Finding Places To Stay When Visiting Hong Kong

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 27 June 2009 2:50 pm

Hong Kong is an eclectic mix of Chinese and British influences mixed with a massive amount of adrenaline. Fortunately, you can find places to stay when visiting Hong Kong without much problem.

Finding Places to Stay When Visiting Hong Kong

Hong Kong is both a modern and ancient city. First appearances reveal a modern metropolis teaming with commerce, crowds and traffic you would expect to find in any major city in the world. Walk down an alley, however, and you will find all kinds of oddities and a feel for the underlying currents of the city. Big business is done in Hong Kong, but so is a unique way of life. Whichever you pursue, you will need a good base to survive this hectic city.

Place to stay in Hong Kong come in all types of quality, shapes and prices. There are really cheap youth hostels with lots of ?character? and five star luxury hotels that would make an emperor blush. Universally, the accommodations are smaller than you would expect in other parts of the world. You can expect rooms to be smaller than Thailand, but a bit bigger than what you find in Japan for corresponding prices.

Luxury lodgings are primarily located on Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island is the central area of Hong Kong, the location you see in pictures of the massive skyline. It is situated on an amazingly thin strip of land between the ocean and mountains. If you are doing business in Hong Kong, this is where you want to stay as most of the major commerce centers are on the island. There are a bevy of five star places offering accommodations. In truth, your choice is limited only by your budget.

If you are looking for cheaper accommodations in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New territories offer a variety of sources. You can even find hostels on Hong Kong Island. Put another way, accommodations are plentiful regardless of where you are. Hong Kong is a major transportation hub for Asia, so it caters to all budgets.

Finding a place to stay in Hong Kong is a piece of cake. Figure out where you want to stay and then shop around to find the best prices.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more Internet travel articles about travel hotel – Hong Kong.

Cancun Hotels

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 27 June 2009 10:50 am

Cancun is a beautiful tourist destination situated in Mexico. Cancun Island is a part of Cancun that is about 15 miles long, and a quarter mile wide, and is known as the Hotel Zone, with dozens of hotels boasting of an incredible variety of architecture. These hotels are landscaped and furnished with so much flair that just touring these hotels can be a vacation activity in itself. Some of the hotels situated here are the Hyatt Cancun Caribe, Presidente Inter-Continental and Sheraton Resort and Towers.

Along with the Hotel Zone, there are hotels situated in the city of Cancun that are accessible with a short bus or taxi ride from the Caribbean Sea. The least expensive rooms are found here, about 25,000 in number. It should be remembered that Cancun hotels fill up quickly during the week before and after Easter and during the Spring Break, which is from late February to late April. So it is advisable to book hotel rooms early during these times, and of course, for Christmas too. There are so many hotels here, with each one trying to stand out in different ways. Some are more secluded, while some are in the heart of everything. The rooms of the hotels are designed with views of the Caribbean and the Nichupte Lagoon. There are spas, restaurants, shopping and nightspots in the Hotel Zone; you can spend your entire Cancun vacation here.

Some of the Cancun hotels are all-inclusive, with meals, activities, entertainment and even drinks included in the price that you pay. Those taking the family along can also find some hotels that cater to families, with many others offering lots of features for children. The best way to choose the best hotel to stay in is to decide where the hotel is situated, and the facilities it offers. The decision also mainly depends on how much you are willing to pay for the Cancun hotel, and what you plan to do for your vacation.

Cancun provides detailed information on Cancun, Cancun Hotels, Cancun Spring Break, Cancun Vacations and more. Cancun is affiliated with Cancun Hotel Maps.

Suitable Hotels In Vegas For Stag Trips

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 27 June 2009 6:50 am

A lot of men choose to have their Stag trip or Bachelor party in Las Vegas, after all it is known as sin city! This really is a place where pretty much anything goes. If you want to start drinking at 11am, no problem, everyone else started before you! Finding a suitable hotel in Vegas for Stag trips is important as it could mean the difference between having the trip of a lifetime and having endless problems.

The first decision when trying to choose the best hotel in Vegas for stag trips is weather to stay Downtown or on the Strip. Some people really like Downtown, they say it is real Vegas. However in my opinion the Strip has a lot more to offer. It is slightly cheaper in general downtown and some of the casinos do have better odds than those on the Strip. If you are a very low budget or you are serious about your gambling then you may prefer to stay Downtown. Otherwise I recommend the Strip, there is so much to see and do here it will keep you occupied for the whole of your stay in Vegas.

The next important decision to make when choosing the best hotel in Vegas for Stag trips is how much everyone can afford to spend on accommodation. You should bear in mind that even if you are loaded some of the others may not be. At the Higher end of the scale Caesars Palace is a good option. This really is an impressive hotel, set on a large plot themed around ancient Rome. Also it is well located on the Strip so everything else is only a short walk or monorail ride away. They do have some families staying here though so if you are going to be especially rowdy it may be best avoided. Circus Circus and The Excalibur are both hotels aimed at families so unless you are going to be quiet you should probably look elsewhere.

My recommendation for a lower priced hotel for your Stag trip is The Sahara. It is a good quality hotel with a large pool and gaming area. This hotel is not really aimed at families and usually has quite an adult atmosphere. The best aspect here is the price, you can get rooms of a good standard for significantly less than you would pay further down the Strip. The Sahara is near the northern most end of the Strip but it has it’s own monorail stop. This is a great way to get around the Strip and you can buy a ticket that is valid all day, no need for taxis.

So to recap, when choosing the best hotel in Vegas for Stag trips or bachelor parties I would suggest staying on the Strip. It is cleaner, livelier and most of the attractions you will want to see are based here. A good choice is Caesars Palace if you have a few bucks to spare but if you are more on a budget I would recommend The Sahara.

Rich Heaney is the webmaster at http://vegas-hotels-guide.com/, a useful resource for information on all aspets of Las Vegas.

Malta Holidays Rumours Hit Tourist Island

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Saturday 27 June 2009 2:55 am

Holidays in Malta could be off the list of destinations offered by major tour operators from next summer, according to press reports.

While nothing has been confirmed yet, it has been reported that at least one of the tour operators is seriously considering withdrawing Malta as one of their destinations, and the fear among Malta hotel owners and those in the holiday industry is that once one holiday company pulls the plug on the island, others will follow, relegating Malta from a mainstream holiday island offered by major travel agents to smaller specialist companies.

But First Choice Holidays, winner of the ‘Holiday Company of the Year’ travel award in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and one of the UK’s best known holiday companies have told the independent Malta travel guide that despite being named in the Malta press as the company most likely to do so they have never said they were pulling out of the Malta holiday market, but did admit that the Malta market was ‘increasingly difficult’ to sale.

Malta has been struggling for some years to adapt to the modern traveller, but government figures released for March showed a year on year drop in tourists of nearly 10 percent, and most worrying of all was that the number of tourists arriving from the UK, Malta’s main market, fell by over 13 per cent, and visitors from Italy, a market the Tourist Office had been trying to cultivate also fell.

Holidays in Malta and the related tourist sector are a major source of employment in Malta, and with unemployment running at over 8 per cent any fall in tourists could spell long term damage to the island’s economy.

Another sector of the economy that could suffer with the Malta holidays market is real estate.

Property in Malta has risen in price in recent years, and 2004 saw Malta achieving the highest increase among the EU countries, with speculators buying property in Malta in the hope that joining the EU would see Malta real estate increase in value in the short and medium term.

Tribune Properties, who specialise in Malta Real Estate, view the potential downgrading of holidays in Malta as a double edged sword.

Managing Director Michael Johnson says that many Malta property buyers do so after visiting the island on holiday, and liking it so much they want to move to the island full time, while others who normally stay in hotels in Malta want to buy a property they can buy for their own and family holidays in Malta, and see buying a property in Malta as an investment for the future that they can enjoy too.

With less people taking holidays in Malta, the number of potential buyers will fall too.

Silver Lining

While Malta hotels and the tourist industry in Malta wait anxiously for news, the withdrawal of major tour operators from the island might not be all bad news, according to the independent on-line guide for Malta, http://www.yourmalta.com

There has been some discontent on the island about the rising prices of property in Malta, and with less overseas buyers the possibility of prices falling and more islanders being able to get on the property ladder could be welcome news.

In addition to lower property prices, YourMalta feel that projections of a collapse in the island’s holiday market if tour operators did withdraw could be exaggerated.

‘While the loss of the tour operators bringing tourists to the island is significant, in time the island will be less reliant on their business as more and more people make independent travel plans through the internet, and book their flights and hotels in Malta independently of traditional holiday companies.

Malta tends to attract the older tourist, so it might take longer than somewhere like Ibiza for example which attracts a younger visitor who as a group are more internet friendly’, states Managing Director Roger Munns, ‘but in time when the internet is seen as the primary source of booking a holiday across the age range, Malta will stand as much chance as anywhere of attracting tourists.

There has been speculation for some time now that low cost airlines are going to start offering flights to Malta, and this will help the Malta hotels and holiday market as more people consider three and four day breaks instead of the traditional week or fortnight, boosting the overall number of visitors, especially if Air Malta and the low cost airlines bring the cost of Malta flights to levels seen for the Spanish islands.

With an ineffective promotions board there is plenty of hope still for the holiday market in Malta, despite and not because of the Malta Tourist Authority, who are failing to promote Malta in the UK in any meaningful way.’

Malta information and advice, including holidays in Malta, weather, map, real estate and property, car hire, flights and villa holidays visit http://www.yourmalta.com

For property in Malta http://www.maltaproperty.info

Cancun Hotels

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Friday 26 June 2009 10:54 pm

Cancun is a beautiful tourist destination situated in Mexico. Cancun Island is a part of Cancun that is about 15 miles long, and a quarter mile wide, and is known as the Hotel Zone, with dozens of hotels boasting of an incredible variety of architecture. These hotels are landscaped and furnished with so much flair that just touring these hotels can be a vacation activity in itself. Some of the hotels situated here are the Hyatt Cancun Caribe, Presidente Inter-Continental and Sheraton Resort and Towers.

Along with the Hotel Zone, there are hotels situated in the city of Cancun that are accessible with a short bus or taxi ride from the Caribbean Sea. The least expensive rooms are found here, about 25,000 in number. It should be remembered that Cancun hotels fill up quickly during the week before and after Easter and during the Spring Break, which is from late February to late April. So it is advisable to book hotel rooms early during these times, and of course, for Christmas too. There are so many hotels here, with each one trying to stand out in different ways. Some are more secluded, while some are in the heart of everything. The rooms of the hotels are designed with views of the Caribbean and the Nichupte Lagoon. There are spas, restaurants, shopping and nightspots in the Hotel Zone; you can spend your entire Cancun vacation here.

Some of the Cancun hotels are all-inclusive, with meals, activities, entertainment and even drinks included in the price that you pay. Those taking the family along can also find some hotels that cater to families, with many others offering lots of features for children. The best way to choose the best hotel to stay in is to decide where the hotel is situated, and the facilities it offers. The decision also mainly depends on how much you are willing to pay for the Cancun hotel, and what you plan to do for your vacation.

Cancun provides detailed information on Cancun, Cancun Hotels, Cancun Spring Break, Cancun Vacations and more. Cancun is affiliated with Cancun Hotel Maps.

Sweden Where Brain And Beauty Meets

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Friday 26 June 2009 6:55 pm

A place where eminent scientist Alfred Nobel was born and highly useful invention happened is none other than Sweden. Dynamite and ATM conceptualized and invented in Sweden today are in extensive use. It is one of the most affordable tourist destinations in the world. Beautiful landscape, giant lakes and free culture present this country as the most favorable place for tourists. Stockholm, the capital of Sweden is reckoned amongst the most progressive cities with both urban and rural look and feel. Swedish are great lovers of literature.

The most suitable time for visiting Sweden is between late May and Late July. A wonderful mix of urban delights and rural feel, the country has many worth visiting destinations. And you go away from the cities you come across the amazing scenic coastline and pleasant islands. Arctic Scandinavia’s highest mountain and hiking trails are marvelous. Stockholm, Gothenburg and Visby are some the cities which lave a lot to show to the tourists. Sweden?s capital, Stockholm does justify its status of being one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.

Every city is full of attractions to entice travelers. Museums, parks and architectural excellence are very much explicit as you start wandering in the cities. Ajtte museum, Sarek National Park, Royal Palace, Tyresta National Park and Vitlycke museum store some precious assets to satisfy the traveler?s appetite for something amazing. The Ajtte museum is one of the greatest highlights which display amazing antiques and precious notebooks. Royal palace is another highlight of the country. Hotels in Sweden are of world class which provides excellent amenities to the guests.

http://www.stayressweden.com/

Larnaca: A Deserving Destination

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Friday 26 June 2009 2:55 pm

Entering Cyprus is very easy as the city of Larnaca is the international gateway to the country. Larnaca is one of the most modern cities of Cyprus with an international airport and fabulous sightseeing options. Though it lags behind other destinations in terms of attractions, it proves to be at par with them with a small yet impressive list of worth visiting places. If you ever wish to enjoy the deep blue seas with bright sandy beaches and sunny skies, Larnaca is there to fulfill your desire.

Number of inhabitants hardly crosses the mark of 50,000 and it got its name from a Greek word Larnax, which literally means coffins. The 400 berth marina is crowded with visitors with yachts. The fascinating deep blue water of sea creates a panoramic view to soothe your eyes sitting on the long sandy beaches. Long promenade with lined palm trees along the harbor brings an effortless relaxation to the mind?even a short stroll invigorates you enough to spend more time here. Hotels in Larnaca are equipped with all sorts of luxury to render complete relaxation.

Earlier the city was called kition and it had been the main trade center of Cyprus. Later it deteriorated as an industrial place and was outperformed by few other cities in terms of product manufacturing. However, Larnaca retains its importance by still producing hundreds of private yachts and possessing several oil refineries. It is one of the oldest cities of Cyprus and features a few but impressive archeological heritages. Ayia Phaneromeni Church (icons) and the 9th-century Byzantine Church of St. Lazarus are places you cannot afford to miss out on visiting. Within walking distance from the town center is District Museum that displays some rare collections antiquities.

http://www.stayrescyprus.com/cities-in-larnaca.html

Athens Hotel Guide

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Friday 26 June 2009 10:50 am

Athens is a city which arguably has one of the richest histories in the world. It was the home and center of the world empire of Greece, and is still the capital of the country today. If you are looking for a lively city rich in culture and history, there are few places better to visit than Athens.

Athens is a city riddled with mythology. The city is very ancient, and was the center of learning and Greek culture. Many of the concepts and ideas formulated in ancient Greece are what we today call western civilization. Today the city is home to nearly three and a half million people.

Athens is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and the best time to visit is during the late summer or fall. Winter is also a good time to visit, as there will be few tourists and the weather will be good with the exception of a bit of rain.

Athens is a city full of parks, gardens, and cafes. While the hustle of the city might remind you of New York, you will find that Athens has a charm of its own. There are many landmarks for tourists to see, and you don’t have to travel far to see all of them.

The first place you may want to visit is the Acropolis, the ancient part of Athens field with beautiful temples. You will be able to fully appreciate ancient Greek architecture after viewing the Acropolis with your own eyes.

The Agora market is another area of Athens you will need to visit. In antiquity this was the center of the commercial and political activity in the city. This was once the place where Socrates gave his speeches, and is also the place where St. Paul searched for potential adherents to Christianity.

When it comes to dining, Athenians love to eat out. You will find a lot of fresh produce while touring the city, and there are plenty of places to eat traditional Greek cuisine. You will want to try the country salad and eggplant mixed with mince meat.

Athens is no longer the cheap city it used to be. Frugal backpackers can expect to spend 40 euros per day by hiking and staying in hostels. Having your own room and eating at hotels will cost you about 80 euros a day, and if you really want to enjoy yourself you can expect to spend up to 120 euros daily. No matter what budget you’re on, traveling to Athens is the trip of a lifetime.

Rahul viz recommends that you visit Athens Hotels for more information.

Asia’s Newest Beach Resort Sihanoukville Cambodia

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Friday 26 June 2009 6:50 am

In Cambodia, Angkor Wat is the main draw for tourism today, and rightly so, called the Crown Jewel of South East Asia the temple complexes? 40 Sq Kilometers? of temples is famous the world over, but now, more people are visiting the rest of Cambodia and the word of mouth is that the rest of the Cambodia is worth a visit as well. The Beach resort of Sihanoukville is fast becoming a holiday destination in its own right, with lots of islands and parks and things to do from hiking and exploring, scuba diving & snorkeling and boat rides, water falls, jungle treks and chilling in a hammock in a quiet beach park reading a good book. Culturally there are the markets, the local wats and the schools, where many come to donate time and money towards educating the kids.

Sihanoukville has a 5 star resort on its own kilometer long private beach. The pool could be classified as a small lake and is almost visible from space, complete with a bridge to its own little island. The hotel is only 2 years old and has a staff to guest ratio of 4/1. The prices for comparable hotels in South East Asia would be substantially higher.

If you are a budget traveler then Sihanoukville is your place as well, there are many rooms available with air con, hot water, refrigerator and Cable TV for $10 – $20 a night and if you want a place to stay for 6 months or more, you can get a business visa at the border on demand and stay as long as you like, works out to around $1 a day for the visa extensions, making the town attractive to pensioners and semi retired people.

Backpackers also like Sihanoukville with a few places offering 50 cent tall cold beers and cheap food starting at $.50. Some are also finding work as bar tenders and working the restaurants. Backpacker hostels start as low as free, Yup free, all you have do is buy one of your meals at the lodging and the price for the food is still cheap $1.50 to 2.50 a plate.

One local expert expat?s guess?s that there are more western owned business per population in Sihanoukville than any other place in Asia! Many are coming and starting guesthouses & hotels, small bed and breakfast places, restaurants and bars and small resorts with a few starting to pop up on the islands off the coast. Want to rent your own fantasy island for a week check out Magic Island?

Logistically everything that you will need is here including reliable electricity, internet, and western restaurants as well as a lot of Asian European specialty foods prepared with the western travelers tastes in mind including Khmer seafood, Thai, Vietnamese, French, Italian, German, Russian, Indian, Sri Lankan and more coming soon. English languages schools are many in Sihanoukville, so you can almost always find someone to speak English when you need it.

Money use to be a problem as you had to go inside the banks to get cash and with 26 holidays on the Cambodian calendar, you could get stuck with out cash for a few days, now there are ATM locations in Siem Reap- Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Battembong and Sihanoukville. You can change just about every currency including Yen, Euros, Baht, Kip, Dong, and Sing Dollars. US Dollars and Cambodian Riel are the two most common currencies in use.

Sihanoukville is getting easier to get to with cheap international flights into Bangkok and really cheap regional flights into Phnom Penh. Flights into Sihanoukville are very close to being a reality as well. Regularly scheduled busses from Phnom Penh will get you to Sihanoukville in 4 hours on a excellent American built road. You can also arrange taxis and vans for moving groups of people, and an established over water route form Bangkok to Trat to the Had Lek – Klang Yai border to Sihanoukville. You might even arrive here via a cruise ships, as more are placing Sihanoukville on their itineraries.

The Islands of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand are mostly uninhabited; you will find isolated Spartan fishing villages with populations normally fewer than 100 people. One Island, Koh Tang, has only 7 residents and would take the better part of a day to hike around, so if you are looking for that deserted island to strand yourself on, to work on your coconut carving and ship in a bottle skills there are many here to chose from, bring your own hammock and Gal Friday or they can be acquired here in Sihanoukville.

The Cambodia of the past always seemed to bring up horrific images of the past misfortunes that the Khmers suffered at the end of the Vietnam War. Even today, the genocide in Cambodia is still in the news as the country has its tribunal to hopefully put the events behind them,

One of the few backhanded benefits of the recent past history was that Cambodia missed out on all of the heavy industrialization, that the other countries in the region experienced, notably Thailand and Vietnam; which means that they missed out on the pollution that goes with it. A UN survey of the waters in Asia, that included Cambodia, found only 3 areas of concern for ocean water quality near shore, where as Vietnam and Thailand, had allot problem locations, mostly from the industrial pollutions and shrimp farms. This may change, unfortunately, as oil has been found in Cambodia and the drilling of exploration holes has begun. So now is a really good time to come.

As Cambodia moves forward towards the future, it is obvious to most that the future in Cambodia is tourism. And for Cambodia?s beach resort of Sihanoukville, to misquote the tune ?the futures so bright, in Sihanoukville, that your gonna need shades?

Fred Tittle has lived and worked in resorts his entire life, from South East Wisconsin at the famous Lake Geneva Playboy Club and Nippersink Resort, Aspen Colorado where he was a rock jock for KSPN FM, Waikiki on Oahu in Hawaii where he drove big bikes and learned to scuba dive and now as a owner of EcoSea Dive in Sihanoukville Cambodia where he teaches PADI and SSI Scuba Diving and runs holiday adventure tours to the outer islands. Fred is working on a new website project CheapCharliesHotels.com as a excuse to travel more and work less, basically his life?s ambition. His website is http://www.ecosea.com

Historic Hotels In Rome

Posted by Mutual-Funds | Hotel Review | Friday 26 June 2009 2:54 am

As a tourist, sometimes the best thing about a vacation is the comfortable hotel. So while you are visiting Rome, Italy, why not try one of the many historic hotels?

Between visiting beautiful historic fountains, the Coliseum, the Vatican Museum and enjoying the night life in Trastevere, you?ll need a cozy place to relax in the evening, but don?t let the vacation stop the moment you arrive at your hotel. There are plenty of exquisite hotels that only add to the experience of a true Roman holiday.

Suggested Historic Hotels in Rome

Amidst the city streets of Rome are lovely historic hotels like D?Inghilterra. Founded in 1845, the hotel?s guest list has included Hans Christian Anderson and Mark Twain. You understand why this is one of the most popular hotels when you first see the location, which sits close to the Spanish Steps. It?s unique interior style makes heads turn. With a delectable restaurant, Caf? Romano, this makes for a stunning all inclusive five star hotel.

Not far from the Vatican Museum is an historic district called ?Prati?. Within the floors of an ancient palace, is the Les Chambres D?Or. The quiet atmosphere and sophisticated style and grace are revealed at every turn. You get some of the best views of the Eternal City when you stay at the Les Chambres D?Or.

How to Pick the Right Historic Hotel in Rome

Rome has many culturally intoned historic hotels, and choosing the right one for your stay may be important.

First, figure out the tourist destinations you are interested in. Is there a certain museum you would like to see? Do you only have a short weekend to stay in Rome? Factors like these may be of some assistance if you want to get the most out of your vacation.

For example, if you are going to visit for a short while, you could pick out the museums and all the places you would like to see, and then pick a hotel that is center to everything you want to do. You would not want to pick a hotel that is on the other side of the city from the places you want to visit.

Benefits of a Historic Hotel

You could stay at one of the Hilton, Sheraton or Holiday Inn hotels. They are very luxurious and in convenient locations. However, why stay there, when there are thousands of those in cities around the world? You would get the same standard room from a standard hotel, but a trip to Rome shouldn?t be standard.

A cultural vacation shouldn?t end the moment you reach the hotel steps. The more historic hotels in the district offer fantastic views, traditional styles and more. You are swallowed up in Italian history at ever turn. With sleek marble baths and plush carpets and the opportunity to open you window up to an ancient structure or an exceptionally beautiful church, you simply can?t miss a chance to reserve a hotel in one of the finest cities in the world.

Fionn Downhill is President of Four Corners Hotels offering hotels in cities around the world. To find out more about hotels in Rome visit http://www.fourcornershotels.com/index.php/IT–Rome