Travel websites - A New Concept by Drake & Cavendish

May 4th, 2009

Drake & Cavendish launch specialist, advertisement free, luxury hotel and villa directory. Drake & Cavendish says "the new site is a great resource for independent travellers to research and review luxury hotels and villas across the world...and it actually gives users what they want, a direct link to the actual hotel or villa they are interested in".

The site caters for both property owners and travellers by providing a comprehensive collection of hotels and villas with direct links and contact details to the property's own website. Many hotels now offer 'price promises' to guarantee that booking directly with them is the cheapest way to book - so everyone benefits, clients get the best price, and hoteliers don't have to pay out a travel agent commission.

Launched with 5000 luxury properties in 200 countries; Drake & Cavendish include luxury hotels from the all the major international chains as well as small independent hotels, and the branded hotels of Leading Hotels of the World, Small Luxury Hotels, Johnasens and Great Hotels of the World.

Hotel and villa owners see a single luxury branded site as a great tool to attract direct clients and Drake & Cavendish estimate that another 5000 luxury hotels and villas will be added onto the site over the next 12 months. Luxury property owners are encouraged to contact them at include@drakeandcavendish.com to add their hotel or villa onto the site.

An additional feature is a comprehensive review centre which Drake & Cavendish believe will prove to be an unrivalled tool for any luxury travel buyer before making their reservation. As the site is so new it is a little difficult to gauge its usefulness at this time, but the hope is that users will add and contribute to the site over time.

Drake & Cavendish also believe that travel agents will embrace the new site as it provides them with a single resource with which to advise their clients.

You can visit this website at - www.drakeandcavendish.com

Travel to Spain: Barcelona and Madrid

May 4th, 2009

Spain boasts long stretches of sandy beaches and once you leave the spurious glitz of the tourist resorts, you'll find the real Spain which shimmers to the strum of flamenco guitars.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Spain hotels.
Madrid: the city that loves art
Madrid is not a sightseeing haven like Paris or Rome but there are a host of attractions like the Prado museum, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. Sit at one of the many cafes and observe the passing procession and the street artists.
Transport: how to get there and around
Madrid's large airport, Barajas, is accessible by metro from the city. Once downtown you can walk around as the area is quite compact. Transport options include the bus, metro and taxi.
Weather
As a whole, Spanish weather is glorious from April to November. Madrid's summer reaches 30 C where as the winter can drop to 0 C.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Madrid.
Attractions & Events
Spanish people love to celebrate, Festivals are part of their culture. You can enjoy the best of the festival fun during Semana Santa and also from Sept to Oct.
*The popular Carnevale is held from February to March.
*During May there are two main events to mark in your diary - 2 May, The Fiesta de la Comunidad de Madrid and 15 May, Fiestas de San Isidro.
*The bullfighting season starts in February, Madrid hosts the world's largest bullfighting ring.
Barcelona: vibrant metropolis
An increasingly popular destination, Barcelona's modern face is fashionable and vibrant but still holds the Spanish traditional spirit. Parts of the city are haunted by the spirit of the eccentric genius Gaudi who fantastic architecture dazzles the imagination.
Transport: how to get there and around
Barcelona's international airport is located only 7.5 miles out of town. It is also possible to travel internationally to Barcelona by train. If coming from Italy or the Balearic Island another options is the ferry.
The town is pedestrian friendly which helps when exploring the sights on foot. If you want a faster way to get around, the metro is an easy option.
Weather
Summer temperatures can reach a simmering 34 C. The most pleasant weather is between May and July. When October comes around it starts to cool off with a little rain.
Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Barcelona.

Attractions & Events
With 15 official holiday days annually, Barcelona likes to celebrate.
*There are 10 days of fancy dress and dancing parades during Carnaval in Feburary-March.
*Catalunya's patron saint, Sant Jordi is celebrated on the 23rd April.
*For dancing, music and theatre don't miss Festival del Grec, from June to August.
*For something a little different, Festes de la Merce, has a swimming race and a fire race on the 24 September.

Travel to Italy

May 4th, 2009

Known for its food, wine, people, culture, music, countryside - Italy Trip happens to be one of the most required after holiday destinations in the world.
Italy Tour is where culture, history and traditions mix together beautifully with modernity and fashion. What is attractive about Italy is that you will never find a single Italian flag, but they are still very particular about their culture and traditions - and of course soccer.
Whether you're vacationing to Spain, Kenya, Greece or Egypt your stay will be well worth the flight. Italy boasts several 5 star resort hotels that accommodate to every need you could imagine. Italians are measured to be one of the best-looking people in the world. They are very proud of their history, their culture and for them it is all about family. Italians are very friendly. They are friendly and will talk to anyone, what's most attractive about them is their sense of good humor and humor. In Italy Trip you will hear the various kinds of dialects and accents of Italian, which sound so melodious to the ear.
Italians have an ongoing love affair with food and fashion. The Italian Food is well-known worldwide and is a gastronomical to all the senses. Fashion is a very important part of the Italian culture, after all Milan is the fashion capital of the world, where haute couture is the word most heard. Italian food finds it roots back to different regions and is influenced by a variety of factors. If you are looking for healthy and cheaper food, then you must venture into South Italy. The world famous and supremely popular Pizza.
Enjoy the hidden beauty of the Italian Riviera while discovering a land of quaint harbors and trendy seaside resorts, where the tranquil Ligurian Sea beckons visitors. Experience the mystic allure of the famous Cinque Terre, where the Mediterranean landscape is at its very best.
So ask us! We want your trip to Italy to be the travel memory of a lifetime. Office Hours: Monday - Friday 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM, Saturday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM; T: (973) 636-6660; F: (973) 636-6668
Read more at: - http://www.right-travel.com

Travel tips to get through TSA security

May 4th, 2009

Travel tips to get through TSA security by Maxine Greco
TIPS from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will help get travelers on their way and will help speed travelers and their gear through airport security procedures.

Here are a few tips for traveling with golf gear since there is no better time than a vacation to hit the links. Fertilizers used on many golf courses can trigger explosive trace-detection equipment. Before flying, be sure to clean off clubs. Also remember to pack clubs in a travel bag and consider leaving it unlocked.
Vacations are also a great time to go scuba diving, catch some fish or go camping. Scuba tanks are not allowed on commercial airlines for safety reasons. Ship scuba tanks or consider renting a tank at your destination. Fishing tackle and sports gear - such as bats and lacrosse sticks - must be checked.
Outdoor enthusiasts will pack sun tan lotion, bug repellent and other skin care products. Usually, it is fine to pack these items in either checked or carry on bags, but travelers should check with their airline before flying with aerosol canisters as some canisters are flammable. Summer travelers who want to bring back favorite foods from their destination can do so, but should know that some food products might cause your checked bag to be screened for security reasons. And check prior to packing food items, as there are some restrictions on some fruits and vegetables. Pack food products in carry-on bags.

Use special TSA locks and locking straps only. It can be tempting to over pack bags when vacationing. TSA suggests that travelers consider how they pack and understand that Federal Security Screeners may have to open and physically search a bag as part of the screening process. Overstuffed bags are more difficult to close once opened which could result in delays for checked luggage. Also, small items won't get misplaced if you use plastic bags or special packing cubes made for this purpose.

Family memories last a lifetime, and so should photos and videos. Passengers traveling with underdeveloped film should pack these items in their carry-on bags. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage or destroy undeveloped film. Have your passport, boarding pass and photo ID readily available. Airport ID's are ideal for this purpose. Avoid over packing and carry one of those fold up carry bags for additional purchases. Check ahead of time with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight and luggage size limitations. Otherwise, you may be surprised with additional travel fees.
The following general packing tips apply to both carry-on and checked baggage and will help you to move through the screening process more quickly:
- Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport .
- Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. If your bag will pass through the X-ray machine more than 5 times ask for a hand inspection to prevent damage
- Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks , briefcases or camera cases.
- Don't forget to place identification tags with your name, address and phone number on all of your baggage, including your laptop computer. It is a good idea to place an identification tag inside your baggage as well Also have your passport, photo ID and boarding pass readily available.
http://www.villageluggageandgifts.com

Travel tips - getting the most out of your limited space

May 4th, 2009

The number-one rule in packing for a trip is to pack lightly because we often forget how frequently we'll have to lift or carry our luggage during our travels. Consider how, you'll be dragging your luggage into the trunk of your car and out again, through the airport, off of the luggage carousel, through another airport, back into the trunk of your rental car and out again until finally you get to the hotel where hopefully they'll have a porter.

On top of having to lug your bags around, your airline will have strict rules on the size, weight and the number of bags you can travel with - for both carry-on and checked baggage. Make sure you check your airline's website for current information on restrictions and don't assume that what you took last time will be allowed this time - especially if you are travelling on a different airline. Luggage size and weight restrictions can vary by airline or travel destination.

*MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TIP*
Packing lightly for your travels can save you money. Many airlines are now charging fees for overweight bags, oversized bags, and for checking more than the allowed number of bags per passenger.

Other great reasons for packing lightly: shorter waits around the luggage carousel, less need for porters (and tips!) and easier Customs inspections (after all, if you had to force your bags closed, imagine how happy the Customs agents will be!)

Travel tips for packing your carry-on
Your carry-on should contain all your most valuable items and must-have documentation like:

- Your wallet
- Your passport
- Your tickets
- Your traveller's cheques
- Your emergency medical travel insurance
- Your medications (be sure to keep them in their original bottles)
- Phone numbers and addresses of where you'll be staying
- A small amount of local currency for immediate use when you arrive
- The maps you'll need to get where you are staying once you've arrived
- If you must bring valuables like jewellery with you, your carry-on is your safest bet - but leave them at home if you can.

Travel tips for packing your checked luggage
The following tips should help you keep your luggage light and leave enough room so you can pack souvenirs when you return:

- Find out if where you are staying offers laundry services or has facilities you can use. This is one of the major secrets of packing lightly.
- Coordinate your outfits around a central color so you'll be able to mix and match.
- Plan your outfits so you can layer instead of bringing lots of coats.
- Take a solid color sweater that will match any outfit to use to keep you warm
- Why pack the rain gear if rain is nowhere in the forecast? Check the weather online, so you can pack weather-appropriate clothing without wasting space on things you won't need.
- Rolling clothes rather than folding them will help prevent wrinkles and optimize your limited space.
- Take small sample sizes of toiletries that will last just long enough instead of huge bottles.
- Don't waste an inch of your luggage space, pack underwear and socks inside your shoes. This will also help your shoes keep their shape. Pack your belts around the edge of the luggage.

A final travel tip
Although already mentioned as one of the items you should keep in your carry-on so it doesn't get lost, emergency medical travel insurance is a must-have for all Canadians. Even Canada's Consular Affairs don't mince words when they say on their website "DO NOT leave Canada without supplementary medical insurance."

Even for the smallest of accidents, or the most common illnesses, emergency medical travel insurance offers you protection by ensuring you get the attention you need, when you need it while not having to worry about how your emergency treatment will get paid.

Before you leave, get emergency medical travel insurance quotes from competing insurers online and get the coverage you need. And don't forget to pack it with your other must-have documentation!

Compare emergency medical travel insurance today!

Travel nurse and housing

May 4th, 2009

Housing the Travel Nurse
Travel nurses travel all over the country working in various hospitals and medical facilities for short periods of time before they move onto a different job. Working as a travel nurse lets them see various parts of the country, provides them with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, and introduces them to new friends. Many travel nurses claim that working as a travel nurse gives them a renewed sense of patient focused nursing.
One concern nurses have when they are considering perusing a career in travel nursing is housing. They want to know where they will live while they are working in an unfamiliar part of the country. They want to know how they are going to be paying for their housing. They also want to know if the housing will be safe and clean.
Normally the agency that the travel nurse works for is responsible for finding the travel nurses housing. They try to make sure that the housing is close to the facility that the travel nurse will be working at. They should make an effort to find housing that is comfortably furnished and is clean. The type of housing that most nursing agencies look for is furnished apartments that are available for a short term lease.
Financing the travel nurse's housing can vary from one agency to the next. Some nursing agencies give the travel nurse a living allowance while other agencies expect the nurses to pay for their housing themselves. Travel nurses need to read their contract carefully so that they will know whether or not they have to add housing into their budget.
Before a travel nurse enters into an agreement with a nursing agency they need to talk to other travel nurses that the agency already employs. Ask the travel nurses if the agency does a good job at locating housing for their nurses. Find out if the housing is normally convenient to the work site. Is the housing normally in a nice neighborhood or do the other travel nurses sometimes fear for their lives when they return to their temporary home. Does the nursing agency find housing that comes with maid service or will the travel nurse have to clean house in addition to their work duties.
Although it is not advisable for travel nurses to bring pets with them because the pets become stressed and disoriented by the constant moving around, if the nurse absolutely cannot live without their dog or cat they are going to have to make sure that their temporary housing allows them to keep pets. Also, if you are traveling with a pet, bear in mind that a majority of the time your new living quarters will be a small one bedroom apartment. The living quarters might be tight if they include you and a large dog.
Before you accept a position as a travel nurse consider the location and what you will require in the way of amenities. If it is summer time and you will be working at a medical facility in the south you will want to make sure that your apartment has a working air conditioner. Winters in the country's northern regions are cold. Make sure your northern housing has heat, also remember that cold winter climates mean you will have to wear extra clothing, including heavy boots and bulky coats, try to request that the nursing agency finds housing that has enough space so will have a place to store your outer garments.

Travel in Italy - Free island guide of Ischia for families

May 4th, 2009

Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples.
For a short visit, a week-end, a city break, these free pocket guides are useful printable and downloadable tools available online.
Ischia has a population of nearly 58,000 people. In the Ischia Island guide students, families and backpackers can get a large selection of cheap or low cost accommodation with plenty of low cost solutions in cheap hostel Ischia, Bed and Breakfast, guesthouses, cheap hotel deals.
The roughly trapezoidal island lies 30 km from Naples and measures around 10 km east to west and 7 km north to south with a 34 km coastline and a surface area of 46.3 kmІ.
Those who love travelling light, those with a sense for adventure, those who love flexibility in their trips, those who like meeting locals and travelling slow and low... those are Flashbooking happy travellers!
It is almost entirely mountainous, with the highest peak being volcanic Mount Epomeo at 788 meters: the volcano was active in Classical times.
The Island is renown for its open and friendly international people, art museums and Art Galleries, the sea, the movida and cheap lodgings, classic itineraries in a lot more to make a visit worth wise.
Ischia is also the name of the main comune of the island. Other comuni include Barano d'Ischia, Casamicciola Terme, Forio, Lacco Ameno and Serrara Fontana.
Flashbooking accommodation database is easily available online and comes completed with all relevant information about youth hostel and hotel location and map, description, services, hostel contacts, customer ratings, six pictures and updated prices inclusive of taxes and services together with instant real availability.
With the monthly newsletter, Flashbooking puts at travellers, students, volunteers free disposal some useful pocket travel guides of major European cities: the Amsterdam City guide, the London City guide, the Prague City guide, the Paris City guide, the Rome City guide, the Florence City guide, and the freshly issued Ischia island guide!! For the Ischia travel guide Flashbooking staff efforts concentrate on making it simple to read dividing the Ischia centre in different districts with their relevant amenities.
Having the reservation final price is also convenient as it does give the transparency our users pretend while booking. Having the final total amount of your booking means you do not have to worry about other extra surprises!
So mates, we are looking forward to finding you THE budget accommodation that meets your needs and pocket for your next trip! Last but not least, if you wish to help us, you can either give your personal ratings of some accommodations, lodgings, bed and breakfast Ischia, youth hostels and budget small hotels where you stayed, or enlarging the hostel offer by reporting some new hostel contacts!

Travel in Italy - Free guide of Perugia city for families

May 4th, 2009

Perugia is the capital city of the region of Umbria in central Italy, near the Tiber river, and the capital of the province of Perugia.
Those who love travelling light, those with a sense for adventure, those who love flexibility in their trips, those who like meeting locals and travelling slow and low... those are Flashbooking happy travellers!
Perugia is a notable artistic center of Italy. The town gave his nickname to the famous painter Pietro Vannucci, called Perugino, who decorated with a beautiful series of frescos the local Sala del Cambio; eight of his pictures can also be admired in the National Gallery of Umbria.
Flashbooking chose to provide backpackers, students and families with a list of budget selected and independent accommodations worldwide, mostly run by locals, in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies. For this and other reasons Flashbooking is becoming a recognized source of information and services for who loves creating a trip by him/herself and book bed nights securely online.
Perugino was the teacher of Raphael, the great artist of the Renaissance who produced in Perugia five paintings (today no longer in the city) and one fresco. Another famous painter, Pinturicchio, lived in Perugia. In Galeazzo Alessi Perugia found its most famous architect.
Flashbooking cheap lodging solutions are all available for online bookings and divided by Countries. Travellers have free access to the updated list of Europe hostels and budget hotels, North and South America hostels, Caribbean and Central America hostels as well as for Asia cheap accommodations, Oceania youth hostels and Africa hostels.
Perugia has become famous for chocolate, mostly because of a single firm, Perugina, whose Baci are widely exported. Perugia chocolate is very popular in Italy, and the city hosts a chocolate festival in October of every year.
Flashbooking's happy travellers can book their rooms and beds not only in cheap hotels or cheap hostel Budapest but also consider other budget accommodations in Bed and Breakfast, Guesthouses, Campsites, apartments, farm houses and much more.
Perugia today hosts two main universities, the ancient Universitа degli Studi and the Foreigners University (Universitа per Stranieri). Stranieri serves as an Italian language and culture school for students from all over the world.
Flashbooking accommodation database is easily available online and comes completed with all relevant information about youth hostel and hotel location and map, description, services, hostel contacts, customer ratings, six pictures and updated prices inclusive of taxes and services together with instant real availability.
Perugia is renown for its open and friendly international people, art museums and Art Galleries, the sea, the movida and cheap lodgings, classic itineraries and a lot more to make a visit worth wise.
Having the reservation final price is also convenient as it does give the transparency our users pretend while booking. Having the final total amount of your booking means you do not have to worry about other extra surprises!
In general, Flashbooking guides have been written for giving the essential information about the most visited cities in the world and in particular for any traveller or first-time visitor.
Last but not least, if you wish to help us, you can either give your personal ratings of some accommodations, lodgings, cheap hotel Perugia, youth hostels and budget small hotels where you stayed, or enlarging the hostel offer by reporting some new hostel contacts!

Travel: How to Make it Easier with Children

May 4th, 2009

When you have kids, traveling by car can become a difficult part of your holiday. The most often heard "Are we there yet mum?" can drive you mad when asked for the five hundredth time in as many seconds.

The reason they keep asking is because they don't really have a fully developed sense of time. They might be genuinely afraid you are going to keep them in that car bored and tugging at their little sister forever. It might help to explain to them how long the whole trip will take by dividing the trip into sections. Add in that you are 20 minutes away from stopping at that place with the ducks and donkeys. Little milestones will make the journey and the concept of how far they need to go still - easier to digest.

The time in which you choose to drive can be carefully chosen to optimize sleeping time in the car. You can try leaving before sunrise and you will manage several hours of quiet driving time before they wake up and want entertainment. Some folks travel at night because everybody is sleeping. Not only do you get a peice of mind but you also save on the food budget. Plan the trip not to coincide with any major traffic surrounding holiday season at least to minimize time spent in the car. Take your food breaks during work traffic. People go to lunch around noon and get off of work between 4-5 pm. Plan to take your lunch and dinner breaks around this time since spending time in large amounts of traffic will obviously take longer to get to your destination.

There are some things you can do to make the ride a bit smoother and more fun for everyone. It's important to plan ahead when deciding to take a long car journey with your kids. Make sure the car is comfortably packed; keep the backseat clear so they have more space. Here are 5 surefire ways to keep your long car ride fun for kids:

1. Pack a goodie bag for each child filled with simple cheap toys that you think can keep them amused. Depending on their ages there some creative and inexpensive items that will keep them quiet and happy. Browse through the cheaper isle of the toy store.

2. Another good buy, speaking of inexpensive items, is a deck of cards (if you do not already own any). This is a great investment not only for the car ride but for the destination as well.

3. There are all kinds of listening materials available. You could buy some, borrow some from your local library or look around on the internet. Radio-productions and taped books can be a wonderful way to pass the time together in the car and enjoy a book together as a family.

4. The classic car journey activity is singing. And for a good reason too. Try to choose a CD that everyone will enjoy.
5. Coloring books, puzzles, crosswords and sticker books can be included in another goodie bag along with crayons to create hours of fun and more importantly quiet.

There are also all kinds of electronic portable gaming devices which are a fun way to pass the time. If you have a DVD player in your car you can stock up on a new DVD to keep them entertained and quiet. Remember the journey is part of the holiday so make it fun. Stop along the way and appreciate the sights. Use the opportunity to explore new places. Regular breaks will make the long trip easier on everyone. Pack a picnic and let your kids release their pent up energy.

The most important thing is to keep your activities varied. Alternate 30 minutes of card playing with some singing and then some coloring in. With some planning and creativeness you can make you car ride enjoyable for the whole family - and that's what vacations are about after all!

Travel Your Way to Wealth : Cruise to Cash with Sherm Mason

May 4th, 2009

The opportunity called Cruise To Cash is growing by leaps and bounds on a daily basis. It has passed every scam test possible with flying colors, and now is reconized world wide as the real authentic opportunity of 2008. Interesting enough, business people from all walks of life are joining Cruise to Cash, and for many reasons.
Sherm Mason introduces The Law of Attraction Marketing System specifically designed for Cruise to Cash. You can Travel your way to wealth.
Fact is, business people are joining either to increase volume in their current traditional businesss, by giving away 'Free' vacations to all of their current customers or clients or prospects as a reward of doing business, and many professionals in the mortgage and real estate business are doing the same, and or have found this a breath of fresh air as their business is declining due to current events, and have surpassed their past incomes with less effort,and 'NO' Stress! Also many opportunity seekers, who've never succeeded, or are new to home based business have joined, with a staggering number of Top leaders from other business's and opportunities, who've made the Exodus to Cruise To Cash, It's Top Team, under the leadership of the Sherm Mason.
Sherm Mason, has helped many of his team members to six figure incomes and massive wealth. Sherm believes he can help the beginner,to the existing leader who wants to go to another level in succes, Sherm has proven himself as a true leader, no wonder so many have flocked to Sherm's team!, Says, Fabricio Cruz. He's a true leader that cares, and it shows as he pours out to his team, and leads by example.
Sherm Mason's www.GoldFound.ws is your first stop to find out more about this online success mentor, and leader in Cruise To Cash. You can also take advantgage and Join right from the site. Sherm Mson, and Cruise To Cash was a great match right from the beginning with Sherm's earning over 16k in less than 2 Days in the company! His team members experienced a nice incomes right away, with many members averaging 2k-5k plus 'First Week'!
Cruise To Cash, Sherm Mason, and www.GoldFound.ws is truly your gateway to success for the New Year, If you're looking for 35,000 plus first month, joining Sherm' Cruise To Cash team is your best bet!
www.Cruise2Dollars.com is where you want to be. Travel your way to wealth.