Bristol Live Music, Clubbing and Comedy

When it comes to entertainment, Bristol has so much to offer, especially in terms of live music and clubbing.

Bristol's live music scene is diverse and offers everything from low-key acoustic performances to operas and ear-shattering bands and orchestras. It's a fairly eclectic mix of live music offerings that has something for everyone.

The Prom Music and Caf Bar on Gloucester Road is one of Bristol's established music venues that only seems to be getting more and more popular with each passing year. The Prom features some of the biggest local and national bands and offers guests a different sound every day of the week, including rock, jazz, folk, blues and country music. The atmosphere is electric and many of the top local artists can be found chilling out, especially on weekends.

For alternative music, the Moles Club on George Street is an excellent choice. There are three things that regularly draw in crowds to this venue: live music, real ale and a laid-back ambience. In recent years, the Moles Club has also expanded its alcoholic offerings and now serves a wide and excellent selection of beers, lagers and spirits. It also has a heavy-duty, seven-kilowatt, state of the art sound system.

The best tribute bands in the city as well as some live alternative and acoustic acts can be found at the Fleece and Firkin on St. Thomas Street, a prime venue for boozing and schmoozing. Fiddlers in Bedminster has live entertainment along a similar vein, much like the other Fiddlers pubs that are scattered all over the UK. Fiddlers also hosts the best bands from the local indie scene.

One of the premier party places in Bristol is the Bierkeller on All Saints Street and it boasts of its very own "oompah band". The scene here can get pretty wild and uninhibited. The regular rounds of leg kicking and table dancing always elevate the fun factor a notch or two higher.

On the other hand, if your taste in music runs towards the more sedate, the ideal venue for you is the Bristol Concert Orchestra, the largest community orchestra group in the city. They specialize in jazz, classical and modern shows. You can catch any of their regular concerts at St Georges Church and at St Alban's Church in Westbury.

Meanwhile, if your dancing feet are beginning to itch, it might be time for some hard clubbing. There are many exciting venues at the city centre that will give you what you desire.

The Cooler on Park Street has something special going on almost every night, depending on which band is in the house. Giant Robot puts on a killer show of rave and dance music while Klub Kute holds sway every Saturday with the best in British and American indie. The Cooler also has a popular gay night when Wonky is onstage.

The award-winning Elbow Room on Park Street is famous for its stable of superstar DJs and rising young talents. Here, you can simply relax and chill out or shoot some pool. The Elbow Room also serves some of the heartiest meals in the city centre.

If chic is your thing, Fuchsia on Nelson Street is the place to visit and it's where the city's beautiful people congregate. Fuchsia is a bar, lounge, restaurant and club all rolled into one, and it's one of the most elegant venues in the city centre. Clubbers here are dressed to the nines in their sexiest clothes as they enjoy a night of soul, hip hop and R'n'B.

On the other hand, if you're more into camp, then you will thoroughly enjoy The Queen's Shilling on Frogmore Street, the premiere gay venue in the area. It's disco, funky house and glam house music that dominates the night. This is likely where you will come across the campest characters you will ever meet.

For some Latin music, visit Salsa Mania at Fiesta Havana on Nicholas Street and feel that hot Latino passion coursing through your veins. The dance floor is never empty here so bring your dancing shoes. And if things get too hot for you, their fantastic cocktails should cool you down quickly and put you in the mood to dance, dance, dance.

Finally, if you're in the mood for some hearty laughs, Bristol's Big Four comedy clubs will leave you in stitches. These are Jesters on Cheltenham Road, The Comedy Box [map] on North Street, Jongleurs on Baldwin Street, and The Comedy Cavern at George Street in Bath.

Jesters boasts of the freshest young talents around. The Comedy Box is known for its weird and wacky antics. Jongleurs, a part of the comedy club chain, is relatively new but getting good reviews. The Comedy Cavern features the cream of British comedy, such as Lee Mack and Junior Simpson.

Cruise Travel Stereotypes and Myths Explained

Considering that well over 75% of the population has never set foot on a cruise ship, many people are surprised to find out that some of the cruise myths that are frequently talks about are simply not true. This may be part of the problem that actually hinders individuals from booking an actual cruise itinerary because they may not know what to expect because of the myths surrounding cruise vacations.

Cruise Myth #1: Choosing the cruise line that has the best reputation will yield the best cruise experience! Unfortunately, many first time cruise vacationers do go by this cruise myth, but this is one of the worst myths to book cruises by. In fact, a cruise ship that was sailed just thirty years ago is very different from the ones that have been created in the 21st century. There are added bonuses to more recent cruise ships, like more mini-malls, casinos, and nicer rooms then older cruise ships. But considering that some well-known cruise companies and cruise liners still use their older ships, choosing a well-known cruise line will not always give the best experience.

Cruise Myth #2: The best prices for rooms on a cruise ship come only several weeks before the cruise ship sails. If you are waiting for an
excellent price on a room inside a cruise ship 2 weeks before the sail date then you actually should be ready to pay a hefty price! The discounting practice of cruise tickets only weeks before the sail date has pretty much ended for nearly all cruise companies and most people will be hard pressed to find a cruise ticket so cheap so little before the sail date.

Cruise Myth #3: The dining room late seating is more popular than the main seating. This is actually false as the main seating times tend to fill up quicker than the late seating. If you are expecting a spot in the late seating in the dining room then you will be in luck because many prefer the main seating over the late seating!

Cruise Myth #4: Cabin upgrades can only be received through certain travel agents. Even though many people think this is true and are confused by this myth, the upgrades for cabins rely wholly with the cruise line itself. There are certain rules that the cruise lines go by when administering upgrades and discounts. The travel agent will be able to tell you what they are, but certain travel agents do not have special passes to other special discounts.

Cruise Myth #5: Shore excursions are the same for all Caribbean cruises. This is one of the oldest myths surround cruises and those who believe it should dispel this myth completely. In fact, different cruise lines offer various and many different shore excursions, so planning your cruise itinerary carefully would be a good idea to enjoy the best experience.

The cruise myths that have been dispelled here should shed light on the fact that there are many reasons for the confusion surrounding cruise bookings and itineraries. Hopefully now, new cruise travelers will be more apt to finding cruise vacations to their liking instead of relying on false myths about cruise vacations!

Travel Agent Jobs - Getting Your Nose Ahead

There is little doubt that securing a good job nowadays is tough - and it is unlikely to get any easier in the future. Of course, this applies to travel agent jobs just as much as it does to positions in any other industry. It is therefore important to recognise that, if the idea of working in the travel business appeals to you, you need to seriously think about developing a personal strategy to get you ahead of the competition.

The field

The first thing to grasp is that you're in a competitive situation. Good travel agent jobs are always in demand and it is very unlikely that you will be the only applicant. You therefore need to think carefully about what you can do to try and give yourself an advantage, however marginal, over others that may be applying for the same job. It hopefully goes without saying that, as a basic start, any application you submit must be faultlessly typed and written using excellent grammar.

Education

Assuming that you have no previous experience of working in travel agents, when someone is reading your application, one of the first things that may catch their eye are the academic qualifications. Travel agent jobs come at various seniority levels, but if you are new to the field then you will probably be applying for a trainee position.

Trainee positions in the travel business typically do not have a set of mandatory requirements for academic qualifications at entry - although that may vary depending upon the agent concerned and their individual recruitment policies. But there are certain things that they will be looking for as a way of trying to assess an applicant's initial aptitude:

• reasonable grade GCSEs in English and geography;
• preferably similar in mathematics and perhaps business studies.

You may help your application stand out above others if you have taken additional study courses in the travel and leisure business. Some colleges offer full or part-time courses in these areas that can lead to BTEC / HNC level qualifications. There are also now universities that offer degrees (BA) in travel management that are certified and recognised by the ITM (Institute of Travel and Meetings), which is an important forum for business travellers.

Of course, no qualification, in itself, can guarantee you success in your search for travel agent jobs. They may, though, communicate something about your attitude, interest, aptitude and commitment - and that may get you noticed by potential employers.

Knowledge

Whatever your academic qualifications, in your initial application and interview little will create a better impression than knowledge. Prior to even your initial application, it would be highly advisable to spend some time researching the potential employer on the Internet. Find out about how the business works, what are the major markets it operates in, what its plans are for the future, and as much as you can about the specific office you are applying to. Once again, this communicates to your potential employer both interest and proactive engagement. Such little things might make all the difference in your search for travel agent jobs.

Travel & Leisure Destination Tips For Your Vacation Rentals That Better Your Golf Travel and Results

Every one wants to have travel and leisure at some point in their lives and it is good to have some destination tips to get much fun and lesser stress in having a vacation. You can always use the Internet as a tool in getting a bird's eye view in the vacation destination you have in mind. This is pretty helpful especially if you are bringing the whole family along.

Some people have about a month long vacation stay in some of the worlds best tropics like Hawaii and staying in a hotel is a bit too expensive. There have been changes in the hotel and inn industry by the arrival of the concept of renting a house, condo units, or villas for your month long stay in one place called vacation rentals. People have an additional choice to stay in a more homely place compared to generic hotel rooms that can limit what you are able to do. You do not have to pay much for the Hawaiian accommodations by staying in some of the alternative places that some companies offer.

Browse over the Internet to look at the alternatives like Kauai Vacation Rentals that can give you an array of places to stay at a lesser fraction of the price compared to a month long stay in the hotels. They can give you Kauai Condo Rentals that can be near the seashore or a cove that can help you feel more relaxed and further enjoy your privacy. You can have the amenities like a regular condo unit and you can save a lot of money from cooking in instead of eating out.

In Hawaii gold courses are also a big attraction factors for the golf enthusiasts. Some Kauai Cottage Rentals are located near gold clubs and courses that can literally take less than five minutes for you to reach. This is indeed good news for those who are looking into golf practice or learning within their vacation time span. You can really better your golf travel and results. You can go golf course hunting if you do happen to have mastered your nearby gold course.

If you are the beach type, then Kauai Beach Villas are for you. Imagine your staying place to be just a short walk into the wide Pacific ocean. Some beach villas even extend to the sea literally so you can just jump on the water for a dive in your beach villa balcony.

Haena Vacation Rentals can also give you alternative choices of your place of your stay. Your family or company can really appreciate the freedom in the vacation rentals that they offer as well as the privacy. Family activities can get creative with the staying place near beaches, resorts, or gold courses. You can organize a lot of things to do during your stay without thinking of extra charges or high hotel rates services.

Vacation rentals like Haena Rentals are greatly advantageous for those who are on a budget but still want to enjoy the Hawaiian tropics. Even if you do not have a house or villa over at the tropics, renting condos or cottages can give you a sense of truly being at the place. This is because you can act unrestricted and unbounded by the four walls of the hotels.

Limousine Rental Services Offer You Luxurious Travel And A Lot More

Many people believe that limo services are meant for special events and special guests. While it is true that rental limos add to the grandeur of any occasion and make your guests feel special, there is certainly no harm in hiring the majestic vehicle for pampering yourself once in a while. Contrary to what most people think, limousine services are not meant for the rich alone.

There are several occasions when you might consider hiring thee luxurious limos. You can make use of them for making transportation arrangement for the participants in your business event, or to take around the guests at your wedding, anniversary, engagement or any other special celebration. At times, you may even want to be driven around in style as you spend a leisurely evening taking in the city sights. If your children have to attend a prom night, sending them in a rental limo gives you peace of mind that no other transportation option can. The limo service is also an excellent arrangement for dropping you at or picking you from the airport. Group travels, study tours, wine tours, etc. are a few more reasons for hiring the services.

Rental limousines are so popular because of the unmatched comfortable and stylish experience they offer to the users. A limo is considered the ultimate in luxury and elegance. Driven around by a smart chauffeur in the big car, the passenger is bound to feel classy and the cynosure of all eyes. If you have hired the service for someone special, your loved one is sure to feel pampered and loved, exactly the way you wanted.

Besides adding a touch of sophistication and comfort to your travel, rental limos offer several other perks. You can relax in the huge and comfy seats, free from the hassles of driving on the congested roads and looking for suitable parking space. Moreover, there is no issue of driving after drinking. The luxury of a driver allows you to enjoy your partying to the fullest.

The limo services assure you of punctual services. You don't have to wait for a cab or other transport to come up and are assured of reaching your destination on time. Moreover, the drivers are respectable and knowledgeable professionals who know the best routes around. Out of town customers are especially benefited as they are safe from being swindled by unscrupulous cab drivers. If you have had a tiring day, you can take a power nap while the reliable chauffeur drives you to or from your event.

Indeed, rental limousines are great transportation options for the special and not-so-special occasions. Those who want to enjoy the memorable experience of limo travel can go online and look up the local business directory to find limo services available in their area.

What Does Travel Insurance Cover?

Travel insurance is the type of insurance that covers any unforeseen event while traveling. This could be an accident, illness, lost baggage and tickets or expenses caused by unexpected delays. Everybody knows that traveling, especially long distance international traveling can be fraught with problems. Once you reach your destination, you could, for example, sprain and break your ankle, while getting out of the taxi. The only thing left to do in this situation is to go to hospital and get bandaged up. The only problem is that this can cost big money to do. However, if you have travel insurance, this type of unexpected expense will be taken care of.

Many people ask the question if they really do I need travel insurance. They may think to themselves that they have travelled plenty of times without any problem, so why now? The answer to this is really simple. The fact is that travel insurance does not cost very much, when compared to other expenses that come with traveling.

This is especially true if you are planning on going for long distance or travel to far away unknown destinations. Traveling itself can be a tiresome activity, especially when you are going to a completely foreign country which you have not visited before. Getting travel insurance in this scenario will give you peace of mind at the very least. It is important to know there are several different types are the following.

Medical will cover any type of medical emergencies that may happen on the trip. As mentioned before, accidents, illnesses and mishaps do happen when traveling. It will cover medications and hospitalizations while traveling. The next type of travel insurance is also known as flight insurance. This covers any accidents or injuries cause during the actual travel. This type of insurance is the rarest type but it is available for anyone who wants it.

The next type of insurance is related to flight insurance and that would be baggage insurance. As the name shows, it will cover any lost baggage and the resultant inconveniences that may occur as a result, such as lost tickets and passports. It will also cover damaged baggage and valuables that are contained within the luggage.

Even though it is broken up into several different types of insurance comparison, it is possible to get them all under one policy. The United States Travel Insurance Association has noted that there has been an increase in demand for various types of travel insurance in the last decade. The biggest customer base by far is people who go for cruise vacations. As far as travel insurance prices are concerned, it is difficult to mention a set price. This is because there are many factors at play such as the destination of the traveler, the traveler's age, what type of insurance they get and so on. However, to get a basic idea, 50 to 60 dollars to cover 1000 dollars worth of lost baggage is not unusual.

Travel Fishing - Combine Business and Leisure

Multi-tasking is no easy assignment for most of us mere male's. Just ask our better halves! To adopt the skill, particularly when travelling, will result in substantial reward. Consider business travel, so many of us have or do travel for work yet how many times have you found yourself missing out on an opportunity because 'you're there to work'!

Certain leisure activities are considered serious business and go hand in hand with business travel, like playing a round of golf for example. Game or Sport Fishing is no different and can be easily factored into your business travel plans. In fact, a shared experience on the water could go a long way in assisting to seal a deal!

By planning ahead the canny business traveler could include an additional day or two in their itinerary. The "Do Not Disturb!" sign on the hotel room door wondrously transforms into "Gone Fishing!" All that's required from this point is one or two reasonable excuses. "I am unlikely to have time to check messages", or "The mobile phone range is poor in the area".

Do your homework prior to departure. Insurance is a pre-requisite for charter boats in most destinations. Ask the operators if they have insurance and review your own policy to ensure it provides cover for maritime accidents or loss. It will pay to ask around when you arrive, identify the operators who have the best reputations.

Your hotels concierge is likely to possess a wealth of useful knowledge, it's their job to be informed. Charter operators often work directly with hotels and travel agents. As a valued guest there is a very high probability of success when using the hotels information networks and you will almost certainly be directed to a known and reliable operator.

Deep-sea fishing has a devoted following in most destinations around the globe but it is certainly more prominent in some locations than others. Specialized travel fishing websites offer target specific information designed to inform travelers of the range of options available to them in a particular area.

If your interest is in the Asia-Pacific region sites like www.http://sportfishin.asia/ will tell you where to fish in say Thailand of Cambodia and whether you're likely to catch pelagic species such as Wahoo or Tuna or something else entirely.

Operators of fishing charters welcome novices and experienced anglers alike. A business travel group may consist of several fishing enthusiasts but there is always a beginner in nearly every group. The novice will likely be taken under the wing of a crew member or an experienced companion so you don't have to be an expert to enjoy an opportunity to fish.

Unlike golf of tennis, deep-sea fishing is usually learned "on-the-go". Equipment will be provided so all the angler has to do is turn up and fish. Costs vary considerably. From around US$450/day a small group can hire a boat with the skipper and a crewman. Simply joining a charter boat for a day's fishing is much cheaper. This option will start from around $75/day including lunch. Medium size charter boats generally operate with around 8 - 10 passengers.

A typical days catch in the Asia-Pacific region may include billfish such as marlin or sailfish, Wahoo, dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), mackerel, trevally and tuna. A well-organized charter operator will target the strongest fighting fish with the right tackle. A 2kg tuna will offer a good fight for a novice angler with the appropriate tackle and gear.

Business travelers looking to arrange a day or two's fishing in Australia can find a wealth of information at www.fishnet.com.au. Likely catches include southern bluefin tuna, a variety of snapper (Victoria and West Australia), billfish (Queensland and New South Wales), and the renowned barramundi (Queensland, West Australia and The Northern Territory).

Barramundi are found in the tropical north in mangrove lined estuaries and rivers. Travelers come from all over the world to fish for barramundi, especially from Asia. Growing to over a meter in length, barramundi are a prized table fish and a whole lot of fun to catch.

For further fishing specific information relating to your next business destination I recommend further investigation of the following websites:

1. Wahoo Big Game Fishing (Thailand)
2. Sportfishing Bali (Bali):
3. Borcay Sun (Philippines)
4. Fishnet (Australia)

Family Vacation Travel Deals For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is May 9th this year; a date that is approaching rapidly. Mother's seem to be the glue that holds a family together. They fix scraped knees and mend broken hearts. They look out for the kids, the pets, the house, the significant other and never seem to get a break. Family travel vacations are hard to organize because everyone seems so busy, but Mother's Day might be the perfect time for that family vacation travel getaway.

Mother's Day is on a Sunday, so taking a weekend away from the norm is a perfect idea. These family vacation deals for Mother's Day are affordable and fun for everyone in the family, or made specifically for mom in mind. No matter what her preferences are, these activities and getaways are perfect for travel and leisure family vacations.

Spring Day Trips
- Day long travel and leisure family vacations give families time away from their everyday activities while not going too far from home. You will be shocked to find out beautiful park destinations you never knew about close to your home, or outlet malls for the whole family.
Destination and Resort Spa Getaways
- Resorts are a mother's dream and don't have to be too expensive. Spas allow for a time to relax and rejuvenate away from the stress of family and work.
Mother's Day weekend Festivals
- These weekend long festivals are fun for the entire family. Festivals can be a day trip or a special family weekend outing. There are ones in Hilton Head, South Carolina with visual and performing arts events, festivals in North Carolina with bbq cook-offs and international festivals in Kentucky where entertainment, midway games, carnival rides, a car show, contests and vendors give families of all sizes fun activities.
Mountain family travel vacations
- Both the west and east coast have amazing mountain ranges that are peaceful and blooming with life in the spring. The earliest bloom of mountain flowers starts at the lower elevation points and creeps its way up the eastern mountain ranges, making them a breathtaking view around Mother's Day.
Cooking Classes/Culinary family vacation travel
- Cooking classes are not what they used to be. With the influx of culinary travel, classes and demonstrations have spawned resorts, food festivals, restaurants and shops specifically catering to the culinary arts. Moms can enjoy a fun, upbeat half hour cooking class, or spend the entire weekend at a cooking resort where they have the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art kitchens, work with famous chefs and learn about foods made by different cultures.
Historic Sites
- The southeast United States is full of family vacation travel destinations with historical significance. Beautiful historic mansions like Mt. Vernon in Virginia, home to George Washington, and the Historic Natchez in Mississippi, where for five weeks in March private antebellum mansions open their doors to tourists are gorgeous options to visit. There are also battlefields, historic districts and museums that make for great weekend visits. Depending on the distance, these historic family travel vacations can be day trips or an outing for the weekend!

Cruise Tours Offer Unparalleled Sightseeing And Leisure

Going a cruise can offer a great way to travel. If you enjoy going on a cruise, but find that the one day they give you in a particular port of call leaves you desiring more, the answer may be something called a cruise tour. Cruise tours allow for more time to enjoy your destination. An overnight stay inland can provide you a glimpse beyond a traditional cruise.

Alaska and Europe, in particular the Mediterranean, are both perfect locations for a cruise tour. Royal Caribbean International also markets cruise tours to Asia, Australia /New Zealand and South America. With pricing starting as low as $1,400, cruise tours is a unique option to enjoy the best of both worlds, land and sea.

For example, if you have always wanted to go to Alaska, but have no idea how to go about planning your travel itinerary, a cruise line like Royal Caribbean takes care of all of that for you. There are certain ports of where all you have to do is select the things that you might find the most appealing. Usually these events are offered as special tours sponsored by the cruise line.

Some of America's most beautiful natural resources can be found in Alaska. If you live in the city or suburbs, it is not every day that you can see a glacier! Alaska provides unparalleled natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Alaska is considered a must-see destination for many cruisers. Alaska includes such places as the Yukon, Inside Passage, the Klondike, Arctic and of course famous National Parks like, Denali, Glacier Bay, Misty Fjords and Gates of the Arctic. If you take an Alaska cruise, not only will you get to see these natural wonders, but you will get to do so without much of the stress that goes along with traveling. A cruise tour is an ideal way to visit America's gigantic wilderness.

An Alaska cruise tour allows you to enjoy it's beautiful creations first hand. You can observe glaciers, orcas, majestic mountains and such animals as grizzly bears, moose, eagles and wolves. However, in addition to cruising down Alaska's shoreline, you can travel deep into the heart of Alaska in deluxe motor coaches and even glass domed railcars. You can see the majestic Mt. McKinley, visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve or tour the Arctic Inuit villages.

An extended tour of the land locked areas by way of the Alaskan Rail, is an uncommon way to explore the northernmost US state. The 611 miles of track run from Seward, in the south, northwards to the end of the line in Eielson, just east of Fairbanks. The Railroad features domed glass-topped passenger cars that give the best possible views of the fantastic scenery. The passenger cars offer world-class luxury, with reclining seats, picture windows, and dining rooms furnished with original Alaskan artwork.

On an Alaska cruise tour, travelers will spend the night in wilderness lodges and experience some of the most delicious cuisine. Alaska's native salmon is readily prepared in dishes by world class chefs. Additionally, cruise lines and lodges often provide seminars to give you a better understanding of what Alaska has to offer.

Another cruise tour option is the magical draw of Europe. From the Mediterranean to Northern Europe, there's so much history of art, music, classic architecture, fine wine and many modern day wonders. Europe is really one of the most extraordinary continents to take a cruise tour. Many experienced travelers will confirm that Europe cruise tours are one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Europe. While on a Europe cruise tour, you can visit some of Europe's largest cities, but also some of it's most quaint villages. There are spectacular castles and cathedrals throughout the Old World Europe in Prague, Copenhagen and Budapest Hungary.

Typical overnight stays are in Istanbul, Barcelona and Venice, Italy. More and more people return from these trips with stories of how Turkey was the best stop. Cruising on Europe's famous rivers and inland waters provides opportunities for unique shopping and to experience the rich history of these ancient cities.

Travelers Rate Bangkok As the #1 City in the World

Travel and Leisure, an American based magazine devoted to tourism, recently published their 13th annual travel poll. Bangkok, Thailand's cosmopolitan capital city, was voted by their readers as the top city destination in the world. In the poll of the world's best hotels,, India and luxury tented camp resorts in East and South Africa dominated the rankings. Keep in mind that Travel & Leisure's readership is mostly American - as travelers, they are not the budget, backpacker types and their choice in accommodations is geared towards deluxe and luxury resort hotels.

Why is Bangkok #1? I can understand why travelers from the west (farangs) would be attracted to the City of Angels. Bangkok has that magical allure - in many respects it is very westernized but at the same time it is so very exotic and foreign. Pluses are fantastic shopping opportunities, a variety of fascinating cultural attractions, a great selection of fine restaurants representing cuisines from around the world - Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, American, Japanese etc - and a most titillating nightlife. In addition, Bangkok has some of the finest luxury hotels in the world - not necessarily where I stay when I go to Bangkok, as I'm partial to more humble surroundings. For a large city, Bangkok is one of the safest in the world. On the downside, like most big cities, Bangkok has horrendous traffic jams and the air is very polluted. Bottom line, if you're a foodie and shopping is your thing, then you'll love Bangkok.

My personal take - I must admit that while I am not particularity fond of big cities, I find the City of Angels to be absolutely fascinating. Despite concessions to modernity and to the West, Bangkok carefully maintains the essence of Siam culture - the old ways and traditions remain as strong as ever. Notwithstanding numerous trips there, Bangkok continues to be a puzzle and mystery to me. Maybe that's the reason I keep returning - to solve the puzzle.

Air Travel and Pregnancy Tips

Air travel during pregnancy is never easy. A lot of precautionary measures have to be taken to ensure the comfort and safety of the expecting mother. Although air travel should be minimized as far as possible during the pregnancy, it should not curb the freedom of pregnant women to travel by air, whether for leisure or for work purposes. A few simple steps can easily be taken to ease the journey during the flight.

As far as seating for pregnant travelers is concerned, always request for bulkhead seat, which is the seat located just behind the bulkhead partition that separates the plane into economic class from business class. Most of the bulkhead seats provide more legroom. Keeping in mind that the pregnant uterus is pressing on the urinary bladder, the frequency of urination is expected to be increased as pregnancy progresses. Thus, an aisle seat behind bulkhead would be ideal and easy to move to the washroom. Sometimes, the washrooms would be made available just at the bulkhead section in certain airlines.

Swelling around the ankles and lower legs are common in pregnancy. These conditions can be made worse when flying in a long distance journey. Pregnancy has higher risk in developing varicose vein and deep vein thrombosis. Thus, it is advisable to remove the shoe and stocking when resting on the flight journey. Keep the blood circulation smooth by doing a few simple stretching exercises that can be carried out on the seat. It involves stretching both arms and shoulders, followed by stretching the legs and then rotate the feet. A bulkhead seat would certainly be more spacious and convenient for this purpose.

Strolling along the aisle every hour is helpful especially in long distance air travel. Together with the stretching exercise, the pregnant travelers should feel more relax and less numbness around lower limbs due to poor blood circulation.

Travel Like a Millionaire and Make Money Like One Too

I am what is known as a "Canadian Snowbird." During the winter months, I take my family to warm climate destinations for 2-3 weeks some time between February and April. These destinations are Mexico, Caribbean, Florida, California, South Africa, southern Spain on the Mediterranean.

A number of years ago, I was pitched a timeshare presentation at a resort I was staying at in Orlando. It was first offered to me for $19,000. By the 10th time I said "No," and with the sales manager now at our table, there was an offer to purchase it for $9,500 USD, with $500 per year maintenance fee. What did I get? One week per year with a floating week at a 5 star 2 bedroom condo. Now, it was a nice resort. Very nice. It was a 5 Star Resort.

I had some personal stuff happening in my life, and for 3 years, I never used the time share. But, I still had to pay the $500 per year maintenance fee. I could have rented my week, but I didn't really know how to do that. That is a huge disadvantage. Sure, I can bank my weeks, but I can only do this for a couple of years. I have 3 weeks in the bank right now, but I don't get any more than that if I don't use my timeshare.

I then discovered a wonderful Membership with Global Resorts Network (GRN), and I purchased it for a number of reasons.

1. I still own my timeshare, but I can rent my week out for $500 (the same price as my maintenance fee) to Global Resorts Network, which in turn puts my timeshare into their registry of resorts available to people to rent. When I did this, it was no time at all that I rented out my timeshare, and re-couped the price of my maintenance fee. I didn't have to pay for advertising, or putting it in the newspaper classified section. It was free.

2. Global Resorts Network has over 5000 resorts to choose from. This is huge. With my timeshare, I was limited. I could swap with RCI, but again..that was an additional expense to be involved with RCI. With Global Resorts Network, there are NO additional fee's, no maintenance fee's. It is a one-time membership fee. And, you get to Will it to your estate as the membership lasts for 100 years. This is incredible.

3. I get to rent my timeshare for the price of my maintenance fee ($500), and then I get to pick a resort out of 5000 4 and 5 star resorts world wide.

4. Okay, but how much will you pay at one of these 4 & 5 star 5000 resorts? For a 7 night stay, you pay as little as $298, and never more than $699, except for really hot spots like Hawaii, and with those, your guaranteed never to pay more than $799 for a week.

5. Right now, with GRN there is a 3 bdrm for rent at Timber Run Condominiums in Colorado from March 22-29th, right on the ski slopes. It rents for $799 with GRN. Do a search at traveladvisor.com on those dates, and you'll see that it costs $3,400 everywhere else. That is a $2,600 savings. HUGE. I mean, a 3 brdm condo in the Colorado rockies for $799 for 7 nights. Jeepers, with that size condo, bring your friends and extended family too.....

6. Okay, what is the price of a one time GRN membership? Are you sitting down?

ONLY $2,995. Not the cost of a $10-$20,000 timeshare with all of its restrictions.

Here is where it gets really good.

You can refer people to purchase a GRN membership, and for everyone that you refer and they make a purchase, you make $1,000.

Are you sitting down still? Good, because it gets better.

You also make a $1,000 every time this person who bought one from you turns around and refers a person who purchases a lifetime membership. I get a $1,000 for doing nothing. This is called "passive income."

IT GET'S BETTER.

I bought myself a domain name ($6.99 per), and with free website development software called Nvu, I made a simple website. I write a few articles, and do some free classifieds and I've made a ton of money.

Happy Traveling.

Adventure Travel Should Be Fun and Safe

It is exciting to watch Indiana Jones running through thick jungles and escaping rolling boulders in the movie but in reality, very few people lived that kind of life or take up such life-threatening vacations.

For most people, adventure travel should be fun and safe. It may involve some degree of hardship and sweating but there should be little or no risk involved. Adventure travel, really, is whatever you want it to be. It might mean travel to a distant and exotic place although it does not have to. It might cost a lot of money or it might be free. If you travel somewhere, anywhere, and you have an experience that excites you, provides you with an escape from the ordinary, and leaves you feeling happy, then you have had an adventure.

Adventure travel may involves activities such as sky diving, mountain climbing, go white water rapids in a kayak, or photographing polar bears in the Arctic. These are exciting and adrenaline rushing activities and do provide one with a deep sense of adventure. But adventure travel can also involve a leisurely trip on the Mississippi River in a paddle wheeler, a stroll across the English countryside in search of a certain species of bird. Even a tour of the wineries of southern France or a shell-collecting expedition on an obscure Caribbean beach can be considered as adventure travel.

Here is an interesting example. There was this guy in Taiwan who chose to hitchhike his way around Taiwan for nine days. In fact, he even asked for free food and accommodation from strangers during the trip. And he was very surprised by the friendliness of the people he met. Many strangers actually offer him food, lodging and transportation for free! Throughout the journey, he did not climbed any big mountain or jump off a plane in the middle of the sky. So is this adventure travel? Absolutely!

Of course, everybody has a different perception of adventure travel. A marine biologist would probably consider diving near a sperm whale as a thrilling adventure. However, to a poker player, playing poker in various casinos in Las Vegas will also provide a high degree of thrill.

Adventure travel does not necessarily mean a trip out of the country or state either. Interesting things to see and do are often within your own back yard, or at least an easy car drive from home, wherever that might be. Go exploring uncharted area in the nearby mountains or rivers where you lived can be just as exciting too! Look around the place where you lived, be it a small town, the countryside or a big city. They are many unpublicized places where few people know. Embarking on a tour to uncover such places is a form of adventure. These places can include small local museums, houses of special interest (the birthplace of a famous person), small sanctuaries for wildlife and flora, restored buildings or even communities dating back to historic times, and so on. In fact, hunting for good food in obscure corners of a big city is very exhilarating, thrilling and fun.

Adventure travel can take you to the other side of the world, to the top of a mountain, or to the wildest places on earth. It might also take you to the inside of a little old library just around the corner that you have walked past a thousand times. Ultimately, it is not where you go but the sense of adventure you feel that counts.

Low Cost Travel And Leisure - Cheap All-Inclusive Vacation Deals

TYPICAL STANDARD PACKAGES

To start with, look into the "conventional" packages. These are essential because they are the the most basic kind of "all inclusive deal". You can discover these standard deals on the internet and at various hotel / venue websites. Within the standard deals you probably will get breakfast included. Although this is again... Standard, not everyone has breakfast. Also, check out the "kinds" of breakfasts provided, as several are better than others.

Another thing that several standard deals offer are on-site pastimes and amusements. These events keep the vacationers having a thrilling time. So we've talked about the standard deals and the little of what's included... Let me move onto the next group... Holiday packages.

HOLIDAY DEALS

An additional demonstration of low-cost all inclusive packages are holiday bundles. Holiday deals are essential because they are more specialized for many classes of tourists. For instance, you could come across a Christmas getaway package, or a Thanksgiving package. The holiday event contributes to the uniqueness of the vacation. Also, as a part of these holiday packages, not only are breakfasts included, but just about all meals, snacks and drinks as well. Could you just imagine not having to worry about the food part of your vacation?.. And just take pleasure in the voyage by itself, along with your loved ones and kids? Its just one more part of your vacation that is already handled for you. These packages appeal generally to families with children

Ok, that's the standard and holiday deals. Lets proceed to the next one.

EVENTS ORIENTED DEALS

Your third type of all inclusive deal to look for would be the group of packages oriented towards events. The first part of these types of packages involves the journey itself to the "event". There are travel alternatives from buses to planes to trains. Sometimes the journey helps to make the trip just a little more memorable...And on the event side of things, these same deals can have golf, outdoor camping, butler assistance or perhaps scuba diving events. The awesome factor is the fact that these deals have activities to help keep you having a great time and having an enjoyable experience together with your loved ones.

As you can tell, vacation packages are generally more than just a flight ticket and a hotel room. Anytime you are interested in an excellent package, perform some searching. Keep in mind to check out the typical packages, the holiday deals and also the travel and event packages. Consider getting going now and get onto the world wide web, searching for holiday packages. See what you find and start to make several telephone calls for that upcoming vacation you've been wanting to take!

Travelling and Leisure - Cruising Is the New Safari

It is known all over the world that if you want to see the world's finest wild life, Africa is the best destination. This has been the trend for decades but what if you are travelling not only for pleasure but leisure, is there an option for you?

Leisure is a period where you are free and you use this time to do something you love that is a hobby. Free time can range from minutes, weeks to months and if travelling is what you love to do during your free time then going on a cruise is the best thing for you. If it is your first time to be going on a cruise do not worry because there are steps that you can follow and if you do you will be just fine.

Decide on your destination
Decide where you want to go and after making up your mind on where you want to go you should decide on which ship you will want to take. Remember cruise ships are not like airplanes in that they can follow different sea routes and can make stopovers at several wonderful islands.

When do you want to go?
Time is money in short the season you take your cruise influences the costs. The high seasons mean many people but do not expect any bargains but if you go during the shoulder period when the cruise companies are pleading with you and shoving bargains on your face, you will save some good money.

Choose your cruise line
Which cruise line makes you comfortable? You should choose a line whose passengers are compatible with your character. Remember you will be together for some months so choose wisely and do not let experience become your best teacher.

How much does it cost?
Get to know all the costs including those of moving to and fro from the main port. Also get to know the cost of the drinks, food and excursions.

Do not wait till the last minute
There are people who like doing things the last minute. Do not wait till the last minute to book because cruise ships usually give their notice early enough and you know what they say about the early bird, it surely catches the worm.

Time is obeyed everywhere
That is right, arrive early because ships have a time table that they adhere to strictly so do not get late the ship will not wait for you. Speaking of time it is also good that you book in advance any services that you will want to enjoy on the ship for instance spa services. This is because there are many people who want the same and without an appointment you might just miss out.

Seek professional advice
Before you go out at sea please seek advice from experts. The expert in this case is your travelling agents before you let them book a cruise ticket for you ensure that they provide you with adequate information and after all is done, go home and start packing because you will be going on a long water safari.

Hotel Reservation Ideas for Business and Leisure Travelers

Are you making a hotel reservation in the near future? If you are, chances are that you will be making the hotel reservation online. Internet reservations are easy to make and you can compare a number of different hotels at the same time so that you can make a decision based on price, amenities and location. However, there are some things that you may want to consider if you are making a hotel reservation, especially if you are traveling with a group, or you want to have a business conference in conjunction with the stay, or even if you are traveling with children.

Although your first thought when making a hotel reservation is probably to jump on the internet, you may want to call the hotel as well. If you are hosting or organizing a business conference it can be extremely helpful to talk to the hotel management in person so that you can get a clear picture of what is available. If it is local, you should plan on making an in-person visit before you make the hotel reservation.

Another reason that you might want to call is if you have special needs. If you have a large family or group and you want adjoining rooms or a discounted rate, it may be helpful to call the hotel and see what the possibilities are. If you are an individual with disabilities, you should make sure that the hotel can accommodate those special needs when you make your hotel reservation as well.

Deciding where to make the hotel reservation is important. If you need to be in a specific location, you should look for a hotel which is central to activities that your group would be interested in. If you are simply traveling for pleasure, and the location does not matter so much, you may want to go to an all-inclusive travel website and see if there are any package deals that appeal to you. If you will be staying long term (more than a week or two) you should find out if there are hotels which have kitchenettes or laundry service.

When you are making the reservation you should make sure that you find out what the cancellation policies are as well as the arrival and check out times. If you are with a group, are there penalties for using less rooms than you originally requested, or can you get more rooms if you need them?

Travel and Leisure in Duisburg

Duisburg is a city in western Germany which is very important for the economy of the country. Along the centuries, in this area, people exploited the land's natural resources, and mined coal, iron, copper and other metals. Today, Duisburg produces almost 50% of Germany's hot metal and more than a third of Germany's pig-iron. Using pig iron and other metals, the factories in the city produce large quantities of steel, and they've been doing this for a long time now. In the second World War, Duisburg played a very important role in the country's war machine production. They also had a coal mine, but it's been closed in August 2009.

Of course, tourists will not go to Duisburg to see the factories, unless they really like the "How it's made" show on the Discovery Channel. They will, however, go there to experience life in Duisburg from other points of view. And the city offers plenty of activities to satisfy everybody.

First stop, the Zoo. An excellent place for animal lovers. They keep many animals there, in perfect living conditions and excellent simulated habitats. The Zoo was designed in such a way to induce a visitor the feeling that they are really walking into the wild. Wide spaces, very few cages, lots of light, lots of different types of vegetation, each setting being an excellent substitute for the natural living environment for particular types of animals.

Duisburg also offers the opportunity to visit the largest inland port in the world. Experience the Inner Harbor from one of the numerous pubs, cafes or bars, or explore it from the water on an interesting harbor cruise. Whether you are a fan of sports, culture, food or drink, you will not get bored at the Inner Harbor. Walking, jogging, cultural events, excellent dining, nice views - the Inner Harbor has been, for a long while now, the heart of Duisburg's social and sporting activities.

Another attraction is the Wedau Water World, a place of fun, sun and leisure. Built with the idea to make people feel good no matter what their age is, the Wedau Water World gets you with big water slides, high-rope balance activities, boat rides, canoe rides and more.

Interesting architecture and buildings in Duisburg include: the bridge between the districts Duissern and Meiderich. Built in 1907, this bridge is a testament of German work discipline and precision planning. Then, we have the Alte Post, a representative building of yellow brick and contrasting red sandstone, the building is the old post office, located near the Town Hall. The third architectural point of interest is the Dreigiebelhaus, a historic jewel, the oldest surviving house in Duisburg (raised in 1536). Finally, we arrive at the picturesque mills of Duisburg, which are very cute. There are 8 mills in total, 6 of which are historical, made of red bricks and showing a design you only saw in Hollywood motion pictures with Frankenstein or Dracula.

Nobody has ever felt sorry for going to Duisburg for the holidays, so, if you too decide to choose this destination, don't worry, there are 0 chances to regret it.

Do You Want to Be a Travel Agent?

I know. Things are pretty tough in this economy right now. One day we hear news that things are going further south, the next day we hear that "all indicators point towards a recovery." Regardless, there is one nearly universal truth among entrepreneurs: now is an excellent time to grab opportunities as they come your way.

If you have found yourself unemployed or know that you might be laid off soon, you may consider becoming a successful travel agent. Or, you may even think of ways that you can be your own boss and start your own travel agency. Wouldn't that be incredible?

Without a doubt, the world of travel can be a pretty competitive world. With Internet sites on the rise and airlines talking about bankruptcy nearly every year, it seems like a difficult industry. However, there are so many more aspects to travel and leisure than airfare. The question is, do you have what it takes to become a successful travel agent?

Part of this success is found squarely in the individuals ability to sell. As I mentioned before, there are a trillion websites that promise the "lowest deals" around on flights and hotels. However, a travel agent can still succeed financially. Why? Because, at the end of the day, a living breathing human being wants the security of knowing that another living breathing human being is helping coordinate his (hopefully) expensive vacation.

So, do you have the skills? If you are inherently personable and have the innate ability to make someone feel comfortable in your presence and excited about future plans, then you will make an excellent travel agent. Unlike the websites, which only show images of rooms and two dimensional maps of various locations, you will have the ability to highlight all the wonderful features that your customers will receive. You will be able to tell them about "quaint little restaurants" nearby. As your network grows, you will even be able to hook your clients up with special features. Can you see where the personality comes into play?

Fear not! You do not need to go back to school. You do not need to re-enroll in college. You just need to be trained enough to be able to receive your license. With that license, you may even be able to open your own agency some day.

Advantages Of An Air Charter For Business and Leisure

On the face of it, air charter seems to be a luxury that high-flying corporate executives get as perks of the job. But look at it a little deeper, and turns out it's actually a money-saver. The thing is that a top level executive's time is very valuable, and each minute spent in an airport lounge is a lost minute for the company.

With each day and month, the situation at the airports is getting worse. Flight delays, airport security, missed connections and the exhausting experience of boarding a commercial flight all combine to wring the enthusiasm out of business travelers. An executive who turns up at an important meeting after such an experience can hardly be expected to be very effective.

The point here is that all that time spent is company time being wasted. So it's safe to assume that it's profitable for a company to allow the cream of its top level executives to hop around in private jets. But this doesn't mean the company has to shell out big dollars to buy planes.

One of the more popular arrangements is called a fractional ownership system, where a person or company is one of many owners of the plane (usually between 2 to 8). The whole thing is managed by a fractional ownership company, which will have many planes of the same make and model. So when a company wants to use a plane, it just has to pay for the flight costs, including the fuel.

Other than the cost-savings of shared ownership, there are many more benefits. For example, passengers on commercial carriers can only fly to and from a limited number of big airports. An air charter, however, can fly to thousands of big and small airports, many of which are private.

This further reduces local transportation needs, and the time spent traveling. Plus, there are no delays for boarding or exiting. It is possible to drive right up to the plane and have the baggage loaded up right then and there. Pets, if any, can travel in the cabin.

Executives can travel in absolute comfort and get some good sleep. Or they can put in a few hours' work with a laptop, wi-fi internet, videoconferencing, satellite phones and other tools. Some commercial carriers do offer some of these tools, but they cannot be used on account of a lack of privacy.

For personal use, it's hard to justify air charter as a cost-saver, but there are situations where it can be a life-saver instead. Medical travel, for instance, is one such area where the patient might not want to ensure the agony of commercial flights. Elderly people and tourists unsure of being able to catch connecting flights may want to make their holiday experience more memorable and safe by taking a private jet instead.

It's important to note here that prices for an air charter are not that high anymore, and it's a lot closer to what's considered acceptable spending while on vacation, similar to staying in a luxury hotel. Before booking a commercial flight ticket, just find out how much it would just for the same trip on a private jet. Most people are likely to end up surprised at how much cheaper it is than they thought it would be.

Bond With Your Loved Ones And Rejuvenate Yourself With A Leisure Trip

Some people go on business trips, while others go visiting friends and relatives. There are still others who travel in search of spiritual happiness, and some who travel to discover new places and unknown cultures. But, for the most part, travelers plan their trips simply for the sake of pure fun and excitement. They are basically looking for a break from the daily grind and an opportunity to rest their tired minds and bodies.

While solo travel and traveling with friends are becoming increasingly popular, there are many people who love family vacations. Some unique features that make family travel great fun are:

• Excellent bonding time: In the hectic life of today, it is difficult for a family to find time to sit together. The vacation is a perfect time for catching up and reconnecting with everyone.
• Relaxed, but not bored: The travel gives you time to unwind, de-stress and relax, but you don't get bored. Even when you are nothing indulging in any particular activity, you can sit with the family and talk or go with them for a leisurely walk, enjoying the surroundings.
• Try new things: Trying new things like an adventure sport activity is more fun when you have your family members with you. Doing so, you also feel more secure and safe with them around.
• Something for everyone: With a vast variety of activities available to suit all age groups, no one will feel left out. This maintains a happy atmosphere and enhances your enjoyment.
• Expand your knowledge: Traveling broadens your horizons and increases your knowledge like no other thing. Exploring the topography and architecture of a new place, experiencing its new culture first-hand and learning about its historical background are some amazing lessons that you enjoy more with your family around.

Create cherished memories: Travel memories are an irreplaceable treasure. With your family by your side, you will love capturing sweet memories of the travel on the camera and also in your heart. Revisiting these memories with your loved ones will bring back the happy experiences and strengthen your bonds.

Traveling takes you far from the mundane and gives you a chance to have new experiences, live life to the fullest and rejuvenate yourself to return to the challenges of the routine life. To make the most of your trip, it is important that your travel be smooth and hassle-free, especially when you have kids and elderly people in your travel party. This can only be ensured making proper and timely travel arrangements for which the services of an experienced and dependable travel agent come in handy. Plan ahead the next time your family goes on a vacation. Go online to a popular local business directory to know about the reliable travel agents servicing your area and hire a good one for organizing your travel.

Travel and Tours in Kerala - A Journey Into Wonderland

Kerala is a wonderland located on the southern point of India. It is one of the charming and captivating states of India and popularly described as the "God's Own Country". It is noted for extraordinary nature beauty, rich art & architecture, prosperous cultural heritage, assortments of wildlife, luxuriant jade green hill stations, breathtaking beaches, serene & scenic backwaters and many more. These are all to make this wonderland of Kerala one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. Sandwiched between lush towering hills of Western Ghats and crystal clear azure Arabian Sea, Kerala is indeed one of the green paradises on the earth with fantastic nature beauty and lots of tourist attractions. The prestigious travel magazine, National Geographic Traveler, has ranked Kerala among one of the most 50 must visit travel destinations of life and one of the top ten paradises on the earth.

So, make your travel and tours in green paradise called Kerala and treasure a unique lifetime experience. Explore breathtakingly beautiful beaches like Kovalam, Varkala, Mararikulam, Beypore, Fort Kochi, Cherai, Bekal Fort, Alleppey, Poovar, etc. Indulge in various beach activities like boat cruse, sunbathing, swimming, basking, beach volley ball, sand castle building, leisure walk, etc. Watch sunset over Arabian Sea and treat your eyes with lavish feast. Pamper yourself in one of many Ayurvedic resorts or body massage centres dotted on beaches to spice up your travel and tour in Kerala, God's Own Country. Taste local sea foods which are mouthwatering and lip-smacking. Relax under the shades of colorful umbrellas dotted on the beaches or laze under the palm coconut groves on the beaches. In fact, there are lots of activities available on beautiful beaches of Kerala to give you unforgettable and cheerful experience.

Make your Honeymoon in Kerala memorable by commencing backwater cruise staying at luxury houseboat traditionally called kettuvallam. Explore the exceptional nature beauty of backwaters and make visit to some of popular backwater destinations like Alleppey, Kollam, Fort Kochi, Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Kozhikode, Thiruvallam, Trivandrum, etc. Enjoy sunset boat cruise over the water of picturesque Vembanad Lake and make a visit to world famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Enjoy boat cruise on picturesque Periyar Lake around the world famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. See the herds of elephants on the banks of Periyar Lake.

Visit Kochi and see various historical monuments and attractions like Fort Kochi, Portuguese Buildings, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Bolghatty Palace, Hill Palace Museum, Chinese Fishing Nets, etc. Enjoy cultural programs like local dances and music. Kathakali is featured attraction of travel and tours in this green paradise. Visit popular hill stations like Munnar and Ponmudi at explore superb nature beauty and lush landscapes. In fact, Kerala features lots of attractions and activities to enjoy. These days, this wonderland has been also emerged as a popular honeymoon destination in India. Kerala tours promises couples for a sheer romantic honeymoon experience.