Mini Travel Guides

So you are getting ready to go on that long-awaited and much-deserved vacation. If you are a proud pet owner, you have taken your pet into consideration while you planned your vacation. Or have you? Below are a few pet travel tips you may want to consider.

* Should you take your pet with you when you go off on vacation? Consider how old your pet is. He or she may be too old to travel. If you are going on a long journey or flying, your pet may not be able to handle the stress brought on by traveling long distances and long hours. It may be better to leave your pet with a friend or arrange for a professional pet care taker to take care of your pet while you are on vacation.

* If you decide to take your pet along, ensure that your pet’s health is good and that he can travel. A week or two before you go on vacation, take your pet to his veterinarian for a thorough check up. You want to make sure that your pet is in the best of health when you travel.

* When traveling by car, make sure that your pet has a collar on at all times. The collar must have your pet’s name, your name, your address and phone numbers. Keep in mind that when you travel with your pet in a car, your pet can easily run off while your back is turned. If your pet is wearing a collar with all the right information, whoever finds him can easily contact you for your pet’s safe return. If possible, have a microchip embedded in your pet as this is one of the best ways to have a link to your pet if he ever gets lost.

* Ensure that your pet’s carrier or crate is big enough for your pet. Keep in mind that your pet dog may have a hard time traveling in the car in a crate, and if your pet is a cat, your cat must be in a cage while you travel by car. If you are traveling by plane, you will be required to place your pet in a crate. Make sure to get a crate that is airline approved and is of the highest quality.

* Before leaving with your pet, groom him. Make sure your pet’s claws are clipped and his fur trimmed. Pamper your pet before you embark on your vacation. Your pet will be much happier traveling if he has been groomed and is clean.

* Bring plenty of water and dried food for your pet while you are both on the road. Bring one of those traveling containers that you can use to store food and keep them cold.

Follow the simple pet travel tips mentioned above and you are guaranteed to have the most wonderful vacation with your pet.

CONSEQUENTIAL TRAVEL TIPS # 1 WRITTEN BY DONNA TOUCHETTE  /  DMT Travel

EXTRA LUGGAGE– It may be possible to purchase the right to check a third bag, at a cost of something like $125. In high capacity travel times however, it may no longer be possible to elect this option, at any price. Again, don’t be stymied at the gate. Check with your airline in advance.

TAG YOUR BAGS…INSIDE AND OUT — It is surprising to note how many people arrive at the airport with no identification on their luggage. Wiser travelers will have at least two external tags securely affixed to each piece of luggage, and one taped inside the cover of each bag for good measure.

 WHAT TO WEAR FOR SMOOTHER CHECK-IN — Almost all clothing accessories, including shoes, belts, hats, sweaters, jackets, etc. must be removed and sent through the x-ray machine. Simplify matters for yourself by wearing such items that are relatively easy for you to remove and re-don. On another note, wear at least one garment that has secure button-down or Velcro pockets suitable to keeping your passport, wallet, pen, glasses and other critical items safely on your person. A travel shirt such as Ex Officio, safari pants with good button pockets, and/or a photo journalist style vest or jacket can be very helpful in securing important items.

CARRY-ON LUGGAGE — As of now travelers in the USA are limited to one carry-on bag, plus the equivalent of a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack. You are advised not to test the capacity limits, as your carry-on may be denied boarding, or forced to be checked. Plan and pack accordingly.

 HURRY UP and WAIT — Early arrival at the airport for check-in is now more important than ever. You will avoid many problems and much distress simply by arriving at the airport check-in counter a generous two hours or more in advance of your flight departure. In fact, on some recent Singapore Airlines flights, they asked that you check in 3-1/2 hours prior to flight time.

CONNECTING FLIGHTS — When planning connecting flights, allow at least three hours for you and your luggage to change planes, especially when making an inter-airline connection and/or clearing Immigration and Customs .I know that sitting around the airports for that long is no fun but cutting this too close can ruin a great trip before it even begins.

 FALL-BACK OPTION — Avoid scheduling the last flight that will connect from your home airport to the major gateway. If your flight is late or cancelled due to weather or mechanical issues, your entire vacation may be placed be in jeopardy. If at all possible, book an earlier flight for a safety cushion.

 YOUR PASSPORT if you’re planning on vacationing in another country, you’re going to need a valid passport. If this is your first passport, you’ll need to apply in person at least 5 weeks before your planned departure. You can go to your local county courthouse, a U.S. Passport Agency, a probate court, or certain post offices. For more information, click on: http://www.dmttravel.com. Be sure to make two photocopies of your passport before you go on your trip. Bring one with you and leave the other with a friend.

 TRAVELER’S CHECKS try to avoid carrying large sums of cash when you are traveling. Bring only the credit cards you plan on using and pick up some traveler’s checks before you go. If you need to cash a traveler’s check while you’re on vacation, be careful! Banks have been known to charge up to 20 percent of the travelers check’s face value. Try to find a bank that sells the same brand. Your fees will be lower and you can save that extra money for souvenirs.

 MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS Prepare a medical kit to take along. Be sure to include any prescription medications, (take a few days extra of your prescription medication, you never know when your trip might be extended) also bring medications for stomachache, earache, pain, and diarrhea. You should also carry a copy of your eyeglass or contact lens prescription, and an extra pair of both.

 RESTRICTIONS WITH CARRY-ON BAGGAGE The Transportation Security Administration (a division of US Department of Homeland Security) has recently revised its restrictions on items in carry-on luggage for flights originating in the US. Due to enhanced security measures liquids, gels, lotions and other items of similar consistency will not be permitted in carry-on baggage. These types of items must be packed in your checked baggage. These are some tips to avoid spills inside your suitcase:* Liquids and gels should be in plastic containers, stowed inside clear zippered plastic bags for ease of inspection by TSA officials .For the perfect travel container visit www.dmttravel.com/accessories.html* Squeeze all the air out of any liquid or gel containers to avoid leaks, as products expand in flight.* Pack liquids and gels near the hinge of a suitcase to minimize movement .These are some notable exceptions:* Baby formula and breast milk are allowed in your carry-on baggage or personal items. You can take these through the security checkpoints and aboard your plane. However, you must be traveling with a baby or toddler. All items including formula or breast milk will be inspected.* Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket, up to 5 oz. of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment, including juice; and up to 4 oz. of non-prescription liquid medications including saline solution, eye care products and KY jelly are permitted.* Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics* Gel-filled wheelchair cushions* Life support and life sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs carried for medical reasons. More details are published on the Transportation Security Administration web site. Make sure to visit http://www.tsa.gov/ for the latest restrictions before packing your carry-on luggage and reaching an airport security check point

.HEALTH INSURANCE WHILE TRAVELING when traveling overseas, check your health insurance. Many policies won’t cover you once you leave the U.S. If you need insurance, there are a number of companies that offer travel coverage plans. Please call me at 888-339-4400 or contact me at groupspecialist@hotmail.com and we can discuss which plans will meet your personal needs.

 AIRLINES’ SEAT POCKETS before you stick your hand into the seat pocket in front of you, think about what the last few passengers may have left in there. They are the dumping ground for everything from rotten food to used diapers. It may surprise you to learn that aircraft are given a deep cleaning only once a month. How is still the question? Planes are lightly cleaned between flights (obvious trash picked up, crumbs brushed off) and cleaned overnight (toilets, galley, seatback pockets emptied, floors vacuumed). So before you put your hand in someone’s used Kleenex, think twice before reaching into the seat pocket – and don’t even ask me about the pillows and blankets.

 GETTING THE BEST SEAT ON THE PLANE why do airlines only reserve seats for you if you remember to ask? By the time you remember, the good ones are gone. To get the better coach seats, you want to avoid the restrooms and galleys because they’re busy with lots of traffic. The seats in the last row and in front of exits often don’t recline, Middle seats are cramped. Bulkheads have more leg room, because no one reclines into your lap, Window seats have a view but less head room or aisle access. Show up when the counter opens to get the desirable exit row.

 TRAVEL AGENTS VS. ONLINE BOOKING who can take care of refunds and changes when you have booked your trip online? Don’t be surprised when the answer is no one. All that time spent online is doubled when you have to get on the phone and make a change. Forget the refund, as online specials are usually non-refundable. Need help overseas? I cringe for you. Internet specials are great until you have a problem or need to make changes. That is where travel agents are lifesavers, especially if you are out of the country. Definitely go online to do research. Compare prices and look at hotel photos and airline seating charts. But for an expensive or complicated itinerary, use a travel agent. And pack their cell phone number.

 YOUR CREDIT CARD IS REFUSED OVERSEAS you having dinner at the Eiffel Tower when your credit card is refused. Furious, you spend an hour calling home to discover your card was shut down due to suspicious activity- someone has been using it in France! Since no one called the credit card company back when they left you a message at your home, the account was frozen for your protection. It was not for your protection. You have limited liability. It was the credit card company covering their rear and they do it all the time. To avoid this, call your credit card companies and inform them of your travel dates & destinations, take travelers checks and travel with more than one card.

 PROTECTING YOUR PASSPORT Now that you have your passport for travel to the Caribbean and Mexico you need to take steps to avoid it being lost or stolen. Immediately make several copies. Leave one copy at home, put two copies in your carry on bag, and leave one copy with someone who could fax it to you if yours is lost or stolen. In case yours disappears, a copy of your passport will significantly speed up the time it takes to get a replacement, especially overseas. I prefer hard copies but some people scan their passports to file on their laptop. In your hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe with the majority of your credit cards and carry one of the copies with you for shopping and money changing. 

SHIPPING TIPS if you use a credit card for a purchase or service overseas, keep your receipts and double check your bill. There are thousands of mistakes on international credit card purchases, but unfortunately, there’s very little recourse. One common problem is receiving defective merchandise that has been shipped. The law only protects you if it was shipped within your home state or if you lived within one hundred miles of the mailing address. Therefore, don’t ship without good insurance. And what about the merchant who adds extra zeroes or moves the decimal point to increase the charge? This happens all the time. You must notify your credit card company in writing within 60 days. You’ll also need to send a copy to the appropriate federal agencies as well, and believe it or not, the Director of Tourism of the offending country. Often the promise of bad publicity from an American tourist can nudge the merchant to withdraw.

 DECLARE YOUR ITEMS you are required by U.S. Law to declare all items acquired in other countries. That includes repairs to items you took with you and any gifts you may have received. You’ll fill out a customs declaration form when reentering the United States. Keep a record of what you acquire abroad and keep your receipts. Take the necessary time to register any foreign-made jewelry or electronic equipment at the customs office before you leave, to prove you didn’t buy them on the trip. Appraisals, receipts, insurance policies, and permanently affixed numbers are proof of prior ownership. If you fail to register these items, you may be required to pay a duty on them when you return home. The most important thing you can do is be informed. Believe me, this is the one situation where honesty is the best policy! For more tips and all your travel needs visit: http://www.dmttravel.com.

Donna Touchette

Travel tips to Budapest as Aquincum, originally a Celtic settlement, was the direct ancestor of Budapest,  becoming the Roman capital of Lower Pannonia. Magyars arrived in the territory in the 9th century. Their first settlement was pillaged by the Mongols in 1241-42.

The re-established town became one of the centres of Renaissance humanist culture in the 15th century. Following the Battle of Mohács and nearly 150 years of Ottoman rule, development of the region entered a new age of prosperity in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Budapest became a global city after the 1873 unification. It also became the second capital of Austria-Hungary, a great power that dissolved in 1918. Budapest was the focal point of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 , the Hungarian Soviet Republic of 1919, Operation Panzerfaust in 1944, the Battle of Budapest of 1945, and the Revolution of 1956.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. its extensive World Heritage Site includes the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, Andrássy Avenue, Heroes’ Square and the Millennium Underground Railway, the second oldest in the world. Other highlights include a total of 80 geothermal springs, the world’s largest thermal water cave system,  second largest synagogue, and third largest Parliament building.

Considered an important hub in Central Europe, the city ranked 3rd (out of 65 cities) on Mastercard’s Emerging Markets Index (2008), and ranked as the most livable Central/Eastern European city on EIU’s quality of life index (both 2009 & 2010). It is also ranked as “Europe’s 7th most idyllic place to live” by Forbes. It attracts over 20 million visitors a year. The headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)and the first foreign office of the CIPA will be in Budapest.

History and culture of Hungary

The first settlement on the territory of Budapest was built by Celts before 1 AD. It was later occupied by the Romans. The Roman settlement – Aquincum – became the main city of Lower Pannonia in 106 AD.The Romans constructed roads, amphitheaters, baths and houses with heated floors in this fortified military camp.

The peace treaty of 829 added Pannonia to Bulgaria due to the victory of Bulgarian army of Omurtag over Holy Roman Empire of Louis the Pious. Budapest arose out of two Bulgarian military frontier fortresses Buda and Pest, situated on the two banks of Danube. Hungarians led by Árpád settled in the territory at the end of the 9th century, and a century later officially founded the Kingdom of Hungary. Research places the probable residence of the Árpáds as an early place of central power near what became Budapest. The Tatar invasion in the 13th century quickly proved that defence is difficult on a plain. King Béla IV of Hungary therefore ordered the construction of reinforced stone walls around the towns and set his own royal palace on the top of the protecting hills of Buda. In 1361 it became the capital of Hungary.

The cultural role of Buda was particularly significant during the reign of Matthias Corvinus of Hungary. The Italian Renaissance had a great influence on the city. His library, the Bibliotheca Corviniana, was Europe’s greatest collection of historical chronicles and philosophic and scientific works in the 15th century, and second only in size to the Vatican Library. After the foundation of the first Hungarian university in Pécs in 1367 the second one was established in Óbuda in 1395.  The first Hungarian book was printed in Buda in 1473.

The Ottomans pillaged Buda in 1526, besieged it in 1529, and finally occupied it in 1541. The Turkish occupation lasted for more than 140 years. The Turks constructed some fine bathing facilities here. The unoccupied western part of the country became part of the Habsburg Empire as Royal Hungary.

In 1686, two years after the unsuccessful siege of Buda, a renewed campaign was started to enter the Hungarian capital. This time, the Holy League’s army was twice as large, containing over 74,000 men, including German, Croat, Dutch, Hungarian, English, Spanish, Czech, Italian, French, Burgundian, Danish and Swedish soldiers, along with other Europeans as volunteers, artilleryman, and officers, the Christian forces reconquered Buda, and in the next few years, all of the former Hungarian lands, except areas near Timişoara (Temesvár), were taken from the Turks. In the 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz these territorial changes were officially recognized, and in 1718 the entire Kingdom of Hungary was removed from Ottoman rule.

The city was destroyed during the battle. Hungary was then incorporated into the Habsburg Empire.

The nineteenth century was dominated by the Hungarians’ struggle for independence  and modernization. The national insurrection against the Habsburgs began in the Hungarian capital in 1848 and was defeated a little more than a year later.

1867 was the year of Reconciliation that brought about the birth of Austria-Hungary.

This made Budapest the twin capital of a dual monarchy. It was this compromise which opened the second great phase of development in the history of Budapest, lasting until World War I. In 1873 Buda and Pest were officially merged with the third part, Óbuda (Ancient Buda), thus creating the new metropolis of Budapest. The dynamic Pest grew into the country’s administrative, political, economic, trade and cultural hub. Budapest went from about 80% German-speaking in 1848 to about 80% Hungarian-speaking in 1880. World War I brought the Golden Age to an end. In 1918 Austria-Hungary lost the war and collapsed; Hungary declared itself an independent republic. In 1920 the Treaty of Trianon finalized the country’s partition, as a result, Hungary lost over two-thirds of its territory, about two-thirds of its inhabitants under the treaty including 3.3 million out of 10 million ethnic Hungarians.

In 1944, towards the end of World War II, Budapest was partly destroyed by British and American air raids. From 24 December 1944 to 13 February 1945, the city was besieged during the Battle of Budapest. Budapest suffered major damage caused by the attacking Soviet troops and the defending German and Hungarian troops. All bridges were destroyed by the Germans. More than 38,000 civilians lost their lives during the conflict.

Between 20% and 40% of Greater Budapest’s 250,000 Jewish inhabitants died through Nazi and Arrow Cross Party genocide during 1944 and early 1945. Despite this, modern day Budapest has the highest number of Jewish citizens per capita of any European city.

In 1949, Hungary was declared a communist People’s Republic. The new Communist government considered the buildings like the Buda Castle symbols of the former regime, and during the 1950s the palace was gutted and all the interiors were destroyed.

In 1956, peaceful demonstrations in Budapest led to the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution. The Leadership collapsed after mass demonstrations began on 23 October, but Soviet tanks entered Budapest to crush the revolt. Fighting continued until early November, leaving more than 3000 dead.

From the 1960s to the late 1980s Hungary was often satirically referred to as “the happiest barrack” within the Eastern bloc, and much of the wartime damage to the city was finally repaired. Work on Erzsébet Bridge, the last to be rebuilt, was finished in 1965. In the early 1970s, Budapest Metro’s East-West M2 line was first opened, followed by the M3 line in 1982. In 1987, Buda Castle and the banks of the Danube were included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Andrassy Avenue (including the Millennium Underground Railway, Hősök tere and Városliget) was added to the UNESCO list in 2002. In the 1980s the city’s population reached 2.1 million. In recent times a significant decrease in habitants occurred mainly due to a massive movement to the neighbouring agglomeration in Pest county. In the last decades of the 20th century the political changes of 1989-90 concealed changes in civil society and along the streets of Budapest. The monuments of the dictatorship were taken down from public places, into Memento Park.

At the southern tip of Gran Canaria the island’s most popular holiday resorts, Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas sit side by side. Playa del Ingles is the larger and caters predominantly for low budget package holiday tourists whilst Gran Canaria is a more upmarket and quieter resort.

Although the two resorts join at the eastern end of a beautiful, four mile stretch of sandy beach, they are separated inland by a 250 hectare area of sand dunes. The area is a nature reserve and habitat for several rare species of flora. Some dunes are over ten metres high and when you are in the deep valleys between them, it is easy to imagine that you are lost in a vast area of sandy desert. In reality, most of the dunes area is more like a fertile oasis and there is even a large lagoon of great ecological value. It is an important nesting site for many species of birds.

One novel way of exploring the dunes is from the back of a camel. The rides are a popular tourist attraction that takes you through a picturesque section of the dunes, starting and finishing at the camel station that is within easy walking distance of the centre of Maspalomas.

The beach itself is divided into sections and has blue flag awards. The nearest section to Maspalomas is the family section. Further on is the naturist section and beyond this is a section used by the gay community. All sections have areas where beach parasols and sun-loungers are set out for hire. There are also several beach bars for each section but the beach is so huge that the buildings do not spoil its natural beauty.

The sea is of course, the Atlantic ocean, and very big waves are common. The beach can also get very windy at times but this southern tip of Gran Canaria enjoys warm sunny weather the whole year round so it is unusual for a day in Maspalomas not to be nice enough to enjoy the wonderful beach and be able to take a dip in the sea.

Maspalomas has a delightful promenade that is full of bars, shops, and restaurants. Many of the shops are designer stores and boutiques and two five-star luxury hotels are to be found very close by. There is a fabulous choice of reasonably priced restaurants in the area, several providing free live entertainment whilst you eat.

Although Maspalomas does not offer the same level of vibrant nightlife as its neighbour, Playa del Ingles, what it does offer tends to be more sophisticated. As well as bars with live music in the form of jazz, salsa, and a wide range of pop, there are also several bars providing karaoke fun. Most of the nightclubs offer free entrance, although their drinks can often be quite pricey.

A holiday in Maspalomas offers plenty of sporting activities. Whale and dolphin spotting boat trips are available as well as game fishing safaris. Golfing holidays are popular and there is an excellent, eighteen hole golf course bordering the dunes nature reserve.

For families, the nearby Aqualand provides over thirty water-slides including a gigantic one known as the Tornado which has appeal for adults as well as children.

Whether you are looking for a naturist beach holiday, a golfing holiday or a family holiday, Maspalomas is an upmarket, all-the-year-round sunshine resort with plenty to do.

The best travel tip for arranging a holiday in Maspalomas is to use the Internet to find and book both accommodation and the cheapest flight available. You can carry out a Google search by typing search terms such as “Maspalomas Flights” and “Maspalomas Accommodation” into the Google search box. Direct flights to Las Palmas, (Gran Canaria’s international airport) are available from most U.K. and other European airports. The transfer time from the Airport to Maspalomas is only thirty minutes.

Malaysia is a country that is not only diverse in culture, it also offer a diversity of holiday genre. Malaysia is a country consisting of 13 states and 3 federal territories. The country is separated into two regions, West Malaysia which is the main Malaysia Peninsular and East Malaysia which is connected to Brunei and Indonesia.

Malaysia has lots to offer as a holiday destination. There are places that will satisfy different travel delights. Though it is relatively easy to get around in Malaysia, it is always good to look out for some useful information about the place before you begin your travel. Here are some useful travel tips for Malaysia:

Trading hours in Malaysia

You can enjoy all day and all night shopping and dining in Malaysia. The common trading hours in Malaysia are from 10am to 10pm, from Monday to Sunday.

Car rental in Malaysia

If you decide to rent a car in Malaysia, a national driving license or an International Driving Permit is required. Drivers must also be at least 23 years old. Malaysian drive on the left hand side of the road and seat belts must be put on at all times. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h and 110km/h for expressways.

Electricity connection in Malaysia

Visitors to Malaysia must check if their electrical appliances can handle the voltage of 220-240 volts AC, 50Hz. The power plugs used in Malaysia are of the three-pin, square-shaped type. If your electrical device does not accept the voltage and the appliance plug shape is different, you will need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.

11 Bali Travel Tips for a Bali holiday:

1.Seasonal and weather change actually makes little difference so any period of the year is a perfect time to visit Bali, although it’s useful to check out the public holidays in Indonesia. On the month of Ramadan – Muslim fasting period, Bali gets busy and crowded as locals from neigbouring cities, fill resorts up and prices for accomodations escalate.

2.Bali can be really cheap with superb value, especially for budget accommodation and budget flights. Do book in advance to get a great deal for your accomodation and flights. Air Asia is well-known to provide cheap flights to Bali if you book early in advance. Do search through all the online travel agents for the best hotel prices before you book your accomodation online. For example, you can compare the prices of Bali Hotels here – Cheapest Bali Hotel Rates & Reviews of Bali Hotels

3. If you’re planning to surf, do check out Bali Surfing Report. It has useful information on surf camps, cheap boat charters, and surfers package deals to remote beaches in Bali with great waves such as Nusa Lembongan.

4.Treat your tastebuds for something different and try eating in a warung (small traditional roadside eateries). Although they may look unhygiene, trust me, they are safe to eat. They are REALLY cheap, no-frills hangouts all serving unique and different foods. The food is often displayed in glass cabinets out in front. Grab a seat, make a selection and get the real flavour of Bali and Balinese food real cheap.

5.To understand Balinese culture and life, visit Murni’s in Ubud, which have everything regarding Bali and Balinese, from explanations of Balinese names to what one wears to a ceremony.

6.If you’re staying in luxury hotels, do consider staying in a Homestay where native Balinese families host you. It’ll really make your trip more enjoyable and eye-awakening.

7.A little knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia will definitely take you a long way. “Selamat pagi” – good morning -, “tolong” -help or please-, and terima kasih -thank you-, for starters. Also, try memorising, “way say” which means toilet, “mana” means where, and “gimana caranya” which refers to “how to”. For a fun introduction to the language, check out Bahasa Indonesia in 7 Days.

8.The best way to see Bali and travel around is with your own transport. Get a map or GPS and drive, hire a guide driver or rent a Bike.

9.Getting tired of hawkers bugging you to buy something? Do you know that there is an invisible line on the beach of Kuta that hawkers are not allowed to cross? Be a lil’ bit cheeky and park yourself closer to the sea. You won’t be hassled anymore.

10.Bargaining while shopping is a MUST. It is part of the whole shopping experience so don’t be shy and BARGAIN. Get into the swing of things and test your “Bargaining Art”. However don’t get too carried away until you’ve made a fool of yourself. If you do so, suddenly you’ll find out that you’ve spent the past 10 minutes quibbling over 50 cents. Use your instincts and logic.

11.To really ensure that you enjoy your holiday, do read “Bali Travel Guide For First-Timers” which is really useful and essential.

Do comment if you have any ideas to contribute or if you have any questions.. Happy Bali-ing!

Source:www.learnchinese.sg/edisonblog/Read.asp?ID=1&BID=208

China has a long history, whether material or cultural heritage is rich and attractive, China’s landscape is also a desirable tourist destination.Tourism in China is a good choice, the following will provide you with some travel tips to China, hoping for your trip to China help.    

Try to get a English speaking tour guide at every opportunity you can. China has a rich and wonderful history and culture and without a guide, somehow, the flavour and significance of most tour sites can be lost.

Sneaky tip: Hang around a group that has a English speaking guide if you cannot afford one! Always ask for a receipt from a taxi driver so that you can complain if you have been cheated or for tracing purposes if you happen to leave your camera behind in the taxi.
    
Try to take the “namecard” for each hotel that you are staying at as these cards will have a Chinese address and the map of your hotel location. This is useful if you need to seek assistance to find your way back as the English version or pronunciation of a hotel or a street name may be quite different from the Chinese version.

After a tiring day, check out Chinese foot reflexology or Chinese “TuiNa“?? (Chinese massage). Wonderful for the body after a hard day and very cheap to boot. Simply look out for shop signs that shows two feet! They are everywhere.  

Make friends with the Chinese whenever you can. They love to meet foreigners and will make good tour guides. Just buy a small present as a small token of appreciation.

Before you travel into China,perfer to learn a litter survival Chinese word,like say hello,ask the way,and urgent telephone No.

Edison mandarin provding professional Chinese train service for people which have business with Chinese or want to go into business in the future,or interesting in Chinese culture,or want to travel in China recently.and now providing a free lessons for beginner to experience our service and teaching quality.

Vadodara is formerly named Baroda, an Indian state of Gujarat. Consider some travel tips when planning to visit this lovely place.

Baroda is now known as Vadodara. It is Gujarats Indian state that ranks as its 3rd most populated city, following Surat and Ahmedabad. It population has reached more than 1.6 million residents. It is also known as Sanskari Nagari or The City of Culture because it is deemed as Gujarat’s cultural capital; and Sayaji Nagari or Sayajis City which is derived from Maharaj Sayajirao Gaekwad III, their famous ruler.

The location of Baroda or Vadodara lies along the banks of the river Vishwamitri just after their great Saint, Rishi Vishwamitra. On its southeast portion is Ahmedabad and it is Vadodara Districts administrative headquarters.

There are many interesting sites in this region including the majestic Lakshmi Vilas Palace as well as the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, a famous institution because of its departments like Performing Arts Technology, Fine Arts, Psychology, Management, Medicine and Social Work. Their major industries include engineering, petrochemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals and Forex.

Whether you are traveling to India, the US or other parts of the globe, it is important to take note of basic travel tips. The very basic would be to have a list of emergency numbers and addresses of important establishments in the area. Take note of the nearest hospitals or clinics,

When going to Guajarat, factors you need to take note of include the clothes you need to wear, shopping districts and how to go about in finding the best attractions. During the summer season, it is best to carry light cotton fabrics and your hats, sun glasses and trusted sun block lotion. During the rainy season, cotton is still appropriate but you also need folding umbrellas. During the winter season, do bring jackets and woolen fabrics.

The most common diseases you will find in India are dengue, cholera, hepatitis, dysentery, typhoid, malaria and meningitis along trekking areas. Make sure you consult with your doctor prior to your trip. Bring precautionary medicines and ointments.

Going to the Yellow Fever Region can be a bit risky so it is best that you get the necessary vaccines and bring the certificate with you. This is a requirement, especially for those coming from the United Kingdom, Canada and United States.

Tourists might find it a little tiring or difficult to engage in outdoor activities if they have respiratory ailments. But it does not mean they do not have to have fun. Just keep your own pacing and don’t forget to breathe. Bring your own medicines and other accessories you might need.

If you will be staying there for a long time, it is advisable that you get a Hepatitis B vaccination. Also bring a mosquito net, mosquito repellant and spray to avoid getting dengue and malaria. Have a first aid kit handy for emergency purposes.

Smaller restaurants may be cheaper but you are not always guaranteed if you are eating clean food from them. Avoid meats if you can as they more easily accumulate bacteria. Also avoid ordering their free service water. Bring your own bottled water instead.

Try not to buy salads and cut fruits from their roadside vendors. These are usually exposed to dirt and might cause diarrhea when eaten.

Never eat food and drinks given by strangers. Most locals would offer free tasting to lure you to buy their food. Be wary always.

On railway stations and airports, never leave your luggage unattended. We are not saying that the locals can not be trusted, but it is a fact that pickpockets and thieves are everywhere.
In your hotel room, never leave your suitcase unlocked. Otherwise, try to always bring your valuables with you instead of leaving them in your room.

Women are advised not to travel alone. If you need to get an auto rickshaw or cab and you see another person beside the driver, never get inside the vehicle. It is also advisable for women not to wear daring or revealing clothing.

A money belt is an accessory that keeps your money in place while it is strapped around your waist. Sometimes this is better than keeping your money in your wallet. Thieves will find it harder to grab the money belt compared to a wallet inside your bag.

When going shopping or eating out, go to reputed shops and establishments, especially if you will be using your credit cards. Credit card fraud is quite rampant in India.

Alicante is an ever growing city as more and more people chose Alicante as the ideal place in Europe to live a comfortable life, within modern surroundings and with a permanent blue sky. “Wake up happy” is the feeling you have when living in Alicante, and without a doubt the most upmarket region of Alicante is the Alicante Golf resort, located within 200 meters of the San Juan beach.

Getting to Alicante is so easy with daily flights from almost every European country, and accommodation is never a problem due to a large number of holiday rental villas and apartments up and down the Costa Blanca coastline, including Alicante, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, El Campello and Alicante Golf.

For many arriving to Alicante and finding accommodation is normally taken care of before arriving, but once here in Alicante, you may need to travel. These Alicante travel tips will help you arrive at any destination whether within Alicante or any other Spanish destination.

Alicante\’s main train station is found in the centre of Alicante near the “El Corte Ingles” shopping centre. Virtually every major Spanish city is accessible, including Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao. There are high speed train connections on a regular basis and you can even book at the station or online at www.renfe.es – Address: Avda. De Salamanca, Alicante. Tel: +34 965 923 850.

If you are looking at having a look locally, some of the best spots are just North of Alicante and the Tram is ideal for arriving in virtual luxury at very reasonable rates. More details can be found on their web site – www.fgvalicante.com . Trams run every 15 or 30 minutes and tickets from Alicante to El Campello can either be purchased in the tram station or on the tram itself if that service is not available. For just over a Euro you could be in Alicante Golf within 10 minutes and have a walk around what is becoming the elite residential area of Alicante.

Within Alicante itself there is a great bus service that will take you to which ever part you wish to visit. The red buses are used for the inner city areas of Alicante, whereas the Blue buses go to the surrounding villages such as El Campello which is the number 21. Check out the following web site for Alicante bus travel times – http://www.alicante-ayto.es/ingles/traffic_transport/transportes-tarifas-tam.html

The Alicante central bus station is situated at “Address: Calle Portugal 17, Alicante”, and also has services to the rest of the province of Alicante, as well as national and international services. You will normally find traveling by bus the cheaper option to the train, but I would personally only chose that option as the last.

One of the best ways to travel short and long distances from Alicante is the public bus system. Alicante has a nice bus station located in Calle Portugal – close to the harbour. Many bus companies operate from this bus station and offer connections to many other regions in Spain. For further information regards bus services leaving Alicante please phone +34 965 130 700.

You may on the other hand wish to avoid public transport and get a hire car direct from the Alicante airport, or you can arrange that too beforehand online. You should not be paying any more than 100 Euro a week, so compare rates first.

Getting a taxi in Alicante may sometimes be your only option, so make note of this telephone number that may come in handy – 965 10 16 11. There is a minimum service charge, but overall it is not too expensive for just an emergency. From Alicante to the Airport you would expect to pay about 30 Euro, which is about a 25 minute drive.

If you would like to come and stay in a luxury rental villa in Alicante, with air conditioning and a swimming pool then check out property details of this comfortable villa found along side Alicante Golf…

Whether traveling by plane, train or car the best planned vacations offer the smoothest and safest trip. There is so much to do before going away on a trip, but if planned out your trip will come together with few, if any, complications.

Here are ten traveling tips that will help you plan your vacation:

1. Decide on a vacation destination that fits your family’s lifestyle, desire and budget. If you like the sun then maybe Miami beach is the place for you. If you are more partial to the outdoor adventures then an Alaskan cruise may be in order. Learn all that you can about the area that you have decided upon traveling to. Research the best season to travel to your destination. Take into consideration such things as weather, popularity, school vacations, etc. In some states the seasons can play a major role on your vacation. As well, school vacations are an ideal time to take a vacation. However, to avoid the crowds planning to take a few days when there is not a scheduled school vacation may be a good thing to do.

2. Money. If you cannot afford to take a trip without struggling it would be better to put a little bit of money aside each week instead of going into deep debt. It would most likely be more stressful for you to have to worry about finances, which would defeat the whole purpose of a stress-free vacation.

3. If traveling by plane or train booking your travel arrangements well in advance will likely offer you the greatest savings in transportation fare. If you will be needing accommodations booking well ahead of your vacation time could also net you some savings. There are some wonderful online resources to book directly with savings offers available. Do not be afraid to book in this manner. Be sure, however, that the plans that you make are done to your liking before hitting that finalizing button.

4. Be a list maker! Making lists is a great way to be sure that you did not forget anything. Take a few minutes alone in a quiet and relaxing spot and write down everything that you need to do to plan your trip. Include in this list anything that you need to do there. You might even be able to take care of some things while you are still at home before you go, such as reservations to a popular restaurant. Make a list of what to pack and things to do before you leave home.

5. If it is just you and your partner and you have kids, make arrangements to leave them with a responsible party. This goes for any pets that you may have also.

6. Get online and print out any coupons that you may be able to use once you get to your destination. There are some great discount offerings available for restaurants, entertainment and other attractions.

7. Before you sign anything either at the train depot, the airport or the car rental agency make sure that you read it thoroughly and understand it. Do not be afraid or feel ignorant in asking questions. It is a lot better to ask a question than to get socked with a bill later on for something that you did not understand.

8. Check your health out before you go on your trip. See your doctor and obtain any medication prescriptions that you may need before leaving on your trip.

9. Call and be sure that all of your reservations are in place the evening before you are to leave. You do not want to have any surprises once you arrive at your take off point. It would be a stressful situation to arrive in Miami and find that you did not book the room correctly or that they did not process it correctly.

10. Sleep. So often we get so excited before going on a trip that getting some needed shut eye is almost impossible. If you cannot sleep during the night then take a short nap during the day.