ARRIVAL AT THE HOTEL

If you intend to arrive by car and don’t know the area, obtain detailed directions from the hotel. Be sure to ask if there are any areas that should be avoided en route, and if possible, plan to arrive during daylight hours. Parking is your next concern. If you drop off your luggage at the hotel and park your car in a public lot, consider how visible your car is, and how safe you will be walking to your car after dark. Find out in advance if the parking area is monitored by surveillance cameras. If you are a single woman, you may want to request that the hotel provide you with an escort to and from your car. If you use valet parking, make sure only your ignition key is left on the key ring given to the valet. It is unwise to leave anything of value in your car while it is parked; Even an adapter cord left plugged into the cigarette lighter is risky, since it an indicator to a potential thief that you own a cellular phone. Items to be stored in your car trunk should be placed there before you arrive so as to eliminate the security risk of someone watching you do so in the hotel parking lot. If you are arriving by limousine, taxi or hotel shuttle bus with other passengers, ensure that all your bags are loaded before you embark. If there is more than one stop between the airport and the hotel, watch to see that your bags remain on board as others disembark.

CHECK IN

At the front desk, the simple process of checking in can make you vulnerable from a security standpoint. For example, you will identify yourself by name to the desk clerk, and may be overheard by others. Your luggage tags may be visible to people standing near you. You will pull out a wallet or billfold to give the desk clerk your credit card, in clear view of others. Your room number may also be overheard, and a thief who is paying attention will quickly discern whether you are traveling alone or with others. To the greatest extent possible, be discreet when disclosing information about yourself, and be aware of who is standing around you and may overhear you. Women traveling alone should consider registering as Mr. & Mrs. Whatever. Generally, there is no additional charge for an additional person and it hides the fact that you are alone. If asked, say your husband is just around the corner. Where practical, look people in the eye to leave the impression that you could identify them. Request a new room if the desk clerk is overheard giving out your room number and then have them write down the number rather than announcing it. At a foreign hotel, discretion is much more difficult since a passport must be produced and sometimes even left at the desk. Unless you are familiar with the hotel, you have no way of knowing who will be privy to your passport.

If a bellhop is available to carry your bag, take advantage of it, especially if you are traveling alone. He will enter the room ahead of you and enable you to safely verify that there are no intruders hiding in the bathroom or under the bed. If you enter your room alone, prop the room door open with a chair while you check for intruders. If you are traveling with others, have someone stand in the open doorway while you check. Do the same for them if you are staying in separate rooms.

SMOKE AND FIRE

In most hotels there are bedside instructions outlining what to do in case of fire. It is wise to read them and follow them. Your first task should be to count the number of doorways on your floor from the door to the exit staircase, and then walk down the staircase to the ground floor. This will help you familiarize yourself with your escape route so that in a fire situation, when it is likely to be dark and smoky, you will be able to walk or crawl along your route to safety with no confusion, surprise turns, or unexpected locked doors. Put your room key and glasses beside your bed so that in an emergency, you will be able to find them quickly. If you leave your room in an emergency, take your room key with you so you can retreat back into your room if necessary. If you discover that the hotel does not have a smoke detector system, carry your own. It is also a good idea to carry an emergency escape smoke hood, which filters out the harmful gases that are present in a smoke filled environment, and provides those precious few extra minutes you might need to escape.

HOTEL ROOM SECURITY

Access to your room by strangers, and protection of your belongings, are the basic issues of hotel security. This is where the question of electronic door locks and key control comes into play. It is a virtual certainty that people unknown to you the cleaning staff will enter your room when you are not present, and the door will be left open for a period of time each day. Well managed hotels have elaborate security procedures in place to control who is issued a key.

Some hotels can monitor when and with which key a room is entered, and there are usually regulations about staff room cleaning procedures to thwart intruders. Out of the way hotels in foreign countries, hotels in cities like Moscow, and hotels in less developed countries, often do not have secure door locks. In some cases, the hotel staff may actually target you and your belongings. Your level of security awareness and the precautions you take must be adjusted for each city and area you visit, but there are standard minimal precautions that apply almost anywhere. Here are some tips to protect yourself and your belongings when you travel: e Don’t leave valuables in your room when you are absent. Use the hotel safe, and get a receipt for what you leave there. Professional thieves and hotel staffs are usually aware of every possible hiding place for valuables. Some hotels provide a safe in each guest room for storing valuables. Be aware that there could be an insurance liability coverage issue if you use a guest room safe rather than using the main hotel safe (e.g. your credit card loss/theft policy may not apply if you use the room safe). * When you are in your room, lock the door, use the chain lock, and use your door peephole to identify people who knock at your door. Overseas, there may be no chain lock and no peephole, so you should carry a good quality traveler’s door lock, a doorstop alarm that wedges against the base of the door, or a motion detector. * Do not open the door for unexpected visitors. Call the front desk to verify that someone claiming to be making a service call is from the hotel. Overseas, where a language barrier may complicate such a call, you should definitely carry your own interior door lock so that even someone with a key may be barred from entering when you are in the room. e Some hotels and motels that do not have their own dining facilities allow food to be delivered to your room from outside the hotel. It is best to have such deliveries made to the lobby. Delivery to your room allows an outsider to meet you, know your room number and determine whether you are alone. It is especially perilous for women traveling alone to have such details known by an outsider. Also, be careful about the leftovers you leave on a tray outside your door. A single drinking cup with lipstick marks and/or remnants of a single meal can alert passersby to the fact that you are alone in the room and can help them to determine your level of vulnerability.

When you are sleeping, make sure that your deadbolt lock and chain locks are in place and that no window or sliding door will provide access by an intruder. When you are not in your room, you may want passersby to believe that it is occupied. If possible, find out the hours for maid service, so that you may place the DO NOT DISTURB sign on your door and leave the TV or radio on at an audible level. At out of the way foreign destinations, this may be difficult because room cleanings may not be at appointed hours, and maids may have instructions to take down DO NOT DISTURB signs in your absence.0 Most security specialists advise you to keep your room key with you at all times in and out of the hotel so that no one (including hotel staff) can see by checking the front desk that you are not in your room. If you decide to use a hotel fitness room or pool, it’s a good idea to leave your key at the front desk rather than with your belongings. At some foreign destinations, hotels require you to turn your room key in as you go out. In Moscow, a concierge at the end of each floor is responsible for holding and dispensing room keys as guests come and go. With a few simple precautions, you can improve your personal security and protect your belongings even if there may be criminals lurking about your hotel.

A former chief investigator of a major law enforcement agency and director of the International Security Group, Ltd. in New York City and Israel. An executive level experienced security and investigative expert with proven diversified experiences in: anti-terrorism, managed operations, applied automation and technical information systems, administrative, staff development, and supervisory skills. Career spans more then thirty-five years in both the private and government sectors, with increasing levels of professional responsibility to the highest level. Decades of experience in national and international affairs, as well as close working relationships with U.S. and Israeli Security & Special Forces Units.

Badler can be reached at:

E Mail: mb@implexsecurityproducts.com

According to a recent survey by Expedia, the average American has 14 days of vacation per year. Comparing this to Englands 24 and Frances 39 days, it is no wonder so many people suffer from rode rage and take prozac. They have no time to sit back and chill out.

43% of Americans will not take a vacation this summer according to a Gallup poll. This is the lowest percent in 28 years and disgraceful.

Many reasons have been given as to why Americans do not take more vacation time. Among them, people are too afraid to leave their jobs. Expedia’s poll said the typical employee will give back 4 vacation days unused to their employer this year. That is up from 3 days last year.

In a travel article in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, it touched on another reason why Americans don’t take more time off of work. They don’t want to! It seems hard to believe, but it makes sense. Many people don’t know how to have fun and vacation properly. Just like at work, they cram in too many things to do in too short a time period of time on trips. It is rush, rush, rush from one historic site to another. Some people even make spreadsheets allocating how much time they will spend on each activity, trying to maximize every last minute. They check off each completed activity as if it was another accomplishment on a resume. That’s not a vacation! It is worse then work. It is exhausting. No wonder why they dread vacations. Working to 8pm each night is more relaxing to them. It’s no wonder so many people have unused vacation days. They need to be taught how to relax. And nudist resorts are the perfect way.

The beauty of nudist resorts is everyone kicks backs and relaxes to the max. The nicest boutique nude resorts around like The Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa in sunny Palm Spring, California sunnyfun.com hotel blog about nudism and the resort terracottainn.blogspot.com cater to couples so you don’t have noisy children running all around disturbing you. The hardest decisions you will have to make are when to schedule your massages and what times to eat your meals. Without kids, couples immediately go from mom and dad mode into a romantic husband and wife relationship again. You are reminded as to why you initially fell in love and still feel that way.

And some nudist resorts make it very easy for you to get away. Since almost 25% of people check their work related e-mails while on vacation the best nude hotels have free wifi and all the other business services you would expect at a top notch business hotel. Once people realize they can still check in at the office if necessary, they relax even more on their vacations. And the most amazing thing is most people have so much fun, they forget about work and leave the laptops in their briefcases.

I see and hear about many first time guests at nudist resorts who arrive really stressed out. They decided it is either a vacation clothes free or time for a breakdown. It is an interesting phenomena, once you take your clothes off, the stress immediately melts away. That is why so many celebrities are nudists and stay at topless, nude beaches or resorts as they have some of the most demanding careers around. Until you have stayed at a nudist resort, you just can’t imagine how much fun and freedom you are missing out on.

According to The U.S. Department of Labor, Labor Day was created in 1882 to recognize the social and economic achievements of American workers. We truly are the most productive country in the world, but socially we lag far behind especially in enjoying vacations. This year, if you want your best, most fun, romantic vacation ever, give a nudist resort a call. You will be glad that you did.

Tom and his wife Mary Clare Mulhall own the popular Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, CA. sunnyfun.com CBSmarketwatch.com called them the most mainstream nudist resort in America and said they are the best nude resort for couples trying nude sunbathing for the first time. As a past president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, Tom is an expert on tourism. It is no wonder that his hotel has one of the highest occupancy and repeat guest rates in the travel industry. If you want your best vacation ever, give them a call at 1-800-786-6938.

Those who visit the Hotel Playa Mazatlan have the option of attending one of the longest running dinner shows in Mexico. The Fiesta Mexicana has been delighting guests of the Hotel Playa Mazatlan for nearly forty years. This night of food, drink and entertainment is a night of enjoyment that all who attend are sure to remember. Currently the Fiesta Mexicana takes place three nights a week at the Hotel Playa Mazatlan. Each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night the staff of the hotel delight the guests with this night of authentic food and entertainment.

The food is only part of the experience at Fiesta Mexicana but it is definitely a part that you shouldn’t miss. Fiesta Mexicana would not be complete without the scrumptious buffet that offers a variety of authentic Mexican cuisine. Some of the savory dishes offered in this seemingly endless buffet include carne asada, pineapple tamales, cheese enchiladas and smoked marlin tostadas. The variety of mouth watering dishes available in the Fiesta Mexicana buffet makes it difficult to decide what to eat. Luckily this buffet is available three nights of week so if you are staying for a few days you will likely have at least two opportunities to indulge in this feast.

Besides the mouth watering buffet, the other great aspect of the Fiesta Mexicana is the entertainment. The entire family will delight in the entertainment that features folk music and dance from all over Mexico. Everyone enjoys the live music and dancing but that is not all that the Fiesta Mexicana has to offer in terms of entertainment. In addition you can also witness the classic Mexican hat dance and enjoy featured comedians and magicians. The fire and machete dance is another crowd favorite as many are drawn to the intrigue that comes with the element of danger.

Visitors to the Hotel Playa Mazatlan should be sure to partake in the famed Fiesta Mexicana. This night of food and entertainment has a forty year tradition that has delighted countless visitors.

Shawn Bishop is the marketing manager for Hotel Playa Mazatl?n. Explore an oasis of lush gardens, cascading waterfalls and pools. Celebrate Mexico at our Fiesta Mexicana.

Finding the right travel luggage before you depart on your trip will greatly depend on where and how you will be traveling. If your journey is a weekend getaway to Paris, and you will have all the amenities provided, then you may need little in the way of travel luggage; the same applies if you are a backpacker who will be constantly on the move. Your bags must be easy to pack, transport and carry. However, if you are heading to Southeast Asia and are planning to put your roots down in Bangkok for a long time, then you can buy the biggest suitcase allowed, along with some added trunks and boxes.

There are a couple of important considerations when choosing travel luggage. First, one of the greatest mistakes that people make when buying travel luggage, is worrying more about weight than size. Weight is less of a problem than bulk, though it is important to be conscious of both. If you can travel light, all the better, but if you cannot, then try to travel small. Secondly, bring what is the most important to you. Some people have the incredible ability to travel with merely a tent, a toothbrush, a change of clothes and a guidebook. I am not one of them, but have found that if you can bring a balance of basic necessities and things for enriching your experience (such as a camera or journal), this can help you pack more quickly.

Your choice of travel luggage is of paramount importance, and will most likely involve you making a purchase at one point or another. After a certain point in your life, it will no longer suffice to borrow your brother?s ripped backpack from fifteen years back or your father?s first roll travel suitcase. You will have to hazard a purchase on your own.

Backpacks can be an obvious choice for people who will be hiking over hills and doing a fair amount of camping. It is the kind of travel luggage that distributes weight evenly on your shoulders and hips and takes the main weight off your lower back. However, if you are considering using public transport and walking in busy, crowded areas, it may be wiser to buy a combination bag and backpack. Both pieces come apart and zip together depending on where you are going, and can be very helpful if you do not wish to look too conspicuous with your backpack.

If you are going on a tour, and will be with a group who has their travel luggage carried for them, it may be wise to look into purchasing a duffel bag. These are easily stored in compartments where suitcases do not fit, and can be easily hoisted on to a pack animal or stowed away on a boat.

Traveling by air may merely require that you purchase a conventional suitcase, and if you are a frequent traveler, it may be wise to get a good quality one. The typical way that travel luggage is handled in airports could easily seeing you replacing that cheap suitcase after each trip.

However and wherever you go, remember to consider the importance of what you will be carrying, and how the travel luggage that you eventually choose can either make or break a trip.

For more information on the best Travel Deals Online try visiting Ultimate Travel Deals Video located at http://vacation-travel-deals.com/traveldeals.htm where you will find valuable information on cheap tickets and other information..

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, and is approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coast-line 867 kilometers south of Bangkok.

Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7′ 45 and 8′ 15 north latitude, and from 98′ 15 to 98′ 40 west longitude on the map. Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there yet). The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin, Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is large.

History of Phuket

Phuket Island has a long recorded history, and remanins dating back to A.D.1025 indicate that the island’s present day name derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or crystal mountain. For most of history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy’s Geographia, written by the Alexadrian geographer in the Third Century A.D. He mentioned that in making a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.

Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millenium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket’s emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period Phuket was associated with Takua Pah in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period in the 16th Cent. The island’s northern and central regions then were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. This led to Phuket’s most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket’s recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook. After a month’s siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.

During the Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island’s interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V’s reign, Phuket became the administration center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933 with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Boundaries

On the North Is the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge. On the South Is the Andaman Sea. On the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the Jurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga Province). On the West Is the Andaman Sea.

Climate

Phuket’s weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degrees Celsius.

Transportation

By Car

Take Route 4 from Bangkok south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakorn Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, and at Chumporn go right to Ranong, From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which is the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket. Distance is 867 kilometers.

Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the individual bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng Jumkat Phuket Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel. (02) 4351200, or in Phuket (076) 211480

By Air

Details about flights to and from Phuket International Airport can be obtained from Thai Airway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or in Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from travel agents around the world. There are also many regular and chartered flights from other airlines.

By Sea

The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel agent for information about the may different ships that stop at Phuket.

More detail

http://www.gosouththai.com/phuket/e-index.asp

Chan Phoondee

Web Director

http://www.GoSouthThai.com

It can be very enjoyable to go traveling both in country and abroad but you should be alert for possible cons while traveling on vacation. There are many types of cons to be on the lookout for and you can never know what direction they are going to come from.

Con Artists are very clever and one of their prime targets is the uninformed traveler. When you visit someplace you have never been to before take the time to research and learn a little bit about the place you are headed. You can easily find information on town and city layouts, crime rates and the types of restaurants and services available online or by making a few well placed phone calls. A Con Artist may offer to help you find information on places or help to secure you a hotel reservation or place to stay at a much cheaper cost, but will really take your money and leave you lost and confused. There are some people who actually supply these services to travelers but their methods may be under the table, quasi illegal or down right against the law. You could get in trouble if they are caught or you may even be tricked by undercover police officers pretending to offer such services.

You can take some simple steps avoid being taken by a con artist. Travel in groups or with another person. There is safety in numbers and con artists are less likely to go after a herd of tourists. If someone does approach your or your fellow travelers tell them ?no thanks,? in a firm tone of voice. If they persist and even begin to follow you remain firm, threaten to call the authorities. If you?ve done your research you should have seen at least a few photos of the type of clothing people wear in the place you are about to visit. Take note of this when packing. For example the French, especially Parisians wear dark and muted colors and they only smile at people they know, friends and family. If you take clothing that is similar to the style and do your best to adopt the social attitude of those you are traveling among you are less likely to stand out as a tourist. There may not be much you can do about the language barrier, but from a distance you won?t look as much a foreigner and therefore an easy mark.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for information on exotic destinations.

There are many reasons why firms offer reduced, or discounted travel deals, ranging from flights, up to packages which include several components, all inclusive in one price.

One of the main reasons for travel deals is the unsold places. Competition can also play a part in further reductions in list prices.

Before giving you a whole list of tips to get the best travel deals and discounts, I want to show you a amazingly simple but brilliant technique that you can use pretty much in most places and for most products and services.

I have used the technique all over the place it works so well it is almost unbelievable. But it is so simple that you may dismiss it without trying. I want you to be mentally prepared and be willing to give it a try, so here we go.

To get a discount or a bargain in most places, even in a high class boutique or a high street store, what you need to do is: ASK. Yes, just ask. But also I want you to remember, as they say, … it is not what you say, but the way you say it … that really counts.

So, to get a discount, you need to keep your intention to ‘buy’ to yourself until you’re ready to make your payment. You must always appear like you’re not convinced yet and that if the sales person doesn’t do better he will lose the deal. But you should also seem reasonably interested or else the sales person will think you’re not serious and therefore he won’t try to sweeten the deal for you.

OK, so how do you do all of the above? Easy and this is how I’ve done it for travel deals all the way to buying just 2 shirts at an up market men’s boutique – yes for just 2 shirts:

* I get information on the various options (be it travel deals or shirts).

* I decide what I want but will only – and this is the very important part – tell the sales person about a portion of what I want. So I may show interest in just one shirt or a holiday for 2 people and not 4.

* I ask all my questions and show that it is just what I want (so the sales person knows he almost has sale) but …

* I indicate that I’m not happy with the price. For example I may have seen something similar cheaper elsewhere. Or that I am prepared to go shopping around (all sales people know, if the customer walks out they usually will not come back). Or that I have the money (you’ll see why next) but had not planned on spending that much.

* I let the sales person try to ‘sell me the IDEA’ that it is OK to buy the product. Sometimes, they offer some free product (e.g. a pair of socks or tickets for a gallery or some show while on holiday). Then I ‘ask’ for the discount but make it clear that I will definitely buy if they give me the discount. This is how I ‘ask’ …

* Look I’ll definitely take it at $X. The sales person then says … so you want $Y off the price?!. They may tell you they don’t normally offer a discount outside of the sales season, etc. If they are very confident about not offering discounts, I then say ok, I’ll take 2 shirts … this one and … that one, only if you give me them at $Z for both ….

* At this stage the sales person may even say he hasn’t the authority to offer discounts. No problem, I ask them to speak to their boss. I have done this lots of times and get this: 90% of the time the boss agrees to the discount. Of the remaining 10% at least half the time, the boss offers me a counter discount which is a not as good as what I asked for but still pretty good.

Do you want to know the kind of discounts I’ve had? Well, on two shirts worth $62 I got $22 off. That is around 35%! On a travel package worth around $4,300, I got about $600 off but wait for it … I also got an upgrade from a deluxe room to a business suite in the same 5 star hotel. That suite was worth $800 per night and the deluxe room was worth $250 per night!

I had to explain the above details at length but all that I did was to display that I ‘WILL’ buy with a discount. They knew all they had to do was just one thing: give me a discount, so they did it. I made it, as they say, a no brainer for them.

In short just ask but (a) be realistic (let them make a little profit, don’t ask for 80% off) and (b) have a little flexibility as a backup plan (be ready to tell them that you’ll buy more, e.g. 2 shirts or a holiday for 4. Hey, even the sales people like to think they have got a concession form you … it is not a one-way street).

This technique works for almost everything but also works extremely well for travel bargains too. So lets get back to more tips specific to travel deals then.

Travel bargains, discounts and deals are all around you because we all travel regularly and repeatedly for holidays as well as for business and of course the travel industry competes for our dollars. Nevertheless, some research and being alert to travel deals can mean more substantial savings. Here’s how to spot and get the best travel deals:

* Booking as early as possible usually entitles you to some travel discount.

* If you’re buying more than one ticket, a further travel discount is possible.

* Be flexible. Sometimes weekend flights can be cheaper than weekdays (less business travellers).

* Flights departing later at night can be cheaper.

* Depending on your timetable, consider indirect flights, which take longer, but are probably cheaper, as opposed to direct flights.

* Travelling other than peak periods, such as schools holidays and public holidays will probably be heaper.

* More often than not, holiday packages are cheaper than buying the components separately.

* Compare prices online, by phone, or visit individual travel agents in the high street.

* As all airlines overbook, consider taking a later flight which usually comes with sweeteners from the airline in the form of further travel discounts, and travel vouchers.

* It may also be possible to travel on ‘stand by’, but it means that you’ll be called with very little notice

* If you’re lucky, it may be possible to travel as a ‘courier’. Some firms will pay, or subsidise your airfare in return for carrying important packages and letters.

* Buy travel insurance that best suits your circumstances. In case of emergencies it’ll save you lots of money.

The more time and effort you devote, the better travel deals you’ll bag. In many instances the saving could be quite substantial. So much so that you may be able to add on extra days stay. Happy travel deals.

Sami T Fab operates a dedicated travel and vacation information website packed full of free travel tips and informative content.

For more tips on travel deals and other travel subjects of interest to you, please do visit Travel Deals at www.Travel-Hotel-Beach-Vacations.com

A few years ago, we relied on travel agents and word of mouth to find a hotel. We had to pay cash in advance or send a cheque which needed to be cleared to secure a room. You had no idea whether you were getting a good deal and you had to hope for a brochure to come through the post to check out the facilities and quality of accommodation.

The internet has revolutionised the hotel market. There are now more than 55,000 hotels worldwide that can be booked online. You can often take a virtual hotel tour, view a location map, find local attractions, check live room availability and reserve a room for the night or for a longer stay.

We all know that the internet is a great information resource and some things are better suited to the internet than others. Hotels, hostels and other lodgings are a perfect internet resource and this is absolutely to the benefit of consumers.

Many of us will have booked a hotel, having seen photos in a brochure and been very disappointed when we arrived to find that it looks so very different. If we all owned a hotel we would make sure we photographed it in its best light, but as customers we expect a realistic impression so that our expectations are at least met and hopefully exceeded.

There are now an ever growing number of websites and resources on hotels and incredibly useful customer reviews – recommendation by others is often worth as much as any other available information.

I have stayed in many, many different hotels located in England, throughout Europe and Worldwide. Standards vary immensely and I have experienced budget no star accommodation and five star luxurious hotels. I have enjoyed local friendly bed and breakfast accommdation and clincal and functional business rooms. The key in all things is expectation – I have been pleasantly surprised as some 2 star hotels and incredibly disappointed at some 4 star rated hotels.

You now have more information at your fingertips than you have ever had before. There are fewer and fewer excuses for getting it wrong and I strongly advise you to research your stay very carefully. Always look at consumer reviews as you cannot beat the recommendation or otherwise of recent guests.

Always shop around as there are some great prices and deals on hotels.

To begin with, if you are looking for a hotel in England, the UK or Europe, take a look at http://www.deals-on-everything.co.uk

Plan ahead, take your time, do your research and you minimise the risk of disappointment. You will maximise your chances of find a great hotel, a great deal and a wonderful stay.

Mark Hartshorne has worked in travel for 14 years and travelled extensively. Having stayed in superb hotels and some of the most basic accommodations, he offers a few simple tips to help customers find the best hotel deals and makes the right choice. For more information please visit Hotel Discounts and Deals

One of Colorado’s many marvellous attractions is the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo which is located in the state’s central city of Colorado Springs. The Zoo, being one of only two mountain zoos in the United States, was established in 1926 by philanthropist Spencer Penrose for the purpose of housing his growing collection of exotic animals. Today, it holds over 750 animals from all over the world, including 30 endangered species and the largest herd of Somali giraffes in the United States.

The Zoo operates solely as a non-profit public trust to the people of Colorado Springs, and is among the very few in the nation which does not depend on the support of local taxes; that being said, it functions entirely on donations, grants, admissions and memberships. That’s why a recent donation of $1.46 million – the largest donation the zoo has ever received from an individual in its eighty years of existence – came as huge news. The funds have been allocated to the Rocky Mountain Wild Capital Campaign, which will construct an exhibit to connect Zoo visitors with the wild heritage of Colorado. The space will feature mountain lions, lynx, bald eagles, and grizzly bears, amongst a number of other animals native to the region. What’s more, the El Pomar Foundation, which has played a significantly active role in the Zoo’s development ever since its early days, has matched the $1.46 million gift for the project’s expansion – a fitting affair with the Zoo celebrating its 80th anniversary this year.

But until the new exhibit is completed in 2008, visitors can continue to stroll between the habitats of more than 140 species of animals, and even hand feed certain groups such as the famous giraffes. And no outing to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is complete without a visit to the ‘Shrine of the Sun,’ an historic monument which stands at an elevation of over 8,000 feet and provides remarkable views above the city of Colorado Springs.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a fantastic place for families to frequent together; in fact, it was voted ‘the best place for family fun’ for five consecutive years by Colorado’s Gazette. And the zoo’s many picnic areas make it easy to pack a lunch and make an entire day out of the visit. What’s more, in between stopping at animal exhibits, adults and youths alike can take part in the various education programs hosted by the Zoo – an endeavour to build appreciation and understanding of animals and the natural world.

If you’re planning to take a long car ride or perhaps even a flight to Colorado Springs, you’ll undoubtedly need to book accommodation – and your options are anything but limited. Colorado Springs has a number of terrific local hotels and familiar franchises like Embassy Suites to stay at, many of which are a just a hop, skip and a jump away from the city’s biggest attractions – one of them being the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. And if you’re arranging a group or family trip, you’ll likely be able to track some superb package deals on both sightseeing and accommodation.

So with everything Colorado has to offer – from the breathtaking scenery to amazing attractions such as the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo – what are you waiting for? Start planning your adventure today; you’re sure to return home some wild memories.

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club.

Traveling is a very exciting experience. But before you go on perfect getaway, you should prepare yourself. A little preparation will go a long way. It is a good idea to do some research. You want to learn as much as possible about your destination. For example, you want to know the type of weather in the area, and you want to find out what types of diseases are common in the area.

Documentation is also important. You want to make sure that you have the paperwork and documentation ready. You do not want to forget your visa at home, when you reach the airport. It is also a good idea to find out about the medical coverage. You may consider purchasing trip insurance.

If you plan to drive, you should get your automobile ready. You should take it to the local mechanic. You should study the local road, laws, and other driving regulations.

You should plan your budget. It is important that you research the cost of local items. If you plan to visit the country that has high cost of living, you can easily run out of money. You also want to have ideas on taxes and tipping in the country of your destination. Many governments charge high taxes for travel related services. It is also a good idea to check for local major holidays. Some services may be limited to those dates.

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