academy Award-winning movie version of the environmental slide show that Al Gore has presented in countless cities, can claim a large share of the credit. The documentary’s depiction of the damage already done by global warming brought home the issue in a vivid way that abstract projections about the future never could. For many of the approximately 3.6 million people who saw the film, the debate surrounding global warming was no longer “What if?” but “What do we do now?”

Since the movie’s release, more concrete evidence of global warming has continued to amass. In December 2006, the Indian island of Lohachara, once home to 10,000 people, sank below the rising water level in the Bay of Bengal. The low-lying South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu expects it might be next; it has signed an informal agreement to evacuate its entire population of 11,000 to New Zealand if sea levels continue to rise. Eight World Cup skiing events were canceled this year as a result of too little snow in the European Alps. Mount Kilimanjaro has lost 82 percent of the snow and ice that once covered its peaks.

Damage control

For the traveler, these changes create a sense of urgency: How to see some of the world’s marvels before they are lost to history. But that’s a two-edged sword. Travel itself is, objectively, antithetical to environmentalism. One trip to Great Smoky Mountain National Park confirms it—this American jewel has been cherished to near-death by crowds, strip-mall sprawl and automobile exhaust. If similar numbers of tourists were to suddenly decide they had to see the Great Barrier Reef before warming ocean temperatures kill all of its coral, it would merely accelerate the damage.

There’s no getting around it: Just moving about does harm to the environment. Cars use gas, planes use jet fuel (a shocking amount of it while on the ground), and ships pour tons of sludge into the ocean. Even the Transportation Security Administration is compounding the problem. Ever since Sept. 26, 2006, we’ve been required to keep our toiletries in landfill-clogging three-ounce bottles—and if that weren’t enough, bundle them all together in a zip-top bag, yet another disposable product made from petroleum.

It could even be argued that so-called ecotourism, which often involves driving jeeps into untamed areas and mucking about with the local flora and fauna, is more harmful to those environments than a bus tour that stays on the paved road. Free spirits often deride those who see the world through the window of a bus, but motor coach tourists usually honor the environmentalist’s creed by taking nothing but photos and leaving only a few Easy Spirit footprints. Though buses certainly release carbon emissions, and some bus tourists do litter, the overall impact to the environment is probably less than that of rugged mountaineers who trash the slopes of Mount Everest with their used oxygen bottles.

Even more ironic is the mounting concern that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is actually speeding the demise of the planet’s most venerable places by designating them World Heritage Destinations. World Heritage status carries with it no funding, but brings an onslaught of tourists that many of the 830 sites “of outstanding value to humanity” are unable to sustain, especially the ones in developing countries.

Should you travel with a newborn?

2007-06-27T11:37:00.000+05:30

Q. We are expecting a baby next month and would like to take a trip, likely by airplane, to visit family a few weeks after our baby is born. Can we travel with our newborn baby? Is it safe to let her fly on a plane? Janet, Dallas

A. While you 'can' travel and fly with a two-week-old baby, it doesn't mean that you should.

You will have to check with the specific airline that you are using. American Airlines, for example, says that they don't allow younger babies to fly, including 'newborn babies (within seven days of delivery) unless parent or guardian has a medical certificate indicating travel is authorized.' So a two-week-old would be allowed to fly.

Again, that doesn't mean that it is a good idea, though.

Most experts advise that you limit a newborn's and younger infant's exposure to large groups of people so that they don't get sick.

Traveling through an airport, on an airplane, and then visiting a lot of family would likely expose your child to viral illnesses and other infections, which is the main issue about safe travel with a baby. It's not so much the oxygen levels, the pressured cabin on the plane, or the effects of high altitude. Also, there is no proven risk between airplane travel and SIDS.

How to get the best out of a Dubai holiday

2007-06-26T11:56:00.000+05:30

Dubai is different to all other Arabic countries. It is a free and open place. More Westernised. There are plenty of things to enjoy in Dubai during holidays. Purpose of this article is to provide you valuable information and tips to get the maximum from Dubai holidays.

Tips
1. Visit Dubai during Nov-Apr period. The temperature is around 20C during this period and perfect for a holiday. Dubai is extremely hot during other months.
2. Avoid Ramadan period. Ramadan is the fasting month of the year for Muslim period. Dubai is dull and calm during this period. Usually Ramadan falls in October-November period depending on the appearance of the moon.
3. Buy liquor from the Dubai Airport on arrival. Liquor is only available in hotels and pubs in Dubai for visitors and it is expensive. The best option is to buy as much as possible from the duty-free shops at the airport.
4. Rent a car during your holiday. This is the best option for traveling around Dubai.
5. Have a budget for shopping and stick to it. Since it is a duty-free place, items (especially electronics and gold) are very cheap in Dubai. You will be tempted to shop till you drop.
6. Be bold and always ask for discounts when you go shopping.

wikiHow. Creative Commons License.

What is the Mile High Club?

2007-06-25T11:22:00.001+05:30

The Mile High Club is not an official club. Originally a joke between flight attendants and pilots, the Mile High Club now refers to anyone who has had sexual intercourse in an airplane flying at least one mile high (5,280 feet).
Couples determined to achieve membership in the Mile High Club have been known to repair to the plane's lavatory, dive under seat blankets, and even rendezvous in an unattended galley during long flights.

Obviously, any couple intent on joining the Mile High Club should observe all safety precautions and crew instructions before soaring into ecstasy.

Couples who insist on privacy for their initiation in the Mile High Club may be able to hire an independent pilot of a small plane (where the cockpit is separate from the cabin) to fly them around mile-high for a short period for around a thousand dollars

Indian history as written by a schoolboy

2007-06-23T11:15:00.000+05:30

Here’s some weekend fun.

The original inhabitants of ancient India were called Adidases, who lived in two cities called Hariappa and Mujhe-na-Daro. These cities had the best drain system in the world and so there was no brain drain from them Ancient India was full of myths which have been handed down from son to father. A myth is a female moth. A collection of myths is called mythology, which means stories with female caricatures. One myth says that people in olden times worshipped monkeys because they were our incestors.

In olden times there were two big families in India. One was called the Pandava and the other was called the Karova. They fought amongst themselves in a battle called Mahabharat, after which India came to be known as MeraBharat Mahan.

In midevil times India was ruled by the Slave Dienasty. So named because they all died a nasty death. Then came the Tughlaqs who shifted their capital from Delhi because of its pollution. They were followed by the Mowglis. The greatest Mowgli was Akbar because he extinguished himself on the battlefield of Panipat which is in Hurryana. But his son Jehangir was peace loving; he married one Hindu wife and kept 300 porcupines. Then came Shahajahan who had 14 sons.

Family planning had not been invented at that time. He also built the Taj Mahal hotel for his wife who now sleeps there. The king sent all his sons away to distant parts of India because they started quarrelling. Dara Seiko was sent to UP, Shaikh Bhakhtiyar was sent to J & K, while Orangezip came to Bombay to fight Shivaji. However,after that they changed its name to Mumbai because Shivaji's sena did not like it. They also do not like New Delhi, so they are calling it Door Darshan.

After the Mowglis came Vasco the Gama. He was an exploder who was circumcising India with a 100 foot clipper. Then came the British. They brought with them many inventions such as cricket, tramtarts and steamed railways. They were followed by the French who brought in French fries, pizzazz and laundry. But Robert Clive drove them out when he deafened Duplex who was out membered since the British had the queen on their side.

Eventually, the British came to overrule India because there was too much diversity in our unity. The British overruled India for a long period.They were great xpotents and impotents. They started expoting salt from India and impoting cloth. This was not liked by Mahatma Gandhi who wanted to produce his own salt.This was called the Swedish moment. During this moment, many people burnt their lion cloths in the street and refused to wear anything else. The British became very angry at this and stopped the production of Indian testiles.

In 1920, Mahatma Gandhi was married to one wife. Soon after he became the father of the nation. In 1942 he started the Quiet India moment, so named because the British were quietly lootoing our country. In 1947, India became free and its people became freely loving.

This increased our population. Its government became a limited mockery, which means people are allowed to take the law in their own hands with the help of the police. Our constipation is the best in the world because it says that no man can be hanged twice for the same crime. It also says you cannot be put in prison if you have not paid your taxis.

Another important thing about our constipation is that it can be changed. This is not possible with the British constipation because it is not written on paper. The Indian parlemint consists of two houses which are called lower and higher. This is because one Mr Honest Abe said that two houses divided against itself cannot withstand. So Pandit Nehru asked the British for freedom at midnight since the British were afraid of the dark. At midnight, on August 15, there was a tryst in parlemint in which many participated by wearing khaki and hosting the flag.

Recently in India, there have been a large number of scams and a plaque,it can be dangerous because many people died of this plaque in Surat. Scams are all over India. One of these was in Bihar where holy cows were not given anything to eat by their elected leader. The other scam was in Bofor which is a small town in Switzerland.In
this, a lot of Indian money was given to buy a gun which can shoot a coot.

Presently India has a coalishun government made up of many parties, left,right and centre. It has started to library the economy. This means that there is now no need for a licence as the economy will be driven by itself.

India is also trying to become an Asian tiger because its own tigers are being poached. Another important event this year was the Shark meeting at Malas Dive.
At this place, shark leaders agreed to share their poverty, pollution and
population.

The world's biggest airlines

2007-06-22T10:56:00.000+05:30

Based on the Number of Passengers Who Flew on Them
Ever wondered about which airlines are the biggest? The following list names the largest airlines by the amount of passengers they flew. Some of the airlines in this list would rank differently if other factors such as revenue and distances flown were also considered.

* 1 American Airlines
* 2 Delta Airlines
* 3 Southwest Airlines
* 4 United Airlines
* 5 Air France-KLM result of a merge of these two airlines in 2004
* 6 Japan Airlines
* 7 Northwest Airlines
* 8Lufthansa
* 9 All Nippon Airways
* 10 US Airways
* 11 Continental Airlines
* 12 British Airways
* 13 Qantas
* 14 Iberia
* 15 easyjet
* 16 Korean Air
* 17 Ryanair
* 18 America West Airlines
* 19 Air Canada
* 20 Scandinavian Airlines

2007-06-21T11:49:00.000+05:30

Check out how young people get their groove on in Japan.

17 days left to vote for Taj Mahal

2007-06-20T10:49:00.000+05:30

Every one's heard of the Seven Wonders of the World but few have actually seen them.
Why? Well, it's mainly because only one out of the six 'Must See' destinations, the Pyramids at Giza in Egypt, is actually still standing.

So with the Seven Wonders of the World no longer actually giving wonder to the world, in 2000 it seemed the perfect time to start again and nominate Seven New Wonders.

Launched in 2000 by the New 7 Wonders Society, a Swiss group with the preservation of man-made heritage close to its heart, the hunt was on for the new seven wonders of the world.

With strict rules like all nominations having to be man-made, be in an "acceptable" state of preservation and to have been completed by 2000, 30 potential wonders are short listed and the Taj Mahal at Agra (India) is amongst them.

Nominations were whittled down by public votes to 77 last year. Then a panel of architectural experts, chaired by former UNESCO chief Federico Mayor, shortened the list to 21. Interest has grown as Weber and his 10-member team visit the 21 sites. Their final visit will be March 6, 2007 to New York's Statue of Liberty.

In fact the Taj Mahal is the only Indian landmark to have made it in to the short list.

With 21 new world wonder finalists battling it out for just seven places, the Taj Mahal is, up against some pretty heavy weight competition including the Great Wall of China, the Acropolis, The Inca City of Machu Picchu in Peru and of course the Pyramids.

But with the New 7 Wonders due to be announced live on television around the world on 7th July, 2007, you've still got a bit of time left to cast your vote .

http://www.votefortaj.com

Podcast: The Greek Islands

2007-06-19T10:30:00.000+05:30

The Amateur Traveler talks to author Will Manus (This Way to Paradise - Dancing on the Tables, A Dog Called Leka) about the Greek Islands. Will and his wife stopped in Lindos on Rhodes on their honeymoon for 3 days annd ended up staying 35 years. Learn what captured their hearts, what to see in the Greek islands, when to go and how to get around.

How to eat street food without ruining your trip

2007-06-18T10:51:00.000+05:30

In his new book, "Street Food: Exploring the World's Most Authentic Tastes," Tom Kime, a chef who has worked in top restaurants in London, Sydney and Malta, reveals how to make 89 favorite dishes that he has tasted during his many trips around the globe. While the book focuses on recipes, Kime learned quite a bit more while conducting research on the streets of Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and beyond. We asked him for tips on finding the most delicious food and avoiding an upset stomach, or worse.

Follow crowds

"A line of people is always a good indicator that the food is tasty and fresh -- it never sits idle for long. If a vendor on a busy street has no customers, there's probably a reason."

Ask the locals

"The best recommendations I got were from taxi drivers, policemen, shop owners and office workers. Locals are discerning: They only eat what they like and what doesn't make them sick."

Watch it cook

"Always request that your food be cooked fresh for you. A hot grill will usually eliminate any microscopic bugs that are present. And a plate of steaming noodles is safer than food left out for hours at a hotel buffet."

Visiting the world's largest film studio

2007-06-16T11:41:00.000+05:30

Situated on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Ramoji Film City is the world's largest film studio complex, offering a thrilling 3 hour tour to thousands of visitors daily. From an Arizona army base, to the Australian outback, a ride through Ancient Rome, to European cityscapes, as well as ancient ruins and modern residential locales found in India, the 2000 acre complex is an eye-catching journey around the world without ever leaving India.

In addition to the countless Bollywood productions constantly filming here, the variety of exterior and interior shooting options at lower costs is now attracting budget-conscious film productions from the US and UK as well. Some Western flicks that have been shot at Ramoji include Centipede, Panic, and Crocodile 2.

With 5-star and 3-star hotels onsite and plenty of international dining options on premesis, the complex is a great vacation destination for tourists looking to be swept into another world during their India travel experience. Check out a review of the Ramoji Film City Tour and prepare to see the world at the planet's largest film studio.

50 walks of a lifetime: Santa Fe

2007-06-15T11:30:00.000+05:30

"Take a jaunt through the oldest capital city on the North American continent--Santa Fe, New Mexico. Formally founded in 1610, the city harbors hidden nooks and historic crannies. Visit the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, catch a performance at the Lensic, and see works by one of America's great artists at the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, all located in this town where the air is clean, the skies are huge, and the sunsets inspire awe."

How to bag a bargain

2007-06-14T14:47:00.000+05:30

Shopping is one of the top things to do when on holiday, according to travel retailer Flight Centre and travellers love to be able to bring back something that will remind them of their holiday.

Flight Centre marketing manager Brent Novak points out that haggling for exotic goods or cheap knock-offs is still a great way to spend an afternoon.

In many countries, especially places in Asia and the Middle East it is expected that travellers haggle and learning some of the top tips of haggling will result in not only getting a good price but also fun interaction with the locals.

So here are a few tips from Flight Centre consultants to make any budding shopper a true bargain hunter:

1. Find out if bargaining is appropriate
Trying to bargain at Bloomingdales or Macy’s in New York would probably get you some pretty odd looks from staff, so it’s important to remember that not everywhere you shop overseas will want to haggle. To learn if a price is fixed, show some interest in an item, but say, “it's just too much money”. You put the merchant in a position to make the first offer and if he comes down even a fraction, haggle away.

2. Buy things unique to the destination
Find out what are the best items to buy in the country you are visiting whether this is something unique or just better value than at home. For instance you can pick up fantastic pashminas in Oman, electrical items in Hong Kong and diamonds and gold jewellery in South Africa much cheaper than the UK. And in many Asian countries you can get tailor made clothes made up within 24hours!

3. Learn what locals pay
Prices can vary drastically among vendors at the same market, and there is also usually a double price standard - one for locals and one for you. Ask an English-speaking local customer for the going rate to get a better indication.

4. Determine the merchant’s lowest price
Many tourists think that if they can cut a price tag by 50 percent, they are doing well. So some merchants just quadruple their prices and the tourist happily pays double the fair value. The best way to deal with price tags is to ignore them. Work the cost down to rock bottom, then walk away. The last price the vendor yells out as you turn the corner is often the best price you'll get. If the price is right, go back and buy.

Read more

Five jobs that let you see the world

2007-06-13T13:32:00.000+05:30

Finding a career that allows you to travel is not always an easy task, but if you're a college grad looking to make an adventure of your gap year, a professional looking for a change of pace or anyone looking for cultural exposure, a job abroad may be the right choice for you.

Not all jobs are translatable to international positions without a little extra learning or language proficiency -- and you will need to acquire working permits and other legal documentation -- but here are some jobs that can take you away if you're up for the move:

1. Teacher
It's not news that teachers aren't highly paid, but if you're an instructor in South Dakota, you're among the lowest-paid in the nation, with an average salary of $33,236, according to a 2003-04 survey by the American Federation of Teachers.

Try taking your skills abroad. Learning English is in high demand internationally, and Germany, Switzerland and South Korea are among the countries that pay the largest teacher salaries.

South Korea's median teacher salaries range between $25,000 and $60,000, and the country has a positive reputation for providing high income to educators. Salaries in Switzerland range from $65,000 to $80,000. An added perk to employment in Germany is that state employees are regarded as permanent workers, meaning that they are paid necessary social insurances.

Requirements: A four-year degree in education or a related field, teaching experience and a TESL/TEFL certificate. You will also need an international work visa and work permits, which can be obtained personally or through the school that employs you.

2. Chef
If you are an established chef, international hotels and restaurants may offer the opportunity to build on your career overseas while, in many cases, offering you room and board for a minimum costs. In the United States, the median annual income of a head chef/chef is $40,000, and $43,000 if you work as a chef for a hotel.

Kingsbrook USA Inc. is one company that works to place chefs in international regions. They reported England's hotel chef positions as offering £14000, or roughly $26,730 U.S. dollars per year for Chef deParties. Kingsbrook also reported between $32,458 and $38,186 per year for Sous Chefs and between $38,186 and $47,732 per year for Head Chef.

Requirements: An associate degree and at least three years of culinary experience. Letters of Reference, transcripts and health records and exams will also be required.

3. Massage therapist
Massage therapists in the United States make a median annual salary of $30,000. But take your expertise to the seas, and you could earn between $33,600 and $45,600, according to Cruise Job Line. In addition to changing stationary surroundings, working on cruise lines offers the opportunity to see new people and network beyond the limitations that can be created in a spa environment. The living accommodations may be small, but they save money on housing costs, and cruise lines usually offer full health coverage onboard the ship and within United States territory.

Requirements: You'll need a high school diploma or associate degree, and a certification in massage therapy. Requirements for accreditation vary by state. U.S. citizens pursuing massage therapy for cruise lines also need a passport that is valid for at least three months after the end of the contract. A physical examination, and in some cases, immunization may be required.

Read more.

30 surefire ways to make the most of your travel budget

2007-06-12T12:47:00.000+05:30

Backpackers are, by definition, very frugal travelers. They use a number of strategies to save money along the road so that they can prolong their journey for as long as possible. Below is a list of 30 tips from the thriftiest of the thrifty (the backpacker population), regarding budget travel. Leave any additional budget travel tips you may have in the comments section so that we can add them to this list!

Please do not forget to be mindful of safety when using the following tips. Safe travel should always be your number one priority. It's not worth putting yourself at risk just to save a few dollars.

Talk to the local women: No matter where you are in the world, I guarantee the local women are the ones that really know how to manage the money. Ask them for advice: where to shop, what to cook, where the clean/cheap restaurants are, how to get around, where the deals are, etc. These women can give you more site-specific tips than a guidebook could ever dream of!
Research a site BEFORE you get there: Know where the cheap hostels are, how much food will cost, what the associated transportation costs will be, etc. You this information to come up with strategies to minimize costs.
Visit inexpensive destinations: This is an obvious point, but an often overlooked one. If you are traveling on a budget, do some research ahead of time and plan to visit the more inexpensive destinations. Try to minimize your time in big cities, limit the number of expensive, touristy, locations you visit, research the cheapest travel routes, etc.
Use your numbers: If you are with a small group of travelers, use that to your advantage. Bargain for group rates and discounts at hostels, with tour companies, buy food in bulk, etc. *Traveling with a group definitely has its downsides, but it WILL save you money. See 5 Tips for Traveling in Large Groups
If you don’t have numbers, hook up with other travelers: If you aren’t traveling with a group, try to form one. This way you can use your numbers as a bargaining chip. *Traveling with a group definitely has its downsides, but it WILL save you money. See 5 Tips for Traveling in Large Groups
Make friends with the locals: They can give you all sorts of advice about saving money, will often invite you over for meals, while also greatly enriching your overall travel experience.
Avoid booking tours, hostels, guides, etc. from abroad or on the internet: You will find more options and cheaper prices if you book these services locally.
Get out of the “tourist” areas: If you see tourists, rest assured that local business have raised their prices. Restaurants, hostels, gift stores, etc. are almost always cheaper in the non-touristy sectors of town.
Spend more time in one place: Instead of trying to cross destinations of your “must see” list as quickly as possible, relax and spend some more in just a few locations. You will save money on transportation, plus you can get a much more in-depth look at the region and its people.
Make transportation part of the fun: Don't just whizz from one destination to the next in a plane, train, or bus. Instead, rent a mountain bike, horse, or even trek from point A to point B. You will save a fortune on transportation costs, and find the actual journey a lot more enjoyable.
Explore: Get off the beaten track and explore the lesser known sites of the region you are traveling in. You will save a small fortune by not having to pay inflated tourist prices for the “must see” locations, plus you can find some real gems out there, that have not yet been exploited by millions of tourists.
Avoid hiring a guide: If you can safely avoid hiring a guide, do so. You will save money, and your trip will be much more of an adventure if you do not have someone holding your hand the whole way.
Use public transportation: First time travelers often fall into the trap of only using taxis or private transportation to get around. It’s easy, you tell the driver where you want to go, and they take you there. Unfortunately, they also usually charge you 10-20 times what the same trip would have cost using the local bus, subway, or train system.
Make friends with people who own cars: This tip was taken from taken from Brave New Traveler's Budget Travel Tips You'll Never Read in a Guidebook. A lot cheaper and less stressful than having to take taxis and buses everywhere.
Utilize night transportation: Take that 6 hour bus or train ride at night. This way you can sleep during the ride and save a night’s hostel fare.

Salzburg, a city fit for a king

2007-06-11T14:50:00.000+05:30

Have cyberfriend, will travel

2007-06-09T12:14:00.000+05:30

'Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter," wrote Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler, after what was presumably a very sociable fishing expedition.

Other well-known travellers would no doubt agree: Samuel Johnson and David Livingstone both famously enjoyed the benefits of companionship on the road.

Today, Britain has 15.4 million single travellers - up from 9.6 million a decade ago - and while some happily embark on trips by themselves, most still prefer the security, companionship and economy of travelling with someone else.

Until recently, if friends or family didn't share your interests, it meant signing up to a singles' holiday, joining an agency or cruise, or posting an advertisement in a newspaper or magazine such as The Spectator.

But as people began to book their holidays at the last minute, this process became outdated. Something quicker and more efficient was needed, and it was only a matter of time before the internet came to the rescue. Travel networking was born.

Social networking sites such as MySpace, which allow like-minded people to meet and chat over the web, have been big news for a couple of years. What's new is that travellers have joined the party.

In the past year, about 25 internet-based clubs have been set up with the sole aim of introducing holidaymakers to each other and helping them meet people local to an area they want to visit.

The advantage is that instead of being confined to a four-line advertisement or an agency's questionnaire, travellers have entire pages to themselves - a kind of cyber CV - on which to post photographs, list their favourite destinations, their likes and dislikes and describe the kind of companion they are looking for.

On some sites, such as MySpace's travel arm (www.myspace.com/roaminggnome), launched in April, you can even post your home videos. People simply contact those who share their interests and weed out the rest.

If you are a single traveller, the chances are there's something for you. High society? Asmallworld.net is an exclusive, invitation-only club whose members are rumoured to include Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton and Quentin Tarantino. Pensioner? Retiredbackpackers.com hooks up adventurous oldies. If you're looking for love, Travelhotties.com cuts to the chase, matching people looking for romance, while Welcometraveller.com connects people with local hosts.

There's no need to worry about your street cred, either. "A few years ago there was a stigma attached to meeting someone on the web, but now it's normal to be looking for a travel companion online," says Tom Hall of Lonely Planet, whose Thorn Tree website was one of the first to connect travellers.

How much time you spend with your fellow traveller is up to you: you can search for someone to join you on a gap year, or for a local to meet for a drink and a dose of insider knowledge. You don't even have to meet. Many people just exchange tips by email.

There are, or course, risks associated with meeting people over the web. Information is rarely checked, and the person in the flesh can vary wildly from a persona that has been crafted over a keyboard. But for the most part, communication is friendly and horror stories tend to be more of the "we didn't get on" variety rather than anything sinister.

According to Christine Davies, a former producer of the BBC's Holiday programme who set up a travel-networking site, the Thelma and Louise Club, after searching for a companion herself, the chances of getting on with someone you meet in cyberspace are about 60 per cent.

"It's a spin of the roulette wheel, but when it works, it really works," she says.

Her company boasts dozens of success stories, including that of Chris Baker, a recently retired pharmaceuticals manager from Perth, Scotland, who went on a two-and-a-half week holiday to South Africa earlier this year with a woman she met on the site.

"I love travelling and have reasonable funds to do it in luxury, so I was looking for someone in a similar position,'' she said.

''Jill and I both had a burning desire to go to South Africa, so we did, and had a super time. We went diamond shopping, ate in lovely restaurants and went to wildlife reserves. We got on really well, with no cross words, and spent 90 per cent of the time together. We'd both be happy to travel together again."

Travelchums.com, one of America's biggest travel networking clubs, has had its share of successes too, and its first marriage. Its home page is crammed with endorsements from customers, including a pair who got on so well they wrote: "We are twins separated at birth." So, is travel networking really a land of limitless potential? What would happen if a thirtysomething like me tried to find a companion? Armed with my dream holiday itinerary, I log on to find out.

I choose Davies's Thelma and Louise Club, set up for women looking for companionship. Named after the 1991 film starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, it's aimed at adventurous women of all ages, although most members are between 40 and 65. Britons make up the majority, but Americans, Europeans and Asians are there too.

As well as connecting single travellers, the club, which is free to join, organises regular group holidays, from trekking in Nepal and cruises round the Caribbean to shopping excursions and city breaks. Road trips are on the itinerary, but the Grand Canyon, scene of Thelma and Louise's famous cliff exit, is not. "It would be tempting fate," says Christine.

I plug my details into the four-page questionnaire and upload my photograph. Application approved and profile page set up, I am free to start searching. They are a mixed bunch: intrepid backpackers seeking like-minded companions, young career women, housewives with busy husbands, and young-at-heart pensioners. Scrolling through them is like browsing through a mail-order catalogue, only instead of buying some CDs I'm shopping for a travel buddy.

To refine my search - the club has 4,000 members - I use the automatic matching service, which links people with similar requirements. It throws up 24 potential travel companions. I decide to poke six of them - not a literal poke, of course, but a virtual one, the cyber equivalent of a friendly hello. Of the three who reply, one can make the same dates as me.

Her login name is Flying Solo. She looks nice. From her profile page, I learn that she is a university educated, 31-year-old living in north London, a social drinker and non-smoker. She lists her hobbies as sightseeing, clubbing, food and outdoor sports.

New to the UK, she has written in her "further information" box: "Looking to meet interesting, fun, adventurous types." Ditto.

After exchanging a few emails, Flying Solo and I agree to meet in IRL - cyber speak for "in real life". It's awkward at first, and feels peculiarly seedy. Why am I meeting a strange woman in a Soho bar on a Friday night?

But I soon get over it. She is a high-profile entrepreneur, articulate, cultured and well-travelled. We talk about our holiday successes and disasters, our likes and dislikes. She has a self-confident air and our discussions are frank and open. "I think we are reading from the same page," she tells me at the end of the evening, and we agree to give travelling together a go.

Back home, a Google search reveals she was recently ranked one of the world's most powerful young businesswomen.

33 travel safety tips

2007-06-08T11:20:00.000+05:30

1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company's address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.

2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.

3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver's license and credit cards.

4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you'll suddenly be "in the dark" and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.

5. Make sure that your prescription medicines are filled properly and labeled accurately. In some countries certain prescription medicines are forbidden.

6. Never wear anything that projects affluence. No gold chains, expensive watches and rings, luggage, or other paraphernalia should be in easy view. Better yet: leave your jewelry at home.

7. If possible travel with only one or two credit cards.

8. Women particularly should never accept a drink from a stranger. Keep an eye on your drink at all times.

9. Vary your schedule; try not to come and go at the same time everyday.

10. Only stay in a hotel that uses cards to open room doors and make sure your room has a peephole and a deadbolt lock. Secure the chain and secure the door by pushing a rubber stop under it.

11. Stay in a room near a stairwell. Never take the elevator if a fire or smoke is detected. Always stay in a hotel where the doors enter the hallway and not directly from the outside.

12. Do not wear name tags in public.

13. Do not use unmarked taxi cabs.

14. Sit behind the driver so you can see him, but he cannot see you.

15. Pay the driver upon arriving at your destination and while you are still sitting in the vehicle.

16. If you must rent a car, rent only from a reputable company. Any operating problems that occur could signal sabotage.

17. Be aware of 'staged' car accidents meant to catch you off card.

18. Back into your parking spaces to facilitate a quick exit.

19. Park only in well lit and well traveled areas.

20. If your cell phone does not work outside of the country, consider renting one that does for the duration of your trip.

21. If detained for whatever reason by an official, ask for identification. If in doubt, tell them that you want to see his superior. Keep your emotions in check.

22. If traveling with children, bring along an updated photograph of each child in the event that you become separated from them.

23. Write your child's name and your hotel number on each card; include a close friend's or relative's contact information on the card. Give a card to each child which they will carry with them as long as you are away. Destroy once home.

24. Discuss with your family what they would do in event of an emergency while away from home, e.g. whom to call, how to contact emergency personnel, etc.

25. Do not discuss travel plans, your room number or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.

26. Bring along a basic first aid kit with bandages, iodine, mosquito repellant, sunscreen, alcohol packets, dramamine, pepto bismol, diarrhea medicine, etc.

27. Familiarize yourself with train and bus schedules before traveling. Have an alternate plan in place in the event your transportation plans change.

28. Do not flash your passport in public. Discreetly show important documents to officials only.

29. Consider purchasing portable alarms that emit a loud sound.

30. Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.

31. Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.

32. Have tips ready in advance for service personnel.

33. Consider renting an escort [security] service if traveling in areas where crime is high.

The key to safe traveling in any area is situational awareness. Distractions because of luggage, children, hotel personnel, strangers, etc. can put you at risk. Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation.

Matt manages the Corporate Flight Attendant Community a comprehensive resource center for business flight attendants who travel throughout the world. You can visit the community at http://www.corporateflyer.net or http://www.cabinmanagers.com

Article Source:http://www.articletree.org/Travel_and_Leisure(19,627).aspx

20 percent do work, bring laptop on vacations

2007-06-07T10:32:00.000+05:30

One in five people toted laptop computers on their most recent vacations, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released last week. Along with the 80 percent who said they brought along their cell phones, the survey shows going on vacation no longer means being out of the electronic loop.

Sizable numbers are interrupting their unwinding time to check in at the office and, even more so, to keep up with the social buzz.

About one in five said they did some work while vacationing, and about the same number checked office messages or called in to see how things were going, the poll showed. Twice as many checked their e-mail, while 50 percent kept up with other personal messages like voice mail.

The credit -- or culprit, depending on one's view -- is in part today's array of devices that can easily keep people digitally tethered to workplaces, friends and family. The electronic gear was most commonly brought along by younger people -- one in four below age 40 brought laptops, compared to 15 percent of those 50 to 64 and even less for older people.

Reasons vacationers performed work-related tasks include an expectation that they be available; a worry about missing important information; or in some cases the enjoyment of staying involved, according to analysts and some of those surveyed.

"I'm the final guy, so I make sure my customers are happy," said Don Schneider, 43, a plumbing contractor from Buena Park, California, who also runs an online business that supplies video equipment for plumbers.

Schneider says he limits his holiday check-ins to about a half-hour daily and tries to do it unobtrusively so he won't annoy family and friends, making calls from his hotel room or car.

Nineteen percent said they worked on their vacation even though they were technically off. Twenty percent said they checked work messages like voice mail, and another 15 percent said they called to check in.

"It's like a cloud hanging over my head until I get it done," Lee Ann Harrison, 37, a third-grade teacher from Halls, Tennessee, said of the work she did on a family trip to Southaven, Mississippi, for her young son's baseball team. She said she found herself grading papers "between games, somewhere in the shade."

A bird's eye view of Sri Lanka

2007-06-06T13:05:00.000+05:30

A 10 minute aerial trip over the paradise island of Sri Lanka.

Environmental tips for travelers

2007-06-05T11:28:00.000+05:30

Whilst traveling in a foreign country, it is important to minimize your impact. Here are some tips and information that you should try and remember. We acknowledge that some of this advice may be more difficult to take on board whilst traveling than it would be to incorporate into your daily lives at home. However, even if you only put into practice three or four of our suggestions, be it whilst on the road or whilst at home, it will certainly contribute to reducing our impact on the planet.

Garbage

Most plastic bottles are not recyclable in Ecuador. Try to use glass bottles (returnable) for sodas etc. Aluminum cans are the next best option as they are at least recyclable.

To avoid buying more disposable bottles, carry a water bottle and always check if there is somewhere to fill it up at your hotel/ restaurant (most hotels and restaurants have purified water in large 20 litre bottles called botellones). These places also sell water in small bottles and so they might be reluctant to begin with as they think they are loosing a sale. Of course you will need to pay for the refill also. The concept of reducing garbage is new for Ecuadorians, so don’t be surprised if you have to explain it, but if more travelers request it, the more common place it will become.

If you have to buy bottles, buy the biggest you can and just refill from there, especially if you plan to be in the same place for a while.

Consider purifying your own water to avoid creating garbage.

Try to avoid excessive wrapping and plastic bags which are all to readily dished out for each small purchase. Tell the shop keeper why you give the bag back!

If you shop in a local market take your own bag or have them place everything in one large plastic bag instead of numerous small ones.

You can also reduce the amount of garbage you produce as a result of traveling by
- using a digital camera instead of using film (the process of developing film can produce a lot of waste unwanted photos are non recyclable and often end up in the trash).

Using biodegradable sanitary wear or even better, a plastic tampon which can be used time and time again (other reusable products are available e.g. reusable cotton pads, the keeper).

Use a re usable container for your soap so that you can use your own and avoid half using the small hotel soaps which come individually wrapped (if you use hotel soap, use one and take the remainder with you! It will just be thrown out).

Avoid using excessive cosmetic products e.g. hairspray, mousse, aftershave, perfume and if you must use them, try and find effective environmentally friendly alternatives e.g biodegradable shampoos, crystal deodorants which last longer etc (most containers for these products are non recyclable).

Avoid using disposable products e.g. plastic razors, single use contact lenses.

Try to use re chargeable batteries or eliminate use of batteries entirely e.g. use a wind up or solar torch or radio.

Where available use recycled paper for letters home, trip diaries, toilet paper, etc.

Buy in bulk if you are traveling in a large group- this reduces packaging.

Please remember to recycle whatever you can in the country you are traveling. However, some products that can not be recycled in the host country can be recycled in your home countries, so please take them home if possible.

Food and health

Avoid eating foods that you know are from endangered or threatened species (research these before you come to the country)…E,g, in Ecuador, lobsters are often caught undersized (tail should be longer than 8 cm).

Buy and eat locally grown and locally processed foods wherever possible, rather than food products shipped from long distances, which use more energy (fossil fuels for transport and generally more packaging).

Consider using alternative natural medical products for common travelers illnesses, e.g. grapefruit seed extract for diarrhea, etc. This maybe healthier for you as well as avoids leaving behind pharmaceuticals in the local water and soil (this is becoming a detectable problem in first world countries, thought to affect aquatic organisms like fish and frogs).

Nature, Flora and fauna

Avoid buying souvenirs of local fauna e.g. many stores sell cases of bright colored butterflies, spiders and insects. These are caught by the hundreds in the Amazon and the sales people will tell you that they are not caught but that they raise them … it is not true!

Avoid buying souvenirs that are made with endangered species or species that have to be killed to be made into a craft, support crafts made from renewable resources.

Dont collect insects, flora and fauna without a permit. Leave them for everyone to enjoy.

When walking, stay on the trails and close gates behind you.

Take your trash home. Better still, try to pack snacks that don’t have individual wrappers e.g bulk dried fruits and nuts, or fruit that comes in its own biodegradable wrapper. Or pack your lunch in a reusable box.

Today, 5th June, is World Environment Day.

Wallpaper: Whales

2007-06-04T11:04:00.000+05:30

The Gully, Off the Coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, 1997
Photograph by Flip Nicklin

"Symmetry in motion, two whales surface and exhale in union, emerging to the rarest of North Atlantic days—a clear sky and a glassy sea. Although small groups often maneuver in tight formation for a short time...research suggests that the social bonds of most bottlenose whales are as transient as a teenager's. A month from now these whales will be swimming in sync with new best friends."

Click the size you'd like to download:

800 x 600 pixels—best for smaller monitors

1,024 x 768 pixels—best for larger monitors

Literary London

2007-06-02T12:46:00.000+05:30

London. The city that inspired some of literature’s heaviest hitters is also the city that nurtured a large array of controversial writers. Those writers whose writings—or life!—caused scandal and revolution around the world. Walk in the footsteps of writers whose influence is still felt around the world today—Lenin, Marx, Wilde, and Burroughs to name a few.

Listen to the Rough Guides iToor, Subversive Scribes Literary London, and you’ll...

Come face to face with a site that housed one of London’s worst pits of vice and despair.
See John Lennon’s original hand-written lyrics
Find out why the KGB were regulars at the British Museum
Gaze at the very same landscape that inspired Douglas Adams to discover the meaning of life, the universe and everything.
Get a good look at the house where communism was born.

Low-cost European carriers

2007-06-01T11:09:00.000+05:30

In an era when one can fly from London to Rome for less than dinner for two at an osteria, it was only a matter of time until no-frills carriers started to dip their toes in the Pond—the Big one, that is. In recent years, a number of low-cost European carriers offering service to the United States have emerged. Indeed, the number of daily nonstop flights between the U.S. and Europe has grown by more than 20 percent in the last four years.

While some of the low-cost carriers (or LCCs in industry parlance) have been quietly serving popular European vacation spots, such as Florida, for some time, others are upstarts or former charter airlines looking for a piece of the competitive transatlantic action. "They are emulating the low-cost carrier model, using Internet distribution, low overhead, and a focus on efficiency," explains Craig Jenks, an airline industry consultant.

Eurofly, a former charter airline of Alitalia, launched service from New York's JFK to Bologna, Naples, Palermo, and Rome in June 2005, with round-trip flights starting at around $800. Last winter, the Scotland-based airline Flyglobespan introduced service from Belfast and Glasgow to Orlando (from $400 round-trip) and will fly from Liverpool to Newark starting this month. Air Plus Comet flies from New York to Madrid, with fares starting at $400 round-trip. The Germany-based Condor flies to Las Vegas, Orlando, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. A Las Vegas-Frankfurt round-trip is currently $428. The Netherlands-based Martinair flies to Miami and Orlando. Round-trip fares start at $696 for travel in May. And the Dusseldorf-based LTU is introducing service from German cities to Las Vegas in May.

These airlines aren't exactly Southwest with a continental accent. Legroom can be tight on these carriers, and don't count on VIP lounges and mileage programs, but there are no Southwest-style cattle calls, and food is available, albeit for a price, on some routes.

Weird laws overseas

2007-05-31T10:56:00.000+05:30

Just because you can do something in the India doesn't mean it's OK in another country.

Many countries, from Egypt to Cuba, forbid taking photographs, or using binoculars near military or government installations. Penalties can include jail sentences.
In Turkey it is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up the national currency.
In Thailand, images of Buddha are sacred.
It is illegal to make rude gestures or swear in public in Bahrain, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and Kenya. You could face a severe fine.
Topless sunbathing is illegal on most beaches in Florida.
In Singapore smoking in public buildings, littering, jaywalking, spitting, feeding birds in public places, chewing gum on the local transport system, and failing to flush public lavatories are civic crimes and attract instant fines.
In the UAE it is a criminal offence to eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset.
The penalty for entering or bathing in a fountain in Italy is a heavy fine.
It is illegal to import pork products into Yemen, with a maximum punishment of death.
The plant Quat (Khat) is illegal in the USA. Visitors attempting to take this plant into the USA could be arrested and face imprisonment.

Underwater post office

2007-05-30T11:36:00.000+05:30

Vanuatu Post has created the world’s only Underwater Post Office. Situated within a marine sanctuary, off Hideaway Island near Port Vila in Vanuatu, the Post Office can receive mail delivered in person if you are a visiting diver or snorkeller or sent via the Main Post Office to ensure all mail items receive the special cancellation from this unique underwater paradise.

Okhil babu's letter

2007-05-29T11:52:00.000+05:30

Okhil Chandra Sen wrote this letter to the Sahibganj Divisional Railway Office in 1909. It is on display at the Railway Museum in New Delhi.

"I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and my belly is much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went to privy. Just I doing the nuisance that guard making whistle blow for train to go off and I am running with lotah in one hand and dhoti in the next when I am fall over and expose all my shocking to man and female women on platform.
I am got leaved at Ahmedpur station. This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung that dam guard not wait train five minutes for him. I am therefore pray your honour to make big fine on that guard for public sake. Otherwise I making big report in papers."

Any guesses why this Okhil babu's letter was of historic value?

It apparently led to the introduction of toilets in our trains.

Architecture of Taj Mahal

2007-05-28T10:41:00.000+05:30

Google Map of TravelPort's head office

2007-05-26T10:39:00.000+05:30

Tarvelport's head office, Mumbai city.

Click on WikiMapia for bigger views.

Boston's most unique tours

2007-05-25T10:58:00.000+05:30

Whether you're planning your first trip to Boston or you want to see the city in a whole new way, here the most unique tours of this diverse and infinitely interesting New England city.

1) Boston Duck Tours

What's a Duck Tour? Good question! You'll tour Boston's roads and waters in a "duck," a World War II-era amphibious vehicle. Your tour guide will probably tell a few jokes that will quack you up, too.

2) Boston North End Market Tours

Michele Topor leads Boston visitors on culinary adventures in the city's Italian North End. If you consider yourself a foodie, don't leave Boston without booking a spot on this gourmet stroll and behind-the-scenes tour of the North End's markets and eateries.

3) New England Ghost Tours

The Boston Spirits Walking Tour offered by New England Ghost Tours is an opportunity to see the city at night and to delve into its dark and mysterious crevasses. If you like tales of ghosts and want to visit cemeteries and learn who haunts Boston, this is the tour for you.

4) Talking Street Cell Phone Tour of Boston

Aerosmith lead singer and Massachusetts native Steven Tyler is at your call to show you around town. At your cell phone call, that is. The Talking Street cell phone tour of Boston costs just $5.95 (not including your cell phone air time) and features the voice of one of the city's best-known rockers.

Commuters travel twice around world

2007-05-24T11:26:00.000+05:30

The average commuter will travel two and a half times around the globe over the course of their working careers according to new figures released today by the RAC Foundation on Work Wise Transport Day.

Twenty-five million people in the UK commute to and from a fixed place of work and 72% travel by car, which leaves 18 million people fighting with daily frustration of congestion on the road network.

Over the past ten years there has been a trend for fewer, but longer commuting journeys, suggesting that people are adjusting their living arrangements to deal with the frustrations of the commute.

Four million people now work from home or act as 'mobile workers' and as congestion increases and reliability on the road network becomes less certain this trend is likely to continue.

The RAC Foundations fact file on commuting finds that;

* 19% of all distance traveled is for commuting purposes

* The average daily commute is 8.7 miles a 6% increase since 1995/97

* The average commuter makes 161 commuting trips and travels 1391 miles over a year

* 16% of all trips in the UK are made for commuting reasons

* When business travel is taken into account workers travel an additional one and a half times around the globe

Viagra for jet lag?

2007-05-23T11:05:00.000+05:30

The little blue pill known for making time in the bed more enjoyable may also help weary jet travelers roll out of it in the morning.

New research shows Viagra may be the solution for travelers who suddenly find themselves needing to rise hours earlier as they cross time zones, at least if those travelers are hamsters.

A study at the Universidad Nacional de Quilmes in Buenos Aires showed that male hamsters who received an injection of sildenafil along with a 15-minute stimulation of light were able to adjust their internal clocks by six hours in roughly half the time that hamsters who did not receive the treatment took.

How to travel now

2007-05-23T10:23:00.000+05:30

The best advice is lots of advice
Clip any newspaper and magazine articles. E-mail friends, friends of friends, and even like-minded strangers (via message boards) for advice. Ask for tips from bloggers who specialize in destinations. Check out user-review websites like TripAdvisor. Don't rely on any single source, even Budget Travel; look for a consensus.

Flexibility pays off
When it comes to booking a flight, being flexible with dates used to mean doing a lot of data entry. Flexible-date searches at Travelocity, Kayak, and many airline sites now make it a snap to see how much you'll save by changing your dates.

hink outside the hotel-room box
Renting a house, condo, or apartment--or swapping homes--may be better, especially for groups. The Internet has made locating such non-hotel options a million times easier. Three vacation-rental websites: VRBO.com, HomeAway.com, VillasIntl.com. Three home-swapping websites: HomeExchange.com, HomeLink.org, Intervac.com.

Someone has to pay the tennis pro's salary
When you stay at a hotel, you're essentially paying for all the services offered--gym, water sports, concierge, tennis courts--even if you never use them. So figure out what's important to you, and what you can do without.

Pick the right guidebook
Browse to check that the research isn't stale and that you trust the writer's sensibility. Time Out is reliable for big cities, and Lonely Planet is still best for off-the-grid trips.

Call a travel agent when you're...
Planning a complicated trip, traveling with a large group, going on a cruise, hoping for advice on the destination. Always ask: Has the agent been there?

Scout from above
Use Google Earth's cool satellite images to gauge the exact distance between the hotel you're considering and the beach, a highway, the Eiffel Tower, the subway, Chernobyl....

The best price is out there somewhere
And there's no one simple way to track it down. Start with meta-search engines like Kayak and SideStep, which scour multiple sites for flights, hotels, cruises, and car rentals. Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia are good for getting a feel for what's out there--though they often don't search all airlines, and they tack on service fees.

Keep hunting
Think like a bloodhound: Prices for car rentals and hotels fluctuate, so never give up sniffing out a better deal. When you locate one, snap it up--and cancel the old reservation. Just make sure the cancellation policy won't bite you in the rear.

Call hotels directly
Certain special rates are only sold over the phone; others are only sold online. Note: Cancellation policies for these can be strict.

Know thy neighbors
For cruises, tours, and other group experiences, ask who'll be joining you--how mature they are or aren't, whether everyone will already know each other, and so on. For hotels and resorts, make sure there's not a wedding or a convention during your dates. For cruises, check out CruiseCritic.com.

Why packages can be major bargains
To fill rooms and seats, hotels and airlines will resort to rock-bottom prices. For obvious reasons, they don't like to publicize these rates, so they sell a certain number of rooms or seats to companies that bundle them in packages. That way, no one knows exactly what the airfare or hotel alone costs. Here are a few things to bear in mind before you buy a package:

. The only way to know if it's a deal is to see what it costs to book separately.

2. Don't trust the packager's hotel description or star rating; research the hotel on your own. If you don't like the hotel being offered, you can usually upgrade.

3. Ask about the flight's times, connections, airline, and change and cancellation policies.

4. Extra nights are often available at a ridiculously low rate.

Buy drugs
Get and fill prescriptions for sleeping pills and medicine for traveler's diarrhea. At some point in your travels, you'll be extremely relieved that you did.

Silverjet! Eurofly! Zoom!
It seems like there's a new airline every day, and because they don't show up in booking engines, figuring out who flies where is a headache. Bookmark DoHop.com--it lists which carriers serve an area.

Third-party bookers often get second-class treatment
Wrong as it is, hotels are nicer to guests who seek them out than to those who come via a third-party booking engine. Whenever possible, book directly. If you see a low rate elsewhere, ask the hotel to match it. Hotels will almost always undercut any middleman--which isn't all that difficult, when you consider that booking engines tack on fees

In case of emergency
Old rule: Bring a photocopy of your passport with you. New rule: Scan your passport and e-mail it (and your itinerary) to yourself and to someone you trust back home.

So much for Tuesday after midnight
For years, many "travel experts" have theorized that some or other weeknight was when airlines released fantastic deals, but that's hogwash.

"Garden-view" equals parking lot
Words can lose their meaning (if they ever had much of one in the first place), and you can't assume your definition is the same as someone else's. A few words and phrases you should cast a gimlet eye on: boutique (when describing hotels), centrally located, charming, chic, garden-view, low-fare (for airlines), luxury, quaint, recently renovated, romantic, stylish, suite, villa, walking distance. Plus: Hotel rating systems aren't worth a whole lot. What makes a hotel four-star versus three-star can be something as silly as a phone in the bathroom.

The proof is in the picture
If a hotel or condo doesn't post photos on its site, ask for images to be e-mailed. But don't assume photos are entirely trustworthy. Images shot with fish-eye lenses make rooms seem bigger than they are; or the hotel may send a photo of a room that's better than the one you reserved.

45 milion vote for new seven wonders

2007-05-22T10:27:00.000+05:30

More than 45 million people have voted so far in an Internet campaign to choose the seven "new" wonders of the world out of 21 shortlisted historical buildings or monuments, the organisers said Monday.

The contest, aimed at raising global awareness about the world's shared cultural heritage, was set up by a Swiss filmmaker, curator and traveller Bernard Weber, following the destruction of Afghanistan's giant Buddha statues at Bamyan by the Taliban in 2001.

In the most recent count published on May 7, the top 10 were the Acropolis in Greece, the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Coliseum in Rome, the Eiffel tower in Paris, the Great Wall of China, the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, Petra in Jordan, the statues on Easter Island, Britain's Stonehenge and the Taj Mahal in India.

The organisers say they are trying to get ordinary people to follow the spirit behind the ancient seven wonders selected by intellectuals in the Mediterranean and Middle East around 200 BC. Only one of them, the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, still survives.

You can get the Taj Mahal into the final seven by voting here: http://www.votefortaj.com

Podcast: New York for first timers

2007-05-21T09:43:00.000+05:30

A guide to the 10 things you have to do if it your first trip to New York.

Malaria hot spots

2007-05-19T10:37:00.000+05:30

To call attention to the malaria plight many Britons face as they travel abroad, created this video that shows the importance of properly fighting off mosquitoes and points viewers to a site called Malaria Hot Spots providing malaria-related travel tips.
Mosquito Style - It Only Takes One Bite - Click here for more free videos

Top 10 day trips from Prague

2007-05-18T09:27:00.000+05:30

There is plenty to do in the Czech capital city of Prague, but you will want to pencil into your itinerary one or two day trips from Prague that will round out your Czech travel experience. Many of these day trips are available from tour agencies, but you'll also be able to take some of these day trips simply by arranging for transportation to and from your destination - check with your hotel in Prague to see what day trips will fit into your schedule.

1) Karlstein Castle - Day Trip to Southwest of Prague

Karlstein Castle is a popular day trip from Prague. Guided tours leave every hour and take visitors through various halls, chapels, and the former castle prison. Also visit the souvenir shop and the wax displays of Czech historical figures.

Karlstein/Karlstejn Castle Website: www.htradkarlstejn.cz

2) Plzen Brewery Museum - Beer Museum in Pilsen

Visit the town famous for the original pilsner beer. The town itself is small and charming, but the Plzen Brewery Museum will give visitors a firsthand look at how this Czech beer has been made over the centuries.

3) Kutna Hora - World Heritage Site Day Trip from Prague

Kutna Hora is one of Czech Republic's UNESCO World Heritage sites. Once the site of silver mines and the seat of Czech royalty, Kutna Hora is home to several examples of Gothic church architecture that later influenced architecture throughout Europe.

Kutna Hora Website: www.kutnahora.cz

4) Cesky Krumlov - World Heritage Site Day Trip from Prague

A Cesky Krumlov day trip is a Prague visitor favorite. An UNESCO World Heritage site, Cesky Krumlov has an historic old town complete with castle and baroque theater. Cesky Krumlov is also a cultural center with lots of activities and events to entertain tourists.

Cesky Krumlov Website: www.ckrumlov.info

5) Karlovy Vary - Spa Day Trip from Prague

Karlovy Vary is a Bohemian spa town with a picturesque layout. Karlovy Vary's rich history means there is plenty to see, especially for those who enjoy photography. This Czech town also hosts a film festival and has served as a set for more than one Hollywood film.

Karlovy Vary Website: www.karlovyvary.cz

10 free Melbourne attractions

2007-05-17T10:43:00.000+05:30

There are a number of free attractions available in Melbourne, Victoria. Here's a selection of Melbourne attractions which shouldn't cost any money.

1) City Circle Tram

More a means to travel free to a number of central Melbourne's sightseeing attractions, the City Circle Tram provides a "hop on, hop off" service to such places as Federation Square, Old Treasury Building, Parliament House and Princess Theatre. There's a running commentary, too, as you pass, or stop at, a place of historical, cultural or architectural significance. The free City Circle Tram has now been joined by the Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle, a free hop on, hop off shuttle bus service on another Melbourne city circuit.

2) Flinders St Station

Flinders St Station is a major landmark in central Melbourne and is also a popular place to meet. With Victorian architecture and striking, large clock faces, Melbourne's Flinders Street Station was built in the late 19th century.

3) Federation Square

Right along the route of the free Melbourne City Circle Tram lies Federation Square across the street from Flinders St Station. Both Flinders St Station and Federation Square have distinctive, if contrasting, architectural styles. Particularly at Federation Square, browse through the shops and galleries, which lead us to...

4) The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia

This is the home of the National Gallery of Victoria's Australian art collection, which is said to be the largest in the world. Admission to the permanent collection is free but fees may apply to special exhibitions. Located in Federation Square.

5) Australian Centre for the Moving Image

While at Federation Square, visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image with its Screen Gallery and large collection of exhibits pertaining to Australian screen-based art, including film, video, television, interactive installations, and computer animation. Entry to the Screen Gallery, open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 10am to 6pm, is free.

Getting the best out of your travel deals

2007-05-16T17:28:00.000+05:30

The greatest secret to getting an affordable airfare or best travel discounts is to know your budget and what do you really want. Additionally, you should shop and compare deals until you run out of options and choose the best among them.

And importantly, always plan ahead. Nothing is too early when it comes to vacation planning. This will give you ample time to search and choose.

Whether you're a business traveler or planning a family vacation, here are some travel tips to save you money and choose the best deal:

1. Buy your ticket directly. Travel agents usually charge between $15 and $35 per ticket.

2. Buy your ticket all at the same time instead of buying one at a time. Booking fee may be discounted.

3. Booking for a package tour could be a wise choice for some destinations.

4. When planning a more complex trip, a travel agent can save you more time and money.

5. Compare prices online for the best deal. There are websites that help travelers to shop and compare. Some also provide travel tips and guidelines.

6. Play the seasons. Some travel destinations are cheapest at certain times or season of the year. Booking for an off-peak season also would give you the best deal. 7. Be flexible with travel dates and times. Some airlines and hotels offer substantial discounts if you book one or two days earlier.

8. Smaller airlines often have lesser fees. Additionally, small airlines don't necessarily mean smaller airplanes.

9. Alternative airport also could provide you with substantial discounts. Ask your travel agent about it.

10. Plan ahead. The earlier you book, the better deal you will have.

11. Buy trip insurance. Insurance will not only save your life but also could save you money. If you end up being sick in foreign country, your insurance back home might not cover it. Thus you might end up using your vacation budget on hospitalization.

12. Sign up for hotel and airline awards programs. Chain hotels usually have award programs; take advantage of it especially if you are a frequent business traveler. Finally, never stop bargaining, always explore the possibility of lower airfare, lower hotel rates. However, it is important to weigh and compare all options since not all cheap travel deals will give you the travel value you deserved. Travel will be more enjoyable if you get the most of your hard earn vacation budget.

About the Author

James Yee enjoys photography and travel. Thanks to SBI, James now owns his Travel website.
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Airline food

2007-05-16T10:52:00.000+05:30

Traveler Buzz breaks downs the art of airline cuisine.

Shrinking summers force creative travel plans

2007-04-27T18:41:00.000+05:30

For Jettie Kootman, 2007 is shaping up as the year of the shrinking summer.

Like many schools, her 15-year-old daughter's high school is moving its starting date a week earlier this year to Aug. 13, squeezing summer break down to two months, says the Paradise Valley, Ariz., mother. The change "messes up families and family vacations," ruining plans for an August trip.

Blame it on calendar creep. The traditional three-month school vacation has shrunk to two as officials extend classes deeper into June and reopen earlier in August. The result: "You have a whole nation trying to take vacation in the same two months," says Bruce De Witte, a Franklin, Mass., father of three. Families are adapting in many ways, from splitting up the family to vacation separately, to stealing back children's time by calling them in "sick" during the school year.

School officials say they need the added school time to reduce summer learning setbacks and prepare students to do well on standardized tests. Many also want students to finish fall-term final exams before the Christmas holiday. They're adding one- or two-day holidays during the year to make up for the lost time.

But parents say the squeeze on summer robs them of the flexibility they need to plan extended vacations. Increasingly competitive youth sports teams, plus intensive camp and service programs, are consuming more weeks of summer. Many working parents have trouble getting time off during the summer, when co-worker competition for vacation weeks is at a peak; narrowing the time-off window just makes it harder.

Can flying make you sick?

2007-04-27T18:37:00.000+05:30

On an American Airlines flight last week from New York to Seattle, traveler Jim Sullivan noticed the flight attendants preparing to serve a meal. He grabbed a bottle of hand cleanser and began wiping down the tray table in front of him. "A flight attendant I know told me how filthy these things are," he says.

Indeed, at a time when airplanes are often packed to capacity with travelers from around the world, it's no wonder that travelers start to worry about their exposure to germs and disease. With headlines warning of bird flu and cruise-ship outbreaks, passengers are more nervous than ever about who -- and what -- is really sharing their seat space.

But surprisingly, travel health experts say airplanes typically don't pose any bigger health or germ exposure risk than any other public place. The best advice to stay healthy while flying: wash hands often and drink lots of bottled water. Here are answers to some common questions about the health risks of travel and what airlines are doing to battle germs on board.

Q: Can I catch an illness from the passenger sitting next to me or from germs left by a sick passenger on the flight before me?

Travelers can catch an illness just from being on a plane, but it's not likely, says Marlene Zuk, an evolutionary biologist at the University of California-Riverside who studies the interaction between diseases and their hosts. "They're more likely to catch something at work because they're coming in closer contact with their co-workers." And, just sitting in a seat that an ill person has been in isn't likely to get you sick. The human body is constantly bombarded with microbes, Dr. Zuk says, most of which the immune system fights off.

There is a risk to having spray particles land on you (such as from a sneeze), since they can enter your body if you wipe that area of your skin on your nose or eyes. Respiratory droplets can't penetrate your skin, though, Dr. Zuk says. Experts recommend carrying hand gels to clean your hands in case you can't use the restroom. If you're sitting next to someone who's sick, you can ask to be reseated. Several airlines say that if there's a seat available, they will reseat passengers upon request.

Q: How often do airlines clean their planes? What about pillows and blankets?

For the most part, only surface cleaning is done at the gate. American Airlines says that different work is done depending on the mileage flown and the ground time available, but that it mostly involves picking up trash, folding blankets and replenishing provisions. British Airways says that it cleans its seats, replaces the headrests and vacuums the floors, in addition to other measures after every flight. Northwest Airlines says its aircraft undergo an additional cleaning every night, which includes vacuuming, cleaning windows and wiping down bins and other surfaces.

Read more

Trains take the strain out of travel

2007-04-24T11:23:00.000+05:30

On overseas trips, many American business travelers do what is almost unthinkable back home. They take the train - and in increasing numbers, as high-speed rail service expands in Europe, China and Japan.

"I wouldn't even consider taking the train in the U.S. except along the Northeast Corridor - and that might be just a commuter train from North White Plains to New York," said Ralph Smith, who searches the globe for low-cost supplies for Tennant, a maker of industrial cleaning machines based in Minneapolis.

"But trains in Europe run like a clock," he said. "They're nice and clean and fast. And the rail staffs are very helpful to Americans who kind of don't know where they're going."

In contrast to the stressful turmoil of airline travel, rail trips, when done right, can be both efficient and civilized, as travelers like Smith can attest. They can even be cultural when passengers mingle and talk while viewing scenery through picture windows. "What do you see out the window at 37,000 feet?" ads for the French railroads ask travelers.

"Virtually all the big global companies use trains worldwide more than ever," said Bill Connors, executive director and chief operating officer of the National Business Travel Association, a U.S. trade group. "They want travelers to be productive and happy. The train takes a lot of the hassle out of going to airports."

Railways are rolling out services that make it easier to do business while traveling from one city to another.

"Our first-class cars on most high-speed routes are geared to corporate travelers. with trays for laptops, open or private tables for small meetings, and Wi-Fi we're installing," said Fabrice Morel, president and chief executive of Rail Europe, a marketing group. In answer to complaints that the car interiors have the look of an airline lounge, the French have brought in the designers Philippe Starck and Christian Lacroix to add some interest to the décor.

Speed is of course one of the major allures of foreign train travel. France's vaunted TGV, or Train à Grande Vitesse, streamliners streak along at 180 miles per hour, or 290 kilometers per hour, or more. That is about as fast as a commercial airliner on takeoff.

"Europe's expanding high-speed network is redefining short-haul travel," said Guillaume Pepy, chief executive of the National Society of French Railroads, the French rail system. Recently, a TGV set a new speed record at 357 miles per hour on test tracks. And the French rail system plans to launch high-speed service in June between Paris and Frankfurt that will cut travel time nearly in half on tracks used both by French TGVs and Germany's fast Inter City Express, also known as ICE, trains. China is also getting involved in the speed game. A new magnetic levitation train shuttles between Pudong International Airport in Shanghai and the city's downtown area, accelerating to about 240 miles per hour during the eight-minute trip. A high-speed line between Beijing and Shanghai is scheduled to open in 2010.

What if there really was a paradise?

2007-04-22T12:21:00.000+05:30

Getting there: Halcyon Air has direct flights from wherever you live, whenever you want. All seats are both aisle and window; none are over the wing. Each seat pocket contains Bose Acoustic Noise Canceling headphones, a chilled bottle of Dom Pérignon, and a recent copy of the Sun-Sentinel Travel section. The five-course in-flight meals are prepared on board by celebrity chefs. Flight attendants are former Ford models with Ph.D.s in aeronautical engineering who were lured away from brilliant careers in nursing. Fellow passengers are all witty conversationalists traveling without laptops. Your captain sounds like Garrison Keillor. (In fact, he's John Travolta.) The in-flight entertainment includes every classic film you've always wanted to see and all the current movies you've missed. Well-behaved children receive beagle pups. There is never any turbulence.

Getting around: Taxis appear whenever you need one. There are no meters inside because they are free. Drivers speak whatever language you do. They offer invaluable tips, tell jokes you haven't heard before, obey the speed limit, and praise the driving of the person in front of them. They are also very complimentary toward whoever is in power. They think the system works for them. They believe tipping is an insult.

If you like to mix it up with the locals, you can also ride the clean, comfortable, electric monorail which connects downtown to the historic district, the museum section, all the colorful ethnic neighborhoods, the convention center, the sports complex, the shopping emporium, the port, the beach, the rain forest, the ski resort, the five theme parks, the eight Nicklaus-designed golf courses, the four national parks, the nearby chain of tropical islands, the base camp on Mount Antaeus, and the area's 478 luxury spas.

Lodging: A wide choice of venerable hotels, many of them living monuments made famous by literary classics. All rooms have views and are under $100 a night. Those without fireplaces have ceiling fans. Carl Kasell does the wakeup calls. Everybody in the lobby bar knows your name. Receptionists, maids, bellmen, valets all shed tears when you check out.

Calling long distance when traveling

2007-04-20T18:59:00.000+05:30

Whether you travel for business or leisure staying in touch with the office, friends and family can often mean having to make long distance telephone calls. In some countries this may not be overly expensive but in others it can be prohibitively expensive, and even if reasonably priced the total bill of making long distance calls quickly adds up.

Thankfully, more and more hotels around the world are offering free or very reasonably priced broadband internet access. Many of the best hotels even offer free wireless broadband access in most public areas of the hotel. If you choose a hotel which offers such a service then you can say goodbye to long distance telephone charges for good, thanks to a free service which is becoming more and more popular - Skype.

Skype offers two types of service. One is completely free and as long as the people you want to talk to have Skype downloaded and installed on their computer then you can chat for as long as you want completely free of charge. This service could not be simpler to use, you can see when your 'contacts' are online and simply call them. The person you are calling then has the option of picking up the call or refusing it. Once connected the sound clarity is, 90% of the time, excellent, perhaps even better than a good quality IDD line.

The other service Skype offers, SkypeOut, allows anyone with Skype installed on their computer to call any regular telephone anywhere in the world at very reasonable rates. The sound quality when using this service is not as consistently good as when using the free service outlined above but is normally acceptable. Skype have said that they are working on this technology in an aim to making it as good and reliable as the free version.

Hotel urban legends

2007-04-19T19:08:00.000+05:30

I love a good urban legend. Urban legends play on our fears, our insecurities and our love of the lascivious. Sometimes fanciful, sometimes truth-based, these tales spread like wildfire, especially in this Internet age. Many urban legends revolve around hotels, but which are false alarms, and which should keep travelers on their toes?

That bad smell in the room could be a dead body. Stories abound about a couple checking into their room at a hotel (usually identified as a Las Vegas dive) and noticing a bad odor. Although housekeeping tries to "freshen up" the room several times, the odor persists. Frustrated, the man begins tearing the room apart in an attempt to find the source of the stench. When he pulls the mattress off the bed, he finds a dead body in the box springs.

This one's actually true! Bodies have been found stuffed in hotel beds in Kansas, Atlantic City, N.J., and Pasadena, Calif., for example. I think the most horrifying aspect of these stories is that people actually slept on top of a dead person before the body was discovered. I'll say this: I would never be surprised by anything found in a cheap hotel room in a bad neighborhood. Heck, I've seen used needles left in beds in classy joints! So go ahead and check your bed before crashing for the night. With luck, you'll find your room is body-free -- and you might catch some bed bugs before they strike!

Hotel key cards contain your personal information, and anyone with a special scanner can "read" your details. No, no, no, no, no. And just for good measure: No. And please quit asking front desk agents about this one -- they're sick of denying this myth to skeptics who aren't going to believe them anyway.

This rumor was inadvertently started by members of the Pasadena Police Department (what is it with Pasadena?), and it spread so quickly that the police have posted a page on the department's Web site dedicated to presenting the facts.

So here's the truth: No, your home address, phone number and credit card number is not programmed on your key card. Here's what is: your room number, check-in date, check-out date and check-out time. If you can charge purchases to your room account by using your key, then the key is probably also programmed with at least a few letters of your last name and your account number. That's it. That little strip can't hold much more than that anyway. Moreover, many properties use key systems that are not even connected to their computers, so there's no way personal information from your reservation could be put on your key.

Besides, if hotel employees want to steal your identity, they don't have to bother snagging your key and obtaining a scanner to read it. They can just go to the computer and look you up -- everything they need is on one screen!

If you wake up in a tub full of ice, call 911! Probably everyone has heard the story of the hotel guest seduced by a stranger at the bar. He takes her back up to his room for a little romance, and the next thing he knows, he's waking up in the bathtub, covered in ice. A note placed near his hand instructs him to call for help. His back is in agony, and when he reaches around, he realizes he's bleeding! Turns out, he was drugged by the lady, and his kidney has been harvested for sale on the black market.

A great episode of the always-funny television show "Las Vegas," appropriately titled "Urban Legend," had a similar story line, but is the story true? Probably not. Yes, people have sold their kidneys, and some doctors in India were busted in the '90s for duping people into having their kidneys removed. Black-market organ transplants do happen. But I don't think anyone has found proof that this hotel tale is true. Besides, have you ever tried to get a full bucket of ice from a hotel ice machine? It would take hours to get enough ice to fill a bathtub. That said, you should always be careful when drinking in bars, and don't invite strangers to your room!

Cheap travel cheat sheet

2007-04-18T18:24:00.000+05:30

Vacations are all about priceless memories of water slides, wide smiles, inside jokes the kids will tell for years to come and -- cue needle screeching across the record album -- dropping a few c-notes a day.

That buzzkill statistic comes from AAA's annual vacation survey, which revealed that, last year, the average family of four shelled out $261 a day -- $120 for food and $141 for lodging -- for their R&R. That's $1,827 for seven days away from the daily grind, not counting travel tchotchkes and pit stops for stomach remedies. No soft-focus lens can soften the blow of that bill.

Have plastic, will travel
The cost of travel makes it worthy of its own budget line item. So treat it like one by formalizing your savings goal. For example, if you plan to go away in August, start socking away $456.75 a month (to reach the $1,827 total mentioned above).

Unless you want your credit card statement holding a place of prominence in your photo album, the best way to pay for R&R is to plan ahead and pay cash. However, that's not the M.O. for most travelers.

A survey a few years ago found that about 40% of vacationers financed their travel plans with plastic -- and more than half didn't pay off the tab right away. We don't want you to stay at home and mope, but if you can't afford to pay cash for that cruise/camping trip/Civil War re-enactment outing, ask yourself if you're willing to pay double for it. Because that's what it'll cost if you pay just the minimum amount due on your credit card.

Don't forget to include the cost of activities and extras like doodads to placate the kids and chocolates for your pals back at the office. Travel pros recommend padding your budget by 10% to 15% to avoid sticker shock.

Vacation planning = budget travel
Everyone knows that advance planning is everything when it comes to travel. Nowhere is the savings more significant than when shopping for airfare. The bonus to arranging your getaway now is that you can solidify your plans before all the aisle seats are taken (and have something to motivate the kids to do their chores).

In the April issue of Motley Fool Green Light I wrote a playbook for tackling the biggest vacation expenses -- airfare, rooms and rental rides -- as well as advice on trip insurance and managing your cash when you're on the road. Below is a get-started guide to help you find cheap flights.

How to score cheap flights
Would that there was a time travel machine. If you could transport back to the year 1950, you'd be able to treat your family of four to a whiz-bang getaway for just $13 a day (and maybe even witness the birth of Rock and Roll). Until that technology is worked out, you'll have to make do with contemporary tools. Fortunately, there are plenty to make cost cutting easier.

Track fares for a while. Many websites will keep an eye on airfare costs and alert you to the best deals based on your travel criteria. Check out Farecast.com for guidance on when to buy; cFares.com to search airlines, travel wholesalers, and agencies (for a membership fee, it also offers a name-your-price feature); and Airfarewatchdog.com for cheap flights before they hit the major travel portals.

Do comparison-shopping diligence. Make sure a deal is really all that by comparing your quotes with those offered directly by the airline. In addition to the biggie travel sites like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, and Hotels.com, lesser-known aggregators like the Travelzoo (Nasdaq: TZOO) website can provide extra savings. Others include Kayak.com, Sidestep.com, 1800FlyEurope.com, and I'mWillingToRideInCargo.com (kidding on that last one). You might encounter some fares that require you to pick up the phone and contact the agent directly. Do it -- that's how I got a direct flight to Paris for half of what it cost on another website. Also, there's always Priceline and its name-your-own-price policy.

Pay with points. Planners -- those who book their travel months in advance -- will get the most out of their points and frequent-flier miles. These days the restrictions on rewards redemption are plentiful. (Check out mouseprint.org to see how the fine print might affect your travel and InsideFlyer.com for the most recent news about rewards travel.) A good rule of thumb is to pay cash for tickets that cost $250 or less instead of wasting points (unless they are due to expire). You may save more by using your points to pay for a hotel room. And if you're just short of qualifying for a freebie, check out Points.com to see whether you can swap or augment your rewards kitty.

Travel + Leisure 500 best hotels on Google Earth

2007-04-17T20:35:00.000+05:30

For the first time, you can see the 500 hotels Travel + Leisure readers named the greatest in the world as they are in the world. Zoom in to rooftop level, plot a route to the Louvre from your hotel's front door, or just compare pools and proximity to the ocean.

All you need to get started is a copy of Google Earth. If you haven't downloaded it already, click this link to download Google Earth. Then come back to this page and click "Open the T+L 500 in Google Earth." In no time, you'll have a birds-eye view of a world of luxury.

Business owner's guide to cutting travel costs

2007-04-16T00:02:00.000+05:30

David Ulevitch, CEO of Open DNS, a networking services start-up, stays at a friend's house when he travels on business from San Francisco to New York City.

And he urges his 10 employees to do the same while traveling for work.

"I never tell people they can't stay at a hotel," says Ulevitch, 25, who flies on business about 15 times a year. But he does keep them abreast of the company's financial situation, operating under the assumption that if employees know where a company's money is going, they'll pay closer attention to expenses now in anticipation of a bigger payoff later.

Ulevitch understands that striking the right balance between tightwad tactics and too-loose lenience can be difficult. But whether you're a start-up or a multimillion-dollar corporation, slashing unnecessary costs is important to a company's growth.

Especially now. That's because the costs associated with business travel are on the rise.

A report released last month by American Express Business Travel found that the average cost of a domestic roundtrip plane ticket rose 7 percent last year (from $216 to $231), while the average international roundtrip fare rose 5 percent (from $1,614 to $1,707).

What's more, hotel and car rental rates are also mushrooming, according to American Express. Car rentals charges climbed 4.5 percent last year, and the average price for a night's stay in an American hotel room jumped from $182 to $200.

That's got many managers looking to minimize expenditures. The key? Finding ways that will have minimal effect on your employees and maximum effect on your bottom line.

Tourist written all over you

2007-04-13T20:30:00.000+05:30

Have you ever wondered how local people always seem to know you're a tourist when you are traveling abroad?

To tell you the truth, it's not rocket science. I'm not a local, I'm an American, and I can spot a fellow tourist from a mile away.

Apart from the obvious differences, like our Yankee English and our baseball caps, there are 10 dead giveaways that the individual in front of you hails from the U-S-of-A.

And here they are:

1. Clothes make the tourist. White tennis shoes almost always announce an American tourist, just as black socks with shorts identify a British tourist. Sweatshirts with university names, baseball caps, cowboy hats and Hawaiian shirts are other signs that you are American.

2. Map quest. You know you've spotted an American tourist when you see him standing in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, consulting a city map with a puzzled look fixed to his face. No, sir, you're not in Kansas anymore.

3. Wallet check. Americans like to keep their wallets in their back pockets. This is not a safe practice, and they seem to be aware of it, because most Americans abroad have the habit of tapping their wallet every so often, just to make sure it's still there. Sadly, the habit is useless. I had my wallet stolen from me once and I never felt a thing. If your wallet gets lifted, the perpetrators will be long gone before you know it, and no amount of tapping is going to change that.

4. Center of the universe. For some reason, American tourists are extra-loud both in action and in words. True, they are on vacation and looking for fun, but they don't have to yell at each other while doing it: "IS THE MOW-NA LISA SUPPOSED TO BE ON THIS FLO-WOR?"

5. Creatures of habit. Whether it is McDonald's in Greece, The Olive Garden in Rome, or Starbucks in Lebanon, Americans tend to flock to familiar names when hunger or thirst sets in abroad. Once in a while, I do it too. Comfort food, I guess.

6. Feeling flush. When American tourists enter foreign toilet facilities for the first time, they are generally overcome with confusion and wonderment. Whether they've encountered an infrared automatic flush, a pull-chain handle, a hole in the ground or a bidet, you can bet their first remark upon exiting will be, "You won't believe what they've got in there!"

Legoland: Las Vegas

2007-04-12T11:37:00.000+05:30

After nearly three years of planning and design, more than sixteen thousand hours of creative artistry and more than two million Lego bricks, Legoland® California officially opened Miniland Las Vegas.

How to save money the next time you travel

2007-04-11T11:50:00.000+05:30

Whether you're planning a family vacation or business trip in the near future, it pays to plan ahead; but when should you start shopping around for deals?

The experts say a good time to begin is the day you make the decision to go on a trip. Because of the very nature by which travel companies do business, those who wait until the last minute to book are automatically penalized by not having access to the very best rates available.

Here are some great tips for saving money on all your travel needs:

* Airfares

These days, the Internet makes it easy to shop around for the best airfares. A good place to start is by logging on to a travel search engine such as Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Bestfares or Smartertravel.

Once you find a good rate on one of these, log on to the particular airline's Web site to see if you can get an even better rate. Also take the time to search through the travel discounts section on the various airline sites to see if they're offering a travel discount to your particular destination.

* Hotels

Plan the timing of your stay according to the type of place you visit. If you'll be traveling to a big city like New York, Chicago or Washington, D.C., room rates will be cheaper on weekends when business travelers aren't staying there. If you'll be traveling to a resort area, theme park or other place that is popular with leisure travelers, rooms are often cheaper during the week.

When searching for a hotel, don't make price the only factor you take into consideration.

Also consider amenities, such as the availability of a pool and/or spa in which you can relax at the end of the day. Ask if the hotel offers a continental breakfast that is included in the price of your stay and if the rooms have Internet access, a must for most families these days.

You'll also want to make sure the hotel you choose will be quiet and comfortable. AmericInn hotels, for example, use AmericInn SoundGuard construction to reduce sounds and vibrations. Log on to www.AmericInn.com/ara to make a reservation.

* Rental Cars

When it comes to rental cars, be sure to ask about available discounts when you book. Many of the rental car agencies offer discounts to people who hold certain credit cards, or have membership in organizations such as AAA or the AARP. You just have to ask.

Also keep in mind that it's a good idea to avoid renting a car at the airport. You'll find more competitive rates, plus avoid extra surcharges at car rental agencies away from the convenience of the airport.

And one of the best kept secrets in the industry is that you can book a rental car in the low season for less, even if you'll be using it in the peak season.

Cruising, the new wave of travel

2007-04-10T00:03:00.000+05:30

It seems that trend-watchers never get tired of tracking the baby boomer generation. The first wave of them are turning 60, and as travelers they are turning out to be the fittest, most active and most demanding group of pre-seniors in history. For the cruise industry, catering to this group is proving to be a rewarding challenge, with benefits for passengers of all ages.

The Norwegian Pearl may have its new bowling alley, and Royal Caribbean recently installed a Flowrider artificial wave simulator on its Freedom of the Seas, but what attracts the hard-working boomers is more than just on-board soft adventure. Here’s a look at five top trends in cruising this year, each one driven all or in part by the desires of 40-, 50- and early 60-year-olds who not only want to travel and relax somewhere in style, i.e. on a cruise ship, but who also crave a unique and memorable vacation.

Mid-Size Ships

Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are just three major cruise lines which have smartly added or refurbished smaller ships in fleets that have tended to make news for mega-cruisers like the 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas, mentioned above.

Ships with even greater capacity than Freedom’s are coming, but in the meantime there’s a growing market for a more intimate cruising experience.

The 700-passenger Regent Seven Seas Mariner and Voyager, for example, are all-suite, all-balcony ships. They offer some of the highest space and service ratios at sea, and feature restaurants run by the famous, Paris-based Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. You won’t find ice rinks or climbing walls here, but the amenities will not disappoint. There are four main dining venues with open seating on each ship, allowing for the kind of mealtime flexibility passengers have come to expect, plus there are modern spas, fitness facilities, free computer classes and a sophisticated line-up of guest lecturers.

Holland America uses its 800-passenger Prisendam on long-range, exotic round-the-world voyages; a 2005 makeover resulted in ocean views for 93 percent of the staterooms, and private verandahs in 67 percent. For journeys around the Mediterranean, the 710-passenger Royal Princess (formerly Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II) is an ideal choice, with 2007 itineraries out of Barcelona, Athens, Rome and romantic Venice.

At the slightly grander end of the scale capacity-wise is Celebrity’s 1,750-passenger Century.

It spent six weeks in dry dock last June, emerging with 314 new verandahs, a men’s barber shop, an airy and serene new AquaSpa, and "boutique hotel chic" interiors for the staterooms, incorporating flat-screen televisions, Egyptian cotton bedding and oak paneling. What makes the mid-size ships so appealing? Reviewers consistently praise them for their "breathing room." As one Manhattan executive pointed out, "How often can you go up on deck and star-gaze and there’s absolutely nobody around?"

Enrichment Programs

You can bank on a cruise to put your brain in neutral and your body into full-on pampering mode, if that’s what you’re after. But for many passengers some uninterrupted sea time provides a perfect opportunity to learn something new in a safe, no-expectations environment.

On Crystal ships you can learn how to play the piano, each student seated at a professional-quality electronic keyboard, headphones in place.

Holland America Line’s $225-million, fleet-wide Signature of Excellence enhancements includes a Culinary Arts Center, a state-of-the-art show kitchen where guest chefs provide cooking demos and classes.

Princess Cruises’ Scholarship@Sea program blends traditional crafts with 21st century technology, teaching passengers to compile digital scrapbooks of their cruise photos, and to design personal web pages or blogs.

On Norwegian’s Hawaiian sailings, you can learn how to make a lei; on Cunard ships, you can learn Shakespearean acting techniques taught by alumni of London’s prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

American billionaire headed for International Space Station

2007-04-09T11:23:00.000+05:30

A Russian rocket carrying Charles Simonyi, an American billionaire who helped develop Microsoft Word, roared into the skies over Kazakhstan on Saturday night, sending him and two cosmonauts into orbit on a two-day journey to the International Space Station.

The Soyuz TMA-10 capsule, trailing a column of smoke and fire, cast an orange glow over the Baikonur cosmodrome and dozens of officials and well-wishers watching from about a mile away.

Among them was Martha Stewart, who watched the launch from a location separate from other spectators. Stewart, who has been linked romantically to Simonyi, shared a private moment with him Friday — though only through a plate glass window, to protect him and his crewmates from germs.

"He's in excellent spirits," Stewart said. "He's very fit and very well-trained."

Simonyi, 58, a native of Hungary, paid $25 million for the 13-day trip, making him the fifth space tourist.

In a posting on the blog he intends to maintain while in orbit (www.charlesinspace.com), Simonyi said he spent his final day getting a haircut and a therapeutic massage and watched a classic Soviet-era war film, a cosmonaut tradition.

Simonyi is taking a special meal for his comrades in space to be eaten Thursday in honor of Cosmonauts' Day, which marks Yuri Gagarin's historic flight in 1961. The menu includes quail, duck and rice pudding.

Site of the day: VirtualTourist

2007-04-07T11:05:00.000+05:30

If you can't decide on where you'd like to vacation, check out VirtualTourist. VirtualTourist offers 2.6 million photos, 2 million mapped destinations, and one of the best travel guide libraries on the web, giving you all the information you'll need to plan the perfect escape.

As you're browsing through the apps travel tips, be sure to rate them, so that the next traveler to come along is advised as well as you were.

Ideas to bring out the romantic in you

2007-04-06T13:40:00.000+05:30

Want to make your love life more romantic? Even the most ardent lover can use romantic inspiration. Whether you're about to go on your honeymoon, a romantic getaway, or spending time alone together at home, adding a romantic touch will help to put both of you in a vacation mood. Try some of these romantic ideas and ignite your next vacation:

1 Get away from it all

2 Don't just go away on your next vacation; indulge in a romantic package with luscious extras

3 Celebrate an anniversary — any anniversary — with an anniversary trip

4 Expect the best — but get it for less

5 Request the honeymoon suite (even if you're not married)

6 Order breakfast from room service — and don't leave the room all day

7 Stock your own surprise in the minibar

8 "Hello, room service? Send up a bottle of your best Champagne, two flutes, and a strawberry delicacy"

9 Schedule a romantic dinner

10 Tell her how beautiful she is or how handsome he looks

11 Turn off the TV in your room; better yet, don't turn it on at all

12 Hand out a stack of love coupons, redeemable at any time