There's a song that I grew up with in Australia called 'I've been to Bali too'. The lyrics, some that I remember to this day courtesy of over-play by my Dad, include: "And you can't impress me, 'cause I've been to Bali too", which I've always understood to mean that Bali holidays were still beautiful even though they're popular.
I've been on holidays in Indonesia several times. But I haven't been on a Bali holiday. But a lot of people have a lot of nice things to say about it on World Reviewer, where expert Bonnie Pelnar proclaims it: magical, saying "Words and pictures alone can't describe this beautiful little island in the middle of Indonesia.".
So this is the trip I would now take if I was planning a week long Bali holiday.
Bali Classics
There are plenty of options when it comes to how much you'll need to pay for accommodation on your Bali holiday, from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts, but the first places to stay seem to be Legian or Seminyak, which is also where all the good shopping is, and the Jimbaran Bay restaurant, which is one of the best on the island.
Go out in Kuta. Go surfing off Keramas Beach. Go shopping at Denpasar's Markets and get it all out of your system. Then head into the interior to see a more spiritual side of the island.
Bali Culture
The Ulawatu Temple is one of the places I'd include in a Bali holiday itinerary, it sounds fantastic, perched on a 250 foot cliff overlooking the ocean, and part colonised by a bunch of spirited monkeys. The Temple of Pura Besakih is Bali's most famous temple, it has an ancient and impressive pagoda structure, and the Ulun Danu Temple on a tiny island in Lake Bratan below Mount Beretan also sounds interesting and beautiful -- so I'd include them on a Bali holiday itinerary also.
If you want to break up your Bali holiday you might also want to consider staying in Ubud, which is set up as a cultural centre and is a good place to see some traditional Balinese dancing, batik printing and other traditional arts. Ubud is also a good place in your Bali holiday to try out a Balinese spa, and to wander the rice terraces, visiting ancient sanctuaries like Yeh Pulu
Diving, Snorkelling and a tropical island break to finish off you Bali holiday
Pemuteran, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands -- Gili Trawangan being the most popular -- are great for divers and snorkellers, so most Bali holiday itineraries include a few nights at one, or several of these spots.
Bali has more than one beach option. Top of the list are Pemuteran, which offers divers easy access to the marine life living on Napoleon reef; Nusa Lembongan, with snorkeller's dream, glassy watered Crystal Bay and one of Bali's nicest beaches, or the car-free, turtle friendly, small hut resort dotted Gili Islands -- Gili Trawangan being the most popular. All of these options offer soft coral sand beaches, clear water and a tropical island lifestyle.
Rabu, 11 Oktober 2017
Sabtu, 30 September 2017
4 Easy Steps to Finding Your Cheap Holiday This Summer
Booking a holiday is up there with cars and houses when it comes to choosing the one that's right for you at a price that suits. With the recession taking hold many of us have found it necessary to tighten our belts and many are looking forward to their one main summer holiday of the year and do not want to take any risks. After some major Tour Operator failures during 2008 its understandable that the British general public have to exercise a degree of caution before handing their money over. Having had the benefit of over 20 years in the Package Holiday business I will would like to share some tips to enable you to book the perfect holiday this summer....
1. Before you start enquiring about your holiday ensure that the company(s) you are dealing with have either an ABTA (Association or British Travel agents) or ATOL license (Air Travel Organisers License) Without going into to much detail both of these Licenses cover you should the Tour operator go into liquidation or cease trading. Should you be on Holiday at the time your flights home and the hotelier will be guaranteed by ATOL.
2. Best time to book? The days of the last minute deals are over. Due to consolidation in the UK leisure travel industry there are a lot less tour operators than a few years ago. The 2 main players are Thomson / First choice Holidays & Thomas Cook Holidays over the past 4 years they have brought a lot of the smaller specialist tour operators, therefore in a cost cutting measure they have cut capacity drastically so this has a knock on effect on late availability as they now try to entice people to book in advance with early booking discounts and free addons like extra legroom, inflight meals etc. On the whole passengers who booked outside of 12 weeks prior to departure saved an average of 15% opposed to those who booked within 7days. Another advantage of booking as early is that in most cases you can pay a low deposit with the balance required up to 8 weeks prior to departure. So you don't have to part with huge chucks of your hard earned money in one go.
3. Do your research! There are many hotel review sites like tripadvisor.com. These give you an insight in to the quality of the hotel. Beware, take all reviews with a pinch of salt as in some cases hotels have been known to write bad reviews about other hotels in the resort. Also over 90% of holidaymakers do not write about positive experiences so you do tend to get a lot of negative reviews on some very good hotels. Try calling a holiday specialist who can offer you impartial advice about a given hotel. For good quality price comparisons check teletextholidays & travel supermarket they have 1000's of offers from 100's of Tour Operators and Travel Agents.
4. Booking your Cheap holiday. Most travel agents will charge you around 2% for using a credit card most charge nothing for using a debit. Once you are happy with your chosen holiday Always was ask the company if they can throw in Free Insurance or Transfers as a lot of them will if you are ready to do a booking immediately. Once you have the Holiday within your budget book it straight away, good deals do not hang around. Another important factor with regards to price, is don't call to many companies for the same holiday as you might end up increasing the price of your holiday. A lot of major tour operators and low cost flight companies will increase the price on a given holiday once it starts to get many "hits" for the same date and hotel. So its best to do research and narrow down to about 3 companies to get a general idea of cost.
1. Before you start enquiring about your holiday ensure that the company(s) you are dealing with have either an ABTA (Association or British Travel agents) or ATOL license (Air Travel Organisers License) Without going into to much detail both of these Licenses cover you should the Tour operator go into liquidation or cease trading. Should you be on Holiday at the time your flights home and the hotelier will be guaranteed by ATOL.
2. Best time to book? The days of the last minute deals are over. Due to consolidation in the UK leisure travel industry there are a lot less tour operators than a few years ago. The 2 main players are Thomson / First choice Holidays & Thomas Cook Holidays over the past 4 years they have brought a lot of the smaller specialist tour operators, therefore in a cost cutting measure they have cut capacity drastically so this has a knock on effect on late availability as they now try to entice people to book in advance with early booking discounts and free addons like extra legroom, inflight meals etc. On the whole passengers who booked outside of 12 weeks prior to departure saved an average of 15% opposed to those who booked within 7days. Another advantage of booking as early is that in most cases you can pay a low deposit with the balance required up to 8 weeks prior to departure. So you don't have to part with huge chucks of your hard earned money in one go.
3. Do your research! There are many hotel review sites like tripadvisor.com. These give you an insight in to the quality of the hotel. Beware, take all reviews with a pinch of salt as in some cases hotels have been known to write bad reviews about other hotels in the resort. Also over 90% of holidaymakers do not write about positive experiences so you do tend to get a lot of negative reviews on some very good hotels. Try calling a holiday specialist who can offer you impartial advice about a given hotel. For good quality price comparisons check teletextholidays & travel supermarket they have 1000's of offers from 100's of Tour Operators and Travel Agents.
4. Booking your Cheap holiday. Most travel agents will charge you around 2% for using a credit card most charge nothing for using a debit. Once you are happy with your chosen holiday Always was ask the company if they can throw in Free Insurance or Transfers as a lot of them will if you are ready to do a booking immediately. Once you have the Holiday within your budget book it straight away, good deals do not hang around. Another important factor with regards to price, is don't call to many companies for the same holiday as you might end up increasing the price of your holiday. A lot of major tour operators and low cost flight companies will increase the price on a given holiday once it starts to get many "hits" for the same date and hotel. So its best to do research and narrow down to about 3 companies to get a general idea of cost.
Selasa, 19 September 2017
Diving Holidays - The New Type of Adventure Holiday
Diving Holidays are a new type of adventure sports holiday to hit the masses, the heated pools and exotic local reefs provide an excellent environment to start to your diving experience.
For more experienced divers there is a range of walls, reefs but the main attraction are the huge amount of wrecks otherwise only accessible by liveaboards. El Gouna is conveniently located if you to visit the world famous ship graveyard of Abu Nuhas, and the S.S. Thistlegorm. The lack of boats in the area is a real advantage: the sites are much quieter than neighbouring Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh.
Diving Holidays in El Gouna is excellent for single female travellers, beginner courses, wreck divers and /or technical divers - El Gouna has got to be done!!
A Diving Holiday around Bangaram is generally within the 20-30m range. Currents are slight so a good spot for all levels. A lagoon to beat all lagoons is the perfect place for an introduction to scuba if you want to try it while you're here.
Diving in the reefs around Bangaram were affected by El Nino but there are signs of regeneration of the reef and the fish life is plentiful. The staff at Laca dives are extremely knowledgeable about the reefs in the area and are actively promoting conservation in the area.
A diving holiday in Borneo's offshore islands are of legendary beauty. Remote dive Island resorts such as Pulau Sipadan, a small oceanic island off the eastern shore of Borneo, which rises in a sheer column more than six hundred metres from the seabed. Completely encircled by sheer drop-offs and walls, Sipadan is one of the world's foremost dive sites. In many places, you can get 100 + feet of visibility. Also, the country has become increasingly aware of the biological and economic importance of its marine heritage, and each year brings better access to and protection for the unique marine life. Because of the hundreds of islands, there are many dive options
A diving holidays in Bonaire involves a mixture of both boat dives to neighbouring Klien Bonaire (approx 20 minutes away) and shore diving. The Bonaire Marine Park has marked about 80 yellow stones around the shore line marking dive site entry points. All the dive centres offer drive through filling stations (car hire is a must) giving you complete freedom to dive the island with your buddy at your own pace - this is what attracts so many visitors to Bonaire, the freedom to dive where, when and how you want. Of course guided dives are always available if you wish. On our visit to the island we were quite amazed by the pristine condition of the reefs and must assume that this is due to the care that the Bonaire Marine Park pays to its reefs. Clear water provides visibility of 100 feet (30 metres) year-round, and the islanders and government are extremely sensitive to the fragility of the environment. The marine park completely surrounds the island and also encompasses the waters surrounding Klein Bonaire
For more experienced divers there is a range of walls, reefs but the main attraction are the huge amount of wrecks otherwise only accessible by liveaboards. El Gouna is conveniently located if you to visit the world famous ship graveyard of Abu Nuhas, and the S.S. Thistlegorm. The lack of boats in the area is a real advantage: the sites are much quieter than neighbouring Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh.
Diving Holidays in El Gouna is excellent for single female travellers, beginner courses, wreck divers and /or technical divers - El Gouna has got to be done!!
A Diving Holiday around Bangaram is generally within the 20-30m range. Currents are slight so a good spot for all levels. A lagoon to beat all lagoons is the perfect place for an introduction to scuba if you want to try it while you're here.
Diving in the reefs around Bangaram were affected by El Nino but there are signs of regeneration of the reef and the fish life is plentiful. The staff at Laca dives are extremely knowledgeable about the reefs in the area and are actively promoting conservation in the area.
A diving holiday in Borneo's offshore islands are of legendary beauty. Remote dive Island resorts such as Pulau Sipadan, a small oceanic island off the eastern shore of Borneo, which rises in a sheer column more than six hundred metres from the seabed. Completely encircled by sheer drop-offs and walls, Sipadan is one of the world's foremost dive sites. In many places, you can get 100 + feet of visibility. Also, the country has become increasingly aware of the biological and economic importance of its marine heritage, and each year brings better access to and protection for the unique marine life. Because of the hundreds of islands, there are many dive options
A diving holidays in Bonaire involves a mixture of both boat dives to neighbouring Klien Bonaire (approx 20 minutes away) and shore diving. The Bonaire Marine Park has marked about 80 yellow stones around the shore line marking dive site entry points. All the dive centres offer drive through filling stations (car hire is a must) giving you complete freedom to dive the island with your buddy at your own pace - this is what attracts so many visitors to Bonaire, the freedom to dive where, when and how you want. Of course guided dives are always available if you wish. On our visit to the island we were quite amazed by the pristine condition of the reefs and must assume that this is due to the care that the Bonaire Marine Park pays to its reefs. Clear water provides visibility of 100 feet (30 metres) year-round, and the islanders and government are extremely sensitive to the fragility of the environment. The marine park completely surrounds the island and also encompasses the waters surrounding Klein Bonaire
Minggu, 27 Agustus 2017
Five Things You Wish You Had Known Before You Booked Your Cottage Holiday
Few people will need convincing that the way most people book their holidays today is radically different from, say, ten years ago. Or five years ago even. The arrival of the internet means that researching destinations, evaluating options, and ultimately booking your trip, can now all be done from the comfort of your own seat. If you so wish, travel brochures, guidebooks, or even travel agents, can be a thing of the past. This is particularly true for people looking at booking a self catering holiday in the UK, where the key success factor to the holiday is securing that gorgeous, comfortable and well equipped holiday cottage.
Yet, ask yourself: are you really making the most of the opportunities the internet really offers? For example, are you sure you are fully cutting out the middle man when booking your break? Have you really made the most of the information (potentially) available to you? Do you recognise the tell tale signs that make the difference between true excitement or serious alarm bells? The following 5 points should help anyone looking at booking their next UK cottage holiday.
1. Did you book with the owners direct?
You may be booking your cottage online, but chances are that you are still using a booking agency. An agency which can charge the owner of 'your cottage' a commission as hefty as 25%! Besides the fact that ultimately this commission is charged back to you in some way or another, the key problem for you is that you are most likely missing out on the best cottages.
Why? Simply because there are now so many online portals available to cottage owners allowing them significant exposure to their future customers, for just a nominal annual fee. So anyone still mad enough to still part with a quarter of their turnover either has a rather poor product on offer, or is just asleep. Or both. In other words, using a booking agency increasingly means you are missing out on the best cottages available.
'But how do I know that I use such a portal, and not an agency?' I hear you think. Easy: if the site you look at allows you to link directly to the cottage owner, you are most likely using a portal. Agencies would never hand over that control, as it is the only way they can ensure to get their hefty commission.
2. Did the website show you availability?
This may seem a trivial point, but trust me, it isn't. People who own popular cottages want you to know these are popular. Firstly, a cottage with minimal availability will - quite rightly in most cases - give you an immediate clue to its quality. Secondly, people who own and manage a high quality and popular set of holiday cottages do not want to waste their, or indeed your, time responding to endless amounts of enquiries when they have no availability. And take my word for it, a good holiday cottage can reach (close to) 100% annual occupancy.
Showing availability on their website serves both these purposes very well, and anyone owning high quality cottages with high occupancy would be a fool to not show this.
3. Were you able to read any independent feedback on 'your' cottage?
Very few holiday cottage websites will not have some form of 'this is what our guests said about us' section on their website. And I am sure that in 99% of cases, these are genuine quotes. What I am less sure about is how representative the contribution is of 'Mr and Mrs. McBride from Colchester'.
4. How long did it take the owners to respond to your enquiries?
Very simply put, any holiday business run with the degree of professionalism and attention to detail you would expect, will reply promptly to your enquiries. Without expecting them to be on call 24/7 (mind you, many come quite close!), the message you sent at 8 o'clock one Wednesday evening should really have a reply by lunchtime the next day at the very latest. Anything slower than that should make you wonder how quickly they come and deal with that leaky tap you may report. And you should ask yourself whether they are actually in the service business, or whether the cottages they happen to own are just a cosy way of generating an income in return for as little sweat as possible.
5. What did the Terms and Conditions look like?
Key to a great holiday is the general 'mood' of the holiday business you are handing your well-earned cash to. The least you should expect in exchange is a professional, yet friendly and proactive attitude, geared to ensuring you and your family have the best possible time. Testing this in advance is possibly one of the hardest parts of your research.
Calling up the owners of your targeted cottage is one way of getting a good feel of who you are dealing with. Another is to have a close look at the 'language' used on the cottage's website. Does it exude a degree of warmth, or is it rather cold and matter of fact? Do you get a sense that the owners are really looking forward to having you on site, or are you simply someone who helps them pay their bills?
Possibly the best way to test this is to look at the Terms and Conditions. Are they reasonable or do they fill you with fear? If it is the latter, don't be overly surprised if your holiday cottage is decorated with notices of what to, and what not to, do. Indeed, hardly the best environment to enjoy your two weeks of summer bliss.
Yet, ask yourself: are you really making the most of the opportunities the internet really offers? For example, are you sure you are fully cutting out the middle man when booking your break? Have you really made the most of the information (potentially) available to you? Do you recognise the tell tale signs that make the difference between true excitement or serious alarm bells? The following 5 points should help anyone looking at booking their next UK cottage holiday.
1. Did you book with the owners direct?
You may be booking your cottage online, but chances are that you are still using a booking agency. An agency which can charge the owner of 'your cottage' a commission as hefty as 25%! Besides the fact that ultimately this commission is charged back to you in some way or another, the key problem for you is that you are most likely missing out on the best cottages.
Why? Simply because there are now so many online portals available to cottage owners allowing them significant exposure to their future customers, for just a nominal annual fee. So anyone still mad enough to still part with a quarter of their turnover either has a rather poor product on offer, or is just asleep. Or both. In other words, using a booking agency increasingly means you are missing out on the best cottages available.
'But how do I know that I use such a portal, and not an agency?' I hear you think. Easy: if the site you look at allows you to link directly to the cottage owner, you are most likely using a portal. Agencies would never hand over that control, as it is the only way they can ensure to get their hefty commission.
2. Did the website show you availability?
This may seem a trivial point, but trust me, it isn't. People who own popular cottages want you to know these are popular. Firstly, a cottage with minimal availability will - quite rightly in most cases - give you an immediate clue to its quality. Secondly, people who own and manage a high quality and popular set of holiday cottages do not want to waste their, or indeed your, time responding to endless amounts of enquiries when they have no availability. And take my word for it, a good holiday cottage can reach (close to) 100% annual occupancy.
Showing availability on their website serves both these purposes very well, and anyone owning high quality cottages with high occupancy would be a fool to not show this.
3. Were you able to read any independent feedback on 'your' cottage?
Very few holiday cottage websites will not have some form of 'this is what our guests said about us' section on their website. And I am sure that in 99% of cases, these are genuine quotes. What I am less sure about is how representative the contribution is of 'Mr and Mrs. McBride from Colchester'.
4. How long did it take the owners to respond to your enquiries?
Very simply put, any holiday business run with the degree of professionalism and attention to detail you would expect, will reply promptly to your enquiries. Without expecting them to be on call 24/7 (mind you, many come quite close!), the message you sent at 8 o'clock one Wednesday evening should really have a reply by lunchtime the next day at the very latest. Anything slower than that should make you wonder how quickly they come and deal with that leaky tap you may report. And you should ask yourself whether they are actually in the service business, or whether the cottages they happen to own are just a cosy way of generating an income in return for as little sweat as possible.
5. What did the Terms and Conditions look like?
Key to a great holiday is the general 'mood' of the holiday business you are handing your well-earned cash to. The least you should expect in exchange is a professional, yet friendly and proactive attitude, geared to ensuring you and your family have the best possible time. Testing this in advance is possibly one of the hardest parts of your research.
Calling up the owners of your targeted cottage is one way of getting a good feel of who you are dealing with. Another is to have a close look at the 'language' used on the cottage's website. Does it exude a degree of warmth, or is it rather cold and matter of fact? Do you get a sense that the owners are really looking forward to having you on site, or are you simply someone who helps them pay their bills?
Possibly the best way to test this is to look at the Terms and Conditions. Are they reasonable or do they fill you with fear? If it is the latter, don't be overly surprised if your holiday cottage is decorated with notices of what to, and what not to, do. Indeed, hardly the best environment to enjoy your two weeks of summer bliss.
Minggu, 13 Agustus 2017
Are You Planning a Holiday? - 12 Tips You Must Read Before Booking Your Vacation
Whether you take one holiday or six holidays a year, it is easy to forget some of the essential components that make for a happy and stress free vacation. It is wise not to jump in with both feet and take the first cheapest deal on offer at a travel agent. A bit of planning and thought can make what would be a mediocre holiday into the 'best holiday' ever.
Reading holiday reviews can be useful; but be aware of cleverly written words in the brochure such as 'all apartments have sea views'. This may well be true but that 'view' of the sea could mean you are three miles away from the beach. That walk every day to the sea may result in leaving you 'breathless' and the kids in tears.
It does not take Einstein to work out to avoid places where holidaymakers leave reports of cockroaches and dirty sheets. Cleanliness is one of my first priorities especially when you have young children to consider. So here are my 12 Tips to help you plan a fabulous holiday.
1. How far do you want to travel? Check out the duration time of flights and any stopovers? If you holidaying for seven days you may not want to spend two days of your holiday travelling. How far do you have to travel to your accommodation once you arrive? A three-hour coach ride may be too much after a long flight.
2. Where is your accommodation situated? Is it close to beach, close to the mountains, in the middle of a town? Is there a noisy nightclub next door? Holidays are individual to the person so choose a hotel, which meets the requirements of your holiday.
3. Does the hotel have the amenities you need for a holiday, i.e. kids club, babysitting, nightly entertainment, kitchenette, hair dryer, 24 hour reception, medical help, tennis, golf or internet access.
4. Weather may be a key factor in choosing your destination. If you are looking for a beach holiday then sun is paramount. If you are looking to ski then you will need snow! It is good to check out the previous year's average temperature/rainfall/snow for the month you are holidaying via the internet. If you are travelling on long haul, it is good idea to check the best time of year to travel. Be aware of monsoon seasons, hurricanes and when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Often you can find a 10-day weather guide for your locality.
5. If spending a considerable amount of money on a holiday always buy the best travel insurance you can afford. You will want a guarantee if something goes wrong. The advantage of packaged holidays is they come with a representative who acts on your behalf in case things go wrong. The good thing about packaged holidays is a representative is normally available to help make re-arrangements for you, but if you book the plane, hotel and transfer separately then it is to you to sort out.
6. Travel insurance is buying piece of mind if the worst happens. Medical bills can amount to thousands to pounds. If holidaying in the EU also take your EHIC card (European Heath Insurance Card). The EHIC is free to residents in the UK and allows you to access state health cover in EEA countries and Switzerland at either free or at a reduced card. The card lasts for five years and renewable.
7. What reputation does your chosen airline have? How often do they cancel flights? If they often cancel or delay flights what is their policy on getting you on the next flight? What are the airlines guidelines for packing, for people who need assistance, for those travelling with children or sports equipment?
8. Will the language barrier be a problem for you? Will your native language get you by or will you need to take a dictionary or even use an interpreter on arrival. If you want to download an 'APP' on your computer or smart phone for currency exchange or a foreign dictionary do these before you go to save money on 'download costs'.
9. What medical precautions do you need before travelling? Some countries need precautionary jabs of diphtheria; malaria, typhoid etc. and evidence of such vaccination should be shown before travelling.
10. Does your intended destination need a visa application completed before flying. Often you may have to apply some months in advance. So please check this before finalising any documentation. A good travel agent should alert you to this. Often it is cheaper to buy theme tickets such as Disney, Epcot and excursions before you travel. Car hire is generally cheaper to arrange as part of your holiday booking.
11. What is the exchange rate conversion from your country into the currency exchange rate? Have your tracked this for a few weeks before converting your money. Will you need to organise traveller's cheques before you go? Be aware some countries do not allow you to carry out excess money or even take in money. You may need to obtain foreign currency once you have landed in the country and money changed back before departing on your homeward journey.
12. Does the timing of your holiday coincide with peak demand such as school holidays, specific festivals or events, which can increase the cost of your holiday? Do compare costs of holiday on-line and with other travel agents. What do you get for your money? There is a trend to 'make your own' holiday by booking flight and hotel separately but watch out for added costs of baggage, seat choice which can bump up the price considerably.
Holidays are special times; after all, it is likely you have worked all year to have one! So it makes sense to take some time in planning your holiday to get maximum enjoyment. Do slot in enough time to sort out your household affairs before travelling, is there any bills that need to be paid whilst you are away? Cancel the milk and ask a neighbour to watch your house whilst you are away. Try not to put your life story on Facebook especially that you are away! That is an invitation for a burglar if there was one.
Reading holiday reviews can be useful; but be aware of cleverly written words in the brochure such as 'all apartments have sea views'. This may well be true but that 'view' of the sea could mean you are three miles away from the beach. That walk every day to the sea may result in leaving you 'breathless' and the kids in tears.
It does not take Einstein to work out to avoid places where holidaymakers leave reports of cockroaches and dirty sheets. Cleanliness is one of my first priorities especially when you have young children to consider. So here are my 12 Tips to help you plan a fabulous holiday.
1. How far do you want to travel? Check out the duration time of flights and any stopovers? If you holidaying for seven days you may not want to spend two days of your holiday travelling. How far do you have to travel to your accommodation once you arrive? A three-hour coach ride may be too much after a long flight.
2. Where is your accommodation situated? Is it close to beach, close to the mountains, in the middle of a town? Is there a noisy nightclub next door? Holidays are individual to the person so choose a hotel, which meets the requirements of your holiday.
3. Does the hotel have the amenities you need for a holiday, i.e. kids club, babysitting, nightly entertainment, kitchenette, hair dryer, 24 hour reception, medical help, tennis, golf or internet access.
4. Weather may be a key factor in choosing your destination. If you are looking for a beach holiday then sun is paramount. If you are looking to ski then you will need snow! It is good to check out the previous year's average temperature/rainfall/snow for the month you are holidaying via the internet. If you are travelling on long haul, it is good idea to check the best time of year to travel. Be aware of monsoon seasons, hurricanes and when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Often you can find a 10-day weather guide for your locality.
5. If spending a considerable amount of money on a holiday always buy the best travel insurance you can afford. You will want a guarantee if something goes wrong. The advantage of packaged holidays is they come with a representative who acts on your behalf in case things go wrong. The good thing about packaged holidays is a representative is normally available to help make re-arrangements for you, but if you book the plane, hotel and transfer separately then it is to you to sort out.
6. Travel insurance is buying piece of mind if the worst happens. Medical bills can amount to thousands to pounds. If holidaying in the EU also take your EHIC card (European Heath Insurance Card). The EHIC is free to residents in the UK and allows you to access state health cover in EEA countries and Switzerland at either free or at a reduced card. The card lasts for five years and renewable.
7. What reputation does your chosen airline have? How often do they cancel flights? If they often cancel or delay flights what is their policy on getting you on the next flight? What are the airlines guidelines for packing, for people who need assistance, for those travelling with children or sports equipment?
8. Will the language barrier be a problem for you? Will your native language get you by or will you need to take a dictionary or even use an interpreter on arrival. If you want to download an 'APP' on your computer or smart phone for currency exchange or a foreign dictionary do these before you go to save money on 'download costs'.
9. What medical precautions do you need before travelling? Some countries need precautionary jabs of diphtheria; malaria, typhoid etc. and evidence of such vaccination should be shown before travelling.
10. Does your intended destination need a visa application completed before flying. Often you may have to apply some months in advance. So please check this before finalising any documentation. A good travel agent should alert you to this. Often it is cheaper to buy theme tickets such as Disney, Epcot and excursions before you travel. Car hire is generally cheaper to arrange as part of your holiday booking.
11. What is the exchange rate conversion from your country into the currency exchange rate? Have your tracked this for a few weeks before converting your money. Will you need to organise traveller's cheques before you go? Be aware some countries do not allow you to carry out excess money or even take in money. You may need to obtain foreign currency once you have landed in the country and money changed back before departing on your homeward journey.
12. Does the timing of your holiday coincide with peak demand such as school holidays, specific festivals or events, which can increase the cost of your holiday? Do compare costs of holiday on-line and with other travel agents. What do you get for your money? There is a trend to 'make your own' holiday by booking flight and hotel separately but watch out for added costs of baggage, seat choice which can bump up the price considerably.
Holidays are special times; after all, it is likely you have worked all year to have one! So it makes sense to take some time in planning your holiday to get maximum enjoyment. Do slot in enough time to sort out your household affairs before travelling, is there any bills that need to be paid whilst you are away? Cancel the milk and ask a neighbour to watch your house whilst you are away. Try not to put your life story on Facebook especially that you are away! That is an invitation for a burglar if there was one.
Kamis, 20 Juli 2017
Online Holiday Reviews Are Becoming Increasingly Valuable
Ever since the birth of the web, people have turned to travel sites to find the best possible deals on flights and hotels. And as the internet's second generation of sites - popularly known as Web 2.0 - gathers momentum, the burgeoning number of social network sites, wikis and other communication tools has ensured that holiday reviews have become an integral part of today's travel sites.
As more and more web users develop their own blogs and user-generated content spreads itself across the web, the importance of first-hand holiday reviews are becoming of paramount importance to prospective travellers before they book their holidays. Whether it's user-generated video footage on popular online video sites, like YouTube, or holiday resort ratings on travel sites, holiday reviews indicate real user opinion; and in a market that's becoming overly penetrated by press releases and corporate jargon, first-hand opinions are of crucial value to the discerning travel consumer.
Yahoo!, one of the world's leading search engines, has long provided a travel forum for people who desire to write reviews on their holiday experiences. From Cornwall to Siberia, Yahoo! Travel's resources provide prospective travellers with information on the best attractions and restaurants for a particular destination, as voted for by Yahoo! users. Trip Advisor is another popular holiday reviews site that claims to hold over five million traveller reviews and opinions on particular vacation spots. With a 'rants and raves' column, as well as the opportunity to post candid photos and interesting video clips, Trip Advisor acts as a working example of the importance of holiday reviews and user opinion to modern day travellers.
Many newspapers in the UK have also realised the importance of online travel reviews; for example, the Guardian, the Times and the Daily Mail all offer comprehensive travel reviews sections, allowing their readers to express their opinions on recent holidays.
However, because anyone can post a review, it's becoming a growing problem for these travel websites that many holiday destinations are being subject to fake reviews. And, unfortunately, when these fake reviews are negative, it can severely damage the reputation of a particular holiday resort or destination.
As more and more web users develop their own blogs and user-generated content spreads itself across the web, the importance of first-hand holiday reviews are becoming of paramount importance to prospective travellers before they book their holidays. Whether it's user-generated video footage on popular online video sites, like YouTube, or holiday resort ratings on travel sites, holiday reviews indicate real user opinion; and in a market that's becoming overly penetrated by press releases and corporate jargon, first-hand opinions are of crucial value to the discerning travel consumer.
Yahoo!, one of the world's leading search engines, has long provided a travel forum for people who desire to write reviews on their holiday experiences. From Cornwall to Siberia, Yahoo! Travel's resources provide prospective travellers with information on the best attractions and restaurants for a particular destination, as voted for by Yahoo! users. Trip Advisor is another popular holiday reviews site that claims to hold over five million traveller reviews and opinions on particular vacation spots. With a 'rants and raves' column, as well as the opportunity to post candid photos and interesting video clips, Trip Advisor acts as a working example of the importance of holiday reviews and user opinion to modern day travellers.
Many newspapers in the UK have also realised the importance of online travel reviews; for example, the Guardian, the Times and the Daily Mail all offer comprehensive travel reviews sections, allowing their readers to express their opinions on recent holidays.
However, because anyone can post a review, it's becoming a growing problem for these travel websites that many holiday destinations are being subject to fake reviews. And, unfortunately, when these fake reviews are negative, it can severely damage the reputation of a particular holiday resort or destination.
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