Travel Insurance Bviii

Perhaps travel insurance is indeed a wise decision. There is no legal requirement for you to have insurance when you travel abroad but if you find yourself in a situation like that you'll bless the day you took a policy out because travelling with no insurance puts you at serious risk which you might not be able to handle. The good news is, though, that travel insurance is getting cheaper.

Your insurance provider will adjust your travel insurance policy in compliance with your requests and potential risks you might face during your trip. Travel insurance for a couple will be cheaper than for two single adults, and cover for a family with children under 18 is not usually much more expensive than cover for a couple. Insurance brokers have contacts with a wide range of travel insurance companies and might be able to assist you in finding the appropriate travel insurance. Insurance policies and their provisions usually become valid as of the moment of payment which means that you can buy your policy online at the last minute, for instance, at the airport before you board your flight.

Bearing in mind that most sections of your policy have limits on the amount the insurer will pay under that section, you can use travel insurance as the ultimate tool to prepare for the unexpected on a journey abroad. Travel insurance is designed to cover you during your travels when things go wrong and problems arise.

Travel insurance is the ultimate tool to prepare for the unexpected on a trip abroad but bear in mind that most sections of your policy have limits on the amount the insurer will pay under that section.

There's no legal requirement for you to have insurance when you travel abroad but if you find yourself in a situation like that you'll bless the day you took a policy out because travelling with no insurance puts you at serious risk which you might not be able to handle. The good news is, though, that travel insurance is getting cheaper. Perhaps travel insurance is indeed a wise decision.

Get The Best Cheap Last Minute Travel Deals With These 5 Tips

If you think you can't afford to take a vacation, think again. By taking advantage of cheap last minute travel deals, you can afford to go anywhere in the world, and do just about anything you want. Just follow these five tips to find absolutely amazing deals and start making the most of your vacation time.

1. Be Ready At A Moment's Notice

If you are one of those people that think a vacation has to be planned months and months in advance, you need to re-adjust your thinking right now. You have to be prepared to go somewhere on short notice if you want to take full advantage of last minute travel package deals.

These deals are called cheap last minute travel deals for a reason. They are available because hotels, airlines and cruise ships would rather make a little money than no money, so they offer huge discounts to anyone willing to fill their vacancies on short notice. The shorter the notice, the larger the discount, which means last minute weekend travel deals offer some of the biggest savings.

2. Be Flexible About Where You Go & Where You Stay

In order to take full advantage of last minute travel deals, you can't be too picky about where you go or where you stay. Remember, these deals are being offered because of vacancies that need to be filled, so don't count on finding a last minute bargain for the latest hot spot. Learn to be flexible, broaden your horizons and be up for traveling to a destination you hadn't considered before.

3. Search For Cheap Last Minute Travel Deals Online

If you are searching for a last minute weekend travel deal, check online first. The internet is often the best place to find these types of deals. Of course, it's impossible to find all of the best bargains on one website, so be prepared to spend some time searching through different sites in order to find the best deals.

4. Look At Classified Ads

Another great way to find travel bargains is to look through the classified sections of newspapers and websites like craigslist.net. There are always ads placed by people desperate to sell non-refundable plane tickets and travel packages that they are no longer able to use.

5. Contact Travel Agencies

Travel agencies are an invaluable resource for last minute travel package deals. They have access to the most up-to-date travel information, and they can tell you about the best bargains available. Travel agents are great because they can not only save you time and money, they can take care of all your travel arrangements for you.

So the next time you think you can't afford to take a vacation, just check out some of the cheap last minute travel deals that are available. You will be sure to find a great vacation deal that you can afford.

How The Internet Is Competing With Travel Agents For Vacation Planning

Travel agents once were the only way to go when booking a vacation. Today there is the Internet, which makes booking your own vacation easier than ever. While that may be true for some, travel agents are still the best way to go.

Travel agents have spent their entire career learning how to book the most satisfying vacations. They can tell you the best place to go for you as an individual or with a group. Travel agents are specialist in customer service. This is completely unavailable when you book your own vacation. Travel agents often have inside information on the hot spots, knowing which is best for a single person versus a family or couple. They can also help you plan for the best time of year for your trip whether you want to be there when the large crowds are or if you would rather have a bit more privacy.

Another thing that travel agents can do is provide an incredible amount of information. For example many people are unaware the fees for entering certain areas and what kind of documentation will get you through the customs area quickest. They can also inform you of local laws and regulations regarding things such as fruit and souvenirs.

When a person books a vacation on their own they have no way to know what the service or even the state of the hotels. A travel agent will know which hotels to avoid, and which ones are hidden gems. There are many other benefits of a travel agent. Such as information about the area you plan to travel to. Travel agents can let you know which places are welcoming and which one is a bad place to visit due to crime or violence. They are well studied to answer any questions or concerns that you may encounter about a trip.

Often when you go online or use the phone to book a flight on an airline, you may encounter some deals but most are nonrefundable. However booking your vacation through a travel agency is generally not only refundable but also guaranteed. Since travel agents work to satisfy their customer's interests, they will try to make your experience with them as pleasurable as possible.

Even if you choose to book a vacation independently of a travel agency, you can still use a travel agent. They are excellent at answering questions you may have about an area of interest, or may be able to recommend other locations. A lot of travel agents spend a lot of time answering questions about travel for no charge. Travel agents are very useful and well worth the extra money for the vast amount of services they offer.

Get Rich Benefits Learning Travel Agent Secrets

Tour agents have several secrets up their sleeves which they will never be willing to explain you. The fact of the matter is that the tour agents most of the times pay less than 50% of what you would pay for an entire trip. The tour companies provide their services to travel agents at very low costs, the very same travel services for which you have to pay through the nose.

The tour business is a huge business today, with stakes of about 4.7 trillion universal each year. However, most of the business is Effectuating not through promotions, but through direct hard-selling by the tour agents. Travel agents are very great for the success of any travel business; and companies who do not make good relations with their travel agents will definitely flounder. This is the reason why travel companies take almost regal care of their travel agents.

Tour agents get several concessions during every part of their vacation which ordinary people cannot even think of. The following are just some of the perks given to them:
(i) More than half rate concession on accommodation in hotels
(ii) More than half rate concession on airfare
(iii) Free upgrades to first class
(iv) Complimentary meals and drinks
(v) Huge discounts on rental transport
(vi) Free tickets for movies and other places of entertainment
(vii) Cruises at as low as $35 per day
(viii) Half rate concessions on entry to theme parks

Hence, becoming a travel agent can save whopping sums on each holiday. That is the reason why several people are becoming travel agents and taking tour agent cards which are availing them of these huge benefits, which could come to about $20000 for a person who has at least two foreign vacations per year.

Today the travel agent secrets are brought to the common public. Which are also making it possible for people to become travel agents and get the benefits of it. You can get a travel agent card in as less as fifteen minutes on this site, and with the minimum amount of documentation. Almost everyone is eligible to become a travel agent and one of the best travel agent secrets here is that one does not have to actually be into the travel agent business to get the benefits of the card. You can just sit at home with a card, and get all the concessions that are given to the travel agents.

On an aggregate, travel agents get concessions of about 50 to 75% on each travel. Today this is no longer a travel agent secret. Everybody can become a travel agent and get these premium benefits.

Use Air Travel To Have An Comfortable Start In Your Holidays

For those of us who are considering a holiday there are a few ways that we can go about getting ready for this event. The first item to decide on is whether our holiday will be out of the country or near to home. The next item to consider is how are we arriving and leaving our holiday destination. For quite a lot of us air travel is the best way to get to the place that we want quickly.

There are various air travel plans that we can make and different airlines that will be able to give us attractive travel incentives. While we are looking at all of these travel packages we may want to consider other factors like the price of our tickets and if we will be able to book our airline tickets for the days that we want.

In addition to seeing the travel prices and the available dates for air travel we also need to see if the airline that we are looking to reserve our flights with is a direct flight or if we need to catch a connecting flight. This is an important issue that you will need to see about before you book your flight. The main point to remember with connecting flights is that sometimes your first flight may not arrive at the connecting airport on time.

This type of problem has been known to happen to many people. For those of you who would like spend some of your holiday time in another country besides your main holiday destination then you should try and book your air travel tickets so that you have a few extra days to explore the sights and cultural tours of that other country before you have to leave for your main holiday destination.

While this can sometimes mean fewer days spent relaxing on the beach or exploring the various cultural sights, planning your air travel in this manner will let you catch the correct flight that you need without having to worry about missing any connecting flights. Since this is just one of the options that are available you may want to find out what other benefits you can get from this type of air travel planning.

As there are many different airlines that you can choose from, you may want to see the many incentives that will allow you choose the best deal for your air travel. When you have received all the information about air travel that you want, you can start planning your air travel plans and enjoy a great holiday or business trip.

Few Points in Getting a Cheap Worldwide Travel Insurance

Traveling with love ones, families, and friends can be so expensive. Another expense that you could do without is travel insurance. Many people says that obtaining a travel insurance is time consuming, but you don't have to waste your precious time to find a Cheap worldwide travel insurance.

Cheap worldwide travel insurance is a good move if ever you have decided to go abroad. This would give you great peace of mind during the trip; unmindful of the unplanned expenses that might occur while on the trip. This would give you enough protection from those unwanted bill that you might not like.

Purchasing a cover from your travel agent is the easiest way to get travel insurance but probably not the best. Some travel companies free cheap cover but it's unlikely that the insurance really is free, as the cost is generally built into the price of the holiday.

If you purchase travel insurance when you book your holiday, it means that if you fall ill or have an accident and have to cancel your trip as a result, your travel insurance will cover you. Just remember a few points to find the right travel insurance that fits on your budget.

Level of coverage. Think where are you going and what kind of travel do you want. This will greatly affect your insurance quote. If you're going to rent a car on your travel, this means that the coverage of your travel insurance is much higher. Many people start looking for a travel insurance quote, without really knowing what they need insurance for. If you look in detail at what you expect to be doing on your holiday travel, then you will have a firm idea of what level of cover you need before you start searching for quotes.

Some companies also give a package deal to travelers that travel a lot like planning to go away more than twice a month. This deal can cover all your travel in just on cheap worldwide travel insurance package.

Search an insurance quote. Once you have established the needs in your travel insurance, you should have no problems in finding the right company that can provide it. Just show them what you want and they will give you instant cheap worldwide travel insurance quote. Compare all the quotes you get from different insurance companies to get the cheaper travel insurance that fits your needs.

Remember these points in finding your travel insurance and you should be able to find a good deal in a shot span of time. Preparation is the key to success. However, internet is now very useful to find these services. Here are numerous online travel insurance companies that offer cheap services that suit your needs and budget.
Since these companies are competing with one another, they are offering lowered price so you can be able to find the most appropriate cheap insurance you can get. It's easy, safe and secure to buy your travel insurance online since it offers secure online purchasing longer than most companies have been trading. You are only one click away from saving on your travel insurance. Whether you travel on business or on holiday, click and enter the most popular travel insurance web sites today.

Looking for a good airline travel deal?

If you are a bit free spirited and adventurous, the chances are that you will be able to travel to many exciting destinations that you would not otherwise be able to afford. You can get airline travel deals to all kinds of exotic destinations all over the world, provided that you are a little bit flexible. My schedule has always provided me with the luxury to pick up and go when I want, but at the expense of a great deal of disposable income. It is one of those paradoxes that everyone is bound to run in to at some point in their life: those who have lots of time, have little money, while those who have little money have lots of time. Not having a lot of money, however, should not stop you from going anywhere that you want to go provided that you keep a good eye out for airline travel deals, and are at ease with last minute travel every now and again.

I have taken advantage of many airline travel deals in my life, which have let me go to places which would normally be out of my price range. I have gotten air ticket deals to Argentina, Portugal, Spain, and even Sweden. The only problem with these great airline travel deals is that they tend to come at the expense of convenience. They are often last minute travel deals, are occasionally carried by second or third string airlines, and do not always allow you to chose the destination that is at the top of your list. But all of that suits me fine. I am quite flexible about where I go, if you want to know. What matters most to me is to have the freedom to travel abroad and check out new places which I have never seen before. And airline travel deals let me do that just fine.

If you are looking for good airline travel deals, here is the advice that I have for you. It is easer to find out about the destinations of air ticket deals which are being offered and see if they are right for you then it is to wait for that one particular destination or other which you had your heart set on. After all, lets face it: there are places all over the world which are fun to explore, so why hold yourself back just because you are unfamiliar with this or that destination.

Internet Travel Sites - Tips

These days we all travel more on our yearly vacations, some more than others while the really adventurous like to travel as far away from where they live as they can. Whatever your travel interest is you will find a wealth of information online at numerous travel sites. It is now true that increasing numbers of people carry out all their travel arrangements using internet web sites. The main problem is the convenience of it all and the huge savings that can be found using the internet.

Although I am not one to put my complete trust in these sites and still like to visit my travel agent. While this may be the way to book your holiday now, I still enjoy sitting front of a real person and not a computer screen.

With a travel agent, I can change my mind about my plans several times, call and ask questions, and have someone to blame should my vacation not turn out to be what I was hoping for. It is difficult complaining to a travel site and almost impossible to actually speak to a real person, plus with today's technology it is almost impossible to say where they are in the world.

If you do speak to someone, they may just tell you what you want to hear which is easy and what are the chances you will be able to find them? With a travel agent they are real and I can always go back to them and clarify points especially if something goes wrong.

A best friend of mine only books her vacations on travel sites and often she'll book a last minute vacation that a travel site is offering which is one huge advantage of using a travel site. By browsing online she has made some amazing savings by just waiting until the last possible minute to book the vacation.

I'm not one for last minute travel although I suppose I could be if my schedule was more flexible but my job requires me to ask for vacation months in advance. There are other discounts to be made as well if you are prepared to book your vacation through a travel site, like discounts on car hire, excursions and tickets for events for example.

Although I actually spend time with my travel agent, I do actually carry out a great deal of research on prospective locations before I make up my mind. It may not be fair on my travel agent but at least I know if something goes wrong, I will have someone to complain to on my return.

MOR Vacations: Earn Your Way to Bali!

Having fun while earning much is a dream for most people. And MOR Vacations makes this very dream possible for you.

While you get the biggest discounts on your travels and trips, MOR Vacations also enables you to earn more than you could possibly dream of, through its unique affiliate marketing system structure.

Gather more referrals, then let your referrals gather their own members and turn them into affiliates, then as your affiliate friends let their own referral trees take shape, you, too, have a cut from your friends' own referral bonuses!

Would you believe that you could already make $250 on your first referral? Then would you believe that you can earn up to $500 per referral already, and only at your third referral at that! No one is exempted from earning this much, and as your team works hard to earn more, you too earn up to as much as they do!

Sipping Pina Coladas on Hawaii or even the Bahamas, as money just rolls into your account... Is it a dream? Not anymore! With MOR Vacations, we make dreams like those possible!

Outdoor Adventure Travel in New Zealand

Many films are made in New Zealand and you have to wonder why? New Zealand is probably one of the few places on this planet that still has unspoiled nature and outdoor adventure travel packages can be enjoyed by everyone, and if that is not enough you can enjoy New Zealand's city activities as well. Your next outdoor adventure travel should seriously consider New Zealand.

Adventure travel in New Zealand offers the outdoor lover a wide range of options when it comes to your next vacation. One such option might include a trip around wine country. That's right, New Zealand is actually one of the world's top producers of fine wine.

If you're a wine lover and are looking for some adventure travel, try a helicopter tour in and around the Pacific to discover the beautiful vineyards nestled along the coastal rim. If wine is not your pleasure, try the Catlins Coastal Heritage Trail.

This collection of beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and all the wildlife you can imagine will give anyone the thrill of a lifetime. If you want to get off dry land and see some of the most beautiful seaside scenery while enjoying the finest dining and activities, your outdoor adventure travel in New Zealand might include a beautiful cruise along the coast or to any one of the hundreds of island nearby.

New Zealand is rich in history and culture for anyone that is interested in outdoor adventure travel. The Polynesians first discovered New Zealand, but has been a home to many cultures from all over the world.

If you happen to be interested in history, culture or society then New Zealand will hold some interest for you. However if your interest is in outdoor adventure travel you will be awe struck by New Zealand's beauty and scenic views, volcanoes and it's extraordinary coastline.

You can find these wonderful sights from the summits of Mount Iron in Wanaka, Mount Hikurangi on the East Cape, or the top of Mount Eden, Mount Victoria in Wellington, One Tree Hill in Auckland, Port Hills in Christchurch and Flagstaff Hill in Dunedin. There is no easy accessible route to these places. But then again isn't that the idea of outdoor adventure travel to find place that are worth the time and some effort to get there?

New Zealand has a lot to offer for the outdoor adventure travel enthusiasts and offers many activities and unique experiences. You can take a cruise, go hiking or kayaking or fishing, it doesn't matter you will find it all in New Zealand.

Travel Secrets For The Ordinary People

The travel industry today is a 4 trillion dollar industry, which is by no means a small figure. This huge industry works only because there are many travel agents out there who are recommending services of certain travel companies over others. There is great competition among the travel companies to woo the journey agents so that they may advise their names to their clients. As a result, the travel agents end up getting much better nibbles from the share.

But now, these are no longer travel secrets. Almost everyone knows that travel agents get privileges like no common man can imagine on their travels. Travel companies are keen to make the travel agents get familiarized with their packages and for this reason, they may also send their travel agents on dissimilar holiday packages, just to get the feel of things. Travel agents are often on holiday several times a year, and this is business for them. But what's most important is that, they are going on these vacations at a very discounted cost, or even free.

So, among the best journey secrets to know, this one certainly tops the list you can become a tour agent sitting at home, and can make great profits by saving on your travels. Did that grab you? Well, it should! By becoming a travel agent, you stand to save as much as $500 per holiday of yours, and that's no mean saving, to say the least. You will get huge concessions about 50% off on airfare, travel and accommodation, rental vehicles, etc. In addition, you will get cruises for as low as $35 and will also get free tickets to shows and theme parks.

If these admission benefits in travel packages are really making you excited, the place which can make you a journey agent in 20 minutes flat. You will become a certified travel agent and will be able to learn their lingo and walk their walk. That means, you will become a real travel agent and will be able to organize tours for others, and get huge commissions on the same. Plus, your own travel packages will be virtually slashed in prices to about half or even more. Also, you will get some great tips on buying consolidated packages from airlines and hotels, which will make much more savings possible for you.

Here's one of the last tour secrets, you can become a travel agent sitting at home, and get stupendous cuts on travel packages. And you need not actually enter into business. Just having the travel agents card is enough for you to avail of the benefits. That means, even if you do not want to become a travel agent to conduct business, you should become one just to get the mega benefits available to them.

The Top 7 Money-Saving Tips When Using an Air Travel Finder

An air travel finder can be the best tool you ever use, and with these top 7 money-saving tips you will get the best deals possible on you air travel:

1. Make your reservation as early as possible. At least 14 days in advance, but aim for at least 21 days in advance. After this time, the air tickets can easily more than double in price.

2. Be flexible with your travel time. Changing the day or the time of day can drastically reduce the price of your air travel. The best day to fly on is Wednesday, which is also the best day to book the flight on. The cheapest time to fly is early morning or late evening.

3. Fly during the off-season. Prices are a direct result of supply and demand. As demand goes down, prices go down as well, benefiting flyers.

4. Shop all the airlines. This is the most possible using a couple of key air travel finder companies that I recommend on my site. Being able to check all the airlines at the same time can get you the best deal.

5. A stopover instead of a direct flight can result in huge savings.

6. Membership in some clubs like AAA can get you discounts. With air travel prices at an all-time low this isn't as influential on the price as it is shopping between the airlines themselves. You get much better deals using an air travel finder to check prices of the different airlines against each other.

7. Look into air travel packages. Purchasing your air travel, hotel, and rental car through the same place usually gives a huge discount. Using a bigger air travel finder will allow you to do all of this on the same website. I have recommendations for this on my site as well.

The prices on air travel tickets are a direct result of competition, inventory, and demand. Competition is the airlines competing with each other. Inventory is how many seats are left open on a given flight. Demand is how many people are looking for air travel tickets. By choosing the least-crowded flights that are the least in demand, you get the lowest price. It's really that simple.

As you can see, there are many ways to get better prices. If you use a major air travel finder and choose the best days and times to fly, you can often get unbelievable deals and save a hefty amount of money in the process.

5 Exclusive Reasons To Start Your Very Own Home Based Online Travel Agent Business

Are you looking to start your very own home based online travel agent business on the internet? Every day more and more people are dropping their 9 to 5 jobs to work from home. There are just far too many benefits to pass up the opportunity to work for yourself through your own business. Here are five reasons you too should start a home based online travel business.

1. Work from home

The most obvious benefit is that you get to work from the comfort of your own home. No longer do you have to get up and deal with traffic every morning and on the way home. You can just wake up and mosey your way to the office in your home. In addition, most people work better in comfortable surroundings and everyone knows that there is no place like home. Not to mention the fact that as a travel agent, many perks such as travel discounts, last minute booking, and familiarization trips are available at your finger tips. This is the beauty of working from home and "living it up."

2. Work for yourself

When you have a home based online travel agent business, you get the chance to work for yourself. You never have to take orders from anyone else or do something that you do not really want to do. You can take your travel business in whatever direction you want. Just make sure that you do actually take your business in the right direction.

3. Set your own schedule

One of the many perks of having a online travel home based business is being able to work whenever you want. If you are more of a morning person, you can get up and work early in the morning. Or you can work late at night if you are just the opposite. While you can set your own schedule, it is best if you set a schedule so you work consistently.

4. Multiple duties

Typically when you work for a company you have one primary duty. You may be the marketer or the writer or the travel agent. But when you work for yourself, you have the opportunity to take on multiple roles. This allows you to go into work every day knowing that you will not be doing the same monotonous stuff you always do.

5. More family time

Everyone likes to spend time with the family, but work can often get in the way. By having your own home based travel business, you will be able to be there far more than before. At times being at home and having the kids around can be a distraction, but as long as you make the distinction between work time and play time you will be fine.

Having your own home based online travel agent business comes with a number of perks. Everything from working for yourself to having more family time can be experienced by working from home.

Organising your Business Travel

Organising business travel can be very stressful especially if you have lots of flights, hotels and car hire to book. Corporate travel management companies that specialise in business travel can help to reduce operating costs and improve productivity which will make your job a lot more stress free.

The companies can do this by removing the administrative overhead associated with business travel, reduce travel costs and ensure that customers receive an efficient and hassle free service. There are many benefits of using a corporate travel management company to organise your business travel which can make your life a lot easier.

As these companies do all the hard work for you it saves time, money and effort leaving you to get on with more important things. They will meet your needs, policies and preferences so you know that you are getting exactly what you need and want for your business travel.

It is unlikely that you have time to search the internet and the high street for the cheapest travel prices available whereas an outside company does have the time and resources for this. Corporate travel management companies can find you services that will offer you the best value which is something that you probably would not be able to do on your own.

In the business world things have a habit of changing from hour to hour which can end up wasting your time and costing your company a lot of money when it comes to business travel. A specialist company is more likely to have the resources to be able to adapt to changes very quickly which saves you a lot of stress.

Some corporate travel management companies that specialise in providing business travel for businesses will extend their travel management expertise to their customers' staff. This enables them to personally benefit from a preferential service that you wouldn't get anywhere else.

A company that specialises in business travel will be able to find you the best deal a lot more efficiently that you would be able to yourself. This is because they know of the best companies to go directly to and may even have deals with them which means that you can get flights even cheaper.

If you are too busy at work to phone around or search online for the best travel deals then a corporate travel management company specialising in business travel is perfect for you as they will save you time, money and stress.

Travel Agents: Hints And Tips

More and more people are booking their vacations and doing the research online. Travel agents are seeing less people walking through their doors. There are many websites that help people find the best deals and allow you to make all of your plans through their sites. I have used travel agents since my senior year trip and no matter how many websites offer unbeatable deals, I will remain loyal to travel agents.

I have taken a liking to doing my own research. It isn't difficult to go ahead and check out the destinations that you are thinking about exploring. I have done that many times. I have even looked at rates to see if they are affordable before I approach travel agents. I certainly don't want to spend my time, or their time, looking into trying to find a travel deal that I can afford if I already know that I cannot.

Travel agents are not only in existence to book your travel. They are there to answer any and all of your questions regarding traveling. If you are planning on international travel, they can advise you of things you need to know. You can find out what some of the laws are that might affect you. They know all of the fees for entering and exiting the countries. Not only can they give you the facts, but they make recommendations as to where you may want to travel to and what there is to see and do.

Travel agents are there to make your life easier and ensure that your vacation needs are completely taken care of. The internet cannot do that. As much as people like and trust the internet to make everything perfect, there is something more comforting about talking to an actual person. You can book all of your flights and hotels through the internet but when it comes to complaining or trying to resolve an issue, suddenly a website cannot be of assistance. Travel agents are there to assist you.

When my husband and I decided to elope to exchange vows, we called up some travel agents. One in particular, seemed to be exactly what we were looking for. She was very sweet and incredibly helpful. By the time I ended the 30 minute conversation with her, she had renewed my faith in travel agents. She had given me many choices of where we could go that we'd have wonderful weather for the month we were planning to travel. She gave us some educated guesses about pricing without even checking anything officially. I asked tons of questions and she was incredibly patient with me. She booked our vacation that same afternoon and even put us in touch with a wedding coordinator at the resort.

It turned out wonderfully, just as she promised. I'm also a fan of travel agents over the internet because if you end up booking the vacation from hell, you have no one to blame but yourself. If you used a travel agency, at least you'll have someone to complain to.

Luxury Hotels: What to Look For

I just love to stay in nice hotels when I travel, although I have yet to stay in true luxury hotel. It is definately on my list of things to do before I pop my clogs.

I sure there are many people out there who, like me, work very hard in our careers and derserve a little pampering from time to time.

Rooms in luxury hotels usaully come with many features to make your stay wonderful, but if there is something missing, all you need do is ask, ansd providing you can pay for it, you shall recieve.

There is so much choice, when it comes to things to do, that you may not get to them all. It's heavenly to be pampered and to have your every whim catered for.

The problem with luxury hotels is that you can't find them just anywhere. Most smaller towns and cities have nice hotels, but they may not be luxury grade. These are great hotels, but you may have to travel to find one that seems like it is too good to be true. You know you are going to have to pay a bit more for these rooms, and you may have to add travel expenses to the bill. However, if you want to stay in luxury hotels, and it is within your budget, that probably won't bother you too much.

If you want to find a deal on luxury hotels, you can look online to see what you can find. You can go to the hotel website directly to see what they offer for when you want to stay, and for how long you want to stay.

There are also some really good discount travel sites that offer some amazing deals on luxury hotels, but I do recommend checking with the hotels own site to be sure it's the real deal.

Why We Travel – To Find Or To Lose?

The enigmatic question, “Why do we travel” has intrigued thinkers and philosophers through the years and is best answered in the famous words of writer Pico Iyer, when he said, “We travel initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel next, to find ourselves.”

Do we really need to travel that much? If we find ourselves packing our bags and buying tickets, is it because we have to or is because we want to? It is estimated that 600 million people annually get into airplanes and travel.

When did traveling get so tremendously popular? Time was when so few people traveled, that when they did, it made big news. Christopher Columbus, the Italian Spanish navigator, made headlines when he sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean and discovered America. Marco Polo set sail determined to see distant lands and exotic people; he discovered China. His travels across the whole of China became the greatest travelogue of all times. While these two great travelers of their times were busy traveling the world and making history, where was everybody else? Taking a gondola ride to the neighboring island was the furtherest they dared to get.

We’ve come a long way since then. We travel, not to discover anything new (though that would surely be a feather in our collective caps); but to see what others before us have discovered and seen. We travel to snow-clad mountains so we can ski down the slopes and then we travel to sunny Mediterranean countries to bask in the sun. We travel so we can see first-hand the many man-made and natural wonders of the world that so far we’ve only seen in travel books. We travel because we believe that reading about a place or looking at its pictures is a poor substitute to actually getting there and feeling the pulse of the place and absorbing its culture. We travel the whole of India to sample its many different cuisines and then we travel to China to sample a different fare. We leave our televisions at home and travel across the world to catch the live action at the Wimbledon championships or the World Cup.

Most of all, we travel because the world’s become a smaller place. And with travel into Space becoming a distinct possibility, albeit a very expensive one, we’ll soon have yet another reason to travel.

Cheap Travel: The One That's Right for You

Cheap travel has become more and more popular to people who want to experience the feeling of being on another country at a price they could afford. But somehow with too many cheap travel companies offering virtually the same package, many are confused and cannot differentiate the good ones from the better ones. Since each cheap travel company offers different type of cheap travel, finding the right one for you can take you a while. But with proper know-how on the ways to get your cheap travel, you can cut the time and have your itineraries going.

Here are some of the useful ways to get cheap travel that is right for you, easily:

1. Identify where you want to go. Where you would go should come from you. This is the first step you should take when you are planning your cheap vacation. This would be the ground of all the things you need to have for your cheap travel. For, this you can identify what type of activities you can do, what type of coverage you should have, and what are the equipments you need. This would also tell you how much your budget should be. Know where you want to go and it would make your cheap travel planning run smoothly.

2. Know what you want. When you are buying cheap travel package, you can always have the choice of letting your travel agent work for you. They will do their job, that's guaranteed. But would it be better if you know what you want before speaking to them? In this way, you can surely enjoy your travel vacation for in the first place; it is you who knows what exactly do you want.

Part of it is knowing what type of cheap package do you need: The type of flight you want. The date you want to fly. The length of the whole trip. The ways you want to spend it. And the accommodation you wish to have. If you know all these, you and your travel and agent would be having an easier time finalizing things.

3. Set your budget. Although cheap travel is indeed cheaper that regular travel, you still have to set your budget. Because if you don't, you might not be aware that in the end, what you think is cheap is not cheap anymore. Set the budget and the total cost of your travel. If your budget does not fit your destination or the things you want to do while at the vacation, you can always search for companies or agents that offer cheaper rates.

4. Your coverage matters. Many would disregard the importance of the insurance while traveling. If you know how important insurance is, then you know that you need one.

5. Itineraries are included. If you already know where you are going, know what you want, and have set your budget, you must now identify the itineraries of your trip. Usually when you consult travel agents, they would offer you different cheap travel ideas for you to choose from. Select one that matches your desired itineraries. If they offer none, you can always select from the list of available destination and match it to your desired itineraries.

With these things on hand, you are now ready to experience the overseas traveling without spending so much.

What to Expect From a Travel Agent

Finding the right travel agent can be as hard as finding the right doctor. You want someone you can trust to get you the best deal. Someone you who is knowledgeable about the area you are wanting to visit and has the resources to provide you with all the information you need. Travel agents book about 75% of all air travel, 30% of all hotel reservations, and 95% of all cruises. Even with all the information online most people still prefer to avoid all the hassle and use travel agents.

The first step to finding a good travel agent is to check their credentials. Check to make sure they are a certified travel counselor. To be a certified travel counselor a travel agent with at least five years experience must complete a two year graduate level program offered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents. For the travel agency itself you have to look for membership in one of two associations. The American Society of Travel Agents and The Association of Retail Travel Agents are the two travel agency associations.

One of the easiest ways to find a travel agent is by word of mouth. Ask your friends and family who they use. Try to pick friends and family who have similar interests as you , that way you can find a travel agent who will understand your needs. Most people use a certain agent and not a certain agency. Not all agents in a travel agency are the same. One might specialize in cruises while another specializes in low cost travel plans. Make sure you get the name of a specific agent when talking to your friends and family.

A good travel agent will keep a portfolio of all your travel needs and preferences. Things like frequent flyer miles, credit card details, hotel or airline favorites, and any other personal requirements should be kept by the travel agent in a specific folder. This saves you time when you go in to book a trip, by having everything already filed out you won't have to do it each time.

A good travel agent will also find out your preferences, like places you enjoy visiting. This way if they come across an unpublished bargain for a place that is of interest to you they can contact you with the information. A good travel agent is always looking for the best deal for their client. This includes informing you if changing the dates of your vacation or changing your itinerary can lower the price for you.

Finding a good travel agent can be frustrating and time consuming. When you find a good travel agent you should use them for all your travel needs and refer them to any one who is looking for a travel agent.

Another place to look is online. Search for one near you. Don't always go with the cheapest. Ask them their credentials upfront. If they try to avoid the question, move on. Do they provide phone contact information on their website and give office hours? This is a good way to tell if it's an agent you may want to deal with.

Become A Home Based Travel Agent

Are you happy with your current career? Everyone should have a that suits them, and one that truly enjoy and benefit from day after day. There are many things that you can do with your life and many options for career changes, but if you become a travel agent you are going to get many benefits. In order to succeed in life, you know that you have to have a job or a business that you can rely on. Becoming a travel agent means becoming a part of a growing US $5trillion industry.

Among the many important aspects of getting a good job are factors such as having a job with good benefits, having a job where there is room and possibilities for growth and advancement, and having a job where you can go to work each day and get 100% job satisfaction. If you become a travel agent you can get all of these things. If you become a travel agent you will find that you have a full time job where you are clearly able to get all of the benefits that are awarded to people with full time jobs. Iincluded is health insurance and other insurance policies, and also being able to save for your retirement, which is equally as important. You can also get other benefits as well.

If you become a travel agent you can find that you will simply enjoy your job because you are going to be helping people to make great travel arrangements and get the most out of life. You will find that if you become a travel agent you are going to work in a great atmosphere with other happy people as well. However, the best thing about the chance to become a travel agent is that you have so much room to move upward. You can find yourself in a situation where you can easily work your way from travel agent to owning our own agency. This means more money for you, of course.

See The World

Another great thing you will discover if you become a travel agent is that you are going to be able to do lots of traveling of your own and do it at great rates. If you are able to become a travel agent you can go just about anywhere in the world and you can go there for very little cost. There are almost unlimited benefits to being a travel agent. It is also very easy to become a travel agent. You can apply for a job with a local travel agency and you'll find that it is very simply get yourself certified so that you can become a licensed travel agent.

Imagine a life where you can help others make great travel arrangements and decisions, and where you are going to be able to actually help people. Not only that, but you'll find many great things if you become a travel agent. You can travel for free to many places, and if you work in this exciting field you'll find that not only can you get great discounts for being a travel agent, but that just by being one, you are going to know where the best places are to get great deals on travel.

These are just a few reasons why it is a great idea to become a travel agent. You can work in your home town, or you can travel to other places, because no matter where you go you'll find that there is a need for this type of job. Whatever you do, make sure not to underestimate the power of being a travel agent. This is a career field that you should think about getting into, especially if you love to travel and if you feel that this can be a great way to spend your life. I mean who wouldn't want to receive discount flights all around the world?

Tips To Choice A Travel Agency

The trip up of a lifetime can take a lifetime to project unless you know how to pick a travel agency.

A general misconception is that travel bureaus add up to the price of your trip. In truth, feeling and using a good travel agency to plan your trip normally saves you time, money, and defeat. So how do you selection a travel agency?

Ask more or less!

The best way to receive a good travel agency is through word of mouth. Ask your family and friends who they've utilized and then ask them about their trip. How did they traveling? Where did they check? Was their travel gratifying? Making a few referrals from supporters helps you to know in ahead of time what to carry from a particular travel agent and helps you weed out the good from the not-so-good as well.

Are you a member?

Many Another clubhouses and organisations offer travel helps for their members and many corps have established relationships with travel agencies that their employees can apply. Members only travel plans often offer the best values.

Compare

Shop a couple of experienced firms. Travel bureaus come and go like any other lines of work. The ones that remain in job add receive and know-how to all trip they design. Make your first query with a travel agency a listening receive; evaluate how well the agent listens to you and how wide they make you feel.

A easy travel agent will ask you to scheme your travel. They'll ask where you're going and why, how you'd opt to travel, how long you plan to stay, and what your travel budget is. Be open and good with your answers. A good agent will promptly put together a sample itinerary that identifies availabilities in conveyance, accommodations, and estimated costs.

If you feel like you're getting the hard sell or the travel agency tells you there's only package available, keep shopping. You can always go back if you find that they're right!

In addition to finding the best rates in lodgments and conveyance, an known travel agent can also give you some assistive hints about your goal and here's the bonus mostly it costs nothing to use a travel agency! Because they can buy in volume, travel agencies get deductions on prices for both tickets and lodgings!

For travel made easy, use the services of a travel agency to make your outing a time to remember well!

Journey Concessions Are No Longer Travel Agent Secrets

We all know that travel agents get privileges on their travel, but little do we know how much exactly these privileges are. In fact, the total economy that tour agents get on their tour are among the best kept journey agent secrets. Well, the truth is, travel agents get privileged savings of anywhere between 50% and 75% on their total travel expenditures.

Did that come as a bit of a shock to you? But that is absolutely true. Tour companies do not mind giving huge chunks of admission to their esteemed tour agents, and there is good reason for that. The travel agents virtually run the entire tour business for any trip providing company.

Let us look at it this way. When we have to arrange a holiday for ourselves, how do we go about it? Nine times out of ten, we will have a travel agent book everything for us, from the journey to the accommodation to even the sightseeing and food sometimes. The tour agent plans everything for us, and we do not even know what tour company we are going with, until the time we get our confirmation. That means, the travel agent runs the show, it is they who decide which tour company services to promote to their clients in most of the cases.

That is why tour companies treat travel agents like their bosom buddies. Travel agents are given many perks by these companies, including free packages of their tours, just to get the proper knowledge of how the tour is conducted so that they can promote it to their clients. This are the travel agent secrets, the travel agents give business to the companies, and the companies provide them with luxuries such as almost free tour packages.

At every stage of the journey, travel agents are given concessions and even free privileges. They are provided almost 50% off on airfare and hotel accommodations, and are given free entries into theme parks and movie halls, etc. In addition, they are given free upgrades on their travel packages and cruises for as low as $35.

Now, these are no longer travel agent secrets. You can easily become a tour agent and get a travel agent card. This card will entitle you to all the benefits that travel agents get. And the best part is, you don't actually have to do business. Just being a certified travel agent is enough to avail of the privileges.

Travel Insurance FAQ

Travel Insurance is an essential part of any trip and is something that should not be put aside. Most soon-to-be travelers usually have heard about travel insurance, but might not know the specific reasons why they need travel insurance. This is an important article about frequently asked questions for travel insurance. This article also provides a link for further reading about travel insurance.

What is travel insurance protection?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance that covers you financial for any losses or illness that may unfortunate occur while you is on your trip. Travel insurance can be bought for international or national (within your country) trips.

Why should I buy travel insurance?

Since travel insurance protects you while traveling, this will help and provide the necessary protection you will need in the occurrence of a unfortunate event. Any individual traveling anywhere without travel insurance will be in a dangerous situation if an accident occur.

What is the coverage for travel insurance?

Travel insurance should provide coverage for medical cost, transportation to a medical facility, and reimburse you for certain or some nonrefundable costs due to a interrupted trip, and financial loss of funds.

How much does travel insurance cost?

How much the cost of your travel insurance will be depends on your insurance company provider and their policy. The cost of travel insurance usually will range up to 12 percent of the cost of your vacation/trip.

Is travel insurance really important and how many people actually get paid for their claims?
Travel insurance is highly recommended, there are usually about 10% of people who file claims. Sometimes some travelers make have taken a overly expensive trip that they would have to pay out of their own money if they have not bought travel insurance.

What is the medical care coverage?

When there is a case of illness or serious injury, medical transportation to an appropriate medical facility, and medical treatment will be covered. You should also have coverage for if it is deem necessary to bring you back home.

Does travel insurance cover business trips?

This will depend on the insurance company. Most insurance companies will provide travel insurance for a business trip, but the coverage may be separate from the standard coverage.

How long will travel insurance provide coverage for me?

You can often buy travel insurance starting from as little as two weeks, up to a year. Different insurance companies may vary with their service of coverage.

When is the best time to buy travel insurance coverage?

The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as possible before you go on your trip or vacation. You want your travel insurance active during your whole trip.

What will happen if my money is lost or stolen?

If you can not receive traveler checks replacements many insurance companies provide a service where a travel agent can arrange a money transfer or traveler check for you to receive. You will have to ask more about this to your travel insurance provider.

Annual Travel Insurance: Do You Need It?

Travel insurance is a necessity if you plan to travel away from home. This is especially true if you plan to travel abroad. But not all travel insurance plans are created equally. There are different types of travel insurance and you need to be sure that you are making the purchase that best meets your needs.

One type of travel insurance is called annual travel insurance. It’s not for everybody, but it can save you a lot of money if it meets your needs. Annual travel insurance is just like all other types of travel insurance except that it covers all of your travels for an entire year instead of only covering one trip. This type of insurance is perfect for people who travel several times throughout the year.

There are many benefits that come along with annual travel insurance. For starters, the premium for annual insurance is much lower than that of several single-trip insurance plans. There is also less hassle. You only have to purchase one plan instead of purchasing a plan each time you travel. All in all, annual travel insurance is a great deal if you do quite a bit of travelling.

There aren’t many drawbacks associated with annual travel insurance, but there can be if you use it incorrectly. Insurance premiums are non-refundable, so you need to be sure that you will be travelling extensively throughout the year before you purchase an annual plan. Remember; annual insurance costs more than a single-trip plan. If you only plan to travel one or two times, it might be more economical to purchase single trip plans rather than take out an annual policy.

So, is annual travel insurance for you? Answer the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the questions, you should look into obtaining annual travel insurance.

• Do you take several, short family holidays throughout the year instead of one long holiday?

• Do you travel extensively with your job?

• Do you visit out-of-town friends and family often?

• Do you own a holiday home that you plan to spend a lot of time at?

• Do you have ageing or ill family members that might not be able to complete a short trip?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should investigate annual travel insurance further. An annual policy may end up saving you money, but only if you spend a lot of time on the road. If you travel more than a handful of times each year, you should probably purchase annual insurance rather than trip insurance. However, if you only travel two to three times per year, you might want to compare prices before you make your final decision.

Travel insurance is a necessity, but you shouldn’t have to pay a king’s ransom to get it. Always purchase the best coverage you can get at the best possible price. Beware of cheap, skimpy policies. Always make sure that you know exactly what coverage you’re getting for the price.

Travel Insurance For When You Travel

Can You Ever Have Peace of Mind with Travel Insurance?

When getting ready to go on vacation, or whatever your travel plans are going to be, you need to look into getting travel insurance. When you start thinking about a carrier for your travel insurance you may want to consider an international company that has the financial power and strength to take care of you the right way when you are out exploring the world. You need to get Nationwide travel insurance. Nationwide travel insurance is important protection for you and your family when you are away from home and it is provided by one of the largest insurance companies in the world. You cannot go wrong with Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide travel insurance offers such valuable features as trip cancellation insurance, coverage for your medical expenses, assistance if you ever lose your money or your money gets stolen, claims for any of your personal property that gets stolen or damaged while on vacation. They can also help you with your travel documents if you ever find a need for advice or assistance with them. Nationwide travel insurance covers you completely for not only one time trips, but they also offer multi trip packages that can cover you if you travel a lot.

It Always Starts when Your Vacation Begins

One of the great highlights of Nationwide travel insurance is that they have a service set up where you can get advice about what to do on your vacation before you even leave your home. They have a special service set up where travelers that have Nationwide travel insurance can call in and talk to a trained specialist and make sure that you have all of your needs covered before you leave your home. This kind of service can be invaluable if you are taking a trip overseas, or out of the country at all, for the very first time. Sometimes new foreign travelers forget these important details and Nationwide is there to help you get all of your paperwork, and arrangements, together before you leave on your trip.

Sri Lanka Travel Guide - Overview

A teardrop-shaped island cast adrift in the Indian Ocean, Sri lanka is filled with cultural and natural treasures. Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left their marks here, making for a delightful mix of ancient cities, monuments and atmospheric colonial architecture.

At the same time, palm-fringed beaches are never far away and lush mountainous greenery beckons inland. It's clear to see why Marco Polo proclaimed Sri Lanka to be one of the best islands in the world.

However, its teardrop shape is not inappropriate and Sri Lanka has known its fair share of political turmoil and natural disasters in recent decades. Once the country became a Republic in 1972, serious conflict arose from the Tamil minority (occupying the north and east), who demanded a separate state. Terrorist activity by the Tamil Tigers has been prevalent ever since - apart from a shaky ceasefire in 2002, which sadly did not last much more than two years.

The country was also devastated by the 2004 tsunami, which killed more than 30,000 Sri Lankans and wiped out many coastal communities. While many tourists have been discouraged by the troubles, tourism is a healing force in this hard-hit country, and visitors will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

Pakistan Travel Guide - Overview

Pakistan encapsulates great variety, from hidden bazaars in the narrow streets of Rawalpindi to architecture that rivals the Taj Mahal in Lahore. It is a land enriched by friendly people and magnificent landscapes. Opportunity for adventure is as high as its mighty mountain ranges, with watersports, mountaineering and trekking all popular and rewarding activities. Coupled with this is a profound sense of cultural concoction, Pakistan once being home to several ancient civilisations, and witness to the rise and fall of dynasties.

In ancient times, the area that now comprises Pakistan marked the farthest reaches of the conquests of Alexander the Great. It was also the home of Buddhist Ghandaran culture. It was the independence of India in 1947 that catalysed Pakistan's nationhood. Under pressure from Indian Muslims, the British created a separate Muslim state. Originally, it consisted of two parts, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now a single unitary state).

Following military rule and civil war, Bangladesh became independent, truncating Pakistan. Today, the long-running Indo-Pakistan conflict continues, with the status of Kashmir at its heart. Although it has a majority Muslim population, Kashmir became part of India in 1947.

Pakistan's landscape is as fractured and unsettled as its history.

Nepal Travel Guide - Overview

It's not just mountaineers with their hearts set on conquering Everest who fall in love with the Himalayan country of Nepal. With stunning scenery, fringed by the highest peaks on the planet, leading down to steamy jungle packed with wildlife, there's something for everyone.

In addition to a distinctive ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture, Nepal has jaw-dropping mountains with spectacular scenery for walkers and trekkers. If there is a hikers' paradise, this is it, with picturesque mountain villages linked by hundreds of trails that have been used for centuries, with little change noticeable even today. Trails are dotted with intriguing temples to discover on the way.

Nepal was created from an amalgam of principalities in 1768 under King Prithvi Narayan Shah. Under the control of a hereditary king, it became a ‘buffer state' between the British Empire and territories to the north. The country became independent in 1923, but it was not until 1947 (the year of Indian independence) and total withdrawal of the British before Nepal achieved complete autonomy. In May 2008, the monarchy was abolished making Nepal the world's newest republic.

Maldives Travel Guide - Overview

For a long time, the Republic of Maldives was one of the best-kept secrets in the world; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and sunseekers alike. Now the islands are developing quickly to become an increasingly popular long-haul destination.

The country's 26 natural atolls offer nautical delights from night-fishing trips, windsurfing and scuba-diving. Many islands embrace enormous lagoons, where bright blue-green water laps gently.

Yet, even in paradise, trouble can bubble beneath the surface. It is precisely because the Maldives are so low-lying (80% of the territory is less than 1m/3.3ft above sea level), so transparent and perfect for snorkelling, that their very existence is especially threatened by global warming. They are also particularly vulnerable to natural catastrophe, as shown in the devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004: of the Maldives' 199 inhabited islands, 20 were completely destroyed.

These factors need to be seriously discussed by the international community in future years. Otherwise, paradise really might be lost.

India Travel Guide - Overview

India is a mystical land that presents the traveller with a bamboozling array of unforgettable experiences. Hinduism, the prominent religion, is intimately woven into the fabric of everyday life, reflected in an extraordinary range of time-honoured traditions. Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India's vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world's population.

Its intoxicatingly rich history can be traced back to at least 2500BC when the first known civilisation settled along the Indus River. There was an influx of Mughals in the 1520s from Central Asia, who maintained effective control of the north until the mid-18th century. At the end of that century, as the Mughal Empire declined, the British took control of the whole subcontinent, and India was administered by a single alien power.

The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, but made little progress on independence until Mahatma Gandhi began the policy of non-violent non-cooperation with the British. But the Congress itself was later split on the issue of Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims, under Mohammad Ali Jinnah, claimed a separate homeland and in August 1947 the independent states of India and Pakistan came into being. Since this time, India has been a democratic republic.

Such a rich history has spawned an incredible number of exquisite palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle, comprised of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Meanwhile, the people-packed cities of Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi and the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are rewarding places of pilgrimage. For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards and babbling streams.

One of the greatest fascinations of India is the startling juxtaposition of old and new; centuries of history rubbing shoulders with the trappings of modern-day living, from slick Internet cafes and fancy fast-food eateries, to swanky bars and chichi boutiques.

Bhutan Travel Guide - Overview

The Kingdom of Bhutan has adopted a cautious approach to tourism to avoid any negative impact on the country's culture and environment. All tourists, group or individual, must travel on a pre-planned all inclusive guided tour through a registered tour operator in Bhutan or their counterparts abroad. The basic rate is fixed by the government.

There are still plenty of takers wanting to explore the breathtaking mountains and valleys of this astonishing country. The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle of sustainability, meaning it must be environmentally friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable. The number of tourists is also kept to a manageable level by the limited infrastructure.

The Bhutanese name for Bhutan, Druk Yul, means 'Land of the Thunder Dragon'. Much of Bhutanese history is lost in legends but the first major event was the arrival of Guru Rinpoche, believed to have brought Mahayana Buddhism from Tibet in the eighth century. Bhutan, the world's last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom, became a coherent political entity around the 17th century and has never been conquered or ruled by another foreign power.

Bhutan is a peaceful country with strong traditional values based on religion, respect for the royal family and care for the environment.

Bangladesh Travel Guide - Overview

Formerly known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh came into being only in 1971, when the two parts of Pakistan split after a bitter civil war which drew in neighbouring India. Bangladesh spent 15 years under military rule and, although democracy was restored in 1990, the political scene remains volatile.

Most of the country is formed by the alluvial plain of the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system - the largest delta in the world; water flow is second only to that of the Amazon. To the east of the delta lie the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Flooding is normal and life has adapted to take account of this. Occasionally, excessive flooding, as in 1988, 1998 and 2004, causes widespread destruction and loss of life.

The landscape in Bangladesh is mainly flat with many bamboo-, mango- and palm-covered plains created by the effects of the great river systems of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. The Sundarbans in southwest Bangladesh is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and the area supports a variety of wildlife, including the Royal Bengal tiger, the national animal. Today, Bangladesh is one of the world's most densely populated countries and poverty is deep and widespread, although the population growth has reduced and the health and education systems have improved.

However, there have been political tensions in recent years. As a result, travellers are advised against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (this does not include the city of Chittagong) because of the risk of being caught up in clashes between rival tribal groups, settlers and the military.

Taiwan Travel Guide - Overview

Taiwan is one of the most unsung tourist destinations in all of Asia, its modern emergence as an economic and industrial powerhouse still overshadowing the staggering breadth of natural, historic and culinary attractions this captivating island has to offer.

A fascinating mix of technological innovation and traditional Chinese and aboriginal cultures and cuisines, Taiwan is one of the only places on earth where ancient religious and cultural practices still thrive in an overwhelmingly modernist landscape.

On any given day, the casual visitor can experience this unique juxtaposition of old and new, witnessing time-honoured cultural practices while still taking in technological milestones such as the world's tallest building, Taipei 101, and the new High Speed Rail that links the island's two largest cities.

Beyond the narrow corridor of factories and crowded cities along Taiwan's west coast is a tropical island of astounding beauty, with by far the tallest mountains in northeast Asia and some of the region's most pristine and secluded coastline. Add to this the impressive array of cuisines - with specialities from all corners of China as well as authentic aboriginal and Japanese fare - and you've got one of the world's most well-rounded and hospitable holiday destinations.

Korea (Republic Of) Travel Guide - Overview

TV scenes of thousands of red-wearing fans going crazy over their national team during the 2002 FIFA World Cup is an image which has helped convince a global audience that South Korea is in fact, a fun place to go, a place with dazzling cities, friendly people and beautiful, mystical countryside.

Until relatively recently, Korea was an insular place, existing under dynastic rule for centuries. However, the 35-year Japanese occupation from 1910, the split of the peninsula after WWII and the subsequent Korean War shattered all that. Difficult times have however made the Koreans a resilient lot, succeeding economically whilst still holding onto their unique traditions and fascinating culture.

Korea is littered with fortresses, temples and palaces, many of them UNESCO World Heritage sites. In addition, the peninsula it shares with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea's official name) is one of the most mountainous regions in the world, and Korea also has a significant beach-dotted coastline.

The capital Seoul winds around the Han River, punctuated by futuristic skyscrapers in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The city is an increasingly useful Asia-Pacific stopover point, or a hub for a three-centre Korea-China-Japan cultural trip.

Korea (Democratic Peoples Republic Of) Travel Guide - Overview

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea shares borders with China, the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea and the demilitarised zone (separating it from the Republic of Korea).

North Korea's capital, Pyongyang, was completely rebuilt after the Korean War as a city of wide avenues, neatly designed parks and enormous marble public buildings. The Palace of Culture, the Grand Theatre, the Juche Tower and the Ongrui Restaurant epitomise the Korean variant of Communist architecture. The Gates of Pyongyang and the Arch of Triumph (built in honour of Kim Il-Sung's 70th birthday) are particularly impressive.

Many ancient buildings in Kaesong (six hours from the capital by train) bear witness to Korea's 500-year-old imperial history. The town is surrounded by beautiful pine-clad hills.

Kumgangsan is the country's largest national park, consisting of a range of mountains (known as 'the Diamond Mountains') along the east coast of the country.

Note that only travel companies officially recognised by the North Korean Authorities are permitted to bring groups of tourists to Korea (Dem Rep). Independent tourism is not permitted, and foreigners must be accompanied by a guide at all times.

Japan Travel Guide - Overview

The contrasts of Japan are startling - Tokyo dazzles with bright lights and high-tech gadgetry while the cherry blossoms in Kyoto's Maruyama Park are symbols of peace and beauty, as they have been for over 1,000 years.

Since 1950, Japan has seen exceptional economic growth, becoming one of the world's most powerful economies. Bustling cities burst with skyscrapers, bullet trains and trendy nightlife. The brief economic dip in the 1990s is starting to recede into the distance, as rampant consumerism again picks up pace.

Yet beneath the brash modernity beats an ancient heart. This is still the realm of the exquisite art of the geisha and the skill of the sumo wrestler; where ancient festivals are celebrated and food is elevated to an art form. And Japan is still a land of great natural beauty, from the snow festivals and lavender farms of the northern isle of Hokkaido to the sun-drenched beaches of the subtropical south. Whether you choose to climb Mount Fuji or relax at volcanic hot spring resorts, Japan is unforgettable.

Macau Travel Guide - Overview

Macau's historic centre was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site list in 2005, underlining its strategic and cultural importance over centuries. The mixture of colonial Portuguese architecture sits beautifully alongside its East-Asian flair.

Parts of Macau offer serenely traditional countryside, ancestral Chinese villages and pine-forested hills. Much of 'old' Macau is preserved on its islands, including fishing boat building yards, colonial mansions, Chinese temples and floating fisherfolk communities. Yet Macau also entices visitors with its glitzy casinos and motor races, making for a fascinatingly unique destination.

Macau was founded in 1557 during the great era of Portuguese overseas exploration. It became the major port between the Far East and Europe and, in 1670, was confirmed as a Portuguese possession by the Chinese. Macau went into decline as a regional trading centre from the early 19th century, when the British occupied Hong Kong.

In 1999, Macau, like Hong Kong, became a 'Special Administrative Region' within China, operating under a ‘one country, two systems' policy, maintaining its own political, social and economic systems.

Hong Kong Travel Guide - Overview

Visually stunning Hong Kong offers a warp-speed ‘shop till you drop' lifestyle combined with enclaves of tradition. It is a popular tourist destination and one of the world's major business centres. Hong Kong's 260 outlying islands, few of which are inhabited, provide a tranquil alternative to its frenetic energy elsewhere. Hong Kong Island is an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples.

On 1 July 1997, Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China in an arrangement lasting 50 years. Under the ‘one country, two systems' policy, Hong Kong maintains its own political, social and economic systems. English remains an official language and Hong Kong's border with China still exists.

Hong Kong was part of China before coming under British administration as a result of the 19th-century Opium Wars. When peace terms were drawn up in 1841, Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain. It remained under British control (apart from a four-year period under Japanese occupation during WWII) until the 1997 handover.

Much has changed since 1841 when then foreign secretary Lord Palmerston described Hong Kong as ‘nothing but a barren island without a house upon it'.

China Travel Guide - Overview

China is the cultural treasure-house of East Asia: its social riches and 5,000 years of tumultuous history place it among the world's greatest travel destinations. The Great Wall, X'ian's Terracotta Army, the Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square: the very names reverberate with history and legend.

China's paradoxes are many: Shanghai's skyscrapers contrast with Beijing's historical treasures, while in rural provinces, mechanisation is slow. Its history is one of turmoil in between periods of stability.

The civil war in 1945 defined the China of today. Defeated Nationalists fled to Taiwan, while victorious Communists founded the People's Republic of China. Prior to that, China endured eight years of brutal occupation by the Japanese imperial army from 1937, souring relations between the two countries to this day.

The convulsions of the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s preceded major economic reforms but little political liberalisation prompted widespread protest. In 1989, thousands occupied Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the army clearing the square with great loss of life and the government reasserting political control.

History and politics aside, China is a land of superlatives, encompassing the Yangtze River, the Silk Road, the bamboo forests of the giant panda and misty peaks immortalised in traditional ink paintings. China has 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Chinese food ranks among the world's great cuisines. From acrobatics to martial arts, calligraphy to Chinese opera, the vibrant, distinctive culture of this great land is everywhere to be seen.

Spectacular Tibet (Xihang) has been open to tourists since 1980. Occupied by China since 1950, the Cultural Revolution seriously damaged its cultural identity, yet Tibet's way of life and historically important Buddhism traditions have endured. Now linked by train to the rest of China, Tibet's unique culture faces renewed threats, from hordes of immigrant Han Chinese settlers and tourists.

China is set to become the world's major economic power within 20 years. Growth has come at great environmental cost. However, it has also spurred on China's rapidly improving tourism infrastructure. Beijing is currently undergoing a huge investment programme for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Flexibility and patience are still required to travel around China but, in return, China rewards visitors with memories to treasure for a lifetime.

Vatican City Travel Guide - Overview

The Vatican City is situated entirely within the city of Rome, sprawling over a hill west of the River Tiber, and separated from the rest of the city by a wall. Vatican City comprises St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican and the Vatican Gardens.

The Vatican City is famous for its magnificent St Peter’s Basilica. Near St Peter’s stands the Vatican Palace, the Pope’s residence. Among the principal features of the Palace are the Stanze, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, containing major works of art and valuable pictures.

Wales Travel Guide - Overview

Wales is a historic land of castles and mountains, sweeping beaches and strong national identity dating back to pre-Norman times and reinforced in 1999, when Wales was granted its own assembly.

The capital, Cardiff, has seen extensive regeneration, both in the city centre and the nearby Cardiff Bay area, which is now seen as a major entertainment and administrative centre. In the rural north, farming and tourism continue to be the main sources of income.

Populous south Wales incorporates Cardiff, the cities of Swansea and Newport, Carmarthen Bay and two national parks, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. The Cambrian Mountains and the attractive coastal resorts of Cardigan Bay are highlights of mid Wales, while the north has popular seaside resorts like Llandudno and Rhyl, the island of Anglesey and the scenic delights of Snowdonia National Park.

Scotland Travel Guide - Overview

Scotland is famous primarily for its spectacular scenery, but it also offers a rich historical and cultural heritage, together with a wide range of activities. The populous central belt is the focus of most economic activity, centred primarily on the major cities, Glasgow and the Scottish capital Edinburgh.

Scotland’s landscape is as varied as it is beautiful. Rugged peaks sweep down to breathtaking lochs, glistening in remote glens like Glen Affric near Inverness and Loch Trool in Galloway. A straggling coastline, with white sandy beaches, sheltered bays and rocky cliffs, looks out to the remote islands in the Atlantic. To the south, the rolling hills of the Borders, lush lowland pastures and extensive woodlands present a softer beauty.

Edinburgh is among the outstanding cities of the world, where the medieval Old Town contrasts with the elegant Georgian New Town. Other towns, notably Glasgow, display a wealth of Victorian architecture. Everywhere you can find ancient castles and houses. Prehistoric forts, stone circles and burial mounds can be explored, particularly at the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, Scotland’s latest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Scotland’s rich musical heritage has feet tapping to bagpipes, fiddles and accordions. The best Celtic music can be heard at either the Girvan Traditional Folk Festival in May or the Newcastleton Festival in July. While the Edinburgh Festival in August is of course an unmissable event on the calendar.

A paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, play golf on the world’s most famous course at St Andrews; go fishing, sailing, diving or join the walkers, cyclists and climbers on the hills, in woodlands and on deserted country lanes.

Finally, at the end of the day, relax with Scotland’s greatest export, a dram of fine malt whisky.

Northern Ireland Travel Guide - Overview

Occupying the northeastern corner of an island brimming with superlatives, Northern Ireland contains many hidden facets of the Emerald Isle. This small province enjoys a diverse terrain with a dramatic coastline, gently rolling fields and the lush Mountains of Mourne. The capital, Belfast, is a vibrant city with ornate Victorian architecture and lively nightlife. Londonderry is one of the finest walled towns in Europe. Both have been too long overshadowed by the ‘Troubles’, but seem at last to be enjoying a more peaceful present.

The Antrim Coast is one of the most scenic shorelines in Britain, winding past towering cliffs, sandy beaches, picturesque harbours and family resorts. You can hike deep into the glacier-carved Glens of Antrim or walk along the amazing volcanic columns of the Giant’s Causeway. Inland lies Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles, and the Fermanagh lakelands, sprinkled with tiny islands, wooded parks and monastic ruins.

The six counties of Northern Ireland belonged to the ancient and powerful kingdom of Ulster. Tales of legendary heroes intertwine with those of St Patrick, who spread Christianity from his base near Downpatrick. The Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh, Old Bushmill’s whiskey distillery, the Belleek pottery, crumbling castle ruins and the stately mansions of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy offer more history and culture in a friendly, easy-going country that is a delight to explore.

Isle of Man Travel Guide - Overview

Viking and Celtic heritage combine to interesting effect on the charismatic Isle of Man. Numerous attractions reflect the island's rich historic mix, branded by Manx National Heritage as the 'Story of Man', an umbrella name applied to sites ranging from prehistoric tombs to multimedia exhibitions.

Also important are Man’s Victorian narrow-gauge railways: the Steam Railway linking Douglas and Port Erin; the Manx Electric Tramway, running north to Ramsey; and the Snaefell Mountain Railway, which climbs 620m (2,034ft) above sea level from Laxey. A smaller line operates on the cliffs at Groudle Glen.

The island is also famous for hosting the annual TT Races and other motorsport events.

Scenic highlights include 17 picturesque national glens, the south coast bays and Snaefell itself, from which England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all visible on a clear day.

England Travel Guide - Overview

England’s eventful history and scenic diversity render it one of the world’s most popular visitor destinations. United as a single nation over 1,000 years ago, its origins go back to the dawn of civilisation, and the variety of interest it offers reflects this.

From prehistoric Stonehenge to 21st-century attractions like the London Eye, its inhabitants have contributed much to the appeal of the UK’s largest constituent country. This is not restricted to a material legacy either – England’s cultural mix is rich, thanks to the many invaders, settlers and immigrants who have arrived on its shores through the millennia. Countless others around the globe share aspects of customs, language and history with the English themselves.

England’s heritage, and therefore its appeal as a destination, is many-faceted and deeply rooted, ranging from the literary genius of Shakespeare to ‘everyday’ pageantry in the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace.

The variety and contrast in the nation’s countryside is enormous too, and is often a source of surprise to visitors venturing beyond the cities for the first time – as is the vast range of visitor attractions, resorts and sights to see and enjoy. England is a country of patchwork landscapes: from the rugged coastlines and golden beaches of Devon and Cornwall, to the craggy mountains of the Peak District, ancient forests riddled with folklore, to the picturesque Lake District, and from great cities to centuries-old villages.

England is welcoming, friendly, fascinating and fun, where pomp and circumstance balance the often bizarre idiosyncrasies of its people, and a sense of humour is the passport to certain acceptance.