An Effective Travel Guide for Pattaya

Thailand is one place where many people would love to visit. The warm climate and the beautiful natural resources, such as the mountain geography in the north and the coastal beaches in the east and the south make it a very attractive location. We are going to look closer at the eastern region where the city of Pattaya is located. You may already have knowledge or you have been there been before but it is common knowledge that Thailand is a popular tourist location and has millions of visitors every year. This is due to the beautiful beaches and the vibrant night life which give people endless enjoyable activities.

For first time visitors to Thailand or Pattaya there are plenty of information resources that provide information about Pattaya. There are travel guides and there are websites that provide comprehensive information, such as the website of Tourism Authority of Thailand, (TAT), or you may want to visit lonelyplanet.com which can also be used as an information reference.

Even though Pattaya gets its reputation from its beach and night life, there are many other tourist attractions that tourists can enjoy. For example, there is a fish aquarium that has recently opened and this aquarium can boast that it is the largest in Southeast Asia. As well as these tourist attractions there are activities such as rock climbing, hiking or even just relaxing on the beach.

The hotel accommodation in Pattaya can also offer excellent services. You can find a wide range of hotels available which cater for all budgets. There are the top luxury hotels which can provide a very private environment and services to ensure that you will not be disturbed. The massage and the beauty services in Pattaya have a very good reputation, particularly the traditional Thai massage and the facial therapy massage in the typical Thai style, which you will experience with the use of traditional Thai herbs that claim to cure various diseases through an elaborate massage method.

Pattaya is divided into three areas: north Pattaya, central Pattaya and south Pattaya. Each area has its own unique characteristics, such as the beautiful beaches and other travel attractions. North Pattaya is the closest to other attractions which are nearby, such as the Sila Village where the local mortar is made. Central Pattaya offers beautiful beaches and typical Thai city life

The people as well as the environment in Pattaya are also very pleasant. Even though there is more urban areas than suburban area, there is still a very good environment and very little pollution. People are also very friendly and always willing to help tourists.

Even though there are travel guides for Pattaya on the internet, some in Thai and some in English not all of them are reliable. It is wise to compare the various sites and ensure that they are up to date.

Food In South East Asia

The rich culture of South East Asia lies at the tastiest food in the world. Once known as the land of the spices, the food of the Thais, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Indonesians are among the most famous exotic creations. Much of the identity of South East Asia lies on the different food that come from unique, yet common backgrounds following the influences of Indian, Chinese, and the European colonizers along with the local flavor.

The food has both common and binding ingredients. These include coconut milk, lemon grass, sugar, basil, fish paste, and chili. To an outsider’s taste buds, this food is described as spicy, tangy and sweet, all mixing together to present a unique taste. Curry, which is an Indian food, has evolved to be a staple dish in South East Asia.

Thai food is the most popular cuisine coming from South East Asia. It takes in five different flavors from the different regions in its traditional kingdoms which are sour, salty, sweet, spicy, and bitter. The famous southern curries are traditional Indian adaptations that have local ingredients like coconut milk. Thai food uses generous servings of fresh spices and fish sauces. Like any other Asian country, rice is the staple food of the Thais. If you travel to Thailand, you will encounter a very unique experience in tasting the different variety of Thai food. The most famous dishes are Pad Thai, and Red Na.

Filipino food meanwhile offers a range of different flavors all scrambled together to present a bulk taste. It is the most unique among South East Asians because it took more foreign influences from their colonizers as compared to their neighbors. As an example, it has more meat than Thai food or Vietnamese food. It also has fewer spices. Instead they use the taste of the meat just like the Spanish and the Americans. Filipino food as compared to South East Asian food is roasted more just like the Western style. This makes Filipino food a popular choice among American and Western tourists.

Like other South East Asia cuisine, Vietnamese cuisine follows the tradition of the Indians and Chinese. It uses a lot of soy sauce and fish sauce, which is both an Indian and Chinese influence. Religion plays a large part on Vietnamese cooking as most dishes are vegetarian as compared to Filipino foods which are very meaty.

Vietnamese food follows the spicy and sweet taste and like any other South East Asian country, rice is the popular choice. Vietnamese cuisine is also known for their rich soup concoctions. These soups along with the countless dishes are very popular in North America, France, and Russia.

Pattaya Travel Guide – Top 10 Recommendations

With its large expatriate community and diverse attractions, Pattaya has gained a reputation as one of Thailand’s leading international communities. Its other reputation as Bangkok’s playground and the capital of the sex industry, it attracts a very specific sort of tourist. No matter what your reasons for visiting, you’ll find an exhausting list of attractions, theme parks and entertainment to keep you busy while you’re here. In Pattaya gay travellers are also welcome and made to feel comfortable. Thailand is very tolerant of gay activities, Pattaya is no exception.

Million Years Stone Park and Pattaya Crocodile Farm

The Million Years Stone Park and Crocodile Farm is a great place to take in some of the indigenous plant and animal life of Thailand. More than 1,000 crocodiles are kept and bred on the grounds and there are some elephants and rare albino bears. Elephant shows are held every day, as is the crocodile roundup. The grounds also have some beautiful landscaping, most outstanding of which is the bonsai garden. The park can be reached via a 15-minute drive from Pattaya city centre.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

This one-of-a-kind museum is located on the third floor of the Royal Garden Plaza building in Pattaya. The facility contains over 300 unusual exhibits exploring the whole gamut of weird and unexplained phenomena. Some of the more popular attractions include the Infinity Maze, an immersive, walk-through sound and light show that tests the limits of perception; and the Haunted Adventure, a resurrection of an old real-life mystery set at the Grimsby and Streaper Casket Company and brought to life with live actors, special effects and animatronics. Despite its emphasis on the odd, Ripley’s is Pattaya’s most outstanding museum and a definite must-see.

Sriracha Tiger Zoo

North of the city of Pattaya, the Sriracha Tiger Zoo can be found off Route 3241 via a 30-minute drive from the city centre. The subjects of this facility can be found in a variety of circumstances including in their natural surroundings as well as more interactive settings. Visitors will have the opportunity to bottle-feed young cubs as well as have their picture taken with them. The zoo is home to several other species including crocodiles, elephants and scorpions. Some of the more outlandish shows include elephants playing basketball and a woman wrestling a crocodile.

Mini Siam

One of Pattaya’s most well-known sites for tourists is Mini Siam, a 1:25 scale replication of some of Thailand’s most popular sites from across the country. There are 80 buildings in the park representing periods throughout Thailand’s history. Don Muang Airport is on-site, as is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok and the Temple of Phimai in Nakorn Ratchisima. The best time to visit is after dark, when the exhibits are illuminated and take on a new life.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Anyone who wishes to visit the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden can catch a shuttle bus that departs from in front of the Nipa Lodge Hotel in downtown Pattaya. This park covers more than 600 acres and hosts a broad spectrum of exhibits dedicated to Thai culture and history. The grounds include a cactus garden, an orchid nursery and a lake with canoes that can be hired. The arts and culture centre hosts daily exhibitions of Thai dance, Muay Thai (Thai boxing) and elephant shows. There’s also a zoo on-site and accommodation for overnight stays.

Wat Yansangwararam

Pattaya is not as well known for its temples and ancient architecture as Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Even so, the Yansangwararam is a temple worth checking out while in the area. It’s located a few miles south of Pattaya and was built in 1988 to commemorate the 42nd year of King Bhumibol’s reign. On-site is a lake with Chinese pavilions and a building that houses several art exhibits and antiques of Chinese origin. The temple itself sits at the apex of a flight of 299 stairs hemmed in by snakes.

Pattaya Elephant Village

Visitors who want to get an up close look at the iconic Thai elephant can do so at the Pattaya Elephant Village. These animals have served the country in a variety of roles over the centuries, spanning war times and more recently, teak harvesting. The elephants in the village are protected and perform daily educational and entertaining feats showcasing their forestry and football skills. Visitors can also ride the elephants into the forest and listen to English language explanations of this beast’s history in Thailand.

Pattaya Beach

While it may be saturated with visitors and a little polluted, Pattaya’s beachfront property continues to be its greatest draw. Visitors come to enjoy the beach in any number of ways, whether it’s a walk on the tree-lined promenade; a relaxed seafood dish eaten on an outdoor veranda or simply a laid-back afternoon spent on a deckchair. Charter boats head out to some of the nearby islands where further exploration and snorkelling is available. There’s not too much actual swimming in the water, though it’s bustling with jet-skis, banana boats and motor boats.

Amusement parks

The constant flux of tourists through Pattaya has given way to a variety of amusement parks. Pattaya Water Park is a huge facility with water slides, Jacuzzis, whirlpools and a children’s wading pool. Staggering towers at the Pattaya Park Resort and Amusement Park are capped by revolving restaurants with impressive views of the city and sea. The Funny Land Amusement Park has all sorts of carnival and theme-park style rides including a roller coaster and a pendulum Viking ship. Asia’s largest aquarium is also located in Pattaya—Underwater World, with an impressive walking tunnel allowing visitors to walk in among the aquatic life.

Nightlife and gay activities

Anyone visiting Pattaya will at some point be confronted with the city’s notoriety as a part of the sex industry. While it’s true that sex tourism is in full force in the go-go bars along Walking street, it’s easy to find more family-oriented locations across town where you can get a bite to eat or relax in the evening. There are a couple of Irish pubs, an English pub and a blues bar where tourists can enjoy a relaxed evening without the risqué atmosphere. On the whole, the nightlife in Pattaya spans all interests and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Pattaya is also a popular gay destination. Gay Pattaya is centred on Boyztown and is very welcoming. Gay travellers feel very comfortable in Pattaya and have plenty of options for fun.

WORLD OF DMC’s, the easy solution for Incentive Travel and Events Organization worldwide.

From 27th till 29th of November 2007 EIBTM was organized in Barcelona. This is a yearly world fair for the Incentive and Events Business. For the first time World of DMC’s opened a stand there.
The member DMC’s from all over the world showed Travel Agents and Incentive Houses their passion for their destinations. Visitors found wonderful ideas for incentive travel and events organization worldwide. And for these local travel agents in different far away countries it was a unique opportunity to share ideas and experiences.

What is and offers a DMC?

* a destination management company or a travel agent in a destination
* all the local contacts to organize a creative incentive travel experience
* all the local contacts to organize a congress or an event
* hotel bookings, excursions, transfers, guides, conference venues, restaurant facilities etc.

What is and offers World of DMC’s?

* a professional association of Destination Management Companies
* a joint platform for its members to comunicate towards the incentive houses and travel agents
* a presence at the major trade fairs in the incentive industry world wide
* a number of yearly road shows in specific countries to meet potential clients
* presence on the internet with their website www.dmc.travel

World of DMC is not an independent marketing bureau. They are no more then the members themselves. The board consists of members and they have no staff other then the members. They don’t pay commisions to anyone and work each for the benefit of all. The different members for instance help in a discretional and professional way their clients to get to know other member DMC’s in other countries for ideas about future incentive trips.

What are the criteria for DMC’s to join?

* professionalism proved by years of experience and having renowned clients
* dedication towards marketing yourself in trade fairs and on the internet
* dedication to actively promote the association
* only one member per destination, re-elected every year
* yearly membership fees and stand fees in the trade shows

The association is actually founded with the purpose to improve the communication between Incentive Houses, Travel Agents and Events and Congresses Bureaus on the one side and Destination Management Companies on the other side. By applying to the association travel agents come in contact with a qualitative and professional agent in the required destination and will get ideas about the organization of an incentive trip or a congress or event. There are no fees. It is the easy solution for Incentive Travel and Events Organization worldwide.

At present there are members in the following destinations:

Africa: Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabawe.

Asia: Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam.

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, Slovakia,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.

Middle East: Jordan, United Arab Emirates.

North America: California, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Jamaica, New York, Panama.

South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

If you missed them in Barcelona or want to meet them again they are happy to announce their participation to Imex from the 22nd til the 24th of April 2008 in Francfort. They will have an even bigger stand with participation of delegates of their member DMC’s from over 20 countries. When you visit them you feel the hospitality they will give your clients when they visit them back home.

On the World of DMC website you get to know the member countries of this non-profit professional association. They are all dedicated Destination Management Companies with years of experience. You can also send a mail with the Destination Companies you want to meet at the IMEX fair and they will arrange that they contact you directly for an appointment.

Top Five Travel Tips for an Adventure Tour

Adventure touring can really test your mettle, whether you are traveling on your own or with your family. Part of the fun of an adventure tour is the inherent danger of the activity – but that’s no reason to be foolish. There are ways that you can reduce dangers and increase the fun quotient. These are five top tips to get the most out of your adventure tour.

1. Follow the Boy Scout motto – be prepared by planning ahead.

There’s an old saying – measure twice, cut once. When you plan ahead, you’ll be prepared for most of the mishaps that can happen on a wild outdoor adventure. One of the best ways to be prepared is to book your tour with a reputable and experienced tour company. A responsible adventure tour agent will provide you with all the information that you need to prepare yourself properly for the tour you book through them. If they don’t provide information like a list of documents and items you should bring with you, ask. If they don’t have one to offer, you might reconsider booking a tour through them.

Extra: You’ll need the basic documents, of course – passport, travel visa and return tickets – but as international security increases around the world, you may require additional documentation to cross some borders. Other documents you may need to present include vaccination certificates and proof that you have booked accommodation. If you are traveling with children, most travel agents strongly suggest that you bring proof that you have legal custody of the children.

2. Bring your own first aid kit.

Along with any prescription medication, you should also bring along any medications and medical supplies that you are likely to need – especially if you’re picky about brands. You won’t find any nearby pharmacies when you’re out in the middle of the Amazon highlands – or the Appalachian trails. If you’re on an organized adventure tour, your tour guide should have a first aid kit and basic medical supplies, but it never hurts to be sure you have the things you need with you. Especially in a foreign country, there is no guarantee that your favorite brand of painkiller will be available.

Extra: An ounce of prevention, says the old adage, and it’s doubly true when you’re vacationing away from “civilization”. Bug spray and sunscreen are a must, as are enough cleaning solution for contacts, or an extra pair of eyeglasses. Pack along your favored brand of pain reliever, a wrap-around bandage and an ice pack.

3. Check health and travel alerts.

If you’re traveling overseas, do yourself a favor and keep up to date on the health and travel alerts issued by the U.S. State Department. Informed travel is safe travel. There are many things that might affect your safety on an adventure trip – besides the dangers you are looking forward to braving. Extreme weather conditions, the political climate and health alerts can all make a difference in your planning. Be aware, and keep yourself informed so that you know what you may be facing.

Extra: You can research your trip and sign up for notifications about travel and safety alerts at allsafetravel.com. The site tracks safety, health and weather alerts issued by governments around the world to provide accurate information that is up to the minute for your destination.

4. Check in with your health insurance.

Are you covered if you break your leg in Nepal? Trip and travel insurance is a must when you’re traveling, but be sure that you know what will be covered. Your trip insurance should cover more than just treatment for an illness or accident. Look for repatriation coverage, and be sure that your policy covers you for any activities that you plan on doing. Many travel and trip policies specifically exclude extreme sports like whitewater rafting and rock climbing, or even skiing.

Extra: Bring along written prescriptions for all medications that you take regularly and keep them separate from your medications themselves. Check with your travel agent about riders on standard travel and trip insurance to extend coverage beyond the standard coverage.

5. Take what you bring and leave what you find.

In other words – leave nothing behind. It’s basic hiking advice. Eco-tours and other adventure tour agencies emphasize the importance of preserving and protecting the environment. Make a point of cleaning up after yourself when you stop and camp. If you bring it in with you, take it out when you leave, and if you find it on the trail, leave it there.

Extra: The best souvenirs to bring home with you are photos and memories. There’s no better use for extra weight allowance than extra batteries for your video or digital camera.

Travel destinations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a city of different faces – from rustic quiet streets of low-rise homes, to commercialised and modern buildings of rising heights. As the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh draws visitors from every corner of the world, many who are eager to find out how a country ravaged by the Khmer Rouge some thirty years ago can transform so quickly into a peaceful nation again.

Phnom Penh is a shoppers’ paradise for exotic gifts and food. It is definitely one city that you must not miss out if you are touring the South East Asian countries of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

Imagine a tart. Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and the Gulf of Thailand form the crust of the tart. Cambodia sits right in the middle of the crust. Draw the letter v within your Cambodia tart. The left line forming the v represents the Tonle Sap, a massive river which wells up like a kidney somewhere along the middle of this line. The Mekong River forms the right arm of the letter v. At the vertex of the letter v where these two rivers meet sits the capital Phnom Penh.

If you take the Mekong Express bus service which travels to Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Vietnam and even Thailand, your gracious bus steward will first tell you a little story on how the name Phnom Penh was derived before he hands you a bottle of mineral water, a disposable wet tissue towel pack and a box of freshly baked snacks.

The little fairy tale tells of a woman on a hill. The namesake means woman’ and hill’. As to the fairy tale, I shall not rob you of the pleasure of listening to it being told by the gracious bus steward.

The story of the woman on the hill is definitely far more pleasing to the ear than the morbid accounts of the Pol Pot regime in the late 1970s during which men, women and children were separated and made to work on different farms.

Innocent people were accused of being the enemy’, thrown into a school-turned-interrogation center known as S-21 at Tuol Sleng to be tortured in the cruelest ways with hot boiling oil or water, whole nail removers and body stretching before they were driven blindfolded some thirty minutes away to Cheung Ek Killing Fields in the rural area to be mass-executed and mass-buried. The remains of the clothes worn by children can still be found next to the two-meter deep burial pits on the site which also holds a white and gold pagoda-like memorial building with the skeletal remains dug out and preserved in glass cases.

Intellectuals and their

Projects Abroad News From our Thailand Marine Conservation Project

With the new project-dedicated website now up and running, I feel very proud and privileged to be writing the very first monthly update of the Projects Abroad Marine Conservation Project here in Ao Nang, Thailand.

The project, which has been running since May 2005, has grown over the year and a half since its conception, into an exciting and constructive project benefiting the environment and local communities within the Andaman Sea and Krabi province.

As this is the first monthly update I feel I should recount the fantastic achievements of the past volunteers before beginning to report on the current position of the project. After reviewing the records of the activities of all the volunteers that have passed through Ao Nang since May 2005 to December 2006, the figures speak for themselves as to how valuable your efforts have been.

Over 18,500 mangrove seeds and saplings were planted, helping to rehabilitate four areas of badly degraded mangrove forest, previously cut down for the land to be turned into shrimp farms. 8 tonnes of rubbish were collected between April and December 2006 from six local beaches and islands, helping to keep these beaches free of dangerous, polluting and unsightly debris, and preventing much of it from being washed back into the sea and causing harm to the marine environment. Between May and December 2006, over 600kg of debris were removed from the sea reducing the stress placed on the delicate reef ecosystems and helping to preserve many marine animals that were at risk of becoming entangled in the lost fishing nets and lines.

As well as these vital practical conservation efforts volunteers also contributed by carrying out many Reef Watch surveys of the local reefs, data which was then given to the Phuket Marine Biological Centre for further analysis on the changing conditions of the reefs within the Andaman Sea.

So, 2006 ended on a high note with the volunteers having an afternoon dive, dinner aboard the Navada and then a night dive on Christmas Eve, and two dives on Christmas Day followed by a big roast feast at a local English man’s restaurant. The volunteers then went on a canoe trip through some mangroves and spectacular caves on the 30th before seeing the New Year in at the always friendly and popular drinking hole – the Umbrella Pub in Ao Nang.

And so, on to 2007 – a new year that I’m sure will see the project progressing further as plans developed towards the end of last year are fully implemented, the monitoring and ecosystem rehabilitation programmes continue, and research into new exciting projects gets underway.

I’ll begin with the reef monitoring programme that we began towards the end of November with the four volunteers that were with us at that time. It is a six-week programme that develops volunteers’ marine observation and survey skills alongside crucial buoyancy control so as not to damage the reefs that we are monitoring. Jason, one of the volunteers that completed the full programme just before leaving the project to go on a live-a-board trip to the Similan Islands was very excited that he was going to being able to know the spectacular creatures that he would be seeing at one of the world’s top ten dive sites. Added to this was the volunteers’ satisfaction of completing surveys that were then entered into our database enabling us in the future to compare the condition of the local reefs and the number of marine organisms found from one year to the next.

Alongside the regular monitoring of the reefs that volunteers have been carrying out, there is also the practical side of conservation that is always required. I’m talking of reef salvage of course. Volunteers have made nine salvage dives during the month of January at seven different sites, predominantly around the local islands, such as Koh See and Koh Ya Wa Sam. The total weight of all the debris removed from the reefs amounts to 30.8 kg, and predominantly consists of fishing nets, lines and fish traps, but some of the other interesting items collected were a snorkel, anchor parts, engine parts, a boat lamp, and several lighters. It is always very satisfying coming up to the surface with a bag full of debris that has the potential to entrap fish and other animals, as well as smothering corals and reducing their ability to grow and reproduce. This work will continue unabated, and hopefully through our efforts the reefs will remain cleaner and safer allowing them and their marine inhabitants to prosper healthily.

Moving away from the diving side of the project and on to the crucial coastal conservation work that volunteers carry out for two days each week, I’ll talk about the much-awaited start of our mangrove research project first. Having planted four sites over the last year and a half with various species of mangrove seed or sapling, all of which have seen a satisfactory average survival rate of over 50%, we have set out sights on achieving even better success rates of survival and quicker growth. Consequently we have planned a research programme to test different methods of cultivating mangrove seeds and transplanting the young saplings. We were very kindly given some land for this purpose in late December by the Krabi Mangrove Department and local community of Ban Thung Prasan where we have helped plant several thousand trees in the second half of 2006.

It is next to an area we have previously planted, across a very rickety bridge that many of past volunteers will remember and over a particularly water-logged and muddy subsidiary canal that can be precariously crossed for the most part of the day. However, when we first got there it was overgrown with weeds taller than any of us, so for the first two mangrove days of 2007 we went out with the sickles and hoes to clear the land in preparation for our research. Then two weeks later, the volunteers went out into the very muddy Klong Jilat with small sickles on long bamboo poles and collected over 600 mature propagules (seeds) of Ceriops tagal and 53 of the larger Rhizophora apiculata propagules. The Ceriops tagal were then planted under the different conditions of shade and sunlight, into bags or straight into the ground, and on higher dryer ground or into a more water-logged area that is inundated daily by seawater.

The last of the usual activities carried out by the volunteers is the cleaning of local beaches. Although we’ve only had two clean-ups so far this year at Ao Nam Mao and Andaman Beach, the five volunteers that have been here this month have collected 173 kg of all sorts of rubbish – plastic predominantly, but also a fair amount of glass and metal – that is continuously washed down the rivers or swept ashore by the waves. They even came across a crab trapped in a metal container which was subsequently freed, and a discarded thermometer. As always, it’s not the nicest of jobs but it is very rewarding to see a nice clean beach at the end of the day, so well done volunteers, both past and present.

So, that’s an account of the fantastic contribution the volunteers are making towards marine and coastal conservation in Krabi. These efforts are much appreciated by all that come into contact with our work and activities, so a great thank you to all of you that have devoted time, sweat and sore, blistered hands for the cause. On a final fun note, I’ll mention the live-a-board that the volunteers went on for three days down south to Koh Haa Yai, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang at the end of January. Unfortunately no manta rays or whale sharks were spotted (except, of course, if you count Justine’s fleeting glimpse of a whale shark’s tail), but everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves having seen spectacular reefs and far greater numbers and diversity of fish and other marine species than we see on an everyday basis in Krabi. A well-deserved trip before another work-filled, yet rewarding month ahead – I look forward to reporting on the progress of all the various activities mentioned above.

Find Out About Our Conservation Project in Thailand

www.projects-abroad.co.uk

The Best Places to Travel on a Budget

Well you won’t be traveling to Monaco and staying at a five star resort on a budget, will you? Maybe so! Mostly, traveling on a budget means finding the cheapest price for the experience you want.

When traveling on a budget it’s best to keep in mind the following points:
1. Travel in the off-peak seasons. You can save up to as much as fifty per cent off air flights and accommodation costs if you plan to travel in low season times.
2. Stay away from popular tourist spots (unless they are on your ‘must-see’ list). If you can go off the beaten track with your destinations, things can be cheaper to see and do and your cultural experiences will be richer.
3. Try camping. Not only is it the cheapest form of accommodation it’s a great way to get up close and personal to nature. It’s the best way to see National Parks and Heritage listed areas.
4. Look for special travel offers (or packages). But make sure you check everything that they include – and don’t include.
5. Invest in a travel pass where you are able. Most developed countries have a rail or bus transport system where you can obtain day, week or monthly passes that will get you around cheaply.
6. Get a work permit if you aim to gain employment while traveling overseas. Working can help subsidize places that aren’t so cheap, such as Europe and Australia.
7. Look for good exchange rates on the dollar. This may help you decide which country to travel to.
8. Think about shortening your visit to destinations that are expensive and increasing your length of stay in cheaper places.
9. Where possible use your credit card. The exchange rate is better.
10. When staying in a hotel, avoid paying for ‘extras’. Don’t touch anything from the honor bar. Don’t watch the in-house movies and don’t use the hotel phone. And try not to use room service too much!

On the world scene there are some great places to travel on a budget for under thirty dollars a day. In Asia you can try India, Laos, China, Cambodia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Thailand, Sumatra and Burma. In Central and South America you can visit El Salvador, Bolivia and Ecuador. If you are after a budget experience in the Pacific, try Fiji or New Zealand. Over in Africa there are some great budget destinations such as Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Ghana. Don’t forget the Middle East where places like Iran, Syria and Turkey provide excellent value for money and wonderful experiences for the budget traveler.

There is no ‘best place’ to travel on a budget. Just be prepared to look around, avoid the pitfalls of unwanted costs in package deals or hotel bookings. If you want to travel and your budget doesn’t meet your expectations, be flexible and see if there is somewhere cheaper you might like to experience. You could be pleasantly surprised with your stay in India or Iran, when you thought you wanted to go to Tahiti.

This article was provided by:
Stuart S. Travel / Your All World Travel Guru
http://www.stuartstravel.com

Business Travel Tips – Part 2

Even those working in small businesses are finding that they need to travel more frequently these; this is despite advances in information technology and communication. This is putting an increasing strain on business travelers who often become stressed and fatigued at the constant need to be in another part of the world. Hopefully the following business travel tips will help you make the most of your travel time, and perhaps even enjoy the trip along the way.

When baggage goes missing it is irritating to say the least but for someone on a business trip it can be a whole lot more disastrous. The answer to this is to ensure you have everything you need in your hand luggage.

This type of forward thinking means that you will not be caught out nor will you have a wasted trip. Regular travelers know that the main business travel tip when packing is to keep things simple by only including exactly what you need for the journey and that way you won’t go far wrong if luggage goes missing.

In order to accomplish this, make do with a pair of casual shoes and a pair of business shoes only, and be sure to only bring enough work clothes to last you through the trip. The remaining items to pack will be toilet essentials and any other work related documents that aren’t important.

A clever business travel tip, to reduce the size of bag you require, is too roll your clothes up instead of folding them; apart for taking up less space they are not so creased when they are unpacked. The last thing you want on a business trip is having clothes laundered because something was spilt on them, this can easily be avoided by wearing dark clothes which are able to absorb stains more easily.

If you are delayed for any reason then knowing you can freshen up prior to the meeting without the need for a shower can be a lifesaver, this is where those travel wipes come in very useful. Although most cell phones have very good standby and talk times now, you will need to make sure it and any other electronic equipment are charged up before you go on your journey.

As it is possible to carry out work while you fly, by making the best use of this time you will be able to spend some time relaxing in the evening and perhaps a little site seeing. Simply planning ahead for these eventualities mean you will be ready for your business travel journey, no matter what.

Business trips do not have to be boring and stressful if you apply the business travel tips in this article as they will allow you the opportunity to enjoy your free time even more.

Frontier – Mountain West- Travel Tips

ARIZONA

Lake Powell offers spectacular scenic adventures for groups traveling the Southwest and the region’s National Parks. Located on the southeastern border of Arizona and Utah, this destination offers a selection of float adventures which explore the lake’s more than 2,000 miles of shoreline.

Sedona has introduced its 24 month-long public art project entitled “Javelinas on Parade.” Javelinas are the only native wild pig-like animal in the United States and they thrive in the Arizona desert. The 50 statues are created from a master form and decorated in various styles by local artists to be placed throughout the town. “Javelinas on Parade” has been designated as an Arizona Treasure by Governor Janet Napolitano and will be featured in the state’s 2006 tourism advertising and promotion efforts.

NEW MEXICO

There are two new Albuquerque museums. The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum is located at Balloon Fiesta Park. Displays tell the sport’s history with highlights of Albuquerque’s ballooning activities and its local personalities. The other new museum is the Unser Racing Museum in the village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Here visitors learn about the evolution of racecars with a special focus on the Unser family.
Las Cruces new Cultural Complex is part of a downtown neighborhood offering a variety of venues that offer
entertainment, food, galleries and four outstanding museums

UTAH

The Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City announces its 2006 summer-fall season: June 22 – Sept. 2, features Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Antony and Cleopatra.” Also playing is Ernst Thomson’s “On Golden Pond,” John Murray and Allen Boretz’ “Room Service” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The fall season, Sept. 22-Oct. 28, presents Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” J. Hartley Manners’ “Peg o’ My Heart” and van Hoogstraten, Silvestri and Higgins’ “Johnny Guitar.” The festival offers several added activities including nightly Greenshows on three outdoor stages; free literary seminars; bi-weekly music, acting and costumes workshops; backstage tours; the New American Playwrights Project and pre-performance orientation for all shows. Special ticket prices and other benefits are available for groups of 12 or more.

COLORADO
Denver arts are exploding with new venues, making it a premier arts destination. The new Ellie Caulking Opera House opened within the walls of the historic Newton Auditorium to complete the Denver Performing Arts Complex theater development project. The theater is home to the Colorado Opera, Colorado Ballet and various choral groups and features an electric seat-back text delivery system which displays performance dialog at every seat. The Denver Art Museum will double its size in 2006 with the addition of the Frederic C. Hamilton building and will feature special and visiting exhibitions and the museum’s modern and contemporary art collection.

NEBRASKA

Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska where visiting groups will be treated to high-spirited Husker play on and off the sports fields. The Lincoln CVB has organized several itinerary plans for group tours that feature the diversity of campus life. The Husker Package is for sports fans and offers behind the scenes tours of the University of Nebraska Memorial Stadium and Haymarket Park, with lunch at choice favorite fan eateries. The arts package visits Lied Center for the Performing Arts, the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, and the State Museum. Another campus museum is The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum and is included in the agriculture-themed itinerary.

Next Page »