Posts Tagged ‘travel tips’

It was seven-ish and I was sitting in a nice-enough room overlooking the front entrance to the pub above which I had just moved in. The pub was the Pig and Whistle on Soi 7 in Pattaya. Across the way was a big hole, which they were hoping to construct a hotel in and next door to that, right opposite me, was a small bar with one lady sitting on a stool outside it. Not that there was a wall there, it was open on two sides. The Soi was nice and peaceful, I thought. I also thought that I might go and sit in that little bar and talk to that woman, if my friend was late, because I would definitely see him arrive from two metres away, the width of the Soi.

So, I went to the bar in the pub at 19:15 to await my friend who said he would arrive at 20:00. It was much busier than thirty minutes earlier but not noisy and I sat at the bar. The first thing a barmaid did was say hello, give me a menu and step back. I did not really want to eat, I only wanted a beer as I assumed we would be eating together later, but I wanted to read the menu anyway.

‘A pint of Boddington’s’, I said. It arrived and the girl started laying a place for me. I tried to explain that I was not hungry, but it was no good. Like in Spain, most people eat and drink at the same time. All the while the girl was smiling at me. Then she said: ‘You have room upstairs? My name Charli. What you want to eat?’. So, I gave in and ordered something and rice.

‘You first time in Thailand? You no can eat. Too spicy’, she said with a grin. ‘Oh’, I replied, ‘but I want to try. ‘I put only 50-50 for you’, she declared and went.

I struggled through that meal and it took a Boddingtons and a bottle of water. Charli had been accurate, it was too hot for first-time foreigners and she had reduced the chilis by 50%. I have always listened to a Thai’s advice on food ever since.

I changed seat to by the window to see what was happening as it was dark by 19:30 and I was curious. Within thirty minutes Soi 7 had changed completely. I could see hundreds of ladies and tourists milling about. I wanted to go out and join in or at least sit in the quiet bar across the way, but I’m ashamed to say that I was too scared, so I sat put, rivetted to the Pig like a rabbit in a hunter’s beam.

My friend arrived on time and after we had been chatting for an hour, he said: ‘Drink up, I have someone I want you to meet’. This was it, we were going into that mele. A waitress held the door for us and the noise and the heat were tremendous. Especially the noise. Every metre at least two or three girls would yell: ‘Hello, sexy man, you want a drink’. Trying to say no courteously to each call was impractical, so I just stuck close to my pal.

Luckily, we only had about fifty metres to stroll and we sat down in another bar. My friend said hello to several ladies and then said, this a girl I have been going out with for some time. I was astounded as I had never heard him talk about her, ever. She was gorgeous, but could not speak English, so I sat in the din in silence. Not for long through, as my friend said, I have a blind date for you and he introduced another girl to me who was equally beautiful, but with whom I could speak a little. She was captivating and I was captivated. The pandemonium seemed to pass away, but it was only because I was concentrating on my new friend. The four of us had the best time and the best food I had ever had in my forty-nine years of existence.

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Road trips are a cool way to get around your own country and see all sorts of new things. They’re also fantastic for exploring new countries too. You can do a bit of road trip planning, get behind the wheel and get started with your own awesome tour; you’ll see all sorts of things that others won’t because you’re travelling independently.

You don’t want to do too much road trip planning, but a little bit is really important. You should choose your general direction straight away and also consider your final destination and the timeframe you have. Keeping on track will save you from a day or two of hard riving near the end!

It’s important to have snacks in the car, but think carefully about what you want to eat – avoid the big low that comes after a sugar high by eating sweets in moderation. A bag of local fruit is a good alternative to lollies – just make sure you have a rubbish bag handy for peelings and cores. To avoid arguments, it might be worth creating individual snack bags with equal amounts of different snacks in them – this tip is not just for travelling with kids!

Like sugar in sweets, caffeine and sugar in your drinks are a big problem … especially since the caffeine means you need more toilet breaks. Try to get by on water and fruit juice as much as possible. In the long-run it’ll keep you more alert and safer. That said, I always make use of coffee stops to grab a quick shot … I’m too much of an addict not to.

A car full of people is better for the budget; splitting petrol five ways is certainly nicer than paying it all yourself. But five is really too many for a comfortable road trip; I find three or four friends works best. This gives the budget a much needed injection and also means there’s a bit of room to stretch out on the back seat.

The more people you have, the more road trip planning you feel you need to do. This isn’t neccessarily true though. If everyone chooses one key thing they want to see or do, you can plan for all of them and allow the rest of the time for random stops and diversions … that’s the key of any road trip in any case! Ensure you leave time for the random and, most importantly of all, have fun.

Want to find out more about road trip planning, then visit Jonathan Asher’s page for more road trip ideas.

Recently my spouse and I started a business and discovered that our travel plans increased significantly. And while I love to travel like most other people, traveling does begin to wear on you as you begin to spend more and more time away from home. Flying first class can make the trip better and so can renting a convertible car when you get to your destination. But eating some really awesome food is one of the aspects of a trip that makes me feel more comfortable, more at home, and that makes me have a better time. No matter where you live, you surely have a list of the best restaurants in town that you like to go to.

To assist you in making the most of your travel experience, I have compiled a list of tips to help you in making your travel more enjoyable and memorable for you.

Keep a food journal When go to visit a place that you have never been before, you should keep a journal of the places where you have eaten. Write down the name of the restaurants, their addresses, phone numbers and what exactly you had to eat at that restaurant. If you had a great experience at the particular eatery, then make a note; if you didn’t then make a note of that too. This is a great way to keep track of the places you’ve eaten so that when you go back to visit places you’ve been before, you have a reference so that you can remember where the good places are to eat.

Get a picture with the chef Hardly anyone does this, but it can be a great memento of your trip. The chef at your favorite restaurant is the one responsible for your pleasant dining experience. This is something that will not only give you something interesting to tell people when you get home, but will give the chef something exciting to talk about as well.

Talk to the locals There is nobody who knows where to eat and where not to eat better than a local. Talking to someone from the place where you are visiting could mean the difference between a horrible food experience and a great one.

Order Dessert To Go One of the best things that you can do for someone is to give to them when they are least expecting to get something. So after you have finished ordering and eating your meal, ask them to find out what another patron wants for dessert. Tell them that whatever dessert that the patron wants, add it to your bill. Be sure to tell the waiter or waitress that you’d like to remain anonymous.

Traveling can be fun or it can be painful; but with these few tips, you have learned how to make the most of your trips whether they are for business or for pleasure! Bon Appetit!

Dorthy Weatherbush has to do a lot of traveling for business. That’s why when she travels, she tries to make her hotel stay feel like home with products from Collections Etc. You can find all kinds of little treats for your business trip from Collections Etc that will make your trip more enjoyable.

Having a nice piece of luggage to organize all the things and belongings you have brought along during your trip makes traveling more fun, secure and comfortable.

Luggage history dates way back in the 16th century. Prior to the introduction of luggage, people used wood to make chests and trucks. These are box-like things that contain people’s belongings when they go places. Typical chests and trunks are not easy to carry-around as they are weighty and massive. The hassles brought about by these elements of weight and bulkiness have enthused the creation of more convenient, easy-to-carry item to replace the chests and trunks. Thus, we now have the luggage.

As travelling entails bringing along one’s personal items and other things, this is where luggage has found its use. Aside from making organizing and securing belongings, the use of luggage also brings a sense of style.

Luggage is necessarily used during travel- be it short distance or long, short time travel or with a longer duration. There is a specific set of luggage for each kind of travel to allow for the maximization of usage and functionality. Travelling with a luggage is synonymous to the stylish and systematic way of carrying your things with you.

The two general classifications of luggage involve the element of size- classified as either large or small. Aside from size, these items also differ with their add-on features such as having water -resistant property, wheeled or non-wheeled, etc.

Luggage sets are categorized according to size- they come as either big or small. In addition to size, they also are sub-categorized according to the features or properties added. Some of these features include being resistant to wetness or water, mobility that comes with the use of wheels, etc.

The prime consideration when buying the luggage must take into account the objective of using the luggage. These luggages have varying levels of durability and hence they suit specific purposes. Some luggage may be durable enough to do heavy duty jobs, while others are not. There are luggages that are made of materials that allow them to carry heavy stuff without necessarily being damaged. Others are more apt for carrying light weight stuffs- the typical carry-along kind.

Most common examples of small luggage include totes and briefcases. These are compact and can be hand-carried around more conveniently. These are ideal for things often used and needed like mobile phones, beauty kits, etc. These are great for travelling short distance that does not require bringing along many items.

The costs of luggage sets are determined by the materials used, size and even style. Designer luggage sets are priced much higher than the regular brands. Some luggage-maker companies have earned the reputation of having good quality and durable products so you can expect that these companies charge a little bit higher than the regular as well.

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Europe is a region that offers you the opportunity to discover so many new experiences, given that it’s packed with exciting locations and wonderful people. As you plan a trip to Europe, it’s understandable that you’ll be wanting to make it as good as it can possibly be. You’ll soon see that your approach to planning a holiday can make a real difference to how much you’ll enjoy your trip.

This is something that becomes obvious even as you’re making your holiday booking. Since there are so many different people and places in Europe, you may find that it can be difficult to choose one particular location to visit. It really is vital that you think about the type of holiday that you will enjoy, as this information will guide your booking.

Consider whether you’re looking for a romantic trip, the perfect family holiday or maybe the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of particular areas. By giving careful consideration to what you’re hoping to gain from your trip, you can increase your chances of having a great time.

Some people find that they can’t properly enjoy a holiday because they worry too much about the costs involved. It’s important that you relax and avoid such concerns. You can put yourself in a better frame of mind by comparing prices online before you make a booking. You can make sure that you get a real bargain, especially if you use a leading travel company.

After you arrive in Europe, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. You can do this in a number of ways, including learning a few words of the local language and by looking out for new experiences. You’ll certainly want to see new places and to taste different types of food. By doing as many of these things as possible, you can hope to have a great European trip.

Want to find out more about European holiday bookings withAlpha Rooms, then visit Michael Bolderwood’s site on how to choose the best holiday deals.

One should remember few important points which are very essential to know prior to undergo the successful journey to the foreign land. Frankly speaking, there are many persons who suffer a lot after setting foot on the foreign countries due to the lack of awareness and knowledge regarding the existing law and order, culture and the habits of the local folks of the particular foreign state. In addition, if anything goes wrong, anyone can face criminal charges for the violation of the laws of that particular country. Therefore proper care needs to be taken to avoid any chaos and disturbance.

It is very essential to get the approval from the concerned authority. Visas and passports should be issued from the particular foreign ministry department. The paperwork should be well maintained following the strict guidelines. If necessary, one can consult the duty bound officers of the consulate’s office to know in details. After the issuance of the passports and visas, a person needs to take the scanned or printed photocopy of the certificates as a part of later usage. If somehow passports or visas are soiled or missing, these photocopies will come handy to take another new passport/visa.

Prior to make the foreign tour, one should inform the near and dear ones about the foreign travel. They must be given the contact numbers, address and other vital information which will assist them to investigate if anything goes off the normal track.

There is another vital point to be remembered. Guys must check their overseas medical insurance package. In this connection, he can consult the insurers/underwriters or the legal representatives about the extension of the medical insurance coverage and what sort of facilities he can get during his foreign travel.

One should be well acquainted with the foreign law and regional administration. The legal terms and conditions should be clearly gone through to overtake the criminal offence and charges. Many persons fall victims to the gigantic legal machinery of the foreign country due to the shortage of information. He should mug up the customs, culture of the citizens of that country.

Be sure that all the sumptuous things such as costly jewelry, gold, diamond sets must be kept under lock and key at home. There is no necessity to wear those precious things during the foreign tour. Online transaction is very effective while traveling abroad. It speeds up the whole transaction without the least hindrance.

The author loves to travel around the globe. Check out his lates travel tips on voltage converters and powerline travel adapters.

The stress of the wedding planning doesn’t always end with the wedding party, particularly if you don’t see to all the details of the long-waited for honeymoon. Have a look over the following words of advice for an ideal honeymoon getaway regardless of whether you travel by plane, boat, train or car.

Tickets booking and hotel reservations should be taken care of in advance to prevent any inconveniences. Thanks to good planning you’ll benefit from great rebates; airlines are known to first sell all classes of seats at the best prices, but as the departure date approaches, only the first class seats remain available.

Book Your Honeymoon Getaway Early

Honeymooners also benefit from lots of travel packages, with all sorts of options included. Hence, when you approach an agency for offers and quotes make sure you specify that you are looking for a honeymoon travel solution. Sometimes people choose the all inclusive alternative and trust the agency to tackle with everything from then flight details to the hotel reservations, while other couples prefer to get involved actively in the planning.

Pack Wisely

Smart packing is another honeymoon travel tip some people fail to follow particularly when going to areas with warmer climates. Of course this is not about taking sweaters and jackets when going to Hawaii, but rather about having some extra apparel items available for all sorts of occasions, as you may feel the need to wear something other than very casual beach clothes. Don’t forget to take some water, a few snacks and the essentials necessary for the trip. By essentials I mean the passports, the credit cards, a list of useful phone numbers and so on.

There are some very personal items that make honeymoon travel all the more rewarding . Thus, you can pack a CD with very meaningful love songs, eventually music from the wedding reception or some special rhythms to enjoy in a romantic setting. Then, keep in mind that hotels provide all sorts of services on request, therefore, if you want to pamper yourself, the honeymoon could be the right time to start.

Get Into The Spirit Of Your Honeymoon Destination

Feel the authenticity of the place to really make the best of your honeymoon travel: try new drinks, food and music, get familiar with local cultures, talk to the people, visit relevant local sites and points of attractions.  If you are into a little sand, sun and aqua-blue waters, an alluring Caribbean honeymoon hot spot is the St. Croix vacation rentals at the Gentle Winds Condos in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  A St. Croix vacation for your honeymoon can give you the best of the Islands with all its traditional cuisine, steel pans, fascinating culture, activities and tropical mystique.

The Molly Malone statue is one of the most famous symbols for Dublin. It is a ‘must see’ tourist attraction when visiting Ireland.

Molly Malone is a famous statue located just opposite of Trinity College. There is a famous Molly Malone song that tells the legend of the fishmonger. Whether or not the song is based on an actual woman, legend has it that the beautiful young woman died from a fever. The statue was unveiled in’88 during the Dublin Millennium celebrations and some regard the song as an Irish anthem.

The Molly Malone Statue is just outside Trinity College, which you can also visit while in the area. Also nearby is Grafton Street, which is a famous pedestrian shopping street. These are just some of the many things to do and places to visit on your trip to Dublin.

If planning a visit to Dublin, you might be looking for one of the centrally located Dublin hotels. The Grafton Capital Hotels is ideal for tourists interested in seeing many of Dublin’s finest attractions. In addition to its great location, the Grafton Capital Hotel has spacious rooms which include all modern amenities.

For those who would like Internet access, it is provided in the public areas of the hotel. Stylish and comfortable duvets and pillows are a staple of the Grafton Capital Hotel and guests can look forward to returning after a long day of exploring the city.

Another of the Dublin hotels you might also consider is the O Callaghan Alexander Hotel. This again is ideal for tourists looking for a central location for which to explore the city, as it is walking distance to many of the most popular attractions. The hotel offers babysitting services on request if you are travelling with children. The rooms include cable TV, coffee and tea maker, hair dryer, ironing board and both wired and broadband internet connection. Another of the main attractions of the O Callaghan Alexander Hotel is the modern gymnasium.

Of course, the Molly Malone statue is just one of the historical monuments you can visit while you are in the fine city of Dublin. Rich in history and loaded with popular tourist attractions, you will have trouble deciding what to see and do first. Since many of the city’s prime tourist attractions are located in close proximity to one another, you will have no trouble getting to see many of them on the same day.

You’re sure to receive a thousand welcomes which ever of the Dublin hotels you choose to stay in. Whatever the purpose or duration or your trip, all your needs will be catered for.

Before booking a hotel in Dublin check out this great information on Dublin Hotels near Trinity College and Hotels in Dublin beside Temple Bar food market