The past year has seen the unveiling of cruise ships record-setting in size, ambition and extravagance, but one of the most popular trends in cruise vacations forgoes big ships, island-hopping and in some cases, even the ocean altogether.
This new trend is of course, river and small-ship cruising, where passengers travel between destinations on smaller vessels that offer a more intimate setting, and enjoy itineraries that navigate through the inland waterways of destinations such as Eastern Europe, Egypt and China.
"Since 2004, international river cruise bookings have grown by more than 200 percent," Patrick Clark, managing director of river and small-ship cruise line Avalon Waterways, said in a recent press release. Avalon Waterways is the industry leader in this brand of vacation, having earned numerous awards from industry authorities including Frommer's, Travel Weekly, Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. Avalon Waterways is part of the Globus Family of Brands.
Cruise lines like Avalon Waterways have long-enjoyed success and popularity among a niche market of travelers. But like the occasional foreign film that finds box-office success with mainstream audiences, in 2010 the popularity of river cruising is on the rise, gaining the attention from an increased number of travelers as a must-try travel experience.
What's the reason for all this newfound attention towards river cruising? A lot of it seems to stem from the overall popularity of cruise vacations. More than 176 million North Americans have taken a cruise since 1980, and 50 million plan on taking a cruise sometime within the next three years, according to statistics from Cruise Lines International Association, Inc. (CLIA).
The majority of these travelers took what is sometimes referred to as a "deep water" cruise -- a big-ship cruise vacation that sails on ocean waters and visits ports-of-call on Caribbean islands, the Mexican Riviera and the Alaskan coastline, as well as Canada and New England.
At first glance, these two styles of cruises -- big ship and small ship -- seem like they would appeal to vastly different groups of travelers. After all, a vacation that involves a week's worth of beaches, sunbathing, snorkeling and shopping for souvenirs on several Caribbean islands seems a far cry from a week-long voyage through France along the Rhine River, departing from Paris with excursions to Claude Monet's gardens and the beaches at Normandy.
But the increasing popularity of small ship and river cruising seems to suggest a Venn Diagram -- big ship cruises on Side A, small ship cruises on Side B, and the intersection between growing larger as Side A and Side B converge onto an overlapping area populated by cruisers looking to broaden their travels by venturing to new countries, exploring new cultures and seeking new experiences all while enjoying a style of vacation that they know and love.
Though it might seem like comparing apples to oranges, it is easy to see the appeal of both styles of cruises, and why they overlap. Both offer more convenience than over-land travel, and let you explore and sample multiple destinations in a single trip while only having to unpack once. Cruise lines specializing in both have some of the highest customer feedback ratings in recorded history. Both offer great food and great entertainment. Both offer the chance to mix relaxation with insight into a destination's past (let's not forget that in addition to beaches, the Caribbean is rife with history and ecological beauty).
Senin, 30 Oktober 2017
Kamis, 12 Oktober 2017
Family Holidays and Leisure Planning Made Simple
The important advantage of selecting to stay in a villa is space. Because children have sufficient room to play, and it even contains swimming pool and garden. The entire family can spend their nice time in villa. Here each person in the family can find their own way of relaxing and comfortable space.
Here people will not have to fight with one another for the remote control, murmuring in the balcony when the power is out, no gossiping on each other. Elder people also can enjoy the facilities of the villa. Parents will be having fun activities every evening in villa. Finally people won't find any kind of irritation from the services of villa.
Kitchen facilities are also available in villa in order to give the families absolute control over the food and the meal times. Food is a major problem that all the families face when they travel with small children. The kitchens in villa are equipped and if people demand they will provide chefs also. They will allow parents to prepare food to their children; here servants are also available to help the family members. Each villa will be examined and repaired daily. People can spend their time as in one's own home.
Almost all holiday villas offer high quality chairs and cots as standard; this will be like a hotel of good standards. Villa managers will arrange for a family tour or an outing with full range to the families who stay in the villa, people can also make use of this and spend their time in beautiful destinations.
Villa provides all the facilities that people require to spend their holidays. Here convenient stores like market are also present in order to make sure that emergency necessities are provided. Finally villa staff will take care of everything to all the visitors who comes to spend their holidays.
Here people will not have to fight with one another for the remote control, murmuring in the balcony when the power is out, no gossiping on each other. Elder people also can enjoy the facilities of the villa. Parents will be having fun activities every evening in villa. Finally people won't find any kind of irritation from the services of villa.
Kitchen facilities are also available in villa in order to give the families absolute control over the food and the meal times. Food is a major problem that all the families face when they travel with small children. The kitchens in villa are equipped and if people demand they will provide chefs also. They will allow parents to prepare food to their children; here servants are also available to help the family members. Each villa will be examined and repaired daily. People can spend their time as in one's own home.
Almost all holiday villas offer high quality chairs and cots as standard; this will be like a hotel of good standards. Villa managers will arrange for a family tour or an outing with full range to the families who stay in the villa, people can also make use of this and spend their time in beautiful destinations.
Villa provides all the facilities that people require to spend their holidays. Here convenient stores like market are also present in order to make sure that emergency necessities are provided. Finally villa staff will take care of everything to all the visitors who comes to spend their holidays.
Rabu, 27 September 2017
What to Look For When Choosing a Travel Insurance Plan
Did you know that the cost of medical care when you are traveling could be extremely high? If you are already covered under an employer health insurance plan or individual/family health insurance plan, you may think that you can travel without worries, but that is not always the case. Many HMOs, PPOs, and state health insurance programs do not cover you if you are not in the United States. Even if you are traveling within the U.S., you could face high charges because the hospital or doctor you go to is not in your local plan. Travel insurance is fairly inexpensive and bridges that time when you are away from home, giving you peace of mind. If something does happen, you most likely will not be paying for the high cost of health care out-of-pocket.
There are many different travel insurance plans on the market, though. How can you know which one is right for you? Although your travel agent or tour company will probably try to sell you their own plan, it might not be the cheapest or best choice. Here is what to look for when choosing a travel insurance plan:
Coverage for all of your activities
Some travel insurance plans don't cover "extreme sports"; the very activities that many tourists like to try while on vacation. They are not just talking about skydiving, either. Sometimes, activities as mild as snorkeling and sailing are not covered in the insurance plan. If you intend to do more than relax on the beach, make sure that the plan you choose covers you.
Toll-free telephone assistance no matter where you travel
If you fall ill in a foreign country, it may be hard and scary to find help. Some travel insurance companies do not offer personal assistance. These companies may reimburse you for bills when you get home. Instead, look for a plan that has a number you can call. A representative should be able to help you work through whatever problem you have as you are traveling, not just foot the bill when you get home. Make sure that the phone calls you make are toll free from wherever you are traveling or that you get reimbursed for them as part of the settlement.
Protection based on your schedule
When does your travel insurance policy actually start? For some, the insurance policy does not start until you get to your destination, and if that is the case, what happens if you break your leg at the airport during your layover? You need protection that covers you from the moment you walk out of your door, even if it overlaps with your current coverage a bit. If you plan to travel a lot over the next several months, you might even want to look into an annual travel insurance plan; this might be a less expensive option for you.
Non-health benefits
Travel insurance plans are not just about health. While most people buy them for protection for high doctors' fees, your travel insurance plan should cover much more than accidents while you are away from home. In addition, travel insurance should cover things like lost or stolen luggage, tickets for flights and shows that are canceled, and more. When you are looking at the non-health benefits, be careful to review the exact policies you are buying. For example, Plan A might refund your plane tickets in full if you decide not to go on the trip while Plan B might only refund your plane tickets if the flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
Price
As with most purchases, price is very important when considering travel insurance. It can be confusing to compare policies because each one will have different specifics. At the end of the day though, it does not make sense to pay for the bells and whistles that come with one policy is there is a simpler policy that gives you only the things you need at a cheaper price. Usually, the price of the policy is determined by the total cost of your trip, the area where you are traveling, and the length of your stay, but other things can also come into play, especially if you want pre-existing medical conditions to be covered.
There are many different travel insurance plans on the market, though. How can you know which one is right for you? Although your travel agent or tour company will probably try to sell you their own plan, it might not be the cheapest or best choice. Here is what to look for when choosing a travel insurance plan:
Coverage for all of your activities
Some travel insurance plans don't cover "extreme sports"; the very activities that many tourists like to try while on vacation. They are not just talking about skydiving, either. Sometimes, activities as mild as snorkeling and sailing are not covered in the insurance plan. If you intend to do more than relax on the beach, make sure that the plan you choose covers you.
Toll-free telephone assistance no matter where you travel
If you fall ill in a foreign country, it may be hard and scary to find help. Some travel insurance companies do not offer personal assistance. These companies may reimburse you for bills when you get home. Instead, look for a plan that has a number you can call. A representative should be able to help you work through whatever problem you have as you are traveling, not just foot the bill when you get home. Make sure that the phone calls you make are toll free from wherever you are traveling or that you get reimbursed for them as part of the settlement.
Protection based on your schedule
When does your travel insurance policy actually start? For some, the insurance policy does not start until you get to your destination, and if that is the case, what happens if you break your leg at the airport during your layover? You need protection that covers you from the moment you walk out of your door, even if it overlaps with your current coverage a bit. If you plan to travel a lot over the next several months, you might even want to look into an annual travel insurance plan; this might be a less expensive option for you.
Non-health benefits
Travel insurance plans are not just about health. While most people buy them for protection for high doctors' fees, your travel insurance plan should cover much more than accidents while you are away from home. In addition, travel insurance should cover things like lost or stolen luggage, tickets for flights and shows that are canceled, and more. When you are looking at the non-health benefits, be careful to review the exact policies you are buying. For example, Plan A might refund your plane tickets in full if you decide not to go on the trip while Plan B might only refund your plane tickets if the flight is canceled or significantly delayed.
Price
As with most purchases, price is very important when considering travel insurance. It can be confusing to compare policies because each one will have different specifics. At the end of the day though, it does not make sense to pay for the bells and whistles that come with one policy is there is a simpler policy that gives you only the things you need at a cheaper price. Usually, the price of the policy is determined by the total cost of your trip, the area where you are traveling, and the length of your stay, but other things can also come into play, especially if you want pre-existing medical conditions to be covered.
Minggu, 10 September 2017
Travel and Leisure Hotel - Is it So Expensive to Afford Time in One?
A travel and leisure hotel is definitely and undisputedly the place to be during your vacation. This is the only place that you are assured of great comfort and having everything right at your service. However, these services that are offered come with a price to pay. This is the main issue that has seen most people find it really hard to spend their holidays and vacations in any travel and leisure hotel. When you are planning on where to go for your holidays, there are very many issues that you should consider. All your plans should be subject to the amount of money you have set aside for your vacation. Secondly, the plans should also be based on the time that you have for the vacation before you resume to your day to day work.
If you decide to go to a travel and leisure hotel, firstly determine all the charges and fees. These could be on bed and breakfast, timeshares, hostels and vacation rentals. You will be surprised to find that the most expensive thing in a travel and leisure hotel is bed and breakfast, also known as "B & B's". This is something that is only common to most American hotels. When you go to Europe, it is actually the contrary. However, do not only look at the price alone. You should investigate and know what services are being offered and the level of their quality. Check to confirm what is included from the price and what is not included. For example, what is the check-in and check-out time, are you provided with linens, and is breakfast offered, or have you been given a private bathroom.
At the end of your total investigation, you must ensure that you get value for your money by securing the best deal. Any traveler who only wants somewhere to sleep should arrange with the management of the travel and leisure hotel to pay for vacation rentals only. Despite the travel and leisure hotel being one of the most expensive options on lodging, the services offered here are good and the place is generally safe. If you are on holiday or travelling for just a week or month, then there is nothing wrong with choosing a travel and leisure hotel as the best place to stay.
Most vacation rentals contain multiple rooms which are ideal for many people and they are also offered at great rates. Therefore, if you decide to go out with the whole family, friends or working colleagues, then you do not have to worry about anything. In fact, it will turn out to be much cheaper when you share the cost. It is the responsibility of any travel and leisure hotel to provide security all the time.
If you decide to go to a travel and leisure hotel, firstly determine all the charges and fees. These could be on bed and breakfast, timeshares, hostels and vacation rentals. You will be surprised to find that the most expensive thing in a travel and leisure hotel is bed and breakfast, also known as "B & B's". This is something that is only common to most American hotels. When you go to Europe, it is actually the contrary. However, do not only look at the price alone. You should investigate and know what services are being offered and the level of their quality. Check to confirm what is included from the price and what is not included. For example, what is the check-in and check-out time, are you provided with linens, and is breakfast offered, or have you been given a private bathroom.
At the end of your total investigation, you must ensure that you get value for your money by securing the best deal. Any traveler who only wants somewhere to sleep should arrange with the management of the travel and leisure hotel to pay for vacation rentals only. Despite the travel and leisure hotel being one of the most expensive options on lodging, the services offered here are good and the place is generally safe. If you are on holiday or travelling for just a week or month, then there is nothing wrong with choosing a travel and leisure hotel as the best place to stay.
Most vacation rentals contain multiple rooms which are ideal for many people and they are also offered at great rates. Therefore, if you decide to go out with the whole family, friends or working colleagues, then you do not have to worry about anything. In fact, it will turn out to be much cheaper when you share the cost. It is the responsibility of any travel and leisure hotel to provide security all the time.
Senin, 28 Agustus 2017
4 Things to Consider in Planning a Family Vacation
You have just been granted a hefty bonus and a week-long vacation as a reward for your amazing discovery which may give your company a bright future. So you rushed home to tell your family about the good news and started talking about where to visit. It would seem that everyone has their own idea of a good time. So, before you meander in several places, it is always advisable to plan your family vacation so that the time spent will be the most memorable ever for the entire family.
The first thing to determine, obviously, is the amount that you have allotted for this vacation. Of course it will be useless to plan going on a grand tour for twenty thousand dollars when all you have to spend is only ten thousand dollars. Make sure that the entire vacation will only cost you eighty percent of the entire budget. This is to allow for some contingencies that may happen during the entire trip.
If you are bringing the kids along, make sure that your destination will also appeal to them. This is very important because your vacation will not be all that enjoyable if the only ones who are having fun are just the adults. Just imagine yourself shouting out with glee while your kids are just staring out into space, wondering what is going on. You do not want that to happen, would you?
Another thing to consider is that if you are going to a place where a festival is being commemorated, you have to make sure that you book a hotel in advance. Bear in mind that hotel room rentals sell like hotcakes even a month before celebrations. So it is better to check out the place you plan to tour and see if there are any special events at present.
Because this will be a family vacation, every member should be encouraged to suggest their kind of fun. Without a doubt, a lot of ideas will surface as you talk and so, try to determine which ones appeal to all of the family members. As long as it is within your budget, you may want to give in to the kind of vacation your kids have in mind. It is a proven fact that kids have a knack of hitting on the right vacation spots which are really enjoyable for the whole family.
Going on a vacation with your family is one of the most enjoyable moments anyone could have. It is made more memorable if the family vacation is planned ahead, with all members pitching-in their own ideas of fun, so that the time spent will be really worth it.
The first thing to determine, obviously, is the amount that you have allotted for this vacation. Of course it will be useless to plan going on a grand tour for twenty thousand dollars when all you have to spend is only ten thousand dollars. Make sure that the entire vacation will only cost you eighty percent of the entire budget. This is to allow for some contingencies that may happen during the entire trip.
If you are bringing the kids along, make sure that your destination will also appeal to them. This is very important because your vacation will not be all that enjoyable if the only ones who are having fun are just the adults. Just imagine yourself shouting out with glee while your kids are just staring out into space, wondering what is going on. You do not want that to happen, would you?
Another thing to consider is that if you are going to a place where a festival is being commemorated, you have to make sure that you book a hotel in advance. Bear in mind that hotel room rentals sell like hotcakes even a month before celebrations. So it is better to check out the place you plan to tour and see if there are any special events at present.
Because this will be a family vacation, every member should be encouraged to suggest their kind of fun. Without a doubt, a lot of ideas will surface as you talk and so, try to determine which ones appeal to all of the family members. As long as it is within your budget, you may want to give in to the kind of vacation your kids have in mind. It is a proven fact that kids have a knack of hitting on the right vacation spots which are really enjoyable for the whole family.
Going on a vacation with your family is one of the most enjoyable moments anyone could have. It is made more memorable if the family vacation is planned ahead, with all members pitching-in their own ideas of fun, so that the time spent will be really worth it.
Rabu, 02 Agustus 2017
Cheap Airline Tickets Here - Proven Tips Save Travelers Time Money and Frustration
Today's travelers are savvy and money-conscious, which explains why they are flocking to the Net like never before to research, compare and book airfare. As they have found, bypassing travel agents and opting for online shopping for cheap airline tickets saves time, money and frustration - all the while ensuring they get exactly what they want and when they want it.
In fact, according to Juniper Research, 37% of online airfare travel consumers visit three or more Web sites per travel product. A further 20% of online airfare travel consumers report feeling empowered by researching flights online, although they only visit one or two Web sites to research airfares.
With tight budgets and little leisure time to look around, net shoppers are enjoying the many benefits provided to them when they purchase airline tickets online.
Of course, if online airfare shoppers can be flexible with their travel dates (just by a day or two) or even their airports (flying in a mere 20 miles from their final destination), they can save even more money, allowing their hard-earned dollars to be used for downtime and not airtime.
Additionally, there are other ways you can shop online for discount airfare and stretch your buck even further.
Plan Ahead
For instance, have you ever noticed that the closer you get to your actual travel date, the more you have to pay? Rest assured, that's no coincidence. Instead, that stems from the fact that the brass behind the airlines know that many business travelers must fly on short notice and take full advantage of this, charging more for booking those last-minute flights.
Sure, this may make traveling more expensive for the executive who has to make a meeting in a neighboring state or another country, but it doesn't have to be more expensive for you.
All you have to do is plan ahead. For the best travel airfare, plan in advance enough so that you can book your flight 21 days in advance.
Keep in mind that if you just can't get your travel plans together that far in advance, you will see significant discounts for booking 14 days ahead. After that, you will want to research and compare, because the price for your flight is sure to go up - sky-high, in fact.
But Not Too Far Ahead
Keep in mind that it pays to be patient and if you are trying to book a flight months in advance and the prices are more than you bargained for, worry not. Airfares fluctuate and you may be able to book your flight at the fare you are willing to pay (and not a penny more) if you just wait.
Sure, airfares may also rise. So, the best strategy is for you to compare fares over a period of time to see what's happening with rates. By doing this, you're sure to know a good deal when you see it.
Remain Flexible
Be flexible in scheduling your flight. By booking on different days, you may be able to save even more money, allowing you to get really cheap plane tickets.
For instance, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to fly. This means that by booking a flight on a Monday with a return trip on a Monday will typically raise the costs.
Also, late-night flights and very early morning flights are times when not as many people want to fly, which can provide you with another cheaper alternative - such as further discounted airline tickets.
In short, for cheap air travel, remain flexible
Think About Flying ON Holidays
OK, so you don't want to fly on Christmas Day, but if you would consider planning your holiday trip around a flight on one of the slowest travel days of the year, you might save big bucks.
Likewise, plan your family vacation to Disneyland or Las Vegas after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. This way, you'll save lots of money on airfare and you and your family will enjoy the shorter lines at the theme park, too.
Location
As mentioned above, think about flying in to a neighboring airport. This short 20-mile drive may save you a few hundred dollars. How's that for a little extra pocket change when you're on vacation?
In fact, according to Juniper Research, 37% of online airfare travel consumers visit three or more Web sites per travel product. A further 20% of online airfare travel consumers report feeling empowered by researching flights online, although they only visit one or two Web sites to research airfares.
With tight budgets and little leisure time to look around, net shoppers are enjoying the many benefits provided to them when they purchase airline tickets online.
Of course, if online airfare shoppers can be flexible with their travel dates (just by a day or two) or even their airports (flying in a mere 20 miles from their final destination), they can save even more money, allowing their hard-earned dollars to be used for downtime and not airtime.
Additionally, there are other ways you can shop online for discount airfare and stretch your buck even further.
Plan Ahead
For instance, have you ever noticed that the closer you get to your actual travel date, the more you have to pay? Rest assured, that's no coincidence. Instead, that stems from the fact that the brass behind the airlines know that many business travelers must fly on short notice and take full advantage of this, charging more for booking those last-minute flights.
Sure, this may make traveling more expensive for the executive who has to make a meeting in a neighboring state or another country, but it doesn't have to be more expensive for you.
All you have to do is plan ahead. For the best travel airfare, plan in advance enough so that you can book your flight 21 days in advance.
Keep in mind that if you just can't get your travel plans together that far in advance, you will see significant discounts for booking 14 days ahead. After that, you will want to research and compare, because the price for your flight is sure to go up - sky-high, in fact.
But Not Too Far Ahead
Keep in mind that it pays to be patient and if you are trying to book a flight months in advance and the prices are more than you bargained for, worry not. Airfares fluctuate and you may be able to book your flight at the fare you are willing to pay (and not a penny more) if you just wait.
Sure, airfares may also rise. So, the best strategy is for you to compare fares over a period of time to see what's happening with rates. By doing this, you're sure to know a good deal when you see it.
Remain Flexible
Be flexible in scheduling your flight. By booking on different days, you may be able to save even more money, allowing you to get really cheap plane tickets.
For instance, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays are typically the cheapest days to fly. This means that by booking a flight on a Monday with a return trip on a Monday will typically raise the costs.
Also, late-night flights and very early morning flights are times when not as many people want to fly, which can provide you with another cheaper alternative - such as further discounted airline tickets.
In short, for cheap air travel, remain flexible
Think About Flying ON Holidays
OK, so you don't want to fly on Christmas Day, but if you would consider planning your holiday trip around a flight on one of the slowest travel days of the year, you might save big bucks.
Likewise, plan your family vacation to Disneyland or Las Vegas after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. This way, you'll save lots of money on airfare and you and your family will enjoy the shorter lines at the theme park, too.
Location
As mentioned above, think about flying in to a neighboring airport. This short 20-mile drive may save you a few hundred dollars. How's that for a little extra pocket change when you're on vacation?
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